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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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2?  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 

1980 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 

D 

n 

n 

D 
D 
D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverturo  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustration'?/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couiaur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


HTighx  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 


□ 


D 


Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film^es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul6es 


I — I    Pages  damaged/ 

I — I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


□    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet6es  ou  piqu^es 

□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

□    Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

□    Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  §t6  film6es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


El' 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  r6duction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


SOX 


v/ 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  fllm6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  na^.:>na:»  ^  j  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  dt6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
do  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ♦-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  {meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film^s  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iMiistration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparailra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  dn  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  y  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  §tre 
film6s  ik  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  §tre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

MI 


Con 


TO  WHIG 

M 


HI  STORY 


OF   THl 


MAUMEE  VALLEY 


Commencing  with  its  Occupation  by  the  French  in  1680. 


TO  WHICH    IS  ADDED  SKETCHES  OF  SOME  OK  ITS  MOKAL  AND 
MATERIAL  RESOURCES  AS  THEY  EXIST  IN  1S72. 


BY  iL   S.    KNA  r  p. 


TOl.  BDO  : 
iti.Ai>n  MANMirrn  prihtino  amp  viTiti.iiiniNa  boiihi*. 

t878. 


72i85 


■nterad  •ccordlng  to  an  act  ot  fongj-eg-,  in    iiu-  year  ]«2, 

i?y  /f.  -«.   KJVAPP, 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  oi  (tousrcss,  .u  \\  asUin^u. 


TO  RUTHERFORD  BIRCHARl)  HAYRS, 

LATE    GOVERNOR    OF   OHIO: 

Whose  official  life  adds  lustre  to  the  character  of  the  true  soldier, 
and  able  and  incorruptible  statesman,  and  whose  interest  in  all  that 
bears  relation  to  the  preservation  of  the  historical  wealth  of  Ohio 
has  been  manifested  throughout  his  life,  this  volume  is  respectfully 

dedicated,  by  ,, 

^  H.  S.  K. 

Toledo,  May,  1873. 


INrRODUCTORY  AND  EXPLANATORY. 


The  author  of  Ecce  Deus  says  :  "  History  ran  never  be  written. 
It  can  only  be  hinted  at,  and  most  dimly  outlined  from  the  particu- 
lar stand-point  which  the  historian  has  chosen  to  occupy.  It  is  only 
by  «;oiirtesy  that  any  man  can  be  called  a  historian.  Seldom  do 
men  so  flatly  contradict  each  other  as  upon  points  of  fact.  Incom- 
pletentss  marks  all  narrations.  No  man  can  fully  write  his  own  life. 
On  reviewing  the  sheets  which  were  to  have  told  everything,  the 
autobiographer  is  struck  with  their  reticence  and  poverty." 

It  may  be  said  that  in  this  work  appear  many  historians.  Its  com- 
piler, in  a  large  degree,  has  acted  only  the  part  of  a  faithful  amanu- 
ensis, ai\d  transcribed  the  recollections  of  others,  as  they  have  been 
given  him.  Statements  are  made  regarding  the  same  facts  by  per- 
sons of  high  character,  which  other  persons  efjually  entitled  to  credit, 
and  havmg  knowledge  of  the  .>ame  cotemporaneous  events,  may  cri- 
ticise and  contradict.  These  discrepancies  result  from  the  infirmi- 
ties of  human  memory,  and  the  author  could  not  undertake  to  adjust 
or  reconcile  them  ;  and  the  remark  above  (juoted  he  has  found  so 
obviously  true  as  to  justify  repetition  :  "  Seldom  do  men  so  flatly 
contradict  each  other  as  upon  points  of  fact."  This  observation  will 
apply  even  to  matter  emanating  from  the  highest  official  sources, 
including  Messages  of  Presidents,  and  reports  from  heads  of  civil  and 
military  departments.  For  a  wise  purpose,  doubtless,  it  was  ordered 
that  the  words  of  only  One  should  outlive  and  defy  all  criticism. 

A  ])rimary  object  of  this  work  has  been  to  embody  the  names  and 
recollections  of  as  many  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Maumee  Valley  as  it 
was  |>racticable  to  obtain,  within  a  reasonable  space  of  time,  and 
bring  the  survivors,  so  far  as  the  art  of  printing  could  execute  the 


[design,  into  a  Common  Council.  It  is  sad  lo  review  the  decimation, 
made  by  the  hand  of  death,  during  the  last  two  years  and  more,  since 
the  commencement  of  this  vohmie,  among  the  early  settlers.     If  the 

[years  immediately  succeeding  make  similar  inroads  upon  their  ranks, 

[the  time  is  close  at  hand  when  the  last  of  the  old  race  we  call  "  pio- 

[neer,"  will  have  been  conveyed  to  his  f'nal  rest. 

The  names  of  many  worthy  'old  settlers'  of  the  Valley  are  necessarily 

[omitted  ;  but  this  work,  now  largely  exceeding  the  limits  originally 
designed,  and  extending  several  months  beyond  the  time  fixed 
for  its  appearance,  should  reach  the  "  finis  "  before  its  author  reaches 
his  tomb.  Even  if  the  task  has  been  imperfectly  accomi)lished,  the 
months  of  drudging,  though  pleasant,  toil,  devoted  to  it,  will  not  be 
regarded  as  spent  in  vain.  The  author  only  regrets  that  he  had  not 
lease  of  longer  life  than  will  })robably  be  allotted  him,  and  ample  pecu- 

[niary  resources,  to  make  the  work  more  acceptable.     But,.commen- 

icing  on  a  jjrescribed  limit  of  350  pages,  it  was  again  fixed  at  500, 
and  now,  as  the  reader  discovers,  considerably  exceeds  600,  exclu- 

j  sive  of  engravings  and  maps. 

Acknowledgments  are  due  such  a  multitude  of  good  people  for 

[kindness  that  discrimination  is  hardly  ])roper.     It  would,  however, 

be  scarcely  pardonable  to  omit  expression  of  general  obligation  to 
[my  old  cotemporaries  of  the  newspaper  press  throughout  the  Valley 

and  country,  and  to  name  especially  the  late  A.  T.  Goodman,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Western  Reserve  and  Northern  Ohio  Historical  Associa- 
[tion,  and  the  late  Secretary  of  State,  W.  H.  Smith,  Clark  Waggoner, 

Alfred  P.  Edgerton,  Jesup  W.  Scott,  and  to  the  works  of  my  old 
[friend  and  editorial  associate,  Mr.  Charles  Cist,  of  Cincinnati, 

Typographical  errors  will  be  discovered.  The  responsibility  for 
I  these,  in  a  court  of  equity,  would  be  about  equally  distributed,  pro- 
jbably,  among  printers,  proofreader  and  author.     In  most  instances 

they  are  so  manifest,  that  the  intelligent  reader  will  pass  them  by 
[without  complaining  of  the  absence  of  a  hackneyed  and  hateful 
["errata." 

Toledo,  July,  1873. 


Allen  f'i)iin(y, 

and  wcM 

Allen  county, 

Alli'n,  dapfftit 

Aliiiiidt'H— Ta 

jjloneerc 

oHlcor*  i 

AiidrewH,  Will 

Arrowsniitb,  J 

ArniHtrons',  Ca 

Auf,'laiz«  river 

nii;itary ; 

navij;ati( 

Auglaize  coiinl 

^rst  turn 

taxable  I 

Harclay,  (Capts 
Baylcps,  Saniiu 
Hirc'liard,  Sardl 
Bond.  Jotin  K. 
Boil  (I  net  and  B 
Bowline  Green 
Briglmni.  Mavt 
Kiickland,  Gene 
BucyruB— plott* 
Biicyrns  in  1872 

(!«nal  systems  { 
Vm»,  General  I 
Oliasc,  Gt-neral 
<-'larl{,  Dr  Jaco 
<'lay,  General  G 
CotJinberry.And 
I'offlnberry,  Jan 
Coghlin.  Timoll 
Coolie,  Richard 
Conant,  Ur.  Ho: 
personal  s 
Combs,  General 
speech  of 
(Jniich,  Joseph  I 
C<iy,  CyruH  and 
Crane,  Gabriel 
Crawford  counti 
present  oti 
Crawford  county 
t;rawford'«  Kxpe 
Croglmn,  Major- 
bis  answer 
bis  heroic 
liromotod  1 
receives  th 
at  the  bati 


i:]srDEx:. 


Allon  ri)iinlv,  Iiullana-its  area— flri<t  offlcern— lint  of  JuellceB  in  1872— prcgron  In  population 

and  w('alih— offlccrs  of  the  county  i»  18V2 378-H81 

Allen  county,  Otilo—itrt  furmallon,  IH-iO 4B1 

Alien,  CaptaiD  Saniuol     655 

AliiiuduH— Tabic  of;  | see  Appendix  "  B . '"]  mi,  m4 

pioneerc,  notes  of    46S-45!( 

oiriccrt  in  1872— jail  building,  population,  Ac 45»-4«i 

AudrewH,  William  and  Samuel ti4« 

Arrow-smith,  Miller,  pergonal  sketch  of 6(t3-.')(»4 

ArmMtront?,  Captain  John— hie  operatioug  and  uecape  near  Fort  Wayne,  in  ISiM) 67,  ti8 

Auglaize  river — a  nlKht  bivouac  on 142 

military  po!-t!i  en 154 

navigation  of • 470 

Auglai/.e  county— itn  oreauization , 466 

arst  terra  of  Court '.     472 

taxable  basis— Federal  census 474,  475 

Karclay,  (Captain  of  tlie  British  fleet  on  Lake  Brie) 1H3 

Dayleiis.  Samuel— "Book  of  Uencral  Orders" 179-182 

Hifchard,  Hardis— remtnim'ences  of 517-525 

Bond.  John  K., 661 

Bouquet  and  Bradptreet,  campaigns  of 40,  41 

Bowline  Green  in  1872 484 

Brigliani.  Mavor 649 

Hiickland,  General  R.  P— personal  sketch  of 526-529 

Bucvrus— plotted  lu  1822 47T 

Bucyrus  in  1872 480 

Canal  syntemg  of  Ohio  and  Indiana 329-;i47 

Casi?,  Ueneral  Lewis- letter  from,  to  the  Governor  of  Ohio .   134-l:i5 

Chase,  General  Daniel  and  Dr.  James  L 652 

Clark,  I)r   Jacob (iSd 

Clay,  General  Green 16(i 

CotJInberry,  Andrew  A.— Reminiscence"  of JilXi-blO 

Cotlinberry,  James  M— personal  sketch  of 317,  :118 

Cojjhlin.  Timothy  and  Dennis    <■'")•• 

Cooke,  Richard  T irr, 

Conant,  Dr.  Horatio— letter  of,  in  1832 427,  428 

personal  sketch  of rul.fui 

Combe,  General  Leelie— letter  from 205,  20il 

speech  of 213-217 

Cnuch,  Joseph  N— letter  from 13.5,  1S« 

Coy,  Cyrus  and  Cyrus  H 657 

Crane,  Gabriel        653 

Crawford  county— organization  and  origin  of  its  name— earlv  history— first  Court- first  and 

present  offlcers— proceedings  of  the  Board  of  CommisHioners  of  1831 475-480 

Crawford  county— population,  wealth,  Ac,  in  1872-73 4«0,  4«1 

Crawford's  Expedition  51-58 

Crojjhan,  Major— .t  Kort  Stephenson 18:1 

his  answer  to  General  Harrison 184 

his  heroic  defence  at  fort  Steplienson 1S5,  186, 187, 1S8, 18» 

promoted  for  his  gallantry,  and  complimented  by  General  Harrison 190 

receives  the  plaudits  of  his  countrymen ; 190 

at  the  battle  of  the  Thames 801 


I'mglui",  Ot'orirc— liln  vIkK  Id  ttm  Mkiiiu-o  Viillcy  In  17(15 48-)J 

Ocni'nil  Cliiy  in  roniiiiiiiul  M    Kori  VIiti^'H        114 

re(■.<!iv('^  iiiHinictioiiH  (ruin  Uuiutrul  llarrlmon Ht 

lottor  to  (li'iicrul  HurriHon SOfl  aW  \ 

l)ani(Mi>,  VVI  lard  J. — pernonal  fikutch  of Sftimdl 

I»aiilnl8, 'I'liomax tw; 

Do  ColcntirM  «x|iL-(llil()ii  lu  17I9 , •■II 

l)(>tl  nil  o  coiiiity         , BNfj 

Dfttauco  (mrl)  (Tcc'oil  Ancii-t  1784 , ...HI 

tr>Mi|ii^  t'l  bf  c'ollcciod  at  lid 

(;onL'riil  IhirrlKDii  Ht   144,  14,)  | 

ri-viilf  In  a  Kciitmky  reKlinuut 14S-14,'i 

Willi  llCHtlT    Ht UN  I 

Dffiiincu  tliri'aii'MPd 17:)  j 

Lo^'anV  dcatli  and  Imii'IiiI   ... ai6  4(i«  < 

liirt  liiiprovud  hy  (linural  Waynu  III  17VI 3^'>\ 

hl»  niaiili  In  Fori  W'avnt! 'Ml 

Col.  JoliiiHoii  at  Drllaiiue  In  )8ia 877 

farly  whlti!  ht-tory  or         ...  .'W2M(:i 

Di'dancu.  (town)— wIumi  a  d  out.  It*  rapid  xrowth,  popuiatluii,  reaourciu,  i&c,     CWlMiUi 

OelplioH— population— 1951).  18(10,  1M70 461 

lilotoilcal  hkt'lch  or  uiid  pi'fft'iit  liiiiiliiUKH 4B'i-4t'j 

Detroit.... Itta; 

UicklUHon,  R'ldolph'iK— commUslonor  to  I Htablish  Crawfoid  loiinty  cuat 47(1  j 

pfr-onal  nkutch  ol' Mi^,  ft'.!* 

Dudley  Coloni'1-.a  B'ori  MuIk* 181-71)  | 

Editcrton,  AUcrd  P.— pwnonal  skt'tch  of 482-441 

K  mall,  Win  >.— n'niliii-criiHo*  of        3tf5-4'l 

JMUoli,  (Biiti»liC'oloiu'l) Hi, 

Evaii»,  l)r   •loin,  and  8.  O&ry— poiHOiial  Bkutclius  of 40J-4ih 

Kvarto,  T.  C ti6I 

Eivliijj,  Uolouul  Ueo.  W  — ptTHonal  ekuteh  of 40y-iri 

Flndl <y,  (fnrt)— erection  of Oil,  lili 

lie^ieL'ud  in  April,  I81H If9 

plmiuern  of  Kindliiy,  pnpiilalloii,  Ac, OlS-tM.I 

Finliy.Wm.J «'« | 

Ko.  1  Ad  mix  eroe  ed  in  ll.H Hi 

Fort  Indnstrv,  (Toie  o)  Vi 

••    De  rh.ini,  (ai  ClikaKi.i i;);; 

"    F(n-I  .luiiiiiiiKB.  (Pii  I  a  a  i-onnty)  —erected  in  1812 Ill 

Fort  Steiihencon— Id  teru  relailuti  to  military  fituation  ol" 17T,  '7ii  | 

Ilarrliion  at IM 

lieroic  defence  of bo 

Fort  Mei),'«— military  defeneee  and  ojieratious  at,  in  tlio  «?prlii>{  and  summer  of  1813 l.'ia  l.Vi  | 

the  post  l)e»ie!,'ed l.W  i 

Proctor  demands  its  surrender — UarrUou's  reply 16ii 

narrowly  escapes  destruction ICi 

second  Biej;e  of K] 

caved  from  a  great  peril  17 

eainplifeat , 179-lSJ  j 

the  HBCond  siese  abandoned  M 

importance  of  the  poi-t 191 

Fort  M  ami  at  Fort  Wayne 11 

rebuilt  in  1748  by  the  .Irreucb,  uuder  Lieut.  Duhuisaou ISSH 

Fort  Wayne— In  ItiilO lu 

Indian  towns  at i'A(* 

the  town  In  1812 1«  | 

the  post  relieved 14U 

opcninfi;  of  canal  navigation  at S^IO,  3ti 

early  history  of ;)J» 

La  Ualm's  unfortiiuate  expedition  to 3.'Jl-i).V) 

its  military  importance  in  the  view  of  Generals  Washin^jton,  St.  Clair  Wayno  and  Knoj 

in  l-()0  91  94 36B  :»•. 

Little  'I'urile  auu  General  Wayne 35,')-.'iV 

Little  Turtle  buried  at .ifil 

Indian  treaty  at  Fort  Wayne  in  1^03 36(1- Mil 

Ji  hn  B.  Richardville— his  birth  and  death  at  Fort  Wnyne 362-.')(i4 

General  Wayne  reaches  the  towu  September,  1714,  and  deienuiues  the  loi^ation  of  the 

new  girrison StW 

fort  compleied  and  nam^d 3ii6 

Fort  Wayne  from  17!»4  to  1811 3(i7.  ;*S 

the  old  Council  House .    Stiii 

Major  William  Oliver  and  Lo<;au  at 36it  37) 

the  fort  bi'slej;ed— Harrison  marches  to  its  relief— his  arrival  and  llight  of  the  enemy  aiS 
situation  of  affiiir-i  at  the  fort , .1711 


('(iltini'l  .Toliiii'oii  iitralii  Hi  till'  lurt  ....0TB 

corniiiaiKliiiitH  of  thu  f(irt .877 

IhikI  omccchtiiltllHlii'd  111,  In  Wii 878 

iiiiiiilili>nliimr()rn-lH-l(MH7'^  880 

i'liiir<'hr%,  iiiHVHimpi'iy,  hiIihoIh,  Ituuuvnlont  Inctlllllloiu 8H't,  S8U 

Ihf  town  111  IKll     8»»>  881 

liiihlii.'MHol' Ihoclty  111  1S7!< 8>7-!WB 

iiloiii'iTHof  till' Vulloy,  non  rfHldfiitP  (if        878,  :«*,  «94 

lit'lnt;  ilirculriii'il  liy  tlii'  IihIIiiiih,  |ii'<iin|)tii  Ihii  oxpcdilioii  iiKHliiMt  MiMHliiHliiowa tOW 

Ihii  lor;  lU'iila  lliivHlciiud U77 

iiiilol  ili<>  ItiipiciH— ciipture  uf  I'lipiHln  A.  Cliirk,  a  HritiHli  ottlc^or  140,  UT 

WimliuMiur  ttt 148 

lliiiriHoii  al 15a-lM» 

Hrl  IhIi  t-rcl  Imtli'ili'H  on  lul't  bunk ..IM 

i-'oHtvr,  Cliurluii  W .— uuriiuiml  itki'tch  uf SOi<,  n04 

Foxtorln  50;J-»Oft 

Fiiliiin  county ftts 

li'icmli  pofii--  Hiirrcndoror,  In  17tH,  by  the  Frt-nch 38 

ll'roiitL'iiut,  (.("oiiiiti 10 

(liiiio,  (IcniTiilJoliii  S.— letter  (if VflO,  ail 

liity,  Simoii--liUlttnilly SM.  ,'>»,  «0 

a  pocl'ii  view  of  IiIm  timriictor — 67!t,  580 

■(iliidwyii,  cniiiiiiiuidiiiit  111  Uuii'olt Bti,  87 

loodlrfy,  l)r.  CImrlef  M .Otlll 

lOiiiui,  Kliuha 687 

ll'iiiicock  Coiiiity— Karly  liii»tory  of,  plniieci-!',  present  ri'90iireo»,  &c,, 611-016 

IHaiMin.  Colonel -opiTiitioiiB  iii'ur  I'ort  Wayne 67-70 

llliriiiar'w  cninp'iii;!!     62-78 

lluri'iKoii,  Oiiierul  VViUiaiii  IIiMirv — appiilntment  of,  as  coinmander-luchlcf  ol  ihe  nurth-weht- 

erii  iiriiiv,  Scptenihi^r  17,  IHli— limtructlonst  irom  tlie  war  departmunt 139,  140 

liU  dflVmc  ol  K.iri  MelKB 158-161 

iii\iiil">»  Canada 198 

ll;iiliawav-lii»olll(ial  report  or  tlio  battle  of  the  Thames 198-801 

lloii(,'i'H,  biivid 6fi9 

li.niyioiintv .')78-.'W8 

Mill,  (loiiiiiiil  Ctiarlex  W t).M,  fl.W 

IIoii;,'lan(l.  I'lic'V— piTj-oiml  Hki'tcti  ol" 4lil-41.5 

lliik'nl.,  U'il  ia'ni  C.    -pcixuiialrkctc'liof 5»i-f)im 

lli.lniK,  KiiHliin—hlB  dcalli  at  Koit  Wayne  'M 

ll()iii;li,  T.  H 641,648 

Hull,  Ui'iicriil— ap^iolnted  to  cnininand  of  norih-wentcrii  army— IiIh  Incapacity  and  nilsfortuncH 

— tirins  ot  hix  Hurreiideriit  Detroit,  and  liis  trial  for  treason 186-138 

letter  from  (ieneral  .lerHiip  ill  relation  to 184 

limit,  .lolin  K.— reiiilnlt>cencei)  and  poreonul  Hkulch  of 868-fi6H 

llmvard.  Thiima* 64H 

UiivNUrd,  Uoben  A 649,650 

llowani,  I),  \V.  H  m) 

Hciwant,  William 6.'50 

Indian  naval  en;,'a<?emeiit    41 

Imliaiii'— iiioral  and  religious  condition  of,  in  1808 103-181 

Indian  TreiitieB  :— 

at  Fort  Mcintosh,  21i»t  of  .lannary,  1785 218,219 

at  Fort  Ilarmar,  January  0,  1789  819  880 

at  Fort  Oroenville,  An-jMut  .S,  nit."! 280  886 

at  Fort  Indnctry,  (  Toledo,)  .Inly  4,  ISO."! 887 

at  Detroit,  November  17,  1S07 827,  88H 

and  Krownstowii,  Novenilier  i^  180S 888,  889 

at  the  foot  of  the  Maumco  Kapldx,  September  29,  liilT  S8!).  'i'ii 

at  St.  MaryV,  Heptember  17.  1S18 8:11  8;JH 

iilSa;;in>nv.  Hepteinber24,  1819 81)8 

at  Fort  Wayne,  in  180;j 850-861 

laMt  treaty  with  the  t)Uio  Indians . 8:i!l 

.Idhnson,  Colonel  Klchard  M.-at  the  battle  of  theThamos !itO 

he  killH  Tecumseh 2,)l-8(t3 

.liincairuon  the  Maumte  in  1753 86 

Kclchiiin.  V.  II 631,  C41,  646 

Keclt-r,  Samuel  I (i.Vi 

Kiiit,'»hiiiy,  Henry  i) 651 

Kiuij,'^'!*,  Cajitain  .laraca—  his  testimony  regarding  the  death  of  Tecumseh 801-803 

r.itliiop,  0  lonel  L.  B 058 

Uwton,  Uohert  N .65H 

Lawyoru  in  pruclice  in  1878-73  ;  [see  Appendix  -A.'' 


Lima,  Allen  connty— notps  roKarrting  Its  cai-lv  and  later  history 453-4611 

Little  Turtle  and  General  Wayne " 856  35(i 

Little  Turtle  a  diplomatist  an  wrH  a*  warrior 369-881 1 

Logan,  (the  Indian  chief,)  and  Major  William  Oliver SlSl 

Louau's  family  and  death        465,  466 1 

Loramie,  Peter — hi»  station  and  his  death,  Ac, 3JS,  Sfjj 

Loskirl.  Moravian  Missionary  33  j 


Lower  Sandusky— suggestion  of  name  for  the  town,  in  1816. 
Lower  Sandusky  

General  Harrison  at 

military  situation  at 

operations  at  in  IHia. 


42' 
140 1 
.151 
.153] 

"eoneral  orders,"'  May  14  and  22,  1813  177,  iWl 

ml 


I'roctor  ut 

a  bad  military  position 

petition  for  relief  to  Oovernor  Meigs,  from  citizens  (if 209,  210 

letter  from  General  Oi\no 210,211 

Lucas  county— its  ea.ly  history,  pioneers,  &c 532-5C6 

Its  history  resumed 616 

Mackinac— surrender  of 35] 

Martin,  Patrick tiS'il 

Maumee  Valley— first  M'hite  settlnmont  in  KiSU.   9-13J 

Maumee  river — known  in  1748  as  "River  a  U  Koche" '■!(!  f 

as  a  military  route  in  n.W .3i)j 

military  importance  o',  and  of  Lake  Erie,  as  viewed  by  the  I'Vench  in  1751 Ji  I 

ils  importance  to  the  -riny  in  th"  war  of  1812,  as  a  channel  of  transportation 'i\h 

Wf;.\rthiir,  General  Duncan — letter  to  Governor  Worthington 212 

Morrett.  William  H  W\ 

Mercer  con   ty — when  formed— origin  nf  its  name— St.  Clair's  battle — Wayne's  trace — Simon 
Girty— th'  fort  at  St.  Mary's— U'tter  from  General  Wayne — earliest  white  settlement 

at  Fort  Rvicovcry — thr  slrin  of  St.  Clair's  army  4J8-H1 

first  session  of  the  commissioners ". 441 1 

first  Court  term 442 

pioneers        442,  4t3| 

reservoir  troubles  ...   448-4451 

pioneer  notes 44.5-45(1  j 

county  administr'itiou— county  oflicers  for  1871-72— valuation  of  property  and  popula- 

tion— "Celina,  Ac 45U,  451 1 

Mctcalf.  .Iiidu'e  Ben.— aneodote  by:  321 

Miller,  Colonel  .John— at  the  sieae  of  Fort  Meig Wl 

Miami,  (Fort  Wayne,)  i)asse8  under  control  of  the  English  in  17bl  32 1 

captured  under  Pont  iac  in  t7tit  351 

Miami  villiages  at  and  near  Fort  Wf.'ne— their  military  importance  in  the  view  of  Oent'ral[ 

Washingtoa 

Miner,  Byrum  D— a  public  spirited  citizen  of  Kort  Wayne,  \vho,repre.«cnted  Allen  county  in  I 
the  lowislatu'-e  of  Indiana,  and  also  held  other  rosponsiblf!  olllcial  and/</MCJarj/ (not,  I 

as  printed,  "judiciary  ")  positions 42il 

"Mohickon,  Jolin's  Town" 31 1 

Moravian  Missions  in  'ihio 49,  .50,  all 

Morris— his  reception  and  nial-treatment  at  Fort  Wayne ..  ..42"44| 

Morrison,  John  H.—remin  scenes  of 326.  3'2;| 

Mott,  Richard — recollections  of,  regarding  Toledo 544-5o''l 

Navarne,  Peter 534  5381 

Neubert.  Henry  O IBil 

Nichols,  Francis  L— personal  sketch  of .W,  j'*\ 

Nicholas— his  cunspiracy  in  174.5. . .   • 141! 

Ogle,  Joseph 6.V 

Ohio,  United  States  and  Michigan  territory  — boundary  controversy — origin  of  the  constitii 
lional  provii^ion  of  1802— 'eiters  from  Amos  Spatl'ord  and  Dr.H.  Conant— the  agitatioi.l 
renewed  in  183.5- lesriHlaiive  hoi-tilities  between  Ohio  and  MichlL'an- efforts  at  conil 
piomi-e — Governor  Mason,  of  Michigan,  rejects  the  peace  offers — the  surveying  expt-| 
rtitioD — explanation  cf  a  .Michigan  prisoner— Major  Stickney  and  N.  Goodsell,  prieoii-l 
ers;  their  letters — letter  from  Andrew  Palmer— inectins  at  Toledo— (Jovernor  Liica'r 
calls  an  extra  session  ;  his  message— at  tempt  to  arrest  Two  Stickney — Noah  IL  Swnyiii'.l 
Wm.  .\llen  and  David  T.  Disney,  Ohio  commissioners  to  Washington- close  nl' tliel 

controversy— peace  jubilee  at  Toledo '/tiPJUIj 

Oliver,  Major  William  Hi  nry— letter  refering  to  siege  of  Fort  Findlay 159,  ISj 

roaches  Fort  Melius  with  message  to  Harrison If'I 

at  Upper  Sandusky Wl 

at  Waupaukonnctta  and  Fort  Wayne '2' J 

again  a'  Fort  Wayne :       369-3Ti| 

Oratanon,  (I'wrt,  near  Lafayette.  Indiana). 

Ottawa  county .531.  'HI 

Paulding  county— when  oriranized,  population,  &c (102  ftj 

notes  by  Gent ral  Curtis 602, *5| 


r»nlly,  Ensigu— coinnmiidant  at  Foil  Sundu»ky— his  capture,  lomaiillc  uarriitivc,  divorco  and 

I         encapc ;■•,••  '^^ '. 35-.'i7 

hrry  Commod ,)re— liis  naval  victory  upon  Lalto  Erie 1»3-1!1H 

at  the  battle  of  the  Thames 201 

Perrysbiire  (see  Fort  Meigc)— post  ortice  ostalilislicd  at,  In  IHIO,  and  in  ISKi  the  only  (not,  ns 
printed,  "old")  post  office  between  tlio  river  Kaisin  and  Lower  Sandueliy,  Ind  hc- 

iween  the  Maiimee  bay  and  Chicago 42', 

mcKCStion  that  originated  the  name    427 

thjtownin  ISffl 4:i2 

"        "      "  lH:i8 433,4:i4 

'•        "     <'  1872 434,43r> 

hillips,  Phillip  I.,  and  Colonel  Charles  B C57 

ickawillany— its  destruction 22-86 

ong,  John •  • ■ «5S 

olitical  campaign  of  1841)— monster  meeting  at  Fort  Meigs 205-269 

humors  of  later  conllicts 269-273 

oiitiac—his  speech  to  Alexander  Henrjr 32,  33 

besieges  Detroit 3S 

his  craft  failH 3!t 

his  financial  scheme 4!) 

his  character  and  death 44 

Pont^  French— surrender  of 33 

Otter,  Emery  I).— pergonal  sketch  of 285-288 

K'tor,  (British  (General) 158,  165,  183 

Mitice,  Frederick- -[)er3onal  sketches  of 561-563 

Presbyterian  Mission  on  the  Maumee  ;  [Appendix  "C  " 

?atman  County— early  history,  pioneers,  first  lawyers,  flrst  physicians 606-60) 

population Gil 

Raymond,  Wm.  II «56 

!{lioa,  Captain  J !)3,  133,  134 

Jice,  Clark  H— personal  sketch  of 6(t!i,  UK) 

^ice,  Gen.  A  V— Military  record  of (ilO,  61 : 

■lie  hard ville,  Jolin  B— his  character  and  death  362-;j64 

iJogors,  AlonEO 658 

ioijers.  Major  Kobert,  expedition  of  in  1760— his  triij  from  Detroit  via  Maiunee  river  to  Pitts- 
burgh      31,32 

Sudisill,  fienry 407,408 

Bandusky  county  -early  history,  present  resources,  &c .'505-5.31 

Bandusky  (fort)— surrender  of  under  Pontiac,  in  1764        38,  36 

Scott,  Jesup  W— persijnal  sketch  of 572-577 

Scnman,  Daniel 667 

?eiieca  county— organization-  early  history,  present  resources,  &c 489-505 

BenecH  (fort)    Pleasant  township,  Seneca  county IKi 

Bessions,  Horace-personal  sketch  of ,594-5i)7 

Shaw,  Cornelius  (} 6.57 

Smith,  I)?vid (i53 

Spink,  ilohn  C— reminiscences  of      314-316 

Bt.  Clair,  (icneral  Arthur— succeeds  Ilarmar 71 

instructions  to 72,73,74,75 

hirf  army  in  motion— his  defeat,  and  explanatiotis '•7,  78,  7!(,  S;,',  81,  82 

Ptcodman,  Colonel  S.  H 6.58 

Ptoedman,  General  Jiinies  B 651 

:*iiikii.-y,M>.jorB   F  .. .^36,  ,5;i7 

Pt.  Mary's— its  military  importance  during  the  war  of  1812 lt(l,14l 

war  transports  for  army  .. .   212 

tirst  settlements  a'         468 

early  8  ttlers—»dd  block  house,  Ac 170,471 

the  town  and  its  prospects,  in  1872 471,  472 

fonnerly  know  as  Girty's  town— its  situation  in  1S14 468 

as  a  dei)Ot  for  annv  supplies 460 

the  tiwn  in  1824  and  1872 469 

Bnttertield,  Mrs.  Laura 408,  40!) 

Sweet,  Captain  B.  G 651 

recumseii  at  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs 161 

his  maunauiraity 163-172 

in  peril 165 

at  Fort  Stephenson 18:1,  192,  203 

Willed  by  Colonel  Johnson  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames l»!l,  202,  203 

his  character  antl  generous  qualities 204,  20."),  2ii6 

nn'old"ench  and  Bar — first  Court  northwest  of  the  river  Ohio— The  territorial  Judkiary— 
attorneys  admitted  in  1802-Supremo  Bench,  1S02-1872— reniiniscouces  of  .ludge  David 
lliggins;  his  views  regarding  the  bouudary  cantorversy  ludian  murder  trial  at  Fre. 
niout— iudicial  circuit*  in  North-Western  Ohii)  under  the  first  Constitution-*  (minion 
Pleas  Judges  under  the  Constitution  of  1802— the  old  Bar  members.  Judge  Fmery  I). 
Potter,  Judge  John  Fitch,  and  others— reminiscences  of  Hon.  Thos.  W.  Powill;  his 


recollectionK  ot  Perrysuurfj  and  Maumec  cKy  In  1820;  of  the  old  liiwyern;  murder  trial; 
trip  to  Defiance;  notes  regarding  Major  Stickn'.'y,  John  C.  bpink,  etc.,  etc,,..aT4-;)'As 

Toledo  (Fort  Industry) !i:j 

prisoners  and  exhibition  of  scalps  at,  in  1813 172 

Ocneral  Comb  '  experience  at 206 

Indian  treaty,  July  4.  tHon  held  at 2« 

Bometliing  of  its  past  and  present— progress  in  taxable  wealth  and  population— imports 

and  exports— railways,  Ac    (1211-«Ik 

recollections  of  Sanford  L  Collins (iliMiiii 

"  (if  J.  VV.  Scott     MT-n+l 

"  of  Richapd  Mott &«-r)5<i 

"  of  Major  Stickuey .-3« 

(see  "  boundary  coniroversy'")  public  meeting  at,  in  1835 Sftii 

Toledo  ii.  IMti  and  in  1810 2ti;i,  iCA 

other  notes  relating  to  liistory  of riSti-Silii 

ofllcerN  iif  City  tiovoriiinent,  Ac i'rm 

Treaties— (see  Indian  treaties.  > 

lipper  Saiidupky— Crawford's  expedition 50-5^ 

war  of  1812 llii 

riiiht  wing  of  the  army  at Vis 

(ieneral  Harrison  at l.")l 

military  situation  at i.Vi 

Harrison's  prini  ipal  stores  at    lS:i 

military  importance  of  ttio  pl:ice ISl 

letter  from  J.  C.  Hartlelt,  Quartermaster  (Jeueral,  to  Genetai  Lewis  Cass 20:i 

exodus  of  the  Indians  from  Upper  Sandusky,  July,  lS4:i Sis 

tlie  town  in  1872 4Ss 

Urbana I  in 

Van  Wert — when  formed  and  organized— poi)ulatioii,  early  history,  pioneers,  first  and  presi'iii 
county  officers— noti:S  on  (he  existing  resources  ot  Uie  town,  iVc (104  i;oij 

Waite,  Morrison  U- personal  sketcli  of ."iCH-nTl 

Wai-s,  Alexander. (il'.i 

War  of  1812,  declared  June  12th— the  imperilled  nortli-western  frontier— causes  that  led  to 

the  war— letter  from  General  Solomon  Sibley 122-12ii 

Washington,  George,  President — his  Indian  policy fiO,  til 

Way,  Willard  V  —his  reminiscences  of  tlie  old  Bench  and  [Jar 3i;)-:il' 

personal  sketch  of,  &c V4' 

Wayne,  Anthony— i  ommenced  his  north  western  campaign  in  1792 S'f 

erects  Fort  (Jreenville  and  Recovery  in  ITiW (•S 

h's  march  and  victory Sfl-'.W 

hisdeath 91 

General  Hull  in  command- on  tlic  Maumee  in  June,  1812- incnpableness  of  Hull  and  the 
administration- complaint  of  army  contractors— difficulty  in  transporting  supplies— 

his  surrender  at  Detroit lv8-i:S 

Waupaiikonnetta-  "  the  town  of  Tecumseti  and  of  I.ogan  " 214,  il."> 

Tecumseli^  Logan,  Biicht  Horn,  and  Captain  Jolm     4ti")-l()7 

Colonel  Ilichard  M.  Johnson,  Antliony  Sliane,  D.  M.  Workman,  David  Robb,  and  Robert 

J.  Skinner 4ti~,  4t)'* 

ea-ly  hi-tnry  of  and  original  proprlctori< t)8  17:i 

Wells,  Captain  William 88-inii 

White,  Dr.  Oscar (miI 

Whitney,  Noah  A.,  Thomas  P.,  Milton  D.  and  Augustus  tl fi48,  (i4!i 

Winchester,  General  J— letter  from ViT.  138.  13'.i 

resigned,  ai  Deflaiioe,  by  General  Harrison,  to  the  cuiumaud  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army 

I4.-I 

at  Deliance,  at  the  close  of  ISli U^ 

at  the  foot,  of  the  Kapido,  January,  18)3 UX 

at  Frenchtown,  (river  Rai^in)— his  mistake,  defeat,  and  massacre  of  hin  troops,14y,l,")l),l")l 

public  opinion  regaraing  his  defeat ITiii 

Williams  county 5g2  .Wi 

Wolcott,  Judge  James fw-l 

Wood  conn  tv— in  nilO,  1810  and  1816     42:i 

in  1812-15 : 4* 

session  of  tlie  commissioners  in  182t)-23 428-l'iil 

progress  in  population  and  wealth 4*1- 13i 

pioneer  notes— Captain  David  Wilkinson,  Willard  V.  Way,  William  Ewiug,  and  Aaron 

S .  Dri'sser     435  131 

Worthington.Gov.Tliomas— .letter  to  (Jeneral  Me.\rthiir  andconfldeutial  communication  to  ihc 

lower  branch  of  the  Legislature 2l;t 

Wyandotte  county— IbrmMtion—lientoii,  (!irty,  Logan,  Ac 483  484 

M(^thodist  Mission,  early  settlers,  taxable  wealth, population,  &c 481-4.'W 

Wyandotte  Indians ;«.  :il.  "i'' 


irilur  trial; 
.,..a;4-;i'is 

Iti 

172 

'.'(Jti 

2iT 

a— Imports 

(isa-dis 

(;i(i-fii!i 

....M--r)4.i 

....544-r)5!i 

:i3i; 

SB!, 

. .  2fi3,  2C4 
,...53G-S(;2 
, li-ix. 


50-5N 

IJii 

lis 

151 

l.Vi 

ISli 

ISl 

20:1 

2'39 

4SS 

MO 

iifl  prcpciit 

,. ..ti<)4  am 

...5CH-r)T1 

(i4'.i 

Imt  li'd  Id 
....1!22-I2ii 

fiO,  fil 

.3i:j-:ib 

....  i:k 

8.'i 

1-5 


. . .  Sti-lW 
91 

11  and  the 
supplicM— 

.ivS-i;« 

,.  214,  iir. 

.4(M-lli7 

id  Unbcrt 

.  4t)7,  4(')^ 

,.   1)8  4T:i 

..88-Hiii 

I'M 

.fi4«,  Ii4'i 
7,  138.  i:'.'i 
tho  urinv 
. .  1 1:. 
...11- 
. . .  14'* 

49,1, mi.")! 

[.■Hi 

.582:)8.". 

(M 

42:> 

....  ni\ 

.l'2S-r!il 

.4:iii-13-J 
id  Aaron 

.  I.'i.'i  13; 
lUl  to  I  he 
...2i:l 
..48.3    tW 

.48)-4'<S 


►J    "6 
C     O 


■f.      - 


<     2 

o    ^ 
^    ^ 


>^ 


ji. 


FIRST  WHI 


The  fir, 
settle  the 
iiiulGrtaken 
1680.  ItM 
domicil  am 
tnre,  or  mij 
attack  by  t 
and  fearless 
mentioned, 
Joseph's  ri) 
retained  jios 

During  t 
Canada,  urg( 
I'orts  and  tr; 
great  lalces. 
Fronteiiac,  v 
niinibo]'  of  ti 
and  to  take  j 
goverumeut  ( 

"One  of  t 
river,  and  iu 
Manmee  Citj 
years,  and  iu  ; 


ji 


ISTORY    OF    T 


HE     M  AUMEE    y 


UMEE     V  ALLEY. 


CHAPTER   I. 


FIRST  WHITE   SETTLEMKXT   IN   OHIO  MADE  ON   'HIE  MALiMEE   KIVEK, 

IX    1C8U. 


The  lirst  efforts  made  by  Europeans,  or  their  descendants,  to 
settle  the  territory  now  forming  the  jurisdiction  of  Ohio,  Avere 
undertaken  by  the  French,  in  the  Manmee  Valley,  and  in  the  year 
1680.  It  was  deemed  prudent  by  those  who  sought  even  temporary 
domicil  among  the  savages,  whether  the  object  was  trade,  agricul- 
ture, or  missionary  labor,  to  lirst  secure  safety  against  surprise  and 
attack  by  the  construction  of  military  defences.  T'he  enterprising 
and  (earless  discoverer,  La  Halle,  erected,  in  the  autumn  of  the  year 
mentioned,  a  stockade  at  the  conlluence  of  the  Ht.  Mary's  and  St. 
Joseph's  rivers,  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Fort  Wayne,  and 
retained  possession  of  it  about  one  month. 

Paring  the  year  1679,  the  Count  de  Frontenac,  Governor  of 
Canada,  urged  upon  the  French  monarch  the  importance  of  erecting 
forts  and  trading  posts  in  the  Western  country,  along  the  chain  of 
great  lakes.  Though  no  assistance  came  from  the  proiligate  King, 
Frontenac,  who  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  spirit,  sent  out  a 
number  of  trading  parties,  with  authority  to  erect  stores  or  posts, 
and  to  take  possession  of  all  the  country  visited,  in  the  name  ot  the 
government  of  France. 

"One  of  these  parties  found  their  way  to  the  Miami  or  Maumee 
river,  and  in  1080,  built  a  small  stockade  just  below  the  site  of 
Maimiee  City.  This  was  an  important  trading  point  for  several 
years,  and  in  1694  was  under  the  command  of  Sieur  Courthemauche; 


10 


First  Wliite  Settlement 


M 


but  AViis  finally  abandoned  I'or  a  more  eligible  location  at  the  head  oC 
the  Mau.'nee  river,  near  where  the  city  of  Fort  Wayne  now  stands.  On 
the  very  spot  where  the  Ibrt  of  Maumee  stood,  the  British,  in  1794, 
erected  Fort  Miami.'*  This  statement  is  made  u})on  the  authority  ol' 
the  late  A.  T.  (Joodman,  Es(|.,  Secretary  of  the  AV'esteru  Reserve  and 
Northern  Ohio  Historical  Society,  who  obtained  the  data  ujjon  which 
it  is  based,  from  French  records,  at  Montreal  and  (Quebec,  and  pa])ers 
at  Albany  and  llarrisburg.  Hence  tlie  occui)ation  of  the  Maumee 
ante-dated  that  sought  to  be  established  on  the  Detroit;  the  lirst 
effort  at  French  settlement  being  nuide  on  the  last  named  river  in 
1683. 

In  1701,  de  la  Motte  Cadillac  laid  the  foundations  of  Fort  Pont- 
chartrain  on  the  Detroit,  which  embraced  the  whole  strait  from 
Lake  Erie  to  Lake  Huron.  The  first  grants  of  land  at  Detroit,  i.  c, 
Fort  Pontchartrain,  were  made  in  1707.  Cadillac  was  not  only 
founder  of  Detroit,  but  (lovernor  of  Louisiana.  The  town,  as  Ave  have 
noticed,  was  founded  subse(;uent  to  the  settlements  on  the  Maunua- 
river;  yet,  according  to  the  statenu'ut  of  .ludge  Jiurnet,  it  was  the 
most  ancient  on  the  Upiier  Lakes ;  and  was  the  capital  of  Upper 
Canada  until  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  United  States. 

In  1089,  the  Count  de  Fronteiuie  was  again  commissioned  Gover- 
nor of  Canada.  The  following  year  (1090),  war  brolse  out  between 
England  and  France,  and  the  King  of  the  French,  in  a  letter  to 
Frontenac,  expressed  ''great  desire  for  the  maintenance  of  French 
posts  in  the  West.'' 

In  1095,  Captain  Nichols  Perrot  built  a  trading  station  "at  tin 
west  end  of  Lake  Erie."  This  continued  for  two  years,  when  tin 
Miamis  plundered  the  place,  seized  I'errot,  and  were  on  the  point  ol 
"  roasting  him  alive."  when  he  was  saved  by  the  Ou^agamis.  Tin 
exact  location  of  Perrot's  station  can  not  now  be  determined.  Duriii:: 
the  year  109.5,  a  very  bloody  war  occurred  between  the  Iro(pK)is 
and  IMiamis,  in  which  the  latter  nation  suffered  severely,  as  did  tlic 
French  traders  in  the  Oliio  and  Illinois  country.  We  lind  the  (Juv- 
ernor  of  Canada  conijilaining  tlnit  the  h'oi|;iois  ''roasted  all  tlie 
French  prisoners"  that  came  into  their  hands. 

It  is  probable  that  English  traders  first  began  to  establish  them- 
selves for  permanent  operations  in  the  West  in  1098-09.  Early  in 
the  year  1700,  M.  de  Longneuil  held  a  grand  Council  at  l)(;troit,  with 
the  Outaouais,  Ilurons,  PouteouatMmis  and  ^lississagues.      In  hi 


■I 


spe 


ech  to  them  he  said:  "The  Englitshnun  hath   reddened  the  sen 


with  my 
i    other  coi 
}    hath  piisl 
avenge  oi 
neitlier  to 
against  hi 
several  yej 
White  riv' 
immediate 
will  seize 
Y'ou  shall 
this  scum, 
you  Avill 
Itead." 

In  answ 

ueuil  said: 

binding  an 

(he  Ueauti 

the  men  h( 

years  of  h 

missionaric 

About  this 

on  the  Mai 

In  1703, 

near  the  Se 

I  he  French 

During  tl 

;uul  Sieur  d 

Canada,  an 

In  1707, 

small  force 

years  later  ( 

from  liake  ] 

In  1712, 

The  French 

-Saguenays. ' 

ci'eing  nearl 

mis  and  Ma 

An  early  i 

mm  pf  fore 


In  tlifi  Maumee  Valley. 


11 


with  my  blood ;  lie  has  also  causelessly  stained  with  it  a  great  many 
other  eountries.  My  hatchet  has  not  stirred.  '  lint  now  that  ho 
hath  jnished  me  to  tlie  wall  by  so  many  relapses,  I  must  perish  or 
avenge  on  him  uU  the  blood  he  has  drawn  from  my  veins.  It  is 
neither  to  Montreal  nor  his  territory  that  1  direct  your  first  steps 
against  him.  It  is  in  your  own  immediate  vicinity,  where  he,  lor 
several  years,  hath  quietly  made  his  way  with  his  goods.  It  is  to  the 
Wliite  river  and  to  the  lieautiful  river,  (Oliio,)  that  I  expect  you  will 
immediately  march  in  (piest  of  him,  and  when  you  destroy  him,  you 
will  seize  and  divide  all  his  goods  among  you.  Set  out  forthwith. 
You  shall  want  for  notliing  that  you  recpiire  for  the  extirpation  of 
this  scum.  \{  the  English  escape  you  on  the  Ikniutiful  river,  (Ohio,) 
you  will  llud  them  a  liltle  farther  off  with  liis  brother,  the  Flat- 
Head." 

In  answer  to  a  message  of  the  White  river  Indians,  M.  de  Long- 
ueuilsaid:  "Wait  not  till  the  English  striki  ilrst;  commence  by 
l)inding  aiul  pillaging  all  the  English  who  come  to  your  parts,  ai\I 
the  Ueauiiful  river,  (Ohio);  divide  the  goods  among  you,  and  bring 
the  men  here  to  Detroit,''  During  the  year  1  TOO,  the  Iroc^uois,  after 
years  of  hostility,  made  a  treaty  with  the  I*'rench,  by  which  their 
missionaries  and  traders  were  allowed  in  all  parts  of  the  West. 
About  this  time  a  party  of  factors  from  Detroit  built  a  small  post 
on  the  Maumee,  where  Toledo  now  stands. 

In  1703,  the  English  invited  the  Ilurons  and  Miamis  to  locate 
near  the  Senecas,  on  Lake  Erie,  assuring  them  of  protection  against 
the  French,     The  proposition  Avas  rejected. 

During  the  year  170.'5,  Sieur  de  Joncaire  visited  the  Seneca  Indians, 
and  Sieur  de  Yincennes  the  jMiamis,  on  business  of  the  Governor  of 
Canada,  and  found  English  traders  with  each  nation. 

In  1707,  M,  de  Cadillac,  commandant  at  Detroit,  marched  with  a 
small  force  against  the  Miamis,  and  soon  forced  them  to  terms.  Two 
years  later  (1709),  Cadillac  advocated  the  building  of  a  ship  canal 
from  liake  Erie  to  Lake  Ontario. 

In  1713,  S'eur  de  Vincennes  paid  a  second  visit  to  the  jVIiamis. 
The  French  post  at  Detroit  was  besieged  by  the  Pouteouataniis  and 
Saguenays,  who  nuide  war  on  the  Indian  allies  of  the  French,  massa- 
creing  nearly  one  thousand  men,  women  and  children  of  the  Outaga-: 
mis  and  Maskoutins. 

As  early  fis  1714,  Governor  Alexander  Spotswood,  of  Virginia,  a 
nian  of  forceight'  und  energy,  sa^y  the  ftdviwttig^  io  bp  gaiped  by  an 


12 


First  White  Settlement 


early  settlement  of  the  Ohio  country.  He  had  been  api>ointe(l  Oov- 
crnor  in  1710,  an  ollico  which  he  illled  with  great  ability  for  twelve 
years.  During  the  year  1 714,  he  exi)lorcd  the  country  across  the  Blui' 
Itidge  to  the  Ohio,  and  became  enamored  with  the  surroundings.  It 
was  not,  however,  until  the  year  1716,  that  he  communicated  to  the 
Legislature  a  plan  for  a  compatiy  to  settle  the  lands  on  the  Ohio 
river.  Tlie  Legislature  viewed  the  matter  favorably,  and  the  jiapers 
were  sent  tO  the  English  Ministry  for  a])in-oval.  Tliey  were  held  for 
a  long  time,  and  (inally  the  plan  was  rejected.  The  e.xact  cause  was 
never  known,  but  was  supposed  to  have  been  fear  on  the  part  of  the 
Ministry,  that  the  planting  of  colonies  to  the  westward  would  givi' 
offence  to  the  French.  Notwithstanding  this  disheartening  refusal, 
the  matter  was  not  entirely  dropped.  From  time  to  time,  pamphlets 
were  printed,  and  letters  published,  urging  upon  the  English  Gov- 
ernment the  necessity  of  pushing  its  jiossessions  westward.  There 
were  plenty  of  capitalists  ready  to  risk  their  money  in  the  ])urchase 
of  lands  and  building  up  of  settlements,  but  the  ilinistry  were 
weak  and  timid,  and  would  give  no  encouragement  whatever. 
I  In  1714,  Captain  de  La  Forest  showed  to  the  French  Government 
the  importance  of  maintaining  Detroit,  and  keeping  possession  of 
Lake  Erie  and  its  environs.  The  French  monarch  had  more  fore- 
sight than  England's  King,  and  si)ent  vast  sums  of  money  in 
extending  his  possessions.  In  1715,  a  party  of  Englishmen  from 
North  Carolina  constructed  three  ]iosts  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Ohio,  and  its  branches. 

The  French  having  obtained  control  of  the  Ohio  Indians,  the 
English  in  1716  sent  agents  among  them  with  speeches  and  presents, 
and  endeavored  to  form  an  alliance,  but  were  unsuccessful.  The 
same  year  seventeen  Frenchmen  were  killed  while  on  their  Avay  from 
the  Illinois  country  to  Detroit.  In  a  letter,  addressed  about  this 
time  by  M.  de  Ilamezay  and  M.  Begon,  to  the  Governor  of  Canada, 
they  requested  the  French  Government  to  build  a  post  at  Niagara, 
on  the  ground  that  "this  post  would  deter  the  Mississague  and 
Amicoue  Indians  from  going  to  the  Iroquois  to  trade,  when  passing 
from  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Erie."  A  stockade  was  built  by  the 
French  at  Vincennes,  but  soon  abandoned. 

During  the  year  1720,  French  traders  Avere  active  along  the  Ohio. 
Sieur  de  Joucaire  reported  that  he  had  seen  "a  fountain  near  the 
head  waters  of  the  Ohio,  the  water  of  which  is  like  oil,  and  tasted 
like  iron."    Further  north,  ho  reported  another  fountain  of  the  same 


Til  ilie  Mmimee  Valley/. 


13 


> 


nts, 
'he 

'0111 

this 


kind.  "  The  savages,"  he  says,  "make  use  of  the  water  to  appease  all 
jniinncr  of  pains." 

Ill  1722,  a  treaty  was  made  at  Albany,  Now  York,  between  the 
InKiuois  and  English,  by  which  the  lands  west  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountains  were  acknowledged  to  belong  to  the  Irociuois  by  reason 
of  their  con(| nests  from  tiie  Eries,  Conoys,  Tongorias,  &c. 

Jn  1735,  Baron  de  Longuenil  was  made  fiovernor  of  Canada,  and 
soon  after  rei)orted  (hat.  "the  English  have  built  two  houses  and 
some  stores  on  a  small  stream  which  flows  into  the  Wabash,  where 
they  trade  with  the  Miamis  and  Ouyatanons." 

During  the  year  .17:20,  the  country  from  the  Cuyahoga  in  Ohio,  to 
Oswego  in  i\ew  York,  was  placed  by  tiie  Iro(|uois  under  the  protec- 
tion of  the  Knglish. 

In  172^^,  the  AIar(|iiis  de  Beauharnois,  then  Governor  of  Canada, 
recommciuled  the  erection  of  a  fort  on  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Erie, 
to  serve  as  winter  (|iiarters  for  two  sloops  he  jiroposed  to  build  on 
that  lake,  "By  this  means,"  he  writes,  "the  English  would  be 
prevented  from  sending  loaded  canoes  with  brandy  and  merchandise 
to  the  head  of  Lake  Erie."  The  King  declined  building  the  fort,  or 
paying  for  the  construction  of  sloops. 

In  1729,  Joshua  Gee,  of  London,  printed  a  pamphlet  urging  the 
planting  of  English  colonies  in  Western  America.  The  following 
year  (17.'30),  Governor  Keith  urged  ui)on  the  Ministry  the  advantages 
of  securing  British  dominion  west  of  the  mountains. 

During  the  year  1731,  Sieur  do  Joiicaire,  by  direction  of  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Canada,  visted  the  Sliawanese,who  had  located  on  the  Ohio 
and  its  branches — for  the  purpose  of  securing  their  friendship  and 
alliance. 

In  1736,  Vincennes  was  destroyed  by  the  savages.  The  French 
now  claimed  to  have  10,403  warriors,  and  8^,000  souls  under  their 
control  in  the  West. 

During  the  year  1739,  M.  de  Longuenil  left  Detroit,  crossed  the 
Ohio  country,  and  discovered  Bigbone  Lick,  in  Kentucky.  De  Loh- 
gueuil  constructed  a  road  from  Detroit  to  the  Ohio  river,  which 
crossed  the  Maumee  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  and  was  thereafter 
used  by  the  Canadians. 

In  1742,  a  number  of  herdsmen  from  Detroit  settled  at  V'incennes. 
John  Howard,  an  English  traveler,  crossed  the  mountains  from 
Virginia,  descended  the  Ohio  in  a  canoe,  and  wus  tttketi  prisoner  by 
the  French,  near  the  Mississippi, 


14 


Plot  of  Nicholas. 


Ill  174IJ,  I'clor  Chartit'S,  a  VreiiclMiian  liviii<f  in  riiihulolitliiii, 
muk'rtook,  by  a  mission  ainont:^  tlu'  Ohio  Shawaiu'se,  to  engage  tliciu 
in  war  with  tho  Six  Nations.  For  this  he  was  sevoroly  reprimanded 
by  the  Governor  of  iVimsylvania,  and  becoming  ahirmed,  lied  to 
Canada,  where  lie  was  appointed  Captain  in  the  i'^reneh  service.  Ik' 
secured  an  alliance  of  the  Shawanese  with  the  French.  The  same 
year  the  Detroit  Freiicli  sent  jjoods  and  presents  to  a  i)arty  of  Seiie- 
cas,  Onoii'laf^as,  and  others  of  the  Iroquois,  then  recently  settled  oii 
the  White  river.  In  return  for  these  favors,  the  Indians  promised 
to  dri\e  off  all  HjUglisli  traders  from  the  Ohio. 

In  1744,  Commissioners  of  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania  made  u 
treaty  at  liancaster,  Pa.,  with  reiiresentatives  of  the  six  nations,  by 
which  the  latter  "recognized  the  King's  right  to  all  lauds  beyond 
the  mountains.''  Fhicouraged  by  this,  the  English  formed  several 
settlements  and  magazines  along  the  Ohio,  but.  were  j.h'iven  oil", 
ahnost  in) mediately,  by  Detroit  Indians.  Hearing  of  their  location 
on  the  White  river,  (Indiana,)  SI.  do  liongueuil  sent  thirty-five 
picked  Warriors  of  the  Outaouais,  to  kill  and  plunder  them,  which 
was  accom}dislied.  Peter  Charties,  with  one  hundred  .Shawanese, 
ambuscaded  two  English  traders  on  the  Allegheny,  near  the  Ohio,  and 
seized  their  property,  valued  at  sixteen  hundred  pounds.  The  traders 
were  sent  to  Canada. 

During  the  year  1745,  a  dispute  arose  with  the  Senecas,  in  which 
several  of  the  latter  were  killed,  but  no  general  warfare  followed. 


PLOT  OV    NICHOLAS  TO  KXTEIIMINATE  THE  FRENCH    I'OWEIl    IN  THE 

WEST. 


This  year,  the  Miamis  entered  into  the  conspiracy  of  Nicholas,  the 
distinguished  Huron  chief,  wlio  resided  at  "  Sandosket,"  on  the  bay 
of  that  name.  A  plot  was  formed  for  a  general  extermination  of  the 
French  power  in  the  "West.  Seventeen  tribes  joined  in  this  move- 
ment.  In  July,  the  Miamis  danced  the  Calumet  at  Detroit,  yet 
soon  after  seized  Fort  Miami,  took  eight  Frenchmen,  and  destroyed 
the  buildings.  This  tribe  had  removed  from  the  Detroit  river  to 
lands  on  the  north  side  of  Sandusky  bay.  They  were  a  powerful 
body  of  men ;  active,  energetic,  and  unscrui)ulous.  They  had  in 
some  manner  been  ofleiided  by  the  French  at  Detroit,  which  affords 
tho  veasou  of  their  change  of  habitat-ion,    Nicholas,  their  principal 


I*lot  of  Airholas. 


15 


I  lie 


chief,  was  a  wily  follow,  full  of  savau^o  cunning,  Avhose  enmity,  when 
diici'  aroused,  was  f^'rrally  to  ha  Icarcd. 

Late  in  the  same  year  a  party  of  J'lnglish  traders  from  I'ennsylva- 
iiia  visited  the  village  of  Nicholas,  and  were  received  with  marked 
iitteiition.  Nicholas  had  become  an  im})lacable  enemy  of  the  French, 
and  was  therelbrc  ready  to  make  a  treaty  of  amity  and  good  will 
with  the  Kufflish.  He  accordingly  ]iorniitted  the  ere(!tion  of  a  large 
\>AK'k  hoitse  at  his  jjrincipal  town  on  the  bay,  and  sutlercd  the  traders 
lo  remain  and  dispose  of  their  stock  of  goods.  Once  located,  the 
I'.ngligli  established  themselves  at  the  place,  and,  according  to  French 
accounts,  ac(|uired  great  inlluence  with  Nicholas  and  his  tribe.  This 
iulluence  was  always  exercised  to  the  injury  of  the  French. 

On  the  2'.\i\  of  June,  1747,  live  Frenchmen,  with  jJcUries,  arrived 
at  the  Sandusky  town  from  White  river,  a  small  stream  falling 
into  the  Wabash  nearly  opposite  the  present  town  of  Mt.  Carmel, 
Illinois.  These  Frenchmen,  being  wholly  unaware  of  the  presence 
(if  Ktiglish  among  the  llurons,  were  unsuspicious  of  danger,  and 
counted  ujjon  the  hospitality  and  friendshii»  of  the  Indians.  Tlieir 
presence,  however,  ins])ired  anything  but  tokens  of  good  will. 
Nicholas  was  greatly  irritated  at  the  audacity  of  the  French  in  com- 
ing into  his  towns  without  his  consent.  The  Fnglish  traders, 
noticing  this  feeling,  urged  the  chief  to  seize  the  F'X'iudinien  and 
their  ])eltries.  This  was  acconn)lislH'd  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day 
of  their  arrival.  The  fate  of  the  poor  l<'renchmPn  was  soon  deter- 
mined. Nicholas  condemned  them  to  death,  and  they  were  toma- 
hawked in  cold  blood.  Their  stock  of  peltries  was  disposed  of  to 
Uic  J"]nglish,  and  by  tliem  sold  to  a  l>arty  of  Seneca  Indians. 

The  news  of  these  outrages  created  much  feeling  among  the 
French  at  Detroit,  and  especially  so  among  the  traders  in  the  Ohio 
country.  As  soon  as  the  Sandusky  murders  came  to  the  information 
of  the  Governor  of  Canaila,  he  ordered  M.  de  Longueuil,  command- 
ant at  Detroit,  to  send  a  messenger  to  Nicholas  demanding  the 
surrender  of  the  murderers  of  the  live  Frenchmen.  The  demaml 
was  not  complied  with.  Three  other  messengers  in  turn  followed, 
but  were  met  with  the  same  refusal.  M.  de  Longueuil  then  sent  a 
peremptory  demand,  re(iuiring  the  surrender  ot  the  murderers,  to  be 
disposed  of  according  to  his  pleasure;  that  the  llnrons  must  ally 
themselves  at  once  with  the  French,  or  the  latter  will  become  their 
irreconcilable  enemies ;  that  the  French  were  disposed  to  look  upon 
the  recent  murders  as  acts  of  irresponsible  parties,  and  not  of  the 


16 


French  Village  at  Fort  Waijne. 


Huron  tribe,  and  that  all  English  traders  must  loave  the  Indian 
towns  Ibrthwith. 

The  answer  returned  to  these  i»ro))osition8  amounted  to  a  defiance, 
and  preparations  were'nmde  for  an  expedition  against  Sandusky. 

The  crafty  Nicholas  was  not  less  active  than  the  French.  He 
formed  a  great  conspiracy  for  the  capture  of  Detroit  and  the  upi)or 
French  posts,  and  the  nuissaere  of  the  white  inhabitants.  How  loni; 
this  conspiracy  had  been*  brewing,  we  have  no  infornuition.  We 
know  that  by  August,  1717,  the  lro(iuois,  llurons,  Outaouagas, 
Abonaquis,  Pons,  Ouabash,  Sauteurs,  Oulaouas,  iMississagues,  Foxes, 
Sioux,  Sacs,  .Sarastaus,  Louj)s,  I'outeouataniis,  C'haouenons  and 
Miamis  had  entered  into  a  grand  league,  iuiving  for  its  object  exter- 
mination of  French  dominion  and  authority  in  the  West.  Every 
nation  of  Indians,  excepting  those  in  tlie  Illinois  country,  entered 
into  the  plan  with  zeal  Mud  alacrity. 

OU'ensive  operations  were  to  commence  at  once.  A  party  of  De- 
troit Hurons  were  to  sleep  in  the  fort  and  houses  at  Detroit,  as  they 
had  often  done  before,  and  each  was  to  kill  the  |)eoi)le  where  he 
lodged.  The  day  set  for  this  massacre  was  one  of  the  holidays  ul' 
Pentecost.  A  Inmd  of  I'outeauatamis  were  commissioned  to  destroy 
the  French  mission  anil  villages  on  lU)is  Blanc  Island ;  the 
Miamis,  to  seize  the  French  tradera  in  their  country;  the  Iroquois, 
to  destroy  the  French  village  at  the  Junctioa  of  the  Miami  and  St. 
Joseph;  the  Foxes,  to  destroy  the  village  at  (Jreen  JJay;  the  Sioux, 
Sacs  and  Sarastaus  to  reduce  Micliillimacinac;  while  the  other 
tribes  were  to  destroy  the  French  trailing  i)osts  in  their  respective 
countries,  seize  the  traders,  and  put  them  to  death. 

This  great  conspiracy,  so  skillfully  planned  and  arranged,  would 
have  been  attended  with  a  frightful  loss  of  life,  and  the  utter  annihi- 
lation of  French  power,  but  for  its  a"fidental  yet  timely  discovery. 

It  seems  that  a  party  of  Detroit  llurons  had  struck  before  the 
other  tribes  were  ready,  by  the  murder  of  a  l''renchman  in  the  forest 
a  few  leagues  from  Detroit.  This  act*  was  unauthorized  by  the 
Huron  chiefs,  who  had  made  their  arrangements  for  occupying  the 
houses  at  Detroit,  and  Avere  only  waiting  for  the  appointed  time  to 
strike  the  fatal  blow.  So  fearful  were  the  chiefs  that  their  object 
would  be  detected  since  the  murder,  that  a  council  was  held  in  one 
of  the  houses,  which  had  been  obtained  for  the  purpose,  to  deter- 
mine whether  any  change  of  operations  way  necessary.  While  they 
were  in  council,  one  of  their  squaws,  going  into  the  garret  of  the 


Plot  of  Nidi  of  (IS  IhfntfHi. 


17 


liouflo  in  soarch  of  Indian  oorn,  ovorhcard  the  details  of  the  con- 
spinii'y.  SIk'  at  onco  luisti-iii'd  to  ii  Jtauit  priuHt,  and  ivviiiUhI  I1u> 
j)lan8  of  the  savages.  The  priest  lost  no  time  in  communicating 
with  M.  dr  liOMifuenil,  th<'  i''rench  commandant,  who  ordered  ont 
the  troops,  arouHi'd  tiie  people,  and  gave  the  Indiana  to  inderatand 
that  their  planr  had  heen  disc()\er<'d,  and  wonid  he  diHeomtitcd. 
Willi  great  alaerity  messengers  wi-re  despatched  to  the  forts  and 
trading  posts,  which  i)ut  tiie  people  on  their  gnurd.and  cansed  them 
to  retire  to  places  of  safety.  All  t'.ie  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  De- 
troit were  notilied  to  enter  the  fort.  The  post  of  Miami  was  ahan- 
iloned,  and  relief  asked  for  from  Quebec. 

When  the  llurons  at  Ditroit  found  they  had  been  deteiUed,  they 
sullenly  withdrew,  the  eomnnindant  being  unwilling  to  o|)mi  actual 
hostdities  by  detaining  them.     Soon  after  this  the  Indian  oi)erations 
began,  though  confined  to  a  snndl  scale,  on  account  of  the  vigilance 
of  M.  de  lionguenil  in  apprising  his  countrymen  of  their  danger. 
The  latter  part  of  August,  17-17,  a  number  of  Frenchmen  were  killed 
lit  (Jhibarmini ;  eight  traders  were  seized  in  the  Miami  country;  a 
man  named  Martineau  was  killed  near  Detroit;  the  S.iuteurs  attacked 
a  convoy  of  French  canoes  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  captured  one  and 
plundered  the  goods;    the  Outaowas  killed  a  number  of   French 
traders  residing  in  their  country;  the  Foxes  murderetl  several  traders 
at  (Jreen  Hay ;  a  French  trader  was  killed  on  the  !^[iami ;  a  party  of 
llurons  attacked  the  inhaliitants  of  JJois  Hianc  Island,  and  wounded 
three  men.    Five  of  the  llurons  were  captured,  taken  to  Detroit, 
and  heavily  ironed.     One  was  soon  after  killed  by  the  people,  and 
another  committed  suicide.     Other  murders   were  committed,  and 
trading  houses  destroyed,  but  the  conspiracy  had  been  pretty  elfectu- 
ally  broken  up  by  its  timely  discovery.     Soon  after  hostilities  had 
commenced,  numbers  of  those  who  had  entered  the  league  deserted 
it,  and  craved  the  pardon  and  favor  of  the  French.     First  among 
these    were   the  Outaowas  and  Pouteowatamis,  the   latter   having 
agreed  to  destroy  the  Bois  Blanc  villages.     Thus   weakened,  the 
plans  and  efforts  of  Nicholas  were  in  a  measure  paralyzed. 

On  the  22d  of  Septemberj  a  large  number  of  boats,  containing  one 
hundred  and  fifty  regular  soldiers,  arrived  at  Detroit  from  Montreal. 

Upon  hearing  of  this,  Nicholas  abandoned  all  his  plans,  and  was 
ready  to  make  peace  on  the  best  terms  he  could  obtain.  He  knew 
that  certain  destruction  awaited  his   villages,  unless  pardon   Avas 

% 


18 


Nicholas  ((handoiis  I'^andnshy  Bay 


obtained;  for  the  Frencli  commandant  was  already  meditating  a 
punishment  for  him  and  his  people,  for  the  murder  of  the  five 
traders  the  June  [)revious. 

During  the  summer,  two  chiefs  of  the  Detroit  Hurons,  Sastaredzy 
and  Taychatin,  had  visited  Detroit  on  a  professed  mission  of  friend- 
ship. They  were  seized  and  sent  to  Quebec  to  answer  for  the  mur- 
ders committed  by  the  Sandusky  Hurons.  Sastaredzy  died  at 
Quebec  on  the  4th  of  August;  Taychatin  was  released  when  peace 
was  made.  Nichohis  secured  the  pardon  of  himself  and  the  San- 
dusky Hurons,  upon  the  most  favorable  terms — that  of  maintaining 
peace  in  the  future.  The  French  abandoned  their  demand  for  the 
murderers  of  tlie  five  traders,  and  made  no  conditions  as  to  the 
Indian  trade  with  tlie  EngHsh.  Even  during  the  winter  that  fol- 
lowed, 1747-8,  Nicholas  received  at  the  Sandusky  villages,  on  two 
occasions,  a  party  of  Englishmen  from  Pliiladelphia,  and  allowed 
his  people  to  trade  witli  them.  Soon  after  this,  Nicholas  received 
belts  and  ('tiier  tokens  of  friendship  from  the  English.  These 
things  came  to  the  ear  of  M.  de  Longueuil,  and  he  lost  no  time  in 
asking  instructions  from  Quebec. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1748,  Nicholas  sent  fourteen  of  his 
warriors  to  Detroit  to  ask  for  the  release  of  the  three  remaining 
Indians  captured  at  Bois  Blanc  Island.  M.  de  Longueuil,  wishing 
to  secure  Nicholas  as  an  ally,  granted  his  request,  and  th3  prisoners 
were  released. 

In  February,  1748,  French  soldiers  rebuilt  and  again  occupied  the 
post  on  the  Miami.  The  same  month,  La  Joncaire,  Governor  of 
Canada,  ordered  M.  de  Longueuil  to  give  Nicholas  notice  that  no 
English  traders  W(uild  be  allowed  among  his  people^  or  in  the  West- 
ern country;  and  if  any  were  found,  they  should  receive  notice  to 
quit  forthwith.  Agreeable  to  these  instructions,  a  French  oflScer 
was  sent  to  Sandusky,  who  notified  Nicholas  of  the  wishes  of  the 
Governor  of  Canad-i.  Finding  several  English  at  the  towns,  the 
ofticer  commanded  them  to  leave  the  country,  which  they  promised 
to  do. 

Finding  himself  deserted  l)y  nearly  all  of  his  allies,  his  power  for 
mischief  gone,  and  the  activity  and  determination  of  the  French  to 
suffer  encroachments  from  the  English  no  longer,  Nicholas  finally 
resolved  to  abandon  his  towns  on  Sandusky  Bay  and  seek  a  home 
farther  west.     On  the  7th  of  April,  1748,  he  destroyed  the  villages 


and  fort,  a 

nineteen 

I    Indiana. 

country,  lo 

in  the  fall 

The  stei 

of  the  tribt 

desired  efl'e 

had  been  u 

for  peace. 

holding  of 

savages  to  ' 

much  ttnva 

tion  was  isi 

the  tribes  ei 

Saute  urs.     ' 

be  overlook 

wards  withd 

French,  hov 

"  rebels,''  as 

not  inclined 

ders.    They 

being  placed 

rule.    In  th 

we  find  the  J 

"Should  I 

tort  without 

arrest  him  ai 

Similar  or 

west.    These 

the  Indians  1 

louspiracy  o 

performed  th 

I'ort  Miami, 

.loseph's  and 

In  1746,  tl 

French  post 

were  operatiri 

ket."    Thec< 

and  did  an  ej 


A  7id  Jietn  o  >  m  \Ve)<f. 


l\) 


and  fort,  and  on  the  following  day,  at  the  hetul  of  one  hundred  and 
nhu'tecn  warriors,  and  th(^ir  families,  left  for  the  White  river  in 
Iiuliana.  8oou  alter  he  moved  with  his  people  to  the  Ilhnois 
country,  locating  on  the  Ohio,  near  the  Indiana  line,  where  he  died, 
in  the  fall  of  1748. 

The  stern,  unyielding  conduct  of  M.  de  Longueuil  coward  most 
of  the  tribes  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  conspiracy,  produced  the 
desired  effect.  By  the  1st  of  May,  1748,  the  power  of  the  league 
had  been  utterly  annihilated,  and  nearly  every  nation  forced  to  sue 
for  peace.  This  result  was  not  produced  by  the  sword.  The  with- 
holding of  supplies,  the  prohibition  of  traders,  the  reduction  of  the 
savages  to  want  not  only  of  provisions  but  of  powder  and  ball,  did 
much  toward  humbling  their  desire  for  war.  In  June,  a  proclama- 
tion was  issued  by  the  Governor  of  Canada,  granting  pardon  to  all 
the  tribes  engaged  in  the  conspiracy,  excepting  the  Mississagues  and 
Sauteurs.  Those  nations  had  committed  offences  which  could  not 
be  overlooked  without  punishment.  These  exceptions  were  after- 
wards withdrawn,  and  peace  was  established  in  the  Northwest.  The 
French,  however,  for  several  years,  looked  with  distrust  upon  the 
"  rebels,''  as  they  were  called.  The  Detroit  Hurons  were  sulky,  and 
not  inclined  to  carry  the  yoke  the  French  placed  upon  their  shoul- 
ders. They  had  formerly  enjoyed  every  privilege ;  no  obstructions 
being  placed  in  their  way.  Now  they  were  subjected  to  military 
rule.  In  the  general  orders  of  the  post  at  Detroit,  June  3d,  1748, 
we  find  the  following: 

"Should  any  Huron,  or  other  rebel,  be  so  daring  as  to  enter  the 
fort  without  a  pass,  through  sheer  bravado,  'twould  be  jjropei-  to 
arrest  him  and  ]nit  him  to  death  on  the  spot." 

Similar  orders  were  issued  at  all  French  posts  in  the  North- 
west. These  harsh,  but  necessary  measures,  had  their  lessons,  and 
the  Indians  became  as  quiet  and  peaceable  as  ever.  Thus  ended  the 
conspiracy  of  Nicholas.  The  Miamis  were  fully  in  the  plot,  and 
performed  the  part  assigned  them  by  the  capture  and  destruction  of 
Fort  Miami,  as  it  was  then  known,  at  the  confluence  of  the  St. 
Joseph's  and  St.  Mary's  rivers. 

In  17+6,  the  Marquis  de  Vaudretiil  advocated  the  erection  of  a 
French  post  at  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio.  At  this  time  the  English 
were  operating  between  the  mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga  and  "Sandos- 
ket."  The  celebrated  George  Croghan  had  a  house  at  the  Cuyahoga, 
and  did  an  extensive  business  with  the  tribes  along  the  lake. 


o 


0 


Fort  Miami  Rehiilt. 


4 

i 


AVlieii  the  conspiracy  of  Nicholas  had  been  crushed,  Fort  Miami 
was  rebuilt  and  occupied  by  the  French  under  Sieur  Dubuisson,  In 
May,  1T48,  Captain  de  Celeron  left  Montreal  for  Detroit,  with  a 
convoy  of  arms,  amniuniiion,  goods  and  ])rovisions.  The  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania  seni  Coni'ail  Wtisser  to  Logstown  with  a  large  sup- 
ply of  presents,  to  secure  the  friendship  of  the  Ohio  Indians.  At 
this  time  the  French  were  considering  the  practicability  of  building 
a  fort  "  on  Lake  Erie,  below  Detroit,"  when  a  treaty  of  peace  was 
signed  at  Aix-la-Chnjielle.  \^^'  the  terms  of  this  treaty,  .Commis- 
sioners were  to  be  ajipoiuLed  to  run  a  boundary  line  between  lliu 
French  and  Englisli  j)ossessions  in  America,  but  nothing  seems  to 
have  been  done  in  the  premises.  On  the  3d  of  October,  1748,  Ciov- 
ernor  Clinton,  of  New  York,  addressed  a  communication  to  the 
Duke  of  Bedford.  The  following  is  an  extract:  "I  am  informed 
that  all  the  numerous  nations  to  the  westward  of  the  English  colo- 
nies are  exceetlingly  dissatisfied  with  the  French:  that  ihey  have 
killed  several  of  the  French  traders,  and  had  blocked  up  the  small 
forts  the  French  had  amongst  them,  and  killed  several  of  ih  -r 
soldiers.  This  was  owing  to  the  English  selling  goods  more  tliuii 
one-half  cheaper  than  the  French  did,  and  by  the  French  endeavor- 
ing to  hinder  the  Indians  from  trading  with  the  English."  This 
refers  to  the  conspiracy  of  Nicholas. 

In  October,  1748,  Count  de  La  Galissonniere  wrote  to  M.  de  Lon- 
gueuil,  commandant  at  Detroit,  that  "  though  we  be  at  peace,  every 
attempt  of  the  English  to  settle  at  liiver  a  la  Eoehe  (Maumee), 
White  river,  and  Ohio  river,  or  any  of  their  tributaries,  must  be 
resisted  by  force."  Not  long  after  this  a  party  under  Captain  de 
Celeron,  forced  the  English  to  leave  Sandosket  and  the  Cuyahoga. 

During  this  year  (1748),  a  treaty  was  made  with  t!.e  Twigtwees, 
or  Mianiis,  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  by  which  they  allied  them- 
selves to  the  English,  and  agreed  to  protect^  such  traders  as  might  be 
sent  among  them.  The  same  year,  'J'homas  Lee,  who  was  connected 
with  the  provisional  government  of  Virginia,  formed  a  design  of 
effecting  a  settlement  on  the  wild  lands  west  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountains.  His  plans  were  corilially  .-'pproved  by  the  Executive 
Cov.ncil  of  Virginia.  Lee  associ^ued  himself  with  twelve  Virginians, 
among  whom  wt-re  Laurence  and  Angiistim!  Washington,  brothers 
of  (Jeorge  Wiishington,_  and  a  Mr.  llanl)ury,  of  London,  and  formed 
the  "Ohio  Land  Company."  The  following  year  (1749),  they 
obtained  from  King  George  II.  a  grant  of  live  hundred  thousand  acres 


v:    of  land  sif 
?    Vii'ginia  si 

'=  During  t 
into  the  0 
in  the  nan 

■  along  the 

■  ferences  wii 
of  his  missi 
trading  col 
Muskingum 
never  to  ret 

From  tha 
"  To  warn  h 
their  appear 
any  delicacy 

During  tt 
August,  Gov 
(0  the  Ohio 
eeased  betw( 
of  Captain  C 

We  have  r 

hetween  the 

preserving  tl 

the  Fall  of  11 

among  its  ne 

sons  from  Ea 

i.t  the  mouth 

northwest  of 

after  a  distir 

bidck  house 

place  jirosper 

had  seeininglj 

occasion  hap|: 

In  the  Butn 

dcserced,  deli\ 

Twigtwees.  wl 

allies,  wanted 


revenge 


in  order  to  sa 


De  Celeronh  E^rpeditinn. 


21 


of  land  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  Ohio,  but  ]irincipally  on  the 
Virginia  side  between  the  Monongahela  and  Kanawha. 

Durinf  the  year  1740,  Captain  de  Celeron  conducted  an  expedition 
into  the  Ohio  country,  to  formally  take  possession  of  the  territory, 
in  the  name  of  the  King  of  the  French.  He  buried  leaden  plates 
along  the  Ohio  river,  visited  the  interior  of  the  country,  held  con- 
ferences with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  faithfully  performed  the  duties 
of  his  mission.  In  August,  Captain  Celeron  discovered  an  English 
trading  colony  at  an  old  Shawanese  town  on  the  Ohio,  near  the 
Muskingum.  The  traders  were  permitted  to  leave,  on  their  promise 
never  to  return. 

From  that  place  Celeron  wrote  to  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania: 
"To  warn  him  that  if  any  English  traders  should  thereafter  moke 
their  appearance  on  the  Ohio  river,  they  would  be  treated  without 
any  delicacy." 

During  this  year,  also,  many  interesting  events  took  place.  In 
August,  Governor  Hamilton,  of  Pennsylvania,  sent  George  Croghan 
to  the  Ohio  Indians  with  a  message,  informing  them  that  war  had 
ceased  between  the  French  and  English,  and  to  inquire  the  reason 
of  Captain  Celeron's  march  through  their  country. 

We  have  noticed  a  treaty  of  amity  and  friendship  macie  in  1748 
between  the  English  and  Twigtwees.  Desirous  of  maintaining  and 
preserving  the  relations  established,  the  colony  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
the  Fall  of  17.~)0,  lent  its  a,id  to  the  planting  of  a  company  of  traders 
among  its  new  allies.  Late  in  that  year  a  party  of  twenty-five  per- 
sons from  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  built  a  station  on  the  Great  Miami, 
i.t  the  mouth  of  what  is  now  known  as  Loramie's  Creek,  sixteen  niilfs 
northwest  of  Sidney,  Shelby  county.  It  was  called  Pickawillany, 
after  a  distinguished  chief  of  the  Twigtwees.  Hefore  >Spring,  a 
block  house  and  several  stores  and  dwellings  were  erected.  The 
place  prospered,  the  traders  did  a  flourishing  business,  and  success 
had  seemingly  attended  the  effortjs  of  the  Pennsylvanians,  when  an 
occasion  happened  which  gave  uml)rage  to  the  French. 

In  the  Summer  of  17.51.  three  or  four  French  soldiers,  who  had 
deserced,  delivered  themselves  to  the  English  at  Pickawillany.  The 
Twigtwees.  who  had  long  suffered  from  the  French  and  their  Indian 
allies,  wanted  th^  three  deserters  delivered  to  them  for  purposes  of 
revenge.  The  English  would  not  consent  to  this,  but  were  obliged, 
in  order  to  save  their  lives,  to  send  them  to  an  English  post  on  liie 


22 


Fort  PickawUlany. 


Muskingum,  where  hhey  were  delivered  to  (leorge  Croghan.  When 
the  French  lieard  that  deserters  from  their  service  were  received  and 
protected  at  Pickawillany,  the  Governor  of  Canada  determined  upon 
the  destruction  of  that  post.  A  force  under  Sieur  de  Joncaire,  was 
sent,  but  was  obliged  to  return  to  Detroit  from  diHiculties  met  witli 
in  the  wilderness.  In  ]\Iay,  1752.  another  party  left  Detroit  on  the 
same  mission.  The  French  aiul  tlieir  allies  numbered  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  men.  On  the  21st  of  June,  at  early  morn,  they 
reached  T'ickawillany.  and  at  once  began  the  attack.  A  skirmish 
took  place,  in  which  one  Phiglishniau  and  fourteen  Twigtwees  were 
killed.  The  place,  after  some  furtJier  resistance,  was  surrendered. 
and  a  general  plunder  of  the  houses  followed.  Some  of  the  huts 
were  razed  to  the  ground ;  the  fort,  or  block  house  was  left  stand- 
ing. The  Knglish  traders  were  sent  to  Canada,  but  tradition  says 
few  of  them  reached  there. 

The  Twigtwee  King,  "Old  Britain,"  was  killed  and  eaten  in  the 
presence  of  his  con((uored  people.  In  the  following  year  the  Gover- 
nors of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  sent  presents  and  messages  of 
condolence  to  the  Twigtwee  nation. 

Recurring  to  the  order  of  years,  we  are  brought  back  to  1750. 

During  that  year,  Etiglish  traders  were  a  second  time  expelled  from 
the  Cuyahoga.  A  party  of  French  from  Detroit  built  Fort  Junandat. 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  Sandusky  river,  near  the  bay.  Fort  Char- 
tres  was  also  rebuilt.  About  this  time  Luke  (Vrowin,  of  Pennsvl-  | 
vania,  Joseph  l<'ort(>ner,  of  New  Jers(\v,  and  Thomas  Borke,  traders, 
were  (•a))tured  near  F'ort  Jananchit,  John  Pathen,  an  English 
trader,  was  arrested  near  Fort  Miami.  All  of  these  were  sent  to 
Canada,  thence  to  France.  The  Governor  of  Canada,  upon  learn- 
ing the  fact.-;,  wrot(^  to  the  Governor  of  New  York,  complaining  that 
"the  English,  far  from  confining  themselves  within  the  limits  of  the 
King  of  Great  Britain's  possession.^,  not  satisfied  with  multiplying 
themselves  more  and  more  on  Rock  river  with  having  houses  and 
open  stores  there,  have,  more  than  that,  proceeded  within  sight  of 
Detroit,  even  unto  the  Fort  of  the  Miamis.''  Soon  after,  the  Gov- 
ernor urged  upon  the  French  ^Ministry  the  great  importance,  and 
the  benetits  to  be  derived  from  holding  the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries, 
Desiring  to  put  an  end  to  the  influence  of  the  English,  sundry 
rewards  were  offered  for  the  scalps  of  traders  found  on  French 
territory.' 


A  numb( 
Ohio  to  the 
HI  formation 
The  Englis 
and  on  Bea 
the  Huron, 
city.  In  1 
Oliio  Oompj 
(hiring  the  I 
which  had 
did  not  coi 
visit  from  tl: 
eastward. 


FURTHER   RI 


[In  1870- 
Western  Ref 
til  rough  Hoi 
James,  in  obi 
British  tradir 
by  the  Fren* 
Mr.  Good  ma 
Cincinnati,  ii 
writer  avails 
as  the  princ 
Valley.] 

For  many  ; 
the  Miamis  h 
at  the  mouth 
That  point  w 
gers,  who  tra 
day.  and  had 
the  Miamis  w 
of  "  TmiHxtw 
called  V\cka\ 
"  Picktovm '' ; 


Pichatvillany  Def<troyed. 


23 


A  number  of  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  traders  explored  the 
Ohio  to  the  Illinois  country,  and  on  their  return  lurnished  valuable 
inlormation  to  Lewis  Evans  for  his  map  of  the  Western  country. 
'L'he.  English  this  year  made  their  way  into  the  Venango  country, 
and  on  Beaver  Creek,  while  the  French  established  trading  posts  on 
the  Huron,  at  its  mouth,  and  at  "Ogontz,"  on  the  site  of  Sandusky 
city.  In  1752,  Ciiristopher  (list  was  aopointed  surveyor  of  the 
Ohio  Company,  and  at  his  suggestion  a  trading  post  was  established 
during  the  Fall  of  that  year,  at  a  point  somewhat  eastof  Pickawillany, 
which  had  been  destroyed  by  the  French  during  the  Summer.  It 
did  not  continue  long;  for  the  traders,  learning  of  an  intended 
visit  from  the  French,  hastily  gathered  up  their  goods  and  proceeded 
eastward.     The  site  of  this  post  car.  not  now  be  determined. 


'i    FURTHER   REGARDING   POST   "  PICKAWILLANY,"'   AND  ITS   DESTRUC- 

TION   IN    1752. 


'ani- 

tlKlt 

if  till 

fwv; 

aiul 

It  of 

(ioV- 

and 


[In  1870-71,  the  late  Mr.  A.  T.  Goodman,  then  Secretary  of  the 
Western  Reserve  Historical  Society,  at  Cleveland,  was  successful, 
through  Hon.  John  Lotlirop  Motley,  Minister  at  the  Court  of  St. 
James,  in  obtaining  certain  valuable  historical  p  ipers  relating  to  the 
Briti-sh  trading  post  Pickawillany,  which  was  attacked  and  destroyed 
by  the  French  in  1752.  An  analysis  of  these  papers  was  made  by 
Mr.  Goodman,  and  publisiied  in  1871,  by  Robert  Clarke  &  Co.,  of 
Cincinnati,  in  a  volume  entitled,  ''Journal  of  Captain  Trent.''  The 
writer  avails  himself  of  the  material  points  embraced  in  this  volume, 
as  the  principal  of  them  belong  to  the  history  of  the  Maumee 
Valley.] 

For  many  years  prior  to  the  advent  of  Indian  traders  in  the  "West, 
the  Miainis  had  a  village  on  the  west  side  of  the  Creat  Miami  river, 
at  the  mouth  of  what  afterward  became  known  as  Loraniie's  Creek. 
Tiiat  i)oint  was  visited  by  the  (knircurs  des  Bois,  or  Canadian  voya- 
gers, who  traveled  under  the  direction  of  the  traders,  at  an  early 
day,  and  had  become  a  place  of  note  long  ]irevious  to  the  alliance  of 
the  Miamis  with  the  English.  From  the  latter,  it  received  the  name 
of  "  Tawixtnn  tnion,''''  until  the  building  of  a  stockad*',  when  it  was 
called  Pickawlllnny,  though  in  some  accounts  we  find  the  name 
"  Picktoton ''  applied  to  it. 


24 


P/clr/ iriJ/anf/  Def^troijed. 


Eiiglisli  traders  dealt  "with  the  Miamis  at  an  early  period,  even 
Avhile  the  latter  were  fully  pledged  to  French  interests.  The  Penn- 
sylvania factors  seem  to  have  been  special  favorites,  for  they  sold 
their  goods  at  half  the  price  asked  by  the  Coiirenrs  dcs  Bois.  This 
Avas  a  matter  of  importance  to  the  Indians,  and,  doubtless,  had  much 
to  do  with  the  subsequent  friendly  alliance  with  the  English. 

During  the  Summer  of  1749,  M.  de  Celeron  visited  the  Tawixtvvi 
town,  but  found  no  traders  there,  they  having  had  timely  notice  of 
his  coming,  and  departed  Avith  their  goods  and  chattels.  The 
Miami  warriors  were  in  force  at  the  time  of  Celeron's  visit,  and  that 
ortlcer  did  no  injury.  On  the  contrary,  he  treated  tlicm  witli  kind- 
ness and  attention.  Presents  were  given,  and  the  usual  speeches 
made,  but  the  Indians  withstood  his  arts  and  artifices,  and  remained 
friendly  to  the  Englisli,  While  the  English  traders  felt  safe  in  the 
hands  of  the  Miamis,  tliey  were  in  constant  fear  of  the  French. 
Occasionally  an  unfortunate  trader  became  a  victim.  The  dread  of 
such  a  fate  was  increased  l)y  the  fact  that  the  Ottawas  were  known 
to  "  kill,  roast  and  eat"'  their  English  caj/tives.  The  Miamis  shared 
this  feeling,  as  several  of  their  best  warriors  had  fallen  into  the 
enemy'.s  hands.  IMie  need  of  a  strong  post  was  felt,  which  would 
afford  better  protection  tlian  the  ordinary  houses  of  the  traders.  It 
was  some  time,  however  before  the  Indians  would  allow  the  erection 
of  such  a  structure. 

In  Pennsylvania,  licenses  to  trade  with  the  Indians  were  granted 
by  the  Governor,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  iustices  of  the 
counties  in  which  the  applicant  resided.  The  trailers'  goods  were 
carried  on  pack-horses,  along  the  old  Indian  trails,  whic)\  led  to  all 
the  ])rincipal  towns  imd  villages.  The  articles  of  tratlic  on  the  parr 
of  the  whites  were  fire-arms,  gunpowder,  lead,  ball,  knives,  Hints, 
hatcliets,  rings,  rum,  tobacco,  medals,  blades,  leather,  cooking  uteii 
sils,  shirts,  and  othei'  articles  of  wearing  apparel :  pipes,  paint,  etc. 
Some  of  the  traders  would  run  regular  "ciiravans "'  of  fifteen  or 
twenty  horses,  making  several  trips  during  the  year.  It  is  impossible 
to  give  any  definite  account  of  the  extent  of  this  tralfic,  but  it  must 
have  amttunted  to  great  value. 

Having  obtained  permission  from  the  Indians,  the  English,  in  the 
Fall  of  1750,  began  the  erection  of  a  stockade,  as  a  placo  of  protec- 
tion, in  case  of  sudden  attack,  both  for  their  persons  and  property. 
When  the  main  building  was  completed,  it  was  surrounded  with  a 


high  wall  o 
.  sure  the  tra 
fresh    watei 
summer. 

At  this  ti 
and  was  the 
cy.  Christ,! 
lislied  joiin 
"•  one  of  the 

In  several 
I'ickawillan 
the  struetui 
authority,  tl 
l)()rhood  of 
(iist,  howev 
exists  in  si 
nourishing  t 
than  a  cent 
upon  the  M; 

In  Decern 
\ama  to  lear 
ed  them  as  ' 
English  trad 
wholly  deser 
lit  Vincennes 
to  the  place, 
Miamis,  lavis 
u"reat  variety 
scss  enterpris 
mUil  ITd!).  w 
established  a 
hater  of  the 
eiice  among 
■  Loramie's  ^ 
t'ellowship  wi 
was  titled  on 
place  beconi 
borderers,  tli 
solved  to  pa' 
tuckians,  in  t 


Peter  Lornmie  and  hi.s  Station. 


25 


high  wall  of  split  logs,  having  three  gate-ways.  Within  the  inclo- 
sure  the  traders  dug  a  well,  which  furnished  an  abundant  supply  of 
fresh  water  during  the  fall,  winter  and  spring,  hut  failed  in 
summer. 

At  this  time  Piekawillany  eontaiuiHl  i'our  hundred  Indian  faniilies, 
and  was  Mie  residence  of  tlie  prinei[»al  chie^'of  the  ]\Iiiinii  Confedera- 
cy. Christopher  Gist  was  there  in  February,  1751,  and  in  his  i)ub- 
lished  journal,  says  the  place  was  daily  increasing,  and  accounted 
"  one  of  the  strongest  towns  on  this  continent.'' 

In  several  contemporary  papers  we  liud  it  stated  tluit  the  fort  at 
Pickawiliany  was  built  of  stone.  If  this  was  the  case,  remains  of 
the  structure  ought  yet  to  be  visible,  hut  we  are  informed,  on  good 
authority,  that  no  traces  of  the  kind  are  to  be  found  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  mouth  of  Loramie's  Creek.  This  statement  ol  Mr. 
Gist,  however,  may  well  be  (Hiesticuied,  although  ample  evidence 
exists  in  support  of  the  conclusion  that  it  was  a  po[)ulous  and 
flourishing  town,  and  the  centre  of  a  large  Indian  trade.  But  more 
than  a  century  previous,  seats  of  a  larger  trade,  probably,  existed 
up(m  the  Maumee  river. 

In  December,  John  Patten  wa>;  sent  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  learn  the  intentions  of  the  Mianiis.  and  it  appears  he  report- 
ed them  as  "gone  over  to  the  French.'"  At  this  time  most  of  the 
English  trader^!  abandoned  the  Ohio  trade.  Pickawiliany  was 
wholly  deserted  by  them.  Not  long  after,  the  French  commandant 
at  Vinceimes,  deeming  the  location  a  good  one,  sent  some  traders 
to  the  place,  and  made  a  treaty  of  concord  and  friendship  with  the 
Miumis,  lavishing  upon  them  a  very  large  amount  of  money,  and  a 
great  variety  of  costly  presents.  The  place,  however,  did  not  pos- 
sess enterprise  or  spirit,  and  was  not  widely  known  as  a  trading  post 
until  1T()9.  when  a  Cninidian  French  trader,  named  Peter  Loramie, 
established  a  store  there.  lie  was  a  man  of  energy,  and  a  good 
hater  of  the  Americans.  For  many  years  he  exercised  great  inHu- 
ence  among  the  Indians.  After  his  arrival,  the  place  was  called 
''Loramie's  Station."  During  the  Revolution.  Lorpraie  was  in  fidl 
fellowshij)  with  the  British.  Many  a  savage  incursion  to  the  border 
was  fitted  out  from  his  supply  of  war  material.  So  noted  had  his 
place  become  as  the  hea<l<|uarters  of  spies,  emissaries,  and  savage 
borderers,  that  (Tcnei-al  George  IJogors  Clarke,  of  Kentucky,  re- 
solved to  pay  it  a  visit :  which  he  did.  with  a  large  party  of  Iven- 
tuckianS)  in  the  Fall  of  1782.     The  post  was  taken  by  surprise,  and 


26 


Jonoaire  on  the  Manniee. 


Lor.'unie  iiiirrowly  t!sca))0(l  bein<ij  mjido  prisonor.  His  store  was 
rilled  of  its  (lontents,  and  hiirned  to  tlic  tfroimd.  as  worn  all  the 
other  habitations  ill  Ihe  vicinity.  Poor  Loratnio  shortly  afterward 
removed  witli  a  party  of  Sliawnesi^  to  a  spot  near  the  junction  of 
the  Kansas  and  Missouri,  wlieii'  he  closetl  his  days.  The  site  oi'lMcka- 
willany  and  Loraniie's  Station  has  never  been  rebuilt. 

The  hostility  of  the  French  a<j;ainst>  the  Twigtwces,  awakened  a 
V)itter  feelinjx  from  th  >  latter  Two  Frenchmen  near  the  Oliio  were 
murdered  in  cold  l)l()()d.  The  Kiiijflish  this  year  (li^-i)  stationerl 
thems  Ives  on  the  Vermillion  river,  and  a  trader  named  John 
Frazier  built  a  cabin  upon  French  Creek,  near  the  Ohio.  During 
the  Summer  a  council  was  held  with  the  Delaware,  Shawanese,  and 
other  Ohio  tribes,  at  Logstown,  when  the  Indians  promised  Colonel 
Joshua  Fry  and  other  Knglish  Commisf  ioners.  that,  they  would  not 
molest  any  settlements  ma<le  on  the  southeast  side  ol  the  Ohio. 

In  17")0.  a  large  body  of  French  from  Canada  moved  to  the  .south- 
west, and  erected  forts  Presque  Isle,  on  the  site  of  P^rie,  Pennsylva- 
nia;  La  Hoeiif,  on  French  Creek,  and  Venango,  on  the  Allegheny 
river.  In  Ajtril  o\'  that  year,  M.  Joncaire  was  st'nt,  with  a  small 
detachment  o^  regidars,  and  a  nnnibi>r  of  Iriendly  Senecas.  to  visit 
the  Indians  on  the  Ohio  and  its  branches.  When  Joneaire  reached 
the  Miamis,  he  marchtd  \\\*  i  their  towns  witii  great  ceremony.  The 
Indians  were  frltxhtcned.  ami  promised  again  '•  to  become  the  chil- 
dren of  the  French."  Joncaire  assured  them  of  {)rotection,  and 
succeeded  in  inducing  a  large  number  to  ai'coinpany  him  to  the  fori 
on  the  Maumee.  Captain  Trent  was  sent  to  the  Ohio  from  V^irginia 
with  powder,  shot,  guns  and  clothing  for  Indians  friendly  to  the 
British. 

The  Kuglish.  in  September,  represented  by  William  Fairfax,  met 
the  Indians  of  Eastern  Ohio,  in  council  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  and 
made  a  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship.  A  like  coven.ant  was  enter- 
ed into  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  between  Pennsylvania  Commis- 
sioners and  the  Iroipiois,  Delawares.  Shawanese.  Twigtwees  and 
Wyandots.  With  gr  at  foresight,  tiovernor  De  Lancey,  of  New 
Yo  k.  recommended  to  the  Fnglish  Lords  of  Trade  the  building  of 
two  strong  foris  on  the  Ohio,  on.'  in  Pennsylvaniii.  the  other  in 
Virginia.  While  the  •'  Lords"  were  dreaming  over  the  proposition, 
the  FnMich  look  advantage  of  the  situation. 

Learning  of  the  operations  of  M.  Duquesne,  Governor  Dinwiddle, 
of  Virginia,  despatched  George   Washington  with  a  letter  to  Fort 


Le  Fioeut.  a 
he  was  infri 
departure.'" 
Although 
until  the   y. 
that  yen- 
troops,  and 
fence  an<l  si 
of  the  site  o 
seciu'cd  the 
proved  of  g 
Washington 
marched    th 
erection  of  a 
Necessity,  ai 
under  Sieur  < 
slain.      i\    If 
which  was  c( 
hundred  mer 
above  Fort 
confe<leratior 
was  rc'jected 
lish  Lords  of 
establishment 
the  cidebrato 
advocated  th 
One  of  these 
Cuyahoga,  or 
pied  that  poi 
Mingoes,  whc 
as  the  Engl  i  si 
place  in  viev 
located  on  th 
mouth,  .and  a 
The  difficn 
January  of  tl; 
Brit.sh  Goveri 
country  to  th 
On  the  2-^d  of 
America  mus 


British  and  Freivh  Jealousies. 


27 


.•l.il 


i.ru, 

Kori 


TiC  liociif.  apprisiiiij;  M.  de  St.  Pierre,  the  French  eominandor,  th.-il 
lie  W.18  iiitViiij;ing  on  KngliHh  territory,  and  roquirinjjj  "his  peaceable 
departure.'"     No  attention  was  paid  to  this  modest  demand. 

Although  war   between    France  and  Kngland  was  not  deelareil 
until  the   year   I  T.")f^).  the  contlict    actually  began   in    IT.")1.     During 
that  yeir  Virginia   appropriated    S-")'',***'"  for  the  siipport  ot"  State 
trooj)s,  and  other  colonies  were  as  liberal  in  tlieir  measures  of  de- 
fence and  supply.     Early  in  the  season  the  French  took  possession 
of  the  site  of  Pittsburg,  and  erected  thereon  Fort  DiKpiesne.     They 
secured  tlie    friendshi])  of  the    Indians    living  on    the  Scioto,  who 
proved  of  great   service  to  their  tnasters.     In  .\pril.  Major  (ieorge 
Washington  ami  Colonel  Joshua  Fry,  wit.li  six  hundred  Virginians, 
marched    through  Pennsylvania  for  the  Ohio,  having  in  view  the 
<'rection  of  a  post,  .and  the  exptilsion  of  the  French     They  built  FVrt 
Necessity,  and  shortly  afterward  (b'feated  near  there,  a  French  force 
under  Sieur  de  Jumonville.  who.  with  thirtytive  of  his  soldiers,  was 
slain.      A    large    party    of    French  now  besieged    Fort  Necessitv, 
which  was  compelled  to  surrender  with  Major  Washington  and  tive 
hundred  men.     After  this  event,  the  French  erected  Fort  Machault 
above  Fort  Venango.     During  the  month  of  July.  \l^y\.  a  plan  of 
confederation  was  formeil  by  a  Colonial  Convention,  at  Albany      It 
was  rejected  by  the  assemblies  as  too  (trii^tomili'-,  and  by  tlu>  Kng- 
lish  Lords  of  Trade  because  it  was  too  Ihmorratir.     A  plan  for  the 
establishment  of  colonies  in  the  West,  was  ])ublished  this  year,  by 
the  celebrated  Dr.   Franklin.     Among  other  recoinmend.it ions,  he 
advocated  the  building  of  stnmg  fortresses   in  the  Ohio  country. 
One  of  thes('  he  suggested  should  be  located  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Cuyahoga,  on  Lake  Erie.     'C\\o  French,  however,  had  already  occu- 
pied th.at  point  by  the  establishment  of  a  trading  post  among  the 
Mingoes,  who  lived  on  the  river.     This  post  probably  began  IT.')!. 
as  the  English  w^ere  driven  off  in  17.5(>,  and  the  French  had  had  the 
place   in  view  for  some  time.     One  of   their  trading  houses   was 
located  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Cuyahoga,  about  ten  miles  from  its 
month,  and  a  little  above  the  mouth  of  Tinker's  Creek. 

Tlie  difKcnltii'S  in  America  continued  into  the  year  1755.  h\ 
Janaary  of  that  year,  the  French  King  made  a  proposition  to  the 
Ib'itsh  Government,  to  .settle  all  grievance.s,  by  restoring  the  Western 
'ouutry  to  the  same  condition  it  was  in  before  the  la(''  war — I7b">. 
On  the  2-^d  of  January,  the  English  replied,  that  the  West  of  North 
America  must  he  left  as  it  was  before  the  peace  of  Utrecht.     On 


28 


English  and  French  Hofitihtiefi. 


February  6tli,  Fninoo  answering  said,  tliat  the  old  claims  in  America 
were  liiitcnablo,  and  offi-red  as  a  coinpromiso  that  the  English 
retire  east  of  the  Allcgheiiies,  and  the  French  nunain  west  of  the 
Ohio  rivL'r.  On  tlu'  7tli  (»!'  March,  the  P^ntrlish  agreed  Id  the  French 
offer  of  compromise,  providing  the  latter  destroyed  all  forts  on  tiic 
Ohio  and  its  brunclRvJ.  This  the  French  Monarch  declined  to  do, 
and  the  negotiations  ended. 

In  May,  175(>,  England  declared  war  against  France,  and  the  latter 
followed  with  a  like  declaration  in  Juno. 

The  Newjwrt  (Rhode  Island)  Mercuri/,  of  December,  1758,  con- 
tained the  following : 

New  Youk,  December  IJith,  1758. 
Early  on  Monday  morning  last,  an  express  arrivi'd  here  from  the 
westward,  and  l)rought  sundry  letters,  which  gave  an  account  that 
General  Forbes  was  in  ])ossession  of  Fort  Du  Quosne*.  One  of  these 
letters  says,  that  the  Monsieurs  did  not  stay  for  the  ai)proacli  of  our 
army,  but  blew  up  the  fort,  spiked  tlu'ir  cannon,  threw  them  into 
the  river,  and  made  the  best  of  their  way  off.  carrying  with  them 
everything  valuable,  except  the  spot  where  the  fort  stood.  .And 
yesterday  anotlier  express  arrived  here  with  other  letters  confirming:; 
the  f(jregoing,  and  directed  from  the  fort  itself;  the  most  particular 
of  whic'h  are  as  follows,  viz  : 

FoKT  DiJ  Qup:.sne,  November  26th,  17.58. 
_  I  have  now  the  pleasure  to  write  you  from  the  ruins  of  the  fort. 
On  the  ^Ith,  at  night,  we  were  informed  by  one  t»f  our  Indian 
scouts,  that  he  had  discovered  a  cloud  of  smoke  above  the  place;  and 
soon  after  another  came  in  with  certain  intelligence  thatit  was  bunii 
and  abandoned  by  the  enemy.  We  were  ihcn  about  lifteen  niiks 
from  it.  A  troop  of  horse  was  senf  forward  immediately,  to  extin- 
guish the  burning,  and  the  whole  army  followed.  We  arrived  at  six 
o'clock  last  night,  and  found  it  in  a  great  measure  destroyed. 

There  are  two  forts  about  twentv  vards  distant — the  one  buik 
with  imnien.:;e  labor;  small,  but  a  great  deal  of  very  strong  works 
collected  into  little  room,  and  stands  on  the  point  of  a  narrow  neck 
of  land,  at  the  continence  of  the  two  rivers.  It  is  square,  and  has 
two  ravelins,  gabions  at  each  corner,  etc.  The  other  fort  stands  on  the 
bank  of  the  Allegheny,  in  the  form  of  a  ))arallelogram,  but  nothing 
so  strong  as  the  other.    Several  of  the  outworks  are  lately  begun, 


and  still  un 
standiiitr,  b 
which  ruiiii 
barrels  ol  a 
liarrels  of  gi 
off  in  so  inn 
works  they 
night  lu'lbre 
here.     Whc 
them  down 
old,   who  hi 
the  2d   in,vti 
wood  into  tl 
took  at  Maj( 
the  Indians, 
ol  bodies  wii 
nionnnients 
Delawares.  w 
to  treat  with 
over.    Whetl 
leaving  any 
is  appointed 
I' is  rniijesty's 
During  tin 
act  to  enconr 
lily  offered  a 
liostile  Indiai 
>iuners  to  tlu 
diiaching  th 
iH'nrt  failed. 

In   1759,  I 

I'rench  Mini 

I'ort  Machan 

annoy  the  Eii 

Lake  Erie  am 

[would  entail 

Lcidties  for  vie 

1  capable  of  bei 

prevailing  in 

Illinois  and  1) 


Reward  offired  for  India  it  Hi'ulps. 


21> 


ort. 

(liiin 

and 

lurtii 

liii- 


'  iiiul  still  unHiushc'd.  There  are,  I  think,  thirty  stacks  of  chiinnoys 
.stamlintr,  but  tlie  houses  are  all  destroyed.  They  sprung  a  Tuine, 
which  ruined  one  ol"  their  nia<!aziiii's;  in  the  other  wo  iound  sixteen 
barrels  of  aninuinition,  a  prodifrious  i|uantity  of  old  carriajjje  ii'on, 
iiuri'els  of  gnus,  about  a  (iart-load  of  .S('ali»iu;f  knives,  etc.  They  went 
oil'  in  so  inueh  haste  that  they  could  not  nuikiMpiite  the  havoc  of  their 
works  they  intended.  We  are  told  by  the  Indians  that  they  lay  the 
night  before  at  Beaver  Creek,  about  forty  miles  down  the  Ohio  frotn 
here.  Whether  they  buried  their  cannon  In  the  river,  or  carried 
tliein  down  in  their  battcaux,  we  have  not  yet  learnt.  A  boy  \'Z  years 
(jld,   who  has    been   their  prisoner  two  years,  and   nuule  his  e.>iCiipe 

'  the  '^d  instant,  tells  us  they  had  carried  a  jirodiglous  (piantity  of 
wood  into  the  fort;  that  they  had  burnt  five  of  tlu'  prisoners  they 
took  at  Major  Grant's  deieat,  on  the  parade,  and  delivered  others  to 
the  Indians,  who  were  tnniahawked  on  the  spot.     \Vi  (omul  numbers 

■  ol  bodies  within  a  ((uariiT  of  a  mile  of  the  fort,  unburied— so  nuiny 
nu^numents  of  French  humanity!  A  great  many  Indians,  mostly 
Delawares,  were  jiathered  on  the  Island  last  night  and  this  morning, 

■  to  treat  with  the  (Jeneral,  and  we  are  making  rafta  to  bring  them 
;  over.    AVhether  the  General  will  think  of  repairing  the  ruins,  or 

leaving  any  of  the  troops  here,  I  have  not  yet  learnt.    Mr.  lieatie 

^'  is  iippointed  to  preach  a  thanksgiving  sermon  for  the  superiority  of 

Ms  niiijesty's  arms. 

During  the  same  year,  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  passed  an 

;   act  to  encourage  settlements  in  the  West,  while  the  N'irginia  Assem- 

I  bly  offered  a  price  of  ten  pounds  sterling  for  the  scalp  of  every 

■|  hostile  Indian  over  twelve  years  of  age.    The  English  sent  Oommis- 

ij  sioners  to  the  Delawares  and  8hawanese  in  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of 

ilei aching  those  tribes  from  their  alliance  with  the  French.     The 

:=  I'tfurt  tailed. 

In  K59,  M.  de  Vandrcuil,  Governor  oi  Canada  reported  to  tiie 
French  Ministry,  "  that  M.  de  Ligneris  has  had  orders  to  remain  at 
Fort  Machault,  on  the  Ohio:  1st,  to  support  the  Nations;  ^d,  to 
annoy  the  English  ;  3d,  to  force  them  to  a  diversicm  ;  4th,  to  cover 
Lake  Erie  and  force  the  enemy  to  march  only  with  an  army,  which 
would  entail  considerable  preparations,  whence  arises  serious  diffl- 
^cuUies  for  victualling  of  all  sorts  in  a  country  where  the  ground  is 
capable  of  being  defended  inch  by  inch.  The  scarcity  of  provisions, 
prevailing  in  the  colony,  has  determined  me  to  send  orders  to  the 
Illinois  and  Detroit  to  forward  to  Presque  Isle  all  the  men  these  two 


mmm 


80 


(Uipi<littf  of  /urnc/r  (^jJi<rrM. 


lorlH  CUM  riiniisli.'"  Al'ttT  ircoiviiig  thirt  conimuiiiciition,  M.  do 
LignrriH  visited  ilic  liidiuiiH  iiioii;;  tlu>  Ohio,  iiiid  oliliiincd  ii  proiiiiso 
IVoiii  Miciu  "to  place  limits  to  llu'  inuiiitioii  of  llie  iMijilisli."  At 
Ihi'  re(|iiest.  of  the  Shiiwiiiiese  on  llu>  Sciot.o,  Lij^iieris  iip|)oiiite(l  M. 
llerti'l,  an  inlliUMiliiil  tnider,  as  Kiviich  a^jeiit  amoiij;  them. 

The  iictivity  of  Sir  William  .loliiisoi!  cauai'd  an  early  ahamloii 
mt'iit   of    i"'ort    Veiiaiifijo.      The    |)tda\vares    were   also    liroiij;ht   to 
Kiiji'lish   terms,  and   delivered   to  .lolmsoii    live  prisoners  taken  hy 
Iheni  on  tlio  borders,  viz :  .lames  I'erry.  iioheri    Wilson,  Kli/.abeth 
Armstrong,  Calharine   llillz,  and  a  lli<i[lilaud  soldier.     It  was  now  '; 
(170*.!),  that    French   powi^r   in   the   West,  showed  sij^nis  of  an  early  ] 
overthrow.     Disaster  npon  disaster  happcMied.      Manpiis  de  Mont- 
ealin  reporteil  tA>  his  f^overninent  that  "(!npidity  has  seized  otticers, 
store-keepers  and  traders  on  the  Ohio  and  elsewhere,  and  they  are 
amussini;  astonishing'  lortnnos." 

Early  in  the  year  the  French  built  a  small  post  ut  Upper  Piipiu, 
on  tile  Great  Miami  river.  A  year  or  two  later  a  parly  of  Enylisli  | 
traders  and  Indians  attempted  its  capture,  hut  were  defeated,  willi 
j^reat  loss.  In  June,  it.  was  reported  to  the  (Joverm^r  of  C'anaila  J 
that  "  The  Cherokees  have  allowed  them  to  be  ;iaiiu'd  by  the  j)resents 
of  the  Lnglish,  so  tiuit  above  and  below  the  lieautil'iil  river,  (Ohio,) 
we  need  not  Hatter  ourselves  with  llndin|i[  any  allies  anu)iig  the 
Indians.'' 


During  the  sanu^  month,  (June,  175'.),)  tjiree  liundred  Frencli 
soldiers  aiul  nulitia,  and  six  hundred  Indians  marched  from  the 
Illinois  country  for  Fort  Machault.  The  route  taken  was  down  the 
Mississijjpi  to  the  Ohio,  up  the  Ohio  to  the  Wabash,  and  thence  on 
that  river  to  the  portage  at  Fort  Miami.  From  that  point  the 
stores  were  carried  to  the  Maumee,  down  tlie  Maumee  to  Lake  Erie, 
and  along  the  southern  shore  to  Presfpie  Isle ;  thence  to  Fort 
Machault.  There  they  joined  the  forces  of  M.  de  Ligneris,  and 
marched  to  Fort  Niagara,  for  the  relief  and  reintorcement  of  M, 
Pouchot,  who  tvas  besieged  by  English  and  Indians  under  Sir 
William  Johnson.  On  the  24th  of  July  this  relief  force  was  totally 
defeated  near  the  fort  by  Johnson.  On  the  25tli  Niagara  surrender- 
ed, when  the  Indian  allies  of  the  English  massacred  in  cold  blood  a 
large  number  of  the  Illiiu)is  French.  In  September,  Quebec  was 
taken,  and  the  following  month.  Fort  Massiac  abandoned.  The 
year  closed  under  disheartening  circumstances  to  the  French. 


ICvjmlltlov  of  .\fnjor  Uinjt'vx, 


81 


Kiirlv  ill  17f^0,  tlic  (Governor  of  ('iiniidii  nrdorpd  Fori  MiisHiiir  to 
1)1'  rt'liiiiH  iind  stn.n^ly  lorlilifd;  lit-  iiIhd  IkuI  cn-ctcd  ii  iiiiliiuiy  pu.-il 
at  Kiirtkiiskiii,  IlliiMus,  lAnir  Kii<j;lisli  trudcra  wciv  killed  near  Fori 
Mas8iiic,  mid  M.  Ilcitil,  wliu  liad  inaiiiluiiicd  liiH^rruiind  lunoti;;  the 
Indians  on  I  ho  Hciota,  rcportt-d  llial  nmncioiis  Mnj,'!isli  inisonci-.s 
from  Carnlina  were  l)ioii;;lil  In  iiiin  l>y  tlie  sava^^'cs.  'riitiu;,'li  llufy 
stt'iiu'd  rriciidiy,  llcrld  rccuinniriidcd  an  t'arly  nnioval  nf  ilic  Scioto 
Inilianstoa  |)t>int  near  I"'orl  Massiac.  Diirinj;  lln' 8|irin<j;  the  MisniH- 
suiJiK'H,  living;  oil  hakf  I'lric,  lu'iir  l*ii'S(|iii'  Islr.  joined  llic  l-'rcin'li  al 
Dctroil.  Allaiis  in  ilic  Wesl.  were  assiiniiiii,' u  hri^Milcr  aspect  lor 
llie  French,  wlii'M  disiisters  in  Oarolinu  produced  an  ciitiiv  revulsion. 
Tlie  (lovernor  issued  an  order  direcliiiff  tlie  ai»aiidonniciit  ol"  ail  posts 
on  Ilic  Oliio.  A^rei'uldy  lo  tl«is,  Ihey  were  destroyed,  and  llie  <,farri- 
soiis  ivlired  with  |)rovisioii,s.  www!^,  artillery,  aiiinuiiiition,  etc.,  lo 
Detroit.  In  lianiiliii;^-  lliis  event  to  the  French  Ministry,  the  (Jovcr- 
iiorsaid:  "All  llie  nations  on  the  lieaiitil'iil  river,  (Ohio,)  witnessed 
with  sorrow  the  departure  ot  the  l-'reiich.  (Jhevalier  do  Port  neiir 
sent  thoiii  a  messajfe,  especially  the  CliaoiKniions,  to  oii<,'Uffo  them  to 
persevere  in  their  <;ttod  intenlions."" 

The  Kii<,disli,  ill   i;(')i».  were  act ive  and  vif,nlaiit.     A  party  at   h'orl 

Pitt  constructed  several  small  hatteaiix,  in  which  tlioy  sailed  down 

tlie  Ohio,  and  took  nolesol'tho  islands  in  that  river  and  the  strt-ams 

thiit  empty  into  it.     Amon<(  this  [larly  was  'riiomas  lliitchins,  the 

raiiioiis  ge()gra[)lu'r.     Dr.    'riiomas  Walker,   ol"    J'eniisylvania,  also 

[passed  down  that  river  into  Kentucky.     iJiiriiig  the  summer  (1760), 

KJiUiada  surremlered  to  the  Kiiglish,aiid  in  September,  Major  Robert 

Rollers  was  sent  West  to   take   possession  of    Detroit,  and  other 

French   ports  along   the   lakes,     lie   li'ft  Montreal  on    the  J.'Uh  of 

September,  ITOO,  and,  on  the  8th  of  October,  reached  Fresque  Isle, 

[where  Bouquet  commanded.     Ho  then  went  slowly  up  Lake  Erie  to 

[Detroit,  which   place   \w  summoned   to  yield  itself  on   the  I9tli   of 

l^'ovember.     While  waiting  for  an  answer  from  this  demand,  he  was 

jvisited  by  the  great  Ottawa  chieftain,  I'oiitiac,  who  demanded  how 

Itlio  Knglish  dared  enter  his  country ;  to  which  answerwas  given,  that 

[they  came,  not  to  enter  the  country,  bn'  to  ojien  a  free  way  of  trade, 

land  to  expel  the  l^'reiudi,  who  interrupted  their  trade.    This  reply, 

jtogether  with  other  moderate  and   kindly  words,  spoken  by  Rogers, 

Iseeinod  to  lull  the  rising  fears  of  the  savages,  and  Pontiac  promised 

Ihiiii  his  protection,     lieleter,  meantime,  who  commanded  at  Detroit, 

Ihad  nut  yielded;  nay,  word  was  brought  to  Rogers  on  the  24th,  that 


32 


Major  .Ro(jei'H  o)i  the  Mminiee^  dr:. 


his  nu'sseiiger  liad  been  confined  and  a  flag-pole  erected,  with  a 
wooden  head  npon  it,  to  represent  Bi-itain,  on  wliich  stood  a  crow 
piclving  the  eyes  out, — as  emblematic  of  the  success  of  France.  In 
a  few  days,  liowever,  th.e  commander  heard  of  tlie  fate  of  the  lower 
posts ;  and,  as  his  Indians  did  not  stand  Ijy  him  on  the  20th,  he 
yielded.  Rogers  remained  at  Detroit  until  December  23d,  under  tliu 
personal  protection  of  Pontiac,  to  whose  presence  he  probably  owed 
his  safety. 

From  Detroit  the  Major  went  to  the  Mauinee,  and  thence  across 
the  present  State  of  Ohio  to  Fort  Pitt;  and  his  journal  of  thi; 
overland  trip  is  the  first  we  have  of  such  an  one  in  that  region.  His 
route  was  nearly  that  given  by  Hutch  ins,  in  Bouquet's  expedition, 
as  the  common  one  from  Sandusky  to  the  Fork  of  the  Ohio.  It 
went  from  Sandusky,  where  Sandusky  City  now  is,  crossed  tlie 
Hu)'on  river,  then  called  Bald  Eagle  Creek,  to  "  Mohickon  Johu't 
Town,"  upon  what  we  know  as  ^lohicon  Creek,  the  northern  branch 
of  White  Woman's  river,  and  thence  crossed  to  Beaver's  Town,  ii 
Delawaie  town,  on  the  west  side  of  the  "  Maskongan  Creek,"  oppc 
site  "a  fine  river,"  which,  from  Ilutchins'  map,  we  presume  was- 
Sandy  Creek.  At  Beaver's  Town  was  one  hundred  and  eighty 
warriors,  and  not  le.^s  than  three  thousand  acres  of  cleared  land. 
From  there  the  track  Avent  up  Sandy  Creek  and  across  to  the  Big 
Beaver,  and  up  the  Ohio,  through  Logsto\,-n,  to  Fort  Pitt,  whicli 
place  Eogcrs  reached  January  23d,  1700,  precisely  one  month  havind 
passed  Avhile  he  was  upon  the  way. 

In  the  spring  of  1761,  Alexander  Henry,  an  English  trader,  went] 
to  Michillimacinac  for  purposes  of  business,  and  he  found  every- 
where the    strongest  feeling  against  the  English,  who  had  done 
nothing  by  word  or  act  to  conciliate  the  Indians.     Having,  by  meam^ 
of  a  Canadian  dress,  managed  to  reach  ^Michillimacinac  in  safety,  lit 
was  there  discovered,  and  waited  upon  by  an   Indian  chief,  who 
was,  in  the  opinion  of  Thatcher,  Pontiac  himself.     This  chief,  after! 
conveying  to  him  the  idea  that  his  French  father  would  soon  awaktj 
and  utterly  destroy  his  enemies,  continued  : 

"Englishman  I   although  you  have  conquered  the  French,  yocj 
have  not  yet  conquered  us!      We  are  not  your  slaves!     These  lakeJ 
these   woods,  these  mountains,  were  left  to  ns  by  our  ancestorsf 
They  are  our  inheritance,  and  we  will  part  with  them  to  none, 
Your    nation  su])poses  that  we,  like  the  white  people,  can  not  li«| 


Milhout 
lie,  the  ( 
upon  thei 
Before 
J'resque  I 
(lassed  ui 
jterson,  ]) 
conquered 
virtually  ( 

M.  Dun 

Anticipati 
"■'  insist  st 
allbrds  a  p 
i'\l)ressed 
and  the  A 
.Mississippi 
ought  to  b( 


Surrender  of  the  French  Posts. 


83 


without  bread,  and  i)ork  and  beef.  But  you  ought  to  know  that 
He,  tlie  Great  Spirit  and  Master  of  Life,  has  provided  food  for  us 
upon  these  broad  lakes  and  i)'  ^hese  mountains." 

Before  the  closf^  of  tlie  year.  JJetroit,  Michillimacinac,  Sandusky, 
Presque  Isle,  Miami,  Green  Bay,  St.  Joseph,  and  other  French  posts, 
passed  under  control  of  the  English,  Avho  guaranteed  security  of 
])erson,  property  and  religion,  to  all  French  inhabitants  of  the 
conquered  territory.  It  was  at  this  time  that  French,  dominion 
virtually  ceased  over  the  Ohio  country. 

M.  Dumas  addressed  a  Memoir  on  Canada  to  the  King  of  France. 
Anticipating  an  early  treaty  of  peace,  he  urged  that  monarch  to 
"insist  strongly  on  the  entire  possession  of  the  Ohio  river,  as  it 
aflbrds  a  passage  to  the  Mississippi,  and  thence  to  the  sea."  He  also 
expressed  the  ho])e,  that  Lake  Erie  would  be  held,  as  by  that  lake 
and  the  Miami  and  Wabash,  another  passage  is  provided  for  the 
Mississippi.  lie  further  said :  "  The  entire  possession  of  Lake  Erie 
ought  to  belong  to  France,  incontestably,  up  to  the  head  waters  of 
the  streams  that  empty  into  the  lake  on  the  south  side ;  the  rivers 
flowing  toward  the  Ohio  are  included  in  the  neutrality  proposed,  for 
tliat  river." 


This  season,  Sir  William  Johnson  made  a  journey  from  Niagara  to 
Detroit,  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Erie.  He  encamped  for 
a  time  at  tlie  mouth  o'  the  Cuyahoga,  where  Cleveland  now  stands. 

During  the  year  17<3^,  the  terms  of  a  treaty  of  peace  were  agreed 
upon  between  France  and  England.  The  former  made  a  secret 
covenant  with  Spain,  conveying  to  that  nation  the  territory  of 
Louisiana,  which  embraced  a  large  portion  of  Western  America. 
Early  in  1763,  peace  was  effected  between  the  belligerent  powers  in 
America.  By  the  treaty  that  year,  France  surrendered' her  posses- 
sions in  North  America  to  the  English.  The  Ohio  country  passed 
under  the  control  of  the  officials  of  that  Empire,  and  for  some 
years  affairs  tliere  and  in  the  far  West,  were  managed  by  army 
otticers,  commandants  of  posts  on  the  frontiers. 

The  Moravian  Loskiel  relates  that  in  the  villages  of  the  Hurons, 
or  Wyandots,  on  the  Sandusky,  the  traders  were  so  numerous  in 
1703,  that  the  Indians  were  afraid  to  attack  them  openly,  and  had 
roeourse  to  the  following  stratagem:  They  told  their  unsuspecting 
victims  that  the  surrounding  tril)es  had  risen  in  arms,  and  were 
soon  coming  that  way,  bent  on  killing  every  Englishman  they  could 


34 


Pontiac's  Cons^nracy. 


find.  The  Wyandots  averred  that  they  would  gladly  protect  their 
friends, — the  white  men, — but  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  do  so, 
unless  the  latter  Avould  consent,  for  the  sake  of  appearances,  to 
become  their  prisoners.  In  this  case,  they  said,  the  hostile  Indian^' 
would  refrain  from  injuring  them,  and  they  should  be  set  at  liberty 
as  soon  as  the  danger  was  past.  The  traders  fell  into  the  sniirc, 
They  gave  up  their  arms,  and  the  better  to  carry  out  the  deception, 
even  consented  to  be  bound;  but  no  sooner  was  this  accomplished, 
than  their  treacherous  counsellors  murdered  them  all  in  cold  blood, 

The  years  1763  and  1704  arc  memorable  in  Western  history  bv 
reason  of  their  having  been  marked  by  the  formidable  coalition  o! 
the  Indian  nations,  extending  from  the  northern  lakes  to  the  fron- 
tiers of  North  Carolina,  organized  Avith  the  object  to  fall  upon  tlif 
whole  line  of  British  posts,  and  annihilate  the  white  inhabitauts. 
Chippewas,  Ottawas,  Wyandots,  ]\liamis,  Shawanese,  Delawares  and 
Mingoes,  for  the  time,  laid  by  their  old  hostile  feelings,  and  united 
under  Pontiac  in  this  great  enterprise.  The  voice  of  that  sagacious 
and  noble  man,  (says  Jam^s  H.  Perkins,  in  his  "  Western  Annals,''i 
was  heard  in  the  distant  North,  crying,  "  Why,"  says  the  (Ireat 
Spirit,  "  do  you  suffer  these  dogs  in  red  clothing  to  enter  your 
country  and  take  the  land  I  have  given  you  ?  Drive  them  from  it! 
Drive  them  I    When  you  are  in  distress  I  will  help  you." 

That  voice  was  heard,  but  not  by  the  whites.     The  unsuspecting] 
traders  journeyed  from  village  to  village ;  the  soldiers  in  the  fortj 
shrunk  from  the  sun  of  the  early  summer,  and  dozed  away  the  diiy  ;j 
the  frontier  settler,  singing  in  fancied  security,  sowed  his  crop,  or,f 
watching    the  sunset  through  the  girdled  trees,  mused  upon  out 
more  peaceful  harvest,  and  told  his  children  of  the  horrors  of  tliej 
ten  years'  war,  now,  thank  (Jod  I  over.     From  the  Alleghenies  to| 
the  Mississip})i  the  trees  had  leaved,  and  all  was  calm  life  and  joy.j 
But  through  that  great  country,  even  then,  bands  of  sullen  red  nieuj 
were  journeying  from  the  central  valleys  to  the  lakes  and  the  easterDJ 
hills.     Ottawas  lilled  the  woods  near  Detroit.     The  JMaumee  i)OSt,] 
Pres(iue  Isle,  Niagara,  Pitt,  Ligonier.  and  every  English  fort  wii.- 
hemmed  in  by  Indian  tribes,  who  ft-lt  tiuit  tl.e  great  battle  ilroul 
nigh  which  was  to  determine  their  fate  and  the  possession  of  Ihiirl 
noble  lands.    At  last  the  day  came.    The  traders  everywhere  werfj 
seized,  their  goods  taken  from  them,  and  more  than  one  hundred  cij 
them  put  to  death.     Nine  British  forts  yielded  instantly,  and  thfi 
savages   Trank,  "  scooped  up  in  the  hollows  of  joined  hands,"  tlid 


blood  0 

Virgin! 

"  of  sea 

tliousan 

taken  b 

Folloi 

latter  a  ; 

of  Lafa\ 

Thispos 

by  Ensig 

situation 

miles,  in 

from  evei 

niand,  an 

woods.    ; 

therefore 


prisoners. 

Sanduskj 
neigh  )orho( 
Among  the 
officer.  Ens 
bound  hand 


Cainlnlation  of  Forts  Miami  and  Sandusky.      35 


blood  of  many  a  Briton.  The  border  streams  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Virginia  ran  red  again.  "  We  hear,"  says  a  letter  from  Fort  Pitt, 
"of  scalping  every  hour."  In  Western  Virginia  more  than  twenty 
thousand  people  were  driven  from  their  homes.  Mackinac  was 
taken  by  stratagem. 

Following  closely  the  surrender  of  Mackinac  and  Onatanon^  (the 
latter  a  fort  situated  upon  the  Wabash,  just  below  the  present  town 
of  Lafayette,)  came  the  intelligence  that  Fort  Miami  was  taken. 
This  post,  standing  at  the  head  of  the  Maumee  river,  was  commanded 
by  Ensign  Holmes;  and  heie  one  cannot  but  remark  on  the  forlorn 
situation  of  these  officers,  isolated  in  the  wilderness,  hundreds  of 
miles,  in  some  instances,  from  any  congenial  associates,  separated 
from  every  human  being  except  the  rude  soldiers  under  their  com- 
mand, and  the  white  or  red  savages  who  ranged  the  surrounding 
woods.  Holmes  suspected  the  intention  of  the  Indians,  and  was 
therefore  on  his  guard,  when,  on  the  27th  of  May,  a  young  Indian 
girl,  Avho  lived  with  him,  came  to  inform  him  that  a  squaw  lay  danger- 
ously ill  in  a  wigwam  near  the  fort,  and  urged  him  to  come  to  her 
relief.  Having  confidence  in  the  girl.  Holmes  followed  her  out  of 
(he  fort.  Pitched  at  the  edge  of  a  meadow,  hidden  from  view  by  an 
intervening  span  of  the  woodland,  stood  a  great  number  of  Indian 
Avigwams.  AVhen  Holmes  came  in  sight  of  them,  his  treacherous 
conductress  pointed  out  that  in  which  the  sick  woman  lay.  He 
walked  on  without  suspicion  ;  but,  as  he  drew  near,  two  guns 
Hushed  from  behind  the  hut,  and  stretched  him  lifeless  on  the  grass. 
The  shots  were  heard  at  the  fort,  and  the  sergeant  rashly  went  out 
to  learn  the  reason  of  the  firing.  He  was  immediately  taken 
prisoner,  amid  exulting  yells  and  whoopings.  The  soldiers  in  the 
fort  climbed  upon  the  palisades  to  look  out,  when  Godfrey,  a  Cana- 
dian, together  with  two  other  white  men,  made  his  appearance, 
and  summoned  them  to  surrender,  promising  that  if  they  did  so 
their  lives  should  be  spared,  but  that  otherwise  they  would  all  be 
killed  without  mercy.  The  men,  being  in  great  terror,  and  without 
a  leader,  soon  threw  open  the  gate  and  gave  themselves  up  as 
prisoners. 

Sandusky  had  been  attacked  by  the  band  of  Wyandofs  living  in  its 
neigh  )orhood,  aided  by  a  detachment  of  their  brethren  from  Detroit. 
Among  the  few  survivors  of  the  slaughter,  was  tlie  commandiug 
oificer.  Ensign  Pauily,  who  had  been  brought  prisoner  to  Detroit, 
bound  hand  and  foot,  and  solaced  on  the  passage  with  the  expecta- 


36      Captivity  and  Escape  of  Commandant  Paulhj. 


tion  of  being  birnt  alive.  On  landing  near  tlie  camp  of  Pontiae, 
he  was  surrounded  by  a  croAvd  of  Indians,  chieily  squaws  and 
children,  who  i)elted  him  with  stones,  sticks  and  gravel,  forcing  him 
to  dance  and  sing,  though  by  no  means  in  a  cheerl'ul  strain.  A  worse 
infliction  seemed  in  store  for  him,  when,  happily,  an  old  woMiaii, 
whose  husband  had  lately  died,  chose  to  adopt  him  in  place  of  the 
deceased  warrior.  Seeing  no  alternative  but  the  stake,  Paully 
accepted  the  ])roposal;  and  having  been  first  plunged  in  the  river, 
that  the  white  -blood  might  be  washed  from  his  veins,  he  was 
conducted  to  the  lodge  of  the  widow,  and  treated  thenceforth  with 
all  the  consideration  due  an  Ottawa  warrior. 

Gladwyn,  the  commandant  at  Detroit,  soon  I'eceived  a  letter  from 
him,  through  one  of  the  Canadian  inhabitants,  giving  a  full  account 
of  the  capture  of  Fort  Handusky.  On  the  IGth  of  jMay — such  was 
the  substance  of  the  communication — Paully  was  informed  that 
seven  Indians  were  Availing  at  the  gate  to  speak  with  him.  Aj 
several  of  the  number  Avero  Avell  known  to  him,  he  ordered  them, 
without  hesitation,  to  be  admitted.  Arriving  at  his  (juartcrs,  two  of 
the  treacherous  visitors  seated  themselves  on  each  side  of  tlir 
commandant,  Avhile  the  rest  were  disposed  in  various  i)arts  of  the 
room.  The  pipes  were  lighted,  and  the  convention  began,  when  an 
Indian,  who  stood  in  the  doorway,  sitddenly  made  a  signal  by  raisin,: 
his  head.  Upon  this,  the  astonished  officer  was  instantly  pouiieeil 
upon  and  disarmed;  while,  at  the  same  moment,  a  confused  uoiiJi' 
of  shrieks  and  yells,  the  ilring  of  guns,  and  the  hurried  tramp  of 
feet,  sounded  from  the  area  of  the  fort  without.  It  soon  ceased,  |j 
however,  and  Paully,  led  by  his  captors  from  the  room,  saw  tlio  % 
parade  ground  strewn  Avith  the  corpses  of  his  murdered  garrison. 
At  nightfall,  he  Avas  conducted  to  the  margin  of  the  lake,  avIriv 
several  birch  canoes  lay  in  readiness;  and  as,  amid  thick  darkness, 
the  party  pusheil  out  from  shore,  the  captive  saw  the  fort,  lately 
under  his  command,  bursting  on  all  sides  into  sheets  of  flame. 
Subsequently,  during  Pontiae's  siege  of  Detroit,  a  man  Avas  discov- 
ered one  afternoon  about  four  o'clock,  running  toAvards  the  fort. 
closely  pursued  by  Indians.  On  his  arriving  Avithin  guu-slm! 
distance,  they  gaA'e  over  the  chase,  and  the  fugitive  came  iiantin? 
beneath  the  Avails,  Avhere  a  Avicket  was  thrown  ojten  to  receive  him. 
lie  proved  to  be  the  late  commandant  at  Sandusky,  who,  having.  ;i; 
before  mentioned,  been  adopted  l)y  the  Indians,  and  nuirried  to  an 


old  s((uaAv 

divorei',  ai 

For  the 

of  the  deft 

to  Lhe  vail 

At  Dot: 

niul  iiihab 

uliicli  occ 

disclosures 

without  o> 

(he  inhal)it 

the  coinaia 

sirous  of  b 

iiis  nation, 

;i  council  -« 

the   least  t 

i;'t'iierars  rei 

On  the  ei 

pi»inted  by 

a  curious  el 

with  thein, 

lier  fo  take 

Iff  then  dir 

lii.'^niissed  iu 

but  no  fiirtl 

(lie  business 

and  asked  ] 

answer. 

Some  shor 

of  his  servai 

satisfactory  ii 

she  came  inf 

I  loitering  alx) 

hat  she  mig 

Mo.    She  tol( 

heiiaved  Mitli 

[the  remaiiulo 

piid  yet  had 

lie  tiien  aske 

l^liohad  been 


Paulhj  Divorced  from  his  Sqvrnr. 


87 


old  S([u;iw,  now  seized  tlie  first  opportunity  of  obtaining  a  summary 
divort'i',  and  (.'soaping  from  her  tender  embraces. 

For  the  above  interesting  circumstances  attending  the  surrender 
of  the  defences  at  Forts  Miami  and  Sandusky,  the  writer  is  indebted 
to  the  vahiable  work  of  Francis  Parkman. 

At  Detroit,  Avliere  Pontiac  commanded  in  person,  the  garrison 
and  inliabitants  were  saved  under  circumstances  simihir  to  those 
whieii  occurred  during  the  conspiracy  of  Nicliolas,  by  the  timely 
disclosures  of  an  Indian  woman.  Pontiac  had  approached  Detroit 
without  exciting  any  suspicions  in  the  breast  of  the  governor,  or 
the  inhabitants.  lie  encamped  at  a  little  distance  from  it,  and  let 
tlie  commandant  know  that  ho  was  come  to  trade  ;  and  being  de- 
sirous of  brightening  the  chain  of  peace  between  the  English  and 
liis  nation,  desired  that  he  and  his  chiefs  might  be  admitted  to  hold 
a  council  with  him.  The  governor,  still  unsuspicious,  and  not  in 
the  least  doubting  the  sincerity  of  the  Indians,  granted  their 
ijenei'ars  re([uest,  and  iixed  on  the  next  morning  for  their  reception. 

On  tiie  evening  of  that  day,  an  Indian  woman  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  Major  Cihuhvyn  to  make  a  pair  of  Indian  shoes,  out  of 
a  curious  elk  skin,  brought  them  home.  The  major  was  so  pleased 
with  them,  that,  intending  them  as  a  present  for  a  friend,  he  ordered 
her  to  take  the  remainder  back,  and  make  it  into  others  for  himself, 
lie  then  directed  his  servant  to  ])ay  her  for  those  she  had  done,  and 
dismissed  lier.  The  woman  went  to  the  door  that  led  to  the  street, 
but  no  further  ;  she  then  loitered  about  as  if  she  had  not  linished 
the  business  on  Avhich  she  came.  A  servant  at  length  observed  her, 
and  asked  her  why  she  staid  there  ?  She  gave  him,  however,  no 
answer. 

Some  short  time  after,  the  governor  himself  saw  her,  and  inquired 
of  his  servant  what  occasioned  her  stay.  Not  being  able  to  get  a 
satisfactory  answer,  lie  ordered  the  wonum  to  be  called  in.  When 
slie  came  into  his  presence,  he  desired  to  know  the  reason  of  her 
loitering  about,  and  not  hastening  home  before  the  gates  Avere  shut, 
that  she  niiglit  complete  in  due  time  the  work  he  had  given  her  to 
do.  She  told  him,  after  much  hesitation,  that  as  he  had  always 
lieliaved  with  great  goodness  towards  her,  she  was  unwilling  to  take 
the  remainder  of  the  skin,  because  he  put  so  great  a  value  upon  it; 
[niul  yet  had  not  been  able  to  prevail  upon  herself  to  tell  him  so. 
He  then  asked  her  why  she  was  more  reluctant  to  do  so  now  than 
[elio  had  been  when  ijhe  mtule  the  former  pair,    With  iucreased  reluC" 


•^ 


88 


Pontiae  Besieges  Detroit, 


tance  she  answered,  that  she  should  never  be  able  to  bring  them 
back. 

His  curiosity  was  uo»v  excited,  ai.d  he  insisted  on  her  disclosing 
the  secret  that  seemed  to  be  struggling  in  her  bosom  for  utterance. 
At  last,  on  receiving  a  promise  that  the  intelligence  she  was  about 
to  give  him  should  not  turn  to  her  prejudice,  and  tlia:,  if  it  proved 
to  be  beneficial,  she  should  be  rewarded  for  it,  she  informed  him, 
that  at  the  council  to  be  held  with  the  Indians  the  following  day, 
Pontiae  and  his  chiefs  intended  to  murder  him  ;  and,  after  having 
massacred  the  garrison  and  inhabitants,  to  plunder  the  town.  That, 
for  this  purpose,  all  the  chiefs  who  were  to  be  admitted  into  the 
council-room  had  cut  their  guns  short,  so  that  they  could  conceal 
them  under  their  blankets;  with  which,  on  a  signal  given  by  their 
general,  on  delivering  the  belt,  they  Avore  all  to  rise  up,  and 
instantly  to  fire  on  him  and  his  attendants.  Having  effected  this, 
they  were  immediately  to  rush  into  the  town,  Avhere  they  w'ould  find 
themselves  supported  by  a  great  number  of  their  warriors,  that  were 
to  come  into  it  during  the  sitting  of  the  council,  under  the  pretence 
of  trading,  but  privately  armed  in  the  same  manner.  Having 
gained  from  the  woman  every  necessary  particular  relative  to  the 
plot,  and  also  the  means  by  which  she  acquired  a  knowledge  of 
them,  he  dismissed  her  with  injunctions  of  secrecy,  and  a  promise 
of  fulfilling  on  his  part  with  punctuality  the  engagements  he  had 
entered  into. 

The  intelligence  the  Governor  had  just  received  gave  him  great 
uneasiness;  and  he  immediately  consulted  the  ofiicer  who  was  next 
him  in  command  on  the  subject.  But  this  gentleman,  considering 
the  information  as  a  story  invented  for  some  artful  ])urpose,  advised 
him  to  pay  no  attention  to  it.  This  conclusion,  however,  had, 
happily,  no  weight  with  him.  lie  thought  it  prudent  to  accept  it 
as  true,  till  he  was  otherwise  convinced.  Therefore,  without  reveal- 
ing his  suspicions  to  any  other  person,  took  every  needful  precau- 
tion that  the  time  would  admit  of.  He  walked  around  the  fort  the 
whole  night,  and  saw  himself  that  every  sentinel  was  upon  duty, 
and  every  weapon  of  defence  in  proper  order. 

As  he  traversed  the  ramparts  that  lay  nearest  to  the  Indian  camp, 
he  heard  them  in  high  festivity ;  and,  little  imagining  that  their 
plot  was  discovered,  probably  pleasing  themselves  with  the  anticipa- 
tion of  their  success,    As  soon  aa  the  morning  dawned,  he  ordered 


all  the  gi 
to  a  few 
til  ought 
infornKiti 
enter  the 
desired  tl 
of  that  ki 

About 
conductet 
princifjul 
As  the   li 
greater  nu 
marching 
skins  prep 
occasion  h 
and  paradi 
intended  t( 

The  Ind 
I  lie  strong] 
Hnglish,  ar 
the  partici 
lion,  was  t( 
liis  attendt 
and  the  so 
before  the 
though  on 
I  I'embled ; 
delivered  it 
tiently  exp( 
but  contini 

The  Gov^ 

the  great  w 
ed,  he  acci 
P^nglish,  w 
and  villain 
with  his  mc 
Indian  chic 
exposed  th 
Indians,  ar 


His  Craft  Fails. 


39 


all  the  fjarrison  under  arms,  and  then  imparting  his  apprehensions 
to  a  few  of  the  principal  officers,  gave  them  snch  directions  as  he 
thought  necessary.  At  the  same  time  he  sent  to  all  the  traders 
iiiforniation  that  as  it  was  expected  a  great  nimiber  of  Indians  would 
enter  the  town  tliat  day,  who  might  be  inclined  to  plunder,  he 
desired  they  would  have  their  arms  ready,  and  repel  any  attempt 
of  that  kind. 

About  ten  o'clock,  Pontiac  and  his  chiefs  arrived,  and  were 
conducted  to  the  council  chamber,  where  the  Governor  and  his 
])rincipal  officers,  each  with  pistols  in  his  belt,  awaited  his  arrival. 
As  the  Indians  pMSsed  on,  they  could  not  help  observing  that  a 
greater  number  of  troops  than  usual  were  drawn  up  on  the  parade,  or 
marching  about.  No  sooner  had  they  entered  and  been  seated  on  the 
skins  prepared  for  them,  than  Pontiac  asked  the  Governor  on  what 
occasion  his  young  men,  meaning  the  soldiers,  were  thus  drawn  up 
and  parading  the  streets.  He  received  for  answer  that  it  was  only 
intended  to  keep  them  perfect  in  their  exercise. 

The  Indian  chief  warrior  then  began  his  speech,  which  contained 
the  strongest  professions  of  friendship  and  good  will  toward  the 
Kiiglish,  and  when  he  came  to  the  delivery  of  the  belt  of  wampum, 
the  particular  mode  of  which,  according  to  the  woman's  informa- 
tion, was  to  be  the  signal  for  the  chiefs  to  fire,  the  Governor  and  all 
liis  attendants  drew  their  swords  half  Vay  out  of  their  scabbards  ; 
and  the  soldiers  at  the  same  time  made  a  clattering  of  their  arms 
before  the  door,  Avhich  had  been  purposely  left  open.  Pontiac, 
though  one  of  the  bravest  men,  immediate^  turned  pale  and 
trembled ;  and,  instead  of  giving  the  belt  in  the  manner  proposed, 
delivered  it  according  to  the  usual  way.  His  chiefs,  who  had  impa- 
tiently expected  the  signal,  looked  at  each  other  with  astonishment, 
but  continued  quiet  waiting  the  result. 

The  Governor,  in  his  turn,  made  a  speech,  but  instead  of  thanking 
the  great  warrior  for  his  professions  of  friendship  he  had  just  utter- 
ed, he  accused  him  of  being  a  traitor.  He  told  him  that  the 
English,  who  knew  everything,  were  convinced  of  his  treachery 
and  villainous  designs;  and  as  a  proof  that  they  were  ac([uainted 
with  his  most  secret  thoughts  and  intentions,  ho  stepped  towards  an 
Indian  chief  who  sat  nearest  to  him,  and  drawing  aside  the  blanket, 
exposed  the  shortened  lire-lock.  This  entirely  disconpevted  th© 
Indians,  and  frustrated  their  design, 


<«■ 


40 


Po}}ffac\<i  Finai}cial  S^clu'nie. 


He  then  continued  to  tell  tlicm,  that  us  he  liml  given  his  word  at  tlie 
time  they  had  dooired  an  audience,  that  their  persons  should  he  sale, 
he  would  hold  his  promise  inviolable,  though  they  so  little  deserved 
it.  However,  he  desired  them  to  make  the  best  of  their  way  out  of 
the  fort,  lest  his  young  men,  on  being  acquainted  with  their 
treacherous  purposes,  should  cut  every  one  of  them  to  pieces. 

Pontiac  endeavored  to  contradict  the  accusation,  aiul  to  make 
excuses  for  his  suspicious  conduct;  but  the  Ciovernor,  satislied  of  the 
falsity  of  his  protestations,  would  not  listen  to  him.  The  Indians 
immediately  left  the  fort ;  but  instead  of  being  sensible  of  the 
Governor's  generous  behavior,  they  threw  oif  the  mask,  and  the  next 
day  made  a  regular  attack  upon  it. 

Thus  foiled,  Pontiac  laid  formal  siege  to  the  fortress,  and  for 
many  months  that  siege  was  continued  in  a  manner,  and  with  ii 
perseverance,  unexampled  among  the  Indians.  Even  a  regular 
commissariat  departinent  was  organized,  and  bills  of  credit,  drawn 
out  upon  bark,  were  issued;  and,  what  is  rarer,  jnuietually  paid. 
From  May,  1763,  when  Detroit  was  first  attacked,  until  March, 
1764,  the  inhabitants  were  sleeping  in  their  clothes,  expecting  an 
alarm  every  night. 

Fort  Pitt  was  besieged  also,  and  the  garrison  reduced  to  sad  straits 
for  want  of  food.  This  being  known  beyond  the  mountains,  a 
quantity  of  provision  was  collected,  and  Colonel  Bouquet  was 
appointed  to  convey  it  to  the  head  of  the  Ohio,  having  assigned 
him  for  the  service  the  poor  remains  of  two  regiments,  which  had 
but  lately  returned  from  the  war  in  Cuba.  He  set  out  toward  the 
middle  of  July,  and  upon  the  25th  reached  Bedford.  1^'rom  that 
post,  he  went  forward  by  Forbcs's  road,  passed  Fort  Ligonier,  and 
upon  the  5th  of  August  was  near  Bushy  Run,  one  of  the  branches 
of  Turtle  Creek,  which  falls  into  the  Monongahela,  ten  miles  above 
Fort  Pitt.  Here  he  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  who,  hearing  of 
his  approach,  had  gathered  their  forces  to  defeat  him,  and  during 
two  days  the  contest  continued.  On  the  Gth,  the  Indians,  having 
the  worst  of  the  battle,  retreated ;  and  Bou((uet,  with  his  three 
hundred  and  forty  horses,  loaded  with  Hour,  reached  and  relieved 
the  post  at  the  Fork. 

Co-operating  with  Bouquet,  in  the  pursuit  of  the  same  general 
policy  of  the  British  (lovernment.  General  Bradstreet  was  ordered 
i»to  the  country  upon  lyake  Erie  in  the  spring  and  sumniei'  of  1704, 


W^H 
^ 


lie  moved 

■;  aceduqiiinic 
[twenty  or 
[the  8(li  of 
[nioiilli,  a  di 
[provisions  o 

1.  All  ])n 

5.  All  fla 

"Were  to  be  a 

iiiigiit  be  lU'i 

much  land  \ 

;:.  If  iiiiy 
Jjiglish  law, 

I.  Six  lios 
of  the  eondi 

The  An  nil 
l^lr.  (Krie.) 
Ciillcetinns  ( 
iiaiiit'd  the  ^I 

While  Bra( 

(';i|>tain  Mori 

jursuiug  his 

uVseending  th 

[l^ntiac,   whc 

ithdrawn  tc 

iVhile  yet  at  { 

two  hundred 

rudeness,  whi 

jnd  Canadian 

jtogetlier  towa 

He  mot  the  a 

lis  liand.     '" 

tiion  displayeci 

^oeii  written  1 

the  gros.sest  Cii 

|to  incense  the 

not  forgotten. 

fcead  nor  aslee 

h'vengo  himst 

Li'lie  letter  wi! 


Campaigns  of  Bouquet  and  Bnal street.  41 


He  moved   to  >.'i:i^'arii  early  in   tlio  snminei';  and  then',  in  Jnno, 

Hcconipaniod  by  ^ii'  AVilliani  Jolinson,  lu'hl  a  }?rand  council  with 

twenty  or  more  tribes,  all  of  whom  sued  for  peace ;   and,  ujton 

*lPtIie  St]>  of  Aii.LMisI,  reached  Detroit,  where,  al)()nt  the  ^Ist  of  that 

Imoiitb.ii  dcliiiiti"  treaty  was  m;ule  with   the   Indiiins.     Among  the 

^|j)rovisions  of  this  trca!y  were  tiie  Inllownn':  ; 

'%  ].  All  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians  wore  to  bo  given  u[). 
I  5,  All  claims  to  the  posts  and  l\)rts  of  the  Englisli  in  the  West 
;nvere  to  be  abandoned,  and  leave  granted  to  erect  such  other  forts  as 
vnii'dit  lie  needed  to  iirotect  the  traders,  etc.  Around  each  fort  as 
Kmueli  land  was  ceded  us  a  "cannon-shot'"  would  tly  over. 
I  3.  If  any  Indian  killed  an  Kiiglishman  lie  was  to  be  tried  by 
sfKnglish  law,  the  jury  onediulf  Indians. 

I.  Six  hostages  were  given  by  the  Indians  for  the  true  fultillnient 
.|of  the  conditions  of  tlie  treaty. 

I  The  v\nnual  Ivegister  of  ]7()4  says  this  treaty  was  made  at  l*)'es([ue 
ilsle,  (Erie.)  Mr.  Harvey,  of  Erie,  cpioted  by  l^ay,  in  Tlistoriciil 
|Collections  of  Pennsylvania,  (-SU.)  says  the  same.  Others  have 
4 named  the  Maumce,  wlunv  a  truce  was  agreed  to,  August  (>rh. 

While  Bradstreet's  army  lay  encamped  on  the  iields  near  Detroit, 

aptain  jMorris,  with  a  few  Iroquois  and  Canadian  attendants,  Avas 

ipursuing  his  adventurous  embassy  to  the  country  of  the  Illinois. 

*^Ayeending  the  Maumee  in  a  canoe,  he  soon  approached  the  camp  of 

Tontiac,   who   had  now  virtually  given  up  his  great  cont(>st,  aiul 

ivitlulrawn  to  the  banks  of   this  river  with  his  chosen  warriors. 

iVhile  yet  at  some  distance  IMorris  and  his  ])arty  were  met  by  about 

wo  hundred   Indians,  who    treated   him   Avith  great   violence  and 

udeness,  while  they  otfered  a  friendly  welcome    to   the    Iroquois 

nd  Canadians.     Attended  by  this  clamorous  escort,  they  all  moved 

iogether  towards  the  camp.     At  its  outskirts  stood  Pontiac  himself. 

le  met  the  ambassador  with  a  scowling  brow,  and  refusi'd  to  olier 

is  iKuid.     '' Tiie  English  are  liars,''  was  his  lirst:  salutation,     lie 

ion  displayed  a  letter  addressed  to  himself,  and  purporting  to  have 

een  written  by  the  King  of  France,  containing,  as  Morris  declares, 

ho  grossest  calumnies  which  the  most  ingenious  malice  could  devise, 

0  incense  the  Indians  against  the  Knglish.     The  old  falsehood  was 

ot  forgotten.     "  Vour  French  father,"  said  the  writer,  '•  is  neither 

[load  nor  asleep;  he  is  already  on  his  way,  with  sixty  great  shijis,  to 

revenge  himself  on  the  English,  and  drivo  them  out  of  America." 

lie  letter  Ayits  \yrittcn  by  a  French  olUcerj  or,  more  probably,  ft 


42 


Jlcrrptlon  of  Morrisi  at  Fort  Wat/ne. 


Frencli  fur  trailer,  who,  for  liis  own  prolU,  wishod  to  inflame  the 
passions  of  tiie  Indians,  and  thus  l»ar  the  way  a<,'ainht  Kn^lisii 
competitors.  If  Jiradstreet,  before  leavin<j  Sandusky,  ha<l  I'orecd  tiic 
Indians  of  tliat  phiee  to  submissio.i,  he  woukl  have  inspired  sucli  an 
awe  and  respect  among  the  tribes  of  the  whole  adjacent  region,  that 
Morris  might  have  been  assured  of  safety  and  good  treatment,  even 
in  the  camp  of  Pontiac.  As  it  was,  the  knowledge  that  so  uiany  of 
their  rehitives  were  in  the  power  of  the  army  at  Detroit  rrstrained  the 
Ottawa  warriors  from  personal  violence;  and,  liaving  plundered  the 
whole  party  of  everything  except  their  arms,  their  clothing,  and  their 
canoe,  they  suffered  them  to  depart. 

Leaving  the  unfriendly  camp,  they  urged  their  way,  with  poles 
and  paddles,  against  the  rippling  current  of  the  JMaumee,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  seventh  day  reached  the  neighborhood  of  Fori 
Miami.  This  post,  captured  the  preceding  year,  had  since  remaimd 
without  a  garrison;  and  its  only  tenants  were  the  Canadians,  wlin 
liad  built  their  houses  within  its  palisades,  and  a  few  Indians,  wIki 
thought  fit  to  make  it  their  temporary  abode.  The  meadows  about 
the  fort  were  dotted  with  the  lodges  of  the  Kickapoos,  a  large  band  of 
whom  had  recently  arrived ;  but  the  great  i\riami  village  was  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  stream,  screened  from  sight  by  the  forest  which 
intervened. 

Morris  brought  his  canoe  to  land  at  a  short  distance  below  ilu' 
fort,  and  while  his  attendants  were  making  their  way  through  tin 
belt  of  woods  which  skirted  the  river,  he  himself  remained  behiml. 
to  complete  some  necessary  arrangements.  It  was  fortunate  that  In 
did  so,  for  his  attendants  had  scarcely  reached  the  o])en  meadow,  whiel! 
lay  behind  the  woods,  when  they  were  encountered  by  a  mob 
of  savages,  armed  with  spears,  hatchets,  and  bows  and  arrows,  ami 
bent  on  killing  the  Englishman.  Being,  for  the  moment,  unabK 
to  find  him,  the  chiefs  had  time  to  address  the  excited  rabble,  and 
persuade  them  to  postpone  their  vengeance.  The  ambassador, 
bnffeted,  threatened,  and  insulted,  was  conducted  to  the  fort,  where 
he  was  ordered  to  remain,  though,  at  the  same  time,  the  Canadian 
inhabitants  were  forbidden  to  admit  him  into  their  houses.  Morris 
soon  discovered  that  this  rough  treatment  was,  in  a  great  measure, 
owing  to  the  influence  of  a  deputation  of  Delaware  and  Shawanese 
chiefs,  who  had  recently  arrived,  bringing  fourteen  war  belts  of 
wampum,  and  exciting  tho  Miamis  to  renew  their  liostilties  ftgainst 
the  common  enemy, 


Morris 
nirriors  en 
nth  a  niisi 
he  bank  o 
tion  llashc( 
[then  take  I 
across  the 
Itoward  the 
|th('y  stoppc 
'?fculty  of  tl 
nniforni. 
'gush,  and  lii 
all  the  lodi,fi 
iuliout  him  I 
^:death   yells- 
ivof  starved  a 
Ave  re  eager  t 
clamorous  t 
froy  and  8t 
ventured  to 
latter  was  a 
arrived  at  ] 
.  kinsman.    I 
would  not  S( 
own  relatives 
the  Swan,  al, 
1)1  it  i\Iorris 
another  chie 
liy  the  neck 
liorseback,  se 
Innate  man. 
daring  boy. 
[Lake,  and  yo 
|this  man,  wh 
The  currei 
and,    having 
lof  words  au' 
Jviolence  out 
jalthough,  on 
Ihis  naked  boi 


Maltreatment  of  Morris. 


43 


Aforris  had   not   reinnined   Vm\r  at  the   ibrt,  when  two  Miiimi 

••niirriorsi'ntci't'd,  \vli(», .si'iziiig  him  hy  the  arms,  und  tlirciiti'iiing  him 

with  ii  raised  tomahawk,  rorcod  him  out  of  the  cate.  and  led  liim  to 

the  bank  of  tiie  river.     As  lliey  drew  him  into  the  water,  the  convic- 

-tion  flasiied  aeross  liis  mind,  tiiat  tliey  intended  to  drown  him,  and 

then  take  his  sealp;  hut  he  soon  saw  his  mistake,  for  they  led  him 

across  the  stream,  which,  at  tliis  season,  was  fordahle,  and   tiience 

toward  the  great  Miami  vilhige.     When  thoy  approached  the  k)dfjes, 

tiny  stopped  and  began  to  strip  liim,  but  grew  angry  at  the  difli- 

ivculty  of   the  task.     In  rage  and  despair,  he   himself  tore  off  his 

.^uniform.     "^Flie  warriors  bound  liia  arms  beliind  him  with  his  own 

feash,  and  drove  liim  before  them  into  the  village.     Instantly,  from 

vail  the  lodges,  the  savages  ran  out  to  receive  their  prisoner,  oiustering 

aliniithim  like  a  swarm  of  angry  bees,  and  uttering  their  discordant 

idcath  yells — sounds  comjjared   to  which  the   nocturnal   liowlings 

|of  starved  wolves  are  gentle  and  melodious.     The  greater  number 

'^wcre  eager  to  kill  him  ;  but  there  was  a  division  of  opinion,  and  a 

clamorous  debate  ensued.     Two  of  his  Canadian  attendants— God- 

froy  and  St.  Vincent — had  followed  him   to  the  village,  and  now 

v(>ntared  to  interpose   with  the  chiefs  in  his  behalf.     Among  the 

ilatter  was  a  nephew   of   Pontiac,  a  young   mar.,  tliov.gh  not  yet 

larrived  at  maturity,   who   shared   the   bold    sjiirit   of    his   heroic 

f  kinsman.    He  harangued  the  tumultuous  crowd,  declaring  that  he 

would  not  see  one  of  the  English  put  to  death,  when  so  many  of  his 

()\\  11  relatives  were  in  their  hands  at  Detroit.    A  Miami  chief,  named 

ill"  Swan,  also  took  part  with  the  prisoner,  and  cut  loose  his  bonds ; 

Jim!   Morris  had  no  sooner  begun  to  speak  in  his  own  behalf,  than 

"another  chief,  called  the  White  Cat,  seized  him,  and  bound  him  fast 

by  the  neck  to  a  post.    Upon  this,  Pontiac's  nephew  rode  up  on 

lioiv^eback,  severed  the  cord  with  his  hatchet,  and  released  the  unfor- 

fiinate  man.     "I  give  this  Englishman   his   life,"  exclaimed,  the 

daring  boy.     "  If  you  want  English  meat,  go  to  Detroit,  or  to  the 

Lake,  and  you  will  find  enough  of  it.     What  business  have  you  with 

|this  man,  Avho  has  come  to  speak  with  us?  " 

The  current  of  feeling  among  the  throng  now  began  to  change; 
land,  having  vented  their  hatred  and  spite  by  a  profusion 
of  words  and  blows,  they  at  length  thrust  the  ambassador  with 
violence  out  of  the  village.  He  succeeded  in  regaining  tho  fort, 
ulthough,  on  the  way,  he  was  met  by  one  of  the  Indians,  who  beat 
his  naked  body  with  w  stick, 


44 


A))  Indian  Xaval  Engagement. 


Ho  fomid  the  ('aiuuliiiii  inliiihilautaof  the  fort  disposed  to  befriend 
him,  lis  far  us  thoy  could  do  so  wiMumt  danger  to  themselves;  l)iii 
his  sitiiiitioii  was  still  extremely  (jritieal.  The  two  warriors,  who 
had  led  liim  across  the  river,  went  coiKstaiitly  liirkinu^  al)oiil,  watch- 
ing an  o|i|)(trtunity  to  kill  him;  and  the  Kickajtoos,  wliowe  lod^os 
were  jiitched  on  the  meadow,  sent  him  a  message  to  the  effect  Unit 
if  the  Miamis  did  not  |»ut  him  to  '  they  themselves  would  di. 

80,  whenever  he;  should  pass  theii  ..uip.  lie  was  still  on  thi 
threshold  of  his  journey,  and  his  linal  jioint  of  destination  ua- 
several  hundred  miles  distant;  yet,  with  great  resolution,  he  deter- 
mined to  persevere,  and,  if  possible,  completely  fullill  his  missidii. 
His  Indian  and  Canadian  atteiulaiits  used  every  means  to  dissuadi 
him,  and  in  the  evening  held  a  council  with  thciMiaini  chiefs,  thr 
result  of  which  Avas  most  discouraging,  ^lorris  received  nu'ssagi/ 
after  message,  threatening  his  life  should  he  persist  in  his  design; 
and  word  was  brought  him  that  siiveral  «»f  the  Shawanese  ilei)utif.- 
were  returning  to  the  fort,  expressly  to  kill  him.  Under  these 
circumstances,  it  would  have  Ikm'U  madness  to  jjersevore ;  and. 
reluctantly  abandoning  his  j^urpose,  he  retraced  hia  steps  toward? 
Detroit,  where  he  arrived  on  the  17tl  •'  September,  fully  expectiii;: 
to  find   Linidstreet  still  encamped  >e  neighborhood.     V>\\t  thai 

agile  commander  had  returned  to  n..  usky,  whither  JMorris,  com- 
pletely exhausted  by  hardships  and  sulferings,  was  unable  to  follow 
him.  He  hastened,  how(;ver,  to  send  liradstreet  the  journal  of  hi- 
unfortunate  embassy,  accomi)anied  by  a  letter,  in  which  occurs  th' 
following  extract:  '•' The  villains  have  nii)ped  our  fairest  hopes  in 
the  bud.  I  tremble  for  you  at  Sandusky;  though  I  Avas  greatly 
])leased  to  find  you  have  one  of  the  vessels  with  you,  and  artillery, 
1  wish  the  chiefs  were  assembled  on  board  the  vessel,  and  that  shu 
had  a  hole  in  her  bottom.  Treachery  should  be  paid  with  treachery: 
and  it  is  a  more  than  ordinary  pleasure  to  deceive  those  who  would 
deceive  us." 

The  above  account  is  gathered  from  Parkman's  history  of  tin 
conspiracy  -jf  Pontiac,  and  from  the  testimony  of  his  Indian  ami 
Canadian  attendants,  given  in  Uradstreet's  presence,  at  his  caiiiii 
near  Sandusky.    The  original  journal  is  in  the  London  Archives. 

A  naval  engagement,  which  occurred  during  this  Pontiac  war, 
is  thus  mentioned  in  the  "  Jiiltish  Annual  liegister"  for  17(K) :  "  On 
Lake  Erie,  with  a  crowd  of  oanoos,  the  Indians  attacked  a  schooner, 
wliioh  conveyed  provisions  to  the  fort  at  Detroit,    Though  iu  theii- 


j  savage  iia 
I  liiit  a  sing 

f  MU'nt,  will 

if 
cation  on 

s(»  much  \v 

In  this  \ 

|iarlicnlaii 

'  Tiicy  l.n.n 
liiihire  of 
ami  conliii 
we   find  Si 
siiIdiiT  of 
tiiMii'il  hill 
al  war  wit! 
captured  a 
nf  August, 
Miamis,  by 
hunting  ";r 
liiwns  on  t 
•hiscph  and 
The  confi 
taut  fortres 
lliein  becan; 
winter:  otlu 
liy  the  hope 
another  wlu 
ties  revived  ; 
wi-nt  ii.to  til 
llinois,  and 
new  union  a 
Ua  Indian. 
•So  far  as 
i'crkins,  111  ii 

:  ii'iiior  and  d 
1 1  live  an  ace 
his  exccutio 
"f  one  uf  hi 
His  whole  f( 
upon  Niagai 
would  have 


Clidraotev  of  PoiUlao, 


46 


•savjigi'  navy  tlicy  liiul  (.'iiiployi'd  iiciir  fcnir  liuiulrcd  men,  iiiul  had 
Imt  a  Hingle  vessel  to  ongUL",  they  were  repulsed,  iifter  a  hot,  en<,Mige- 
iiieiit,  with  coiisidenible  loss.  This  vessi'l  wiis,  to  I  hem,  as  a  t'ortili- 
eatioii  on  the  water,  and  tiiey  eoiiM  not  make  their  attacks  with 
so  imieh  advantage  as  niion  tlio  enemy  by  land." 

In  I  his  war  the  Miamis  were  with  their  red  brethren,  and  assisted 
)tartienlarly  in  the  destrnetion  of  Korts  Miamis  and  Sandusky. 
They  l»n»n,i,dit  into  the  lii'ld  one  thousand  warriors.  Al'ter  the 
failure  of  I'ontiae,  that  great  chief  sought  refuge  auu)ng  the  Miamis, 
anil  continued  with  them  (or  more  than  a  year.  \\\  March,  1705, 
we  lind  Sir  William  .Johnson  comijlaining  that  the  Miamis  took  a 
soldier  of  Fort  Miami  prisoner,  rubbed  him  of  all  his  clothing,  and 
turned  him  into  the  Avoods.  JTo  also  repoi-ts  that  tlu;  Miamis  are 
J  at  war  with  the  ('liii)pewas,  allies  of  the  English,  and  had  killed  and 
captured  a  large  number  of  them.  (Jeorge  Croghan,  on  the  y4th 
(if  August,  attended  by  Colonel  Campbell,  made  a  treaty  with  the 
iMiainis,  'jy  which  that  nation  was  to  remain  undisturbed  in  its 
hunting  grounds.  Not  long  after  this,  the  tribes  abandoned  their 
towns  on  the  (Jreat  j\riami,  and  removed  to  the  Maumee,  the  St. 
.Josej)!!  and  Wabash  rivers. 

The  confederated  tribes  had  failed  to  take  the  tlircc  most  impor- 
titnt  fortresses  ii  the  West — Detroit,  Pitt  and  Niagara.  Many  of 
them  became  disi  rtened;  >thers  Avished  to  return  home  for  the 
winter  ;  others  had  ,-,i,  islicd  their  longings  for  revenge.  United  only 
by  the  hope  of  achieving  an  immetUato  success,  they  fell  fronj  one 
another  when  that  success  did  not  come.  .Jealousies  and  old  enmi- 
ties revived;  the  league  was  broken  ;  and  Pontiae  left  his  tribe  and 
Went  into  the  West,  and  for  some  years  after  was  living  among  the 
Illinois,  and  at  St.  Ijouis,  attempting,  but  in  vain,  to  bring  about  a 
now  union  and  a  new  war.  ]le  was,  in  the  end,  killed  by  a  Kaskas- 
kia  Indian. 

So  far  as  we  can  form  a  judgment  of  this  chieftain,  (says  .T.  H. 
Perkins,  in  his  Western  Aniuds,)  in  point  of  talent,  nobleness  of  spirit, 
honor  and  devotion,  he  was  the  su])i'rior  of  any  red  man  of  whom  we 
have  an  account.  His  jdan  of  extermination  was  most  masterly ; 
his  execution  of  it  eiiual  to  its  conception.  But  for  the  treachery 
of  one  uf  his  followers,  he  would  have  taken  Detroit  early  in  May. 
His  whide  force  might  then  have  been  directed  in  one  mass,  first 
upon  Niagara,  and  then  upon  Pitt;  and  in  all  probability  both  posts 
would  have  fallen.     Even  disappointed  as  he  was  at  Detroit,  had 


46 


George  Crogliaii's  Visit  to  the 


the  six  nations,  with  their  dependent  allies,  the  Delawares  aui] 
Shawanese,  been  trne  to  him,  the  liritish  miglit  have  been  long  ke]i; 
beyond  the  monntains  ;  but  the  Iroquois, — close  upon  the  colonies, 
old  allies  of  England,  very  greatly  under  the  influence  of  Sir  Williau! 
Johnson,  and  disposed,  as  they  ever  proved  themselves,  to  claim 
and  sell,  but  not  to  d^^^^nd  the  West, — were  for  peace  on  the 
terms  of  the  British  King's  proclamation.  Indeed,  the  Mohawk 
and  leading  tribes,  were  from  the  first  with  the  British  ;  so  that, 
after  the  success  of  Bouquet  and  Brad  street,  there  was  no  difficulty 
in  f^oncluding  a  treaty  with  all  the  Western  Indians. 

George  Croghan,  of  Pennsylvania,  Sir  William  Johnson's  sub- 
Commissioner,  made  a  visit  to  the  West  in  ]  765,  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  more  friendly  relations  between  the  English  and  the 
more  distant  Western  tribes.  From  the  journal  of  his  travel^, 
published  in  the  Appendix  to  Butler's  History  of  Kentucky,  i: 
appears  that  he  set  oif  from  Port  Pitt  with  two  bateaux,  on  the  ITtli 
of  May,  17G5,  and  on  the  date  named  below,  we  find  him  at  thtjga 
mouth  of  the  Wabash : 

July  25th,  1705,  we  set  out  from  this  place  (after  settling  al! 
matters  happily  with  the  natives),  for  the  Miames,  and  traveled  tht 
whole  way  through  a  fine,  rich  bottom,  overgrown  with  wild  hemp.! 
along  the  Ouabache,  till  w^  came  to  Eel  river,  where  we  arrived  thc2j| 
27th.    About   six   miles  up  this  river  is  a  small  village  of  thej 
Twightwee,  situated  on  a  very  delightful  spot  of  ground  on  the  baiikj 
of  the  river.    Tlie  Eel  river  heads  near  St.  Joseph's,  and  runs  nearlyl 
parallel  to  the  Miames,  and  at  some  few  miles  distant   from  it! 
through  a  fine,  pleasant  country,  and  after  a  course  of  about  oik 
hundred  and  eighty  miles,  empties  itself  into  the  Ouabache. 

On  the  28th,  29th,  3()th  and  31st,  we  traveled  still  along  side  tht 
Eel  river,  passing  through  fine,  clear  woods,  and  some  good  meadous,! 
though   not  so  la'^^e  as  those  we  passed  some  days  before.    Tl 
country  is  more  overgrown  with  woods,  the  soil  is  sufficiently  riclil 
and  well  watered  with  springs. 

August  ist,  we  arrived  at  the  carrying  place  between  the  riverl 


Miames  and  the  Ouabache,  whicli  is  about  nine  miles  long  in  dijl 
seasi^ns,  but  not  above  half  that  length  in  freshets.  The  head  of  thti 
Ouabache  is  about  forty  miles  from  this  place,  and  after  a  course  of 
about  seven  hundred  and  sixty  miles  from  the  head  spring,  throiigkj 
one  of  the  finest  couiitries  in  the  world,  it  empties  itself! 
into  the  Ohio.     Tl)e  navigation  from  hence  to  Ouicatanon,  is  verv| 


difficult 

freshets, 

canoes  w 

days,  whi 

(wo  hunt 

thence  to 

year.     Ti 

are  jirett 

.shrubs  an 

Within 

of  that  nn 

Indians  k 

ininiediatt 

at  Fort  r 


gave  me  v 


Maumee  Valley  in  1765. 


47 


ilitticnlt  in  low  water,  on  account  of  many  rapids  and  rifts  ;  but  in 
livshets,  which  generally  happen  in  the  spring  and  fall,  bateaux  or 
ctinoes  will  jiass,  without  difficulty,  from  here  to  Ouicatanon  in  three 
(hiys,  which  is  about  two  hundred  and  forty  miles,  and  by  land  about 
two  liundred  and  ten  miles  from  Ouicatanon  to  Port  Vincent,  and 
thence  to  the  Ohio ;  bateaux  and  canoes  may  go  at  any  season  of  tne 
veur.  Throughout  the  whole  course  of  the  Ouabache,  the  banks 
are  pretty  high,  and  in  the  river  arc  a  great  many  islands.  Many 
slirubs  and  trees  are  found  here  unknown  to  us. 

Within  a  mile  of  the  Twightwee  village,  I  was  met  by  the  chiefs 
of  that  nation,  who  received  us  very  kindly.  The  most  part  of  these 
[ndians  kncAV  me,  and  conducted  ma  to  their  village,  whei'e  they 
immediately  hoisted  an  English  flag  that  I  had  formerly  given  them 
at  Fort  Pitt.  The  next  day  they  held  a  council,  after  which  they 
L;;ave  me  up  all  the  English  prisoners  they  had ;  then  made  several 
t^peeches,  in  all  of  which  they  expressed  the  great  pleasure  it  gave 
them,  to  see  the  unhappy  differences  which  embroiled  the  several 
nations  in  a  war  with  their  brethren  (the  English)  were  now  so  near 
a  happy  conclusion,  and  that  peace  was  established  in  their  country. 
The  Twightwee  village  is  situated  on  both  sides  of  a  river,  called 
St.  Josej)!!.  This  river,  where  it  falls  into  the  Miame  river,  about  a 
iiuarter  of  a  mile  from  this  place,  is  one  hundred  yards  wide,  on  the 
east  side  of  which  stands  a  stockade  fort,  somewhat  ruinous. 

The  Indian  village  consists  of  about  forty  or  fifty  cabins,  besides 
nine  or  ten  French  houses — a  runaway  colony  from  Detroit.  During 
the  late  Indian  war,  they  were  concerned  in  it,  and  being  afraid  of 
punishment,  came  to  this  post,  where,  ever  since,  they  have  spirited 
up  tlie  Indians  against  the  English.  All  the  French  residing  here 
are  a  lazy,  indolent  people,  fond  of  breeding  mischief,  and  spiriting 
up  the  Indians  against  the  English,  and  should  by  no  means  be 
suffered  to  remain  here.  The  country  is  pleasant,  the  soil  rich  and 
well  watered.  After  several  conferences  with  these  Indians,  and  their 
delivering  me  up  all  the  English  prisoners  they  had,  on  the  6th  of 
August,  we  set  out  for  Detroit,  down  the  Miames  river  in  a  canoe. 
This  river  heads  about  ten  miles  from  hence.  The  river  is  not  navi- 
giibU'  till  you  come  to  the  place  where  the  river  St.  Joseph  joins  it, 
mill  makes  a  considerably  large  stream.  Nevertheless,  we  found  a 
giviit  deal  of  difficulty  in  getting  our  canoe  over  shoals,  as  the  waters 
at  this  season  were  very  low.  The  banks  ot  the  river  are  high,  and 
the  country  overgrown  with  lofty  timber  of  various  kinds;  and  the 


MaHMfkN 


48 


Ciw/liati  on  tlte  yfdumee  in  1705. 


land  is  level  siiid  the  woods  clear.  About  nine  miles  from  tli. 
Mianu's  or  Twijifhtwee,  we  came  to  where  tlie  large  river  that  iu'iuls 
in  a  large  liek,  falls  into  the  Miame  river.  Tuis  they  call  the  Forks. 
The  Ottawas  claim  this  country,  and  hunt  here,  where  game  is  vcrv 
plenty.  From  hence  we  proceeded  to  the  Ottawa  village.  Thi> 
nation  formerly  lived  at  Detroit,  but  is  now  settled  here,  on  accoiiii; 
of  the  richness  of  the  country,  where  game  is  always  to  be  found  in 
plenty.  Here  we  were  obliged  to  get  out  of  our  canoes,  and  dia. 
them  eighteen  miles,  on  account  of  the  rifts,  which  interrupt  tli 
navigation.  At  the  end  of  these  rifts,  we  came  to  a  village  of  tli. 
Wyandots,  who  received  us  very  kindly,  and  from  thence  we  procet'd- 
ed  to  the  nil  uth  of  this  river,  where  it  falls  into  Lake  Erie.  Froii; 
the  ^[iaines  to  the  lake  is  computed  one  hundred  and  eighty  miK-, 
and  from  the  entrance  of  the  river  into  the  lake  at  Detroit,  is  sixty 
miles — that  is  forty-two  miles  u|)on  the  lake,  and  eighteen  miles  \\\ 
the  Detroit  river  to  the  garrison  of  that  name.  The  land  on  tlu 
lake  side  is  low  and  Hat.  AVe  i)assed  several  large  rivers  and  bays, 
and  on  the  IGth  of  August,  in  the  afternoon,  Ave  arrived  at  Detruii 
river.  The  country  here  is  much  highei'  than  on  the  lake  side;  tli- 
river  is  about  nine  hundred  yards  wide,  and  the  current  runs  yax] 
nivrmg.  There  are  several  line  and  large  islands  in  this~river,  on 
of  which  is  nine  miles  long;  its  banks  high,  and  the  soil  very  gooi' 

On  the  17th,  in   the  morning,  we  arrived  at  the  fort,  which  is  a  i 
large  stockade,  inclosing  about  eighty  houses.    It  stands  close  on 
the  north  side  of    the  river,   on  a  high  bank,  commands  a  very 
l)leasant  prospect  for  nine  miles  above  and  nine  miles  below  the 
fovt.     The  country  is  thickly  settled  Avith  French.     'I'heir  plaiita-i 
tions  are  generally  laid  out  at)Out  three  or  four  acres  in  breadth  on  j 
the  river,  and  eighty  acres  in  depth.     The  soil  is  good,  j)rodueiiig 
l)lenty  of  grain.     All  the  people   here  are  generally  poor  wretches, 
and  consist  of  three  or  four  hundred  French   families,  a  lazy,  idle 
people,  dejtending  chielly  on  the  savages  for  subsistence.     Though 
the  land,  with  little  labor,  produces  plenty  of  grain,  they  scarcely 
raise  a^  much  as  will  su])i»ly  their  wants,  iti  imitation  of  the  Indiiuif. 
whose  manners  and  customs  Lhey  have  entirely  ado])led,  and  caniun 
subsist  without  them. 

The  men,  women  and  children  speak  the  Indian  tongue  perfectly 


well.     In  the  last  Ind 


lan 


war,  the  most  part  of  i\w  French  woi 


concerned  in  it,  (although  the  wliole  settlement  had  taken  tiie  0!it!i| 
of  allegiance  to  his  Britannic  Majesty.)     They  have,  therefore,  grca 


'■■%. 

■!■''■ 

1 


w 


reason  U 
to  descr 
(lu'ec    n; 
vilhige  w 
Uie   Otf; 
tlic  Wvii 
below  til 
erable  di 
reniarkal 
particuh 
by  tlieii 
During  n 
nations  o 
matters  to 


II 


Moravian  Missions  in  Ohio, 


49 


nch  is 
lose  oil] 

a  very 
low  the 

phiutii- 
:uUh  on 

diieini: 


Iro 


tchej. 


F^y 


idle 


sciiroo 


iv 


■Si 


^lli:ln^. 
L'anuut  1 


erfectlv 

I 

h  WL'iv 

■ 

he  oatli 

■ 

.,  great 

1 

reason  to  be  tlumkful  to  the  English  clemency  in  not  bringing  them 
to  deserved  punishment.  Before  the  late  Indian  war,  there  resided 
three  nations  of  Indians  at  this  place:  The  Pottawattan.ijs,  whose 
villiiirc  was  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  about  one  mile  below  the  fort ; 
the  Ottawiis,  on  the  east  side,  about  three  miles  above  the  fort; 
the  AVyandots,  whose  village  lays  on  the  east  side,  about  two  miles 
below  the  fort.  The  former  two  nations  liave  removed  to  a  consid- 
erable distance,  and  the  latter  still  remain  where  they  were,  and  are 
renuukuble  for  their  good  sense  and  hospitality.  They  have  a 
particular  attachment  for  the  Konuui  Ciitholic  religion  ;  the  French, 
by  their  priests,  having  taken  uncoir.nion  pains  to  instruct  them. 
During  n)y  stay  here,  I  held  fiecpient  conferences  with  the  different 
nations  of  Indians  assembled  at  this  place,  with  whom  I  settled 
matters  to  their  general  satisfaction. 

The  courageous  i\Ioravian  missionarv^  Frederick  Pest,  first  visited 
Ohio  in  J 701,  and  during  the  next  siiring,  in  company  with  Hecke- 
welder.  commenced  the  work  of  educating  and  converting  to  his 
faith  the  Indians  of  the  Muskingum  ;  but  in  the  following  autumn 
was  warned  to  leave  the  country,  in  anticipation  of  war. 

f/.ite  in  1767,  and  early  in  17C8,  Treisberger  establisbed  a  mission 
near  the  Allegheny,  thour^h  in  the  face  of  strong  opposition  and 
liliUs  against  his  life,  and  succeeded  in  converting  some  of  the  leading 
Indians,  through  the  inlluence  of  whom  the  missionaries  were  invited 
to  Big  Beaver  in  1770.  The  Delawares  of  the  jMuskingum,  joined 
by  the  Wyandots,  invited  the  Christian  Indians  of  Pennsylvania  to 
come  and  dwell  on  their  river,  and,  after  much  deliberation,  the 
proitosition  was  accepted.  !May  od,  1772,  Treisberger,  with  twenty- 
seven  of  his  native  disciples,  founded  Shu'nbrun  on  the  Muskingum, 
the  lirst  Protestant  Christian  settlement  within  Ohio;  to  which,  in 
the  following  year,  the  Christian  Indians  of  the  Susquehannah  and  Big 
Beaver  removed.  For  some  years  tiiis  and  the  neighboring  Christian 
Iiuliun  towns  continued  in  peace  and  prosperity;  but  during  the 
wars  between  the  northwest  savages  and  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 
front ier-men,  the  innocent  diseii)les  of  Post,  Treisberger  and  Ileckc- 
W(.l(ler  were  the  subjects  of  suspicion  and  jealousy ;  and  in  17T1)  the 
British  delibei'ated  on  measures  to  remove  them  from  the  American 
borders  to  destroy  their  supposed  interference. 

The  result  is  set  forth  in  the  following  narrative  of  Mary  Heck- 
ewekler,  daughter  of  the  missionarv  : 


50 


Massacre  of  Moravian  Christians. 


"Soon  after  my  birth,  April  16th,  1781,  times  hecame  very  troub- 
lesome, the  settlements  often  in  danger  from  war  parties;  and  finally, 
in  the  beginning  of  September  of  tliC  same  year,  Ave  were  all  made 
prisoners.  First,  four  of  the  missionaries  were  seized  by  a  party  of 
Huron  warriors,  and  declared  prisoners  of  war;  they  were  then  led 
into  the  camp  of  the  Delawares,  where  the  death  song  was  sung 
over  them.  Soon  after  they  had  secured  them,  a  number  of  war- 
riors marched  off  for  Salem  and  Shwnbrun.  About  thirty  savages 
arrived  at  the  former  place  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  and  broke 
open  the  mission  house.  Here  they  took  my  mother  and  myself 
prisoners,  and  after  having  led  her  into  the  street  and  placed  guards 
over  her  they  plundered  the  house  ol  every  thing  they  could  take 
with  them  and  destroyed  what  was  left.  When  going  to  take  niv 
mother  along  with  them,  the  savages  were  prevailed  upon 
through  the  intercessions  of  the  Indian  families,  to  let  her 
remain  at  Salem  till  the  next  morning — the  night  being  dark  and 
rainy,  and  almost  impossible  for  her  to  travel  so  far — they  at  last 
consented  on  condition  that  she  should  be  brought  into  the  camp 
the  next  morning,  which  was  accordingly  done,  and  she  was  safelv 
conducted  by  our  Indians  to  Gnadenhutten. 

"Afterexperiencing  thecruel  treatment  of  the  savages  for  some  time, 
chey  were  again  set  at  libei'ty;  but  were  obliged  to  leave  their  flour- 
ishing sett'.viments,  and  forced  to  march  through  a  dreary  wilderness  j 
to  Upper  Sandusky.     We  went  by  land  through  Goseachgwenk  to! 
Walhonding,  and  then  partly  by  water  and  partly  along  the  banks  of  | 
the  river,  to  Sandusky  creek.     All  the  way  I  was  cai-ried  by  an  In- 
dian   woman,  carefuljy   wrapped  in  a  blanket  on  her  back.     Ourj 
journey  was  exceedingly  tedious  and  dangerous;  some  of  the  canoes ; 
sunk,   and  those  that   were  in  them  lost  all  their  provisions,  andj 
everything  they  had  saved.     Those  that  went  by  land  drove  the  cat- 
tle, a  pretty  large  herd.     The  savages  now  drove  us  along,  the  mis- 
sionaries with  their  families  usually  in  their  midst,  surrounded  byi 
their  Indian  converts.    The  roads   were  exceedingly  bad,  leading] 
through  a  continuation  of  swamps. 

"Having  arrived  at  Upper  Sandusky,  they  bnilt  small  huts  of  logs] 
and  bark  to  screen  them  from  the  cold,  having  neither  beds  nor 
blankets,  and  being  reduced  to  the  greatest  poverty  and  want;  for 
the  savages  had  by  degrees  stolen  almost  every  thing,  both  from  the 
missionaries  and  Indians  on  the  journey.  We  lived  here  extremely 
poor,  oftentimes  very  little  or  nothing  to  satisfy  the   cravings   of 


:    hunger;  j 
dead  cat! 
In  the  : 
.■    their  forn 
j    corn  whic 
^'    ul  tan  eons 
white  sett 
ments  of 
ca])tured  ; 
son,  comn 
and    child 
eighteen    ( 
men,  twen 
fellow-Chri 
Americans, 
Another 
izcd  agains 
dusky,    "li 
>vas  to  die.' 
said,  reluct 
Carrying  a 
hundred   m 
!  found  the  t 
wliich   the  y 
'  his  associate 

*  About  : 

young  man 

ise.    Word 

were  obtainc 

i  requested  an 

[  camping  gro 

It  was  a  frui 

a  short  distai 

I  the  troojis,  b 

I  road  to  Fort 

hlay  out  the  I 

I  routed  it,  kill 

jthe  captives  \ 


Calamities  of  Craicford  and  his  Kindred.  51 


f 


le  time, 
flour- 

ilerness 

i^enk  to 
,nks  of  I 
an  In- 
.     Our  I 
canoes 

hs,  andi 
lie  cat- 
Ihe  mis- 
ided  byl 
.eading 


luinger;  and  the  poorest  of  the  Indians  were  obliged  to  live  on  their 
dead  cattle,  which  died  for  want  of  pastnre." 

In  the  following  March,  1782,  some  of  the  Moravians  returned  to 
their  former  homes  to  gather  any  remaining  property  and  collect  the 
corn  which  had  been  left  in  the  fields.  Unfortunately,  about  sim- 
ultaneously, parties  of  Wyandots  made  an  assault  upon  the 
Avhite  settlements  which  the  frontier-men  associated  with  the  move- 
ments of  the  Moravians,  and  eiglity  or  ninety  of  these  set  out, 
captured  the  unsuspecting  gleaners,  bound  them ;  and  William- 
son, commander  of  the  party  asked :  "  Shall  these  men,  women 
and  children  be  taken  to  Pittsburg,  or  be  killed?''  Sixteen  or 
eighteen  only  favored  granting  their  lives,  and  soon  about  forty 
men,  twenty  women  and  thirty-four  children — defenceless,  innocent 
fellow-Christians, — were  murdered  in  cold  blood  by  eighty  or  ninety 
Americans. 

Another  expedition  as  fierce  and  blood-thirsty,  was  at  once  organ- 
ized against  the  Moravian  Delawares  and  Wyandots  upon  the  San- 
dusky, "  No  Indian  was  to  be  spared;  friend  or  foe,  every  red  man 
tvas  to  die."  The  expedition  was  led,  though  in  justice  let  it  be 
said,  reluctantly  and  unavoidably,  by  Colonel  William  Crawford. 
Carrying  a  black  flag  and  with  the  battle  cry  of  "  no  quarters,"  five 
liundred  men  marched  to  Upper  Sandusky  in  June,  when  they 
found  the  town  deserted  and  savages  prepared  for  the  battle,  in 
which  the  whites  were  defeated.  Crawford's  own  fate  is  given  by 
his  associate  in  wretchedness.  Dr.  Knight. 

*  About  midnight  on  the  6th,  Col.  Crawford  missed  his  son,  a 
young  man  who  had  just  attained  his  majority,  and  of  great  prom- 
ise. W^ord  was  passed  along  the  line,  but  no  tidings  of  the  youth 
were  obtained,  and  the  father  became  alarmed  for  his  safety.  He 
requested  and  obtained  a  number  of  men  to  return  with  him  to  the 
camping  grounds  of  the  previous  day  to  search  for  his  missing  boy. 
It  was  a  fruitless  mission.  Crawtord  had  returned  on  the  trail  but 
a  short  distance,  when  he  concluded  not  to  follow  the  main  body  of 
the  troops,  but  to  strike  ott  with  his  party,  by  the  shortest  possible 
road  to  Fort  Mcintosh.  This  was  a  fatal  mistake.  On  the  third 
day  out  the  Indians  attacked  the  Colonel's  rraall  force,  and  utterly 
routed  it,  killing  and  taking  prisoners  nearly  the  whole.  Among 
the  captives  was  the  unfortunate  commander. 


*  These  letters  and  statements  were  furnished  the  Bucyroa  Foram,  by  A.  T.  Goodman. 


53 


CnvrfovWs  Ill-fated  Kcpedition. 


About  the  same  time,  and  in  the  same  way,  perished  Colonel 
Crawford's  son,  John  Crawibrd  and  liis  noi)hL'\v  and  namesaki 
William  Crawford,  a  promising  son  of  Valentine  Crawford.  tSo 
also  died  Major  William  Harrison,  the  Colonel's  son-inlaw,  and  a 
near  relative,  Majiir  Rose.  Truly  the  Sandusky  expedition  brought 
its  full  share  of  calamity  to  the  family  of  its  unibrtunate  commander 

In  corroboration  of  the  foregoing  is  the  following  letter: 

Fort  Pitt,  July  11th,  1782. 

Sir  :  Dr.  Knight,  (a  surgeon  I  sent  with  Colonel  Crawford.) 
returned  on  the  4th  instant  to  this  place;  he  brings  an  account  of 
the  melancholy  fate  of  ])oor    Crawtord.     The    day  alter  the  main 
body  retreated,  the  Colonel,  Doctor,  and  nine  others,  Avcre    over- 
taken within  thirty  miles  from  the  tick!  of  action,  by  a  body  of  In- 
diauv.  to  whom  they  surrendered,  were  taken  back  to  Sandusky  when 
they  all,  except  the  Doctor,  were  put  to  death;  the  unibrtunate  Col- 
onel, in  particular,  was  burnt  and  tortured  in  every  manner  they  could 
invent.    The  Doctor  after  being  a  spectator  of  this  distressing  scene 
was  sent  to  the  Shawanese  town  under  guard  of  one  Indian,  where  Ik 
was  told  he  would  share  the  same  fate  n  xt  day  ;  but  fortunately  foiuul 
an  opportunity  of  demolishing  the  fellow,  and  making  his  escape 
The  Doctor  adds  that  a  certain  Simon  Girty,  who  was  formerly  in 
our  service  and  deserted  with  McKee,  is  now  said  to  have  a  com 
mission  in  the  British  service,  Avas  present  at  the  torturing  of  Col 
Crawford;  and  that  he  (the  Doctor)  was  informed  by  an  Indian  that 
a  British  Captain  commands  at  Sandusky  ;  that  he  believes  that  In 
was  present  also,  but  is  not  certain;  but  says  he  saw  a  person  there 
who  was  dressed  and  appeared    like  a  British  officer.     He  also  says 
the  Co'onel  begged  of  Girty  to  shoot  him,  but  he  paid  no  regard  to  j 
the  request.     A  certain  Mr.  Shlover  has  also  come  in  yesterday,  who 
was  under  sentence  at  the  Shawanese  town;  he  says  a  Mr,  William  I 
Harrison,  son-in-law  to  Colonel  Crawford,  was  quartered  and  burnt, 
Both  he  and  the  Doctor  say  they  were  assured  by  several  Indians 
whom  they  formerly  knew,  that  not  a  single  soul  should  in  future 
escape  torture,  and  gave  as  a  reason  for  this  conduct — the  Moravian  i 
affair. 

A  number  of  people  informed  me  that  Colonel  Crawford  ought  to  I 
be  considered  as  a  continental  officer,  and  are  of  opinion  retalialioD[ 
should    take   place.     These,  however,  are  such  facts  as  I  can  get 
Dr.  Knight  is  a  man  of  undoubted  veracity. 

This  account  has  struck  the  people  of  this  country  with  a  strange] 
mixture  of  fear  and  resentment.     Their    solicitations    lor   making 
another  excursion  are  increasing  daily,  and  ihey  are  actually  begin- 
ning to  prepare  for  it.     I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c., 

Wm.  Ervine. 

To  His  Excellency,  General  Washington. 


The  an 
Tiicy  can 
\'irgiMia. 
ei'  was  a 
Avho  was 
married. 
William 
coiuity, 
world  the 
;iiid    ])lay 
k'lirned    1 
(hat  for   1 
surveyor  : 
called    int 
weeks'  du: 
friend  Crai 
Itle  threslu 
'f      Weems 
I      "Tliisw 
\  liim  an  abu 
I  front  of  tilt 
liiindred  ya 


OraioforiT ti  Ill-fated  Expedition. 


53 


an  lliat 
that  111 
on  tlic'it 
so  sav 
iard  to  i 
\\,  ■who 
Villiarai 
)urnt. 
Indian* 
I'titure 
oraviau  j 

nglit  to 
alialion  | 
■an  set. 


begin- 


Tho  ancestors  of  "William  Crawford,  Avere  of  Scotcb-Irish  origin, 
Tlicy  came  to  Aniorica  early  in  tho  eighteenth  centnry,  locating  in 
Viri^'inia.  The  father  of  William  was  a  respectable  farmer.  Ilis  moth- 
er was  a  woman  of  masculine  i>ower  and  great  energy  of  character, 
Avho  was  very  attentive  to  her  family  of  little  ones.  She  was  twice 
married.  By  ^Ir.  Crawford,  who  died  173(5,  she  had  two  sons, 
William  and  Valentine.  William  Crawford,  was  born  in  Berkley 
county,  Virginia,  in  the  year  1732, — the  same  that  gave  to  the 
world  the  illustrious  Washington.  William  was  an  intimate  friend 
and  ])laymate  of  George  Washington,  and  at  an  early  age, 
Karnod  from  him  the  art  of  surveying.  It  will  be  remembered, 
tliat  for  many  years,  Washington  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
surveyor  in  Virginia.  His  services  in  that  capacity,  were  often 
( alli-d  into  requisition  in  Berkley  county.  His  visits  were  of 
weeks'  duration.  Upon  these  occasions  he  always  stopped  with  his 
friend  Crawford,  and  nowhere  could  he  have  found  a  more  hospita- 
lile  threshold. 

Weems  in  his  life  of  Washington,  thus  refers  to  these  visits : 

''This  was  a  family  exactly  to  George's  mind,  because  promising 
liiui  an  abundance  of  that  manly  exercise  in  wliich  he  deliT;hted.  In 
I'lont  of  the  house  lay  a  fine  extended  green,  with  a  square  of  several 
Imiidred  yards.  Here  it  was,  every  evening,  when  his  daily  toils  of 
-iirvevinii:  were  ended,  that  George,  like  a  voung  Greek  training  for 
I  lie  Olympic  Games,  used  to  turn  out  with  his  sturdy  young  com- 
l)anions,  "  to  see, ''  as  they  termed  it,  "  which  Avas  the  best  man, " 
at  running,  jumping  and  Avrestling.  And  so  keen  was  their  passion 
for  these  sports,  and  so  great  their  ambition  to  excel  each  other, 
that  they  would  often  persist,  especially  on  moonshining  nights,  till 
bed  time.  The  Crawfords  and  Stephensons,  though  not  taller  than 
George,  were  much  heavier  men ;  so  that  at  wrestling,  and  particu- 
larly at  the  close,  or  Indian  hug.  he  seldom  gained  much  matter  of 
triumph.  But  in  all  trials  of  agility,  they  stood  no  chance  with 
liim  ! " 

This  intimacy  continued' through  life,  and  was  proved  upon  more 
than  one  occasion  to  be  genuine  friendship ; — to  be  relied  upon  in 
oniertieney. 

Until  William  Crawford  reached  his  23d  year,  he  followed  the 
double  occupation  of  a  surveyor  and  farmer. 

He  subsequently  held  important  judicial  trusts  in  Pennsylvania ; 
waa  aclivelj'  engaged  in  the  French  war  ai)d  revolutionary  struggle, 


54 


CrawforcVs  Ill-fated  Ea'peditkyn. 


and  was  energetic  in  urging  Congress  to  an  effectual  defence  of  the 
western  frontiers. 

During  the  fall  of  1779,  Colonel  Crawford  led  several  small 
parties  into  Ohio  in  pursuit  ot  savage  depredators.  No  better  em 
ployment  was  desired  by  him  than  to  follow  up  with  success  those 
bands  of  redskins  who  made  the  frontier  a  region  of  terror;  murder- 
ing families,  destroying  dwellings,  stealing  horses  and  cattle,  and 
often  carrying  into  hopeless  captivity,  men,  women  and  children 
who  had  become  objects  of  their  rapacity.  His  expeditions  to  pun 
ish  these  fiends  rarely  failed  of  success,  and  long  before  his  unfortu- 
nate end,  the  name  of  William  Crawford  was  a  terror  to  the  Ohio 
Indians.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  no  connected  accounts  of  his 
Indian  exploits  have  come  down  to  us.  With  here  aud  there  an 
exception,  treasured  up  in  the  memory  of  the  aged,  but  little 
remains.  We  should  probably  have  had  a  "  storehouse  "  of  pioneer 
history,  had  not  the  Colonel's  records  and  papers,  Journals  and 
Orderly  books  been  ruthlessly  consigned  to  the  flames  soon  after 
his  death.  That  thoughtless  act  will  ever  be  regretted  by  those 
who  have  felt  an  interest  in  the  events  of  his  career. 

In  a  letter  addressed  by  Washington  to  President  jMoore  of 
Pennsylvania,  dated  July  27th,  1782,  is  the  following  reference  to 
Crawford : 

"  It  is  Avith  the  greatest  sorrow  and  concern  that  I  have  learned 
the  melancholy  tidings  of  Colonel  Crawford's  death.  He  Avas  known 
to  me  as  an  officer  of  much  care  and  prudence,  brave,  experienced 
and  active.  The  manner  of  his  death  as  given  in  letters  of  General 
Ervine,  Colonel  Gibson  and  others,  was  shocking  to  me,  and  I  have 
this  day  communicated  to  the  Honorable,  the  Congress,  copies  of 
such  papers  as  I  have  regarding  it." 

While  the  loss  of  Colonel  Crawford  was  deeply  felt  by  Washing- 
ton, and  by  a  host  of  comrades  in  the  patriot  army,  perhaps  the 
grief  excited  by  his  melancholy  end  was  nowhere  more  poignant 
than  in  Western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  There,  he  was  famil- 
iarly known  to  one  and  all.  He  had  long  been  looked  up  to  as  a 
leader,  and  the  pioneers  of  the  border  knew  that  a  place  had  been 
made  vacant  which  could  not  be  filled. 

Colonel  Crawford  possessed  a  sound  judgment ;  Avas  a  man  of 
singular  good  nature  and  great  humanity,  and  remarkable  for  liis 
hospitality.  It  is  said  that  during  his  life  in  the  West,  many  an 
Indian  captive  Avas  spared  through  his  intiiience.    In  times  of  peace 


and  quiet 


;  than  he. 
;  dwellinc: 
J      Regarc 
■•■■^  extract  ol 
.  introduce 


H.  S.  K 

you  say  t 
through  a 
base  my  j 
in  law,  na 
After  fatJK 
Peiui.sylva 
astrous  cai 
through  ^ 
pas.sed  a  si 
This,  beyoi 
they    pass( 


3  county. 


Avas  origmi 


•9 


In  the  r 
he  states  1 
paraded  to 
they  had  el 
seventeen  i 

'•'Colonel 
Avho  lived  v 
go  home  th 
orders  at  tl 
turned  out 
of  us  Avere 
miles  of  the 

"  Tuesda, 

out  to  us  01 

asked  the  C 
and  that  Gi 
hut  that  th 
paiticiilarlj 


CvainfonVs  Til-fated  Expedition. 


S6 


ishing- 
ips  tlie 
ignant 
famil- 
o  as  a 
been 

an  of 

or  his 

vny  an 

peace 


and  quiet  no  man  was  more  friendly  disposed  towards  the  red  man 
than  he.  Hundreds  of  them  at  ditterent  times  visited  his  humble 
dwelling  and  partook  of  his  hospitality. 

Regarding  Crawford's  route  to  Upper  Sandusky,  the  following 
extract  of  a  letter  from  Hon.  A.  H.  Byers,  of  Wooster,  is  here 
introduced  as  establishing  a  landmark  of  some  historical  value  : 

WoosTER,  Ohio,  March  7,  1872. 

H.  S.  Knai'p:  On  page  14,  of  your  "  History  of  Ashland  County," 
you  say  that  "  probably  the  expedition  of  Crawford  did  not  pass 
through  any  part  of  Ashland  county."  I  think  you  are  in  error,  and 
Itase  my  judgment  on  the  following  facts:  My  father  had  a  brother- 
in  law,  named  Carson,  who  was  in  that  expedition,  and  escaped. 
After  father  moved  to  this  county,  he  visited  his  relatives  in  Western 
Puiinsylvania,  and  in  conversation  with  Carson  regarding  that  dis- 
astrous camy)aign,  the  question  would  likely  arise,  whether  it  passed 
through  Wayne  county  ?  Carson  assured  him  that  the  troops 
passed  a  small  body  of  water,  known  as  "  Mohecan  John's  Lake." 
This,  beyond  doubt,  fixes  a  portion  of  the  route,  so  that,  westward, 
they  passed  through  Hanover  and  Green  townships,  Ashland 
county.  You  will  remember  that  the  lake  now  called  "  Odell's," 
was  originally  designated  as  "  Mohecan  John's  Lake.'' 

Accept  my  best  wishes,  &c. 

A.  H.  Byers. 

In  the  narrative  of  Dr.  Knight,  Colonel  Crawford's  associate, 
he  states  that  on  "Monday  morning  the  tenth  of  June,  we  were 
paraded  to  march  to  Sandusky,  about  thirty -three  miles  distant; 
they  had  eleven  prisoners  of  us  and  four  scalps,  the  Indians  being 
seventeen  in  number. 

"Colonel  Crawford  was  very  desirous  to  see  a  certain  Simon  Girty, 
who  lived  with  the  Indians,  and  was  on  this  account  permitted  to 
go  home  the  same  night,  with  two  warriors  to  guard  him,  having 
orders  at  the  same  time  to  pass  by  the  place  where  the  Colonel  had 
turned  out  his  horse,  that  they  might  if  possible  find  him.  The  rest 
iif  us  were  taken  as  far  as  the  old  town,  which  was  within  eight 
iiiiles  of  the  new. 

"Tuesday  morning,  the  eleventh.  Colonel  Crawford  was  brought 
out  to  us  on  purpose  to  be  marched  in  with  the  other  prisoners.  I 
asked  the  Colonel  if  he  had  seen  ^Mr.  Girty?  He  told  me  he  had, 
and  that  Girty  had  promised  to  do  every  thing  in  hi.s  power  for  him, 
but  that  the  Indians  were  very  ranch  enraged  against  the  prisoners  ; 
purticularljr  Captain  Pipe,  one  of  the  chiefs,  he  likewise  told  me 


56 


Crawford  at  tho  ^taVe. 


¥ 


that  Girtyhadinformod  him  that  hia  son-in-law,  Cnlnnol  ITarrison, 
and  his  nephew,  William  ('rawl'onl.  wore  niuili'  jirisoiuTs  liy  tlic 
Shawanesp,  but  had  been  ijardoncd.  'I'liis  (hiptain  Pipo  liad  oonu' 
from  the  town  abont  an  hour  before  Colonel  Crawford  and  hiul. 
painted  all  the  prisoners'  faces  black.  As  lie  was  paintin«^  mo  he 
told  me  I  should  f^o  to  the  Sliawanesi'  towns  and  see  my  friends. 
Wlien  tlie  Colonel  arrive(l  lie  painted  liini  black  ulso,  told  bim  lie 
was  glad  to  see  him,  and  that  be  would  have  him  shaved  when  lio 
came  to  see  his  friends  at  tho  Wyandot  town.  When  we  marched, 
the  Colonel  and  I  were  kept  back  between  I'ipe  and  Wyngenim,  the 
two  Delaware  chiefs;  the  other  nine  prisoners  were  sent  forward 
with  another  i)urty  of  Indians.  As  we  wt'Ut  aloniif  wo  saw  foiii' 
of  the  prisoners  lying  tomhawked  and  scalped:  some  of  them  wen-  at 
the  distance  of  half  a  mile  from  each  otlier.  When  we  arrived  within 
half  a  mile  from  tho  place  where  the  Colonel  was  executed,  we  over- 
took the  five  prisoners  that  remained  alive;  the  Indians  liad  caused 
them  to  sit  down  on  the  ground,  as  they  did  also  tlu'  Colonel  ai.u 
meat  some  distance  from  them.  I  was  there  given  in  charge  to  uii 
Indian  fellow  to  be  taken  to  the  Shawanese  towns. 

"In  the  place  where  we  were  now  made  to  sit  down,  there  was  a 
number  of  scjuaws  and  boys,  who  fell  on  the  five  prisoners,  and 
tomahawked  them.  There  was  a  certain  Jolin  McKinley  among  tin 
prisoners,  formerly  an  officer  in  the  V.\\\\  Virginia  regiment,  Avhosi' 
head  an  old  squaw  cut  otf,  and  the  Indians  kicked  it  about  ujion  tiK' 
ground.  The  young  Indian  fellows  came  often  where  the  Colonel 
and  I  were  and  dashed  the  scalps  in  our  faces.  We  were  then 
conducted  along  toward  the  place  where  the  Colonel  was  afterwards 
executed;  when  we  came  within  ab :)ut  a  half  a  mile  of  it,  Simon 
Girty  met  us  with  several  Indians  on  liorseback  ;  he  spoke  to  tlic 
Colonel,  but  as  I  was  about  oiu^  hundred  and  fifty  yards  behind, 
could  not  hear  Avhat  passed  between  them. 

"Almost  every  Indian  we  met  struck  us  with  sticks,  or  their  fists. 
Girty  waited  till  I  was  brought  up;  then  asked,  was  that  the  Doctor? 
I  told  him  yes,  and  went  towards  him,  reacliing  out  my  liand,  but  lie 
bid  me  be  gone,  and  called  me  a  damned  rascal,  upon  Mhicdi  the 
fellows  who  had  me  in  charge  pulled  me  along.  Girty  rode  up  alter 
me  and  told  me  I  was  to  go  to  the  Shawanpse  towns. 

"  When  we  went  to  the  fire  the  Colonel  was  stripped  naked,  ordered 
to  sit  down  by  the  fire,  and  then  they  beat  him  with  sticks  and  their 
fists.    Presently  after  I    was  treated  in  tho  samo  manner.    They 


jtthfMi  tied  a 

|tlie  Coloiud 
:Jig.iture  h' 
M<»  sit  down 
flBame  way. 

'.intended  t( 
Jvlie  wn ukl  la 
'^Ifliicf,  made 
vfpixty  or  sev( 
I  "Vheii  t 
'ihearty  assei 
'tlieir  guns  a 
Jiis  Me(d\.     1 

jliis  naked  b( 
'|niy  ol)servat 
Ipittle,  I  saw 
|f|iieiiee  then 
%  "The  lire 
'K'nlonel  was 
'through  in  t 

feet    ill    lengt 

individually, 
his  naked  1)0( 
^h '11  tors  pres^ 
Tfiggots  and 

B'hieh  they  cc 


■% 


ison, 


Crawford  and  Oiriij. 


;•( 


ihen  tied  a  rope  to  the  foot  of  ii  post  about  fifteen  fcethiffli,  bound 
lie  ColoiuO's  hands  behind  Iiis  hack  and  fastened  tho  rope  to  the 
ii,Mtnre  iK'twoen  liis  Avriats.  'IMie  ropo  was  lon;,^  onfuij^h  for  liim 
o  t;it  down  or  walk  round  tlie  j)ost  once  or  twice,  and  return  the 
anie  way.  Tiio  ('oloi.c!  tiicn  calh'd  to  (Jirtyand  asked  him  if  they 
ntended  to  burn  him?  (iirty  answered,  yes.  The  Colonel  said  he 
10  would  take  it  all  patiently.  Upon  this  Captain  I'ipe,  a  Delaware 
lui'f,  unule  a  si>oech  to  the*  Indians,  viz  :  about  thirty  or  forty  nuMi, 
i\ty  or  seventy  s(|uawsand  boys. 

"When  the  speech  was  linished  they  all  yelled    a   hideous  and 

carty  assent  to  what  had  been  said.     The  Indian  men  took    up 

lu'ir  j?uns  and  shot  powiler  into  the  Colonel's  body,  from  his  feet  to 

:iis  neck.     I  think  not  less  than  seventy  loads  were  diseharired  upon 

!!•<  naked  body.     '^Pliey  then  crowded  about  him.  and  to  the  best  of 

IV  observation,  cut  off  his  ears;  Avhen  the  thronpf  had  dispersed  a 

it  tie,  I  saw  the  blood  running  from  both  sides  of  his  head  in  conse- 

uence  thereof. 

"  The  fire  was  about  six  or  seven  yards  from  tho  post  to  which  the 

olonel  was  tied;  it  was  made  of  small  hickory  poles  burnt  ((uite 
lir()Uij;h  in  the  middle,  each  end  of  these  poles  remaininjjj  alxuit  six 
jfeel  in  leuffth.'  Three  or  four  Indians  by  turns  would  take  up, 
Individually,  one  of  these  burning  pieces  of  wood,  and  apply  it  to 
lis  naked  body,  already  burnt  black  Avitli  the  powder.  These  tor- 
mentors presented  themselves  on  every  side  of  him  with  the  burning 
[i,G:,!:^ots  and  poles.  Some  of  tho  squaws  took  broad  boards  upon 
iV'hieh  they  could  carry  a  ([uantity  of  buriiin*;'  coals  and  hot  embers 
uul  threw  on  him,  so  that  in  a  very  short  time  he  had  nothing  but 
poals  of  fire  and  hot  ashes  to  Avalk  upon. 

"In  the  midst  of  these  extreme  tortures,  ho  called  to  Simon  Cirty 
bid  l>o<fged  him  to  shoot  Vim  :  but  Cirty  makinu^  no  answer,  ho 
balled  to  him  again.  Cirty  then,  by  way  of  derision,  told  the  Colo- 
K'l  lie  had  no  gun,  at  the  same  time  turning  about  to  an  Indian 
i'ho  was  behind  him,  laughed  heartily,  and  by  all  his  gestures  seemed 
Icliglited  at  the  horrid  scene. 

"  (iirty  tlien  came  up  to  me  and  told  mo  to  prepare  for  doafh.  lie 
lid,  however,  I  was  not  to  die  at  that  place,  but  to  be  burnt  at  the 

liawaiu'se  towns.  lie  swore  by  (I — d  I  need  not  expect  to  escape 
iiiith,  hut  should  suffer  it  in  all  its  extremities. 

"  He  then  observed  that  some  prisoners  had  given  him  to  under- 
They  ^Btan^lj  thtit  if  our  people  hud  him  they  would  not  hurt  him;  for  his 


lists, 
ictor? 
»ut  lie 


1  the 

aJ'ter 

dercd 

their 

58 


Indian  JjarharUies. 


part,  lie  suid  he  did  not  believe  it,  but  deairod  to  know  my  opinio- 
of  the  nmttcr  ;  but  btuiip;  at  that  time  in  great  anguish  and  dislivv 
for  the  tormonta  the  Colonel  waa  suHVring  before  my  eyes,  aa  u 
SkA  the  expectation  of  undergoing  the  aanie  fate  in  two  days,  I  nuul 
little  or  no  aiiswer.  He  cxpre.s.sed  a  greal  deal  of  ill  will  for  Coldiii 
(libson,  and  .said  he  wa-sone  of  his  greatest  enemies,  and  more  to  tli 
aamo  piir[)ose,  to  all  wliich  I  paid  very  little  attention. 

"Colonel  Crawford  at  this  period  of  his  sullerings  besought  the  A 
mighty  to  have  mercy  on  his  soul,  spoke  very  low,  and  bore  his  tur 
monts  with  the  most  uianly  fortitude,  llc!  contiiiucd  in  all  thee 
tremitics  of  pain  for  an  hour  and  three  (puirters  or  two  hours  lonuv 
as  near  as  I  can  judge,  when  at  last  being  almost  exhausted,  Ik^  la 
down  on  his  belly;  they  then  scalped  him  and  repeatedly  threw  tli 
scali)  in  my  face,  telling  me  "  that  was  my  great  captain.''  An  oli 
squaw  (whose  appearance  every  way  answered  the  ideas  people  eiittr 
tain  of  the  devil,)  got  a  board,  took  a  luircel  of  coals  atul  ashes  aiK 
laitl  them  on  his  back  and  head,  after  he  had  been  scalped: 

•'lie  then  raised  himself  upon  his  feet  and  began  to  walk  roui! 
the  post.     They  next  put  a  burning  stick  to  him,  as  usual,  but  Ik 
seemed  more  insensible  of  pain  than  before. 

"  The  Indian  fellow  who  had  me  in  charge,  now  took  me  away  ti 
Captain  I'ipe's  house,  about  three-tjuarters  of  a  mile  from  the  jiliu 
of   the   Colonel's   execution.      I  was  bound    all    night,  and   lliii- 
prevented   from  seeing   the   last  of    the  horrid  spectacle.      Nexij 
morning,  being  June  T^th,  the  Indian  untied  me,  painted  me  bhvckj 
and  we  set  off  for  the  Shawanese  town,  which   he  told  me  was! 
somewhat  less  than  forty  miles  distant  from  that  place.    We  soodI 
came  to  the  spot  where  the  Colonel  had  been  burnt,  as  it  was  partlyj 
in  our  way.     I  saw  his  bones  lying  amongst  the  remains  of  the  lire,] 
almost  burnt  to  ashes.     I  suppose  after  he  was  dead  they  laid  hiij 
body  on  the  tire.    The  Indian  told  me  that  was  my  big  Captain,  ui\ 
gave  the  scalp  '  halloo ! '  " 

Girty,  iu  the  spring  of  this  year,  had  "\\cw  'M-ders  to  have  llecb 
welder  and  his  comrades  driven  lil<  Sandusky  to  Detroit,! 

and  enjoining  especial  brntidiiy  '  However,  his  agents, 

and  those  of  the  EnglisI  in         West,  together  with 

the  traders  employed  to  t-i      i.  their       iiovui,  marked  their  conduct| 
by  conspicuous  kindness,  and  espe' lally  in  defending  them  against 
the  outrageous  brutality  of  (jirt\    who   overtook   the   captives  atl 
Lowe;-  guudusky,  swearing  he  would  have  their  live.-    md 


The  Girty  FiutuUj. 


)0 


mluctcd  them  to  their  follow  disciples  ut  a  Moraviuu  settlement 
Ijjion  the  river  Huron. 

As  the  famous  and  infamous  white  Indian.  Simon  Oirty,  is  bo 
^(on  montionod  in  these  jia^^cs,  it  nuiy  he  well  to  appond  here  a 
ik.tcli  of  the  family  from  the  writin<,'s  of  Jud^'c  Camphell: 

'■  (iirty,  the  father  was  an  emigrant  from  Ireland,  about  ei<;fhty 
yoar.s  af?o,  if  report  can  be  relied  on.  lie  settled  in  Pennsylvania, 
wlK!'e  tluit  liberty  which  he  souj^lit,  degenerated  in  his  possession 
into  the  biisest  licentiousness.  His  hours  were  wasted  in  idleness 
and  beastly  intcmperamv.  Nothing  ranked  higher  in  his  eKtima- 
tioi),  or  so  entirely  oomnumded  his  regard,  as  a  jug  of  wiiislvy. 
•<(lr()g  was  his  song,  and  grog  would  he  have.''  Ilis  sottishness 
tuiiied  his  wife's  atleetion,  and  she  yielded  her  heart  to  a  neighbor- 
iiif,'  rustic,  who,  to  remove  all  obstacles,  to  their  wishes,  knocked 
Girty  on  the  head  and  bore  off  the  trophy  of  his  ])rowess. 

'•  lie  left  four  sons — Thonuis,  Simon,  (Jeorge,  and  James.  The 
thice  latter  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  Shawanese,  Delawares,  and 
Sciiocas,  in  that  year  Avhich  developed  the  military  talents  of  General 
■\A  ashington.  (ieorge  was  adopted  by  the  Delawares,  and  continued 
witii  them  until  his  death.  lie  became  a  jjcrfect  savage — his 
manners  being  entirely  Indian.  To  consummate  cunning,  he  added 
till'  most  fearless  intrepidity.  He  fought  in  the  battles  of  Kenhawa. 
Blue  Licks,  and  Sandusky,  and  gained  himself  much  distinction  for 
ekill  and  bravery.  In  his  latter  years,  like  his  father,  he  gave  him- 
Btir  up  to  intemperance,  and  died  drunk,  about  twenty-iive  years 
0,  on  the  Miami  of  the  lake  or  Maumee. 

"  Simon  was  adopted  by  the  Senecas,  and  became  as  expert  a  hunter 
.8  any  of  them.  In  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  he  eustained  the  reputa- 
ion  of  an  unrelenting  barbarian.  Forty-tive  years  ago,  with  his 
lame  was  associated  everything  cruel  and  fiend-like.  To  the  women 
md  children  in  particular  nothing  was  more  terrifying  than  the 
lame  of  Simon  Girty.  At  that  time  it  was  believed  by  many,  that 
le  had  lied  from  justice  and  sought  refuge  among  the  Indians, 
letermined  to  do  his  countrymen  all  the  harm  in  his  power.  This 
jmpression  was  an  erroneous  one.  It  is  true  he  joined  the  Indians 
their  wars  with  the  whites,  and  conformed  to  tlieir  usages.  This 
viis  the  education  he  had  received,  and  those  who  were  the  foes  of 
lis  red  brethren  were  his  foes.  Although  trained  in  all  his  pursuits 
IS  an  Indian,  it  is  said  to  be  a  fact,  susceptible  of  proof,  that  through 
Jiis  importunities,  many  prisoners  were  saved  from  death.    His  influ- 


igC 


CO 


Wasliingf oil's  Indian  Pollcij. 


ence  ..'as  f?reat.  and  -when  lie  chose  to  be  merciful,  it  was  generally 
in  his  power  to  protect  the  imploring  captive.  His  reputation  was 
that  of  an  honest  man.  Jn  the  payment  of  his  debts,  he  Ma- 
scrupulously  exact.  Knowing  and  duly  appreciating  integrity,  lie 
fullillcd  his  engagements  to  the  last  cent.  It  is  stated  tliat  on  one 
occasion  he  sold  his  horse  ratlier  than  incur  the  odium  of  violaiiii;' 
his  promise.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  rum.  Nothing  could  atford 
him  more  joy  than  a  keg  of  this  be\erage.  When  intoxicated,  in 
abuse  he  was  indisciiminate,  sparing  neither  friends  nor  foes.  Thci 
it  was  ho  had  no  compassion  in  his  heart.  Although  much  disabled 
by  rheumatism  for  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  ho  rode  to  his 
hunting  ground  in  pursuit  of  game.  SuHering  the  most  excruciat- 
ing pains,  ho  ofteia  boasted  of  his  war-like  spirit.  It  was  his  constant 
wish  that  he  might  breathe  his  last  in  battle.  So  it  happened.  IIi 
was  at  Procter's  defeat  on  the  river  Thames,  and  was  cut  to  ])ieces  by 
Colonel  Johnson's  mounted  men. 

"James  Girty  fell  into  tiic  hands  of  the  Shawanese,  who  adopted 
him  as  a  son.  As  he  approached  manhood,  he  became  dextrous  in 
all  the  arts  of  savage  life.  To  the  most  sanguinary  spirit,  he  added 
all  the  vices  of  the  depraved  frontiersmen,  witii  whom  he  frequently 
associated.  It  is  represented  that  lie  often  visited  Kentucky  at  tlie 
time  of  its  lirst  settlement,  many  of  the  inhal)itants  feeling  tiic 
efll^cts  of  liis  courage  and  cruelty.  Neither  age  nor  sex  found  nv  iry 
at  his  hand.  Ilis  delight  was  in  carnage.  When  unable  to  walk, 
in  consequence  of  disease,  he  laid  low,  with  his  hatchet,  captivr 
women  and  children  who  came  within  his  reach.  Traders,  who  won 
acquainted  with  him  say,  so  furious  M'as  he  that  lie  would  not  haw 
turned  on  his  heel  to  save  a  prisoner  from  the  llames.  Ilis  pleasure 
was  to  see  new  and  retined  tortures  inflicted  ;  and  to  perfect  \\\\< 
gratihcation,  he  fre([uently  gave  directions.  To  this  barbarian  aiv 
to  be  attributed  many  of  the  cruelties  charged  upon  his  l)rotl!rr 
Simon,     Yet  this  monster  was  caressed  by  Kiliof.  and  P''octor.'' 

The  cessation  of  hostilities  between  England  and  her  u'lconquern- 
ble  colonies  in  17sn,  inspired  in  candid,  reflecting  minds,  no  b<>!i;f 
that  warfare  with  the  Western  border  savages  was  at  an  end.  T^ 
throw  o|)on  the  country  be>yond  the  mountains  without  arousing  IIp 
savages,  became  the  study  of  the  ablest  minds,  a\d  in  Si  ptemln'"', 
178o,  AVashington  addressed  a  letter  to  James  Puane,  in  Congres?, 
redalive  to  the  dillicuUies  in  connection  with  the  iniblic  lands,  llo 
urged  the  necessity  for  making  settlements  compact,  and  suggegtd 


stringent  la^' 
wliicii  might 
river;  thence 
so  as  to  inclu 
Lake  Erie, 
agents  from  a 
all  purchases 
Legislatures, 
prophesied  rei 

On  the  22d 
tions,  forbade 
October  15  th, 
instructed : 

1st,     To  rec 

U.    To  inf< 
possessions  an 

;?a.    To  dw 

faithful  to  the 

4th.    To  nc 

Washington,  n 

river;  Llience 

Maumee  *^o  the 

ath.    To  ho 

7th.    To  lea 

etc. 

8th.    To  coi 

i)th.    To  lo( 

signif^y  the  dis 

lands,  and  to  ]r 

Upon  the  91 
instructions  wc 
toe,  headed  by  H 
iiin  due  north 
iiortliorn  limits 
t')l(l  to  treat  ' 

lilllfS. 

Tlio  treaty  o. 
included  Ohio  \ 
Article  of  that 


Britain  Vwh(fe.«  the  Treat i/  of  17811 


61 


t 


stringovit  laws  against  settling  upon  or  Surveying  lands  west  of  a  line 
wliicli  niiglit  extend  from  the  mouth  of  tlie  (Jroiit  i\[i;inii  to  Mud 
river;  thence  to  Fort  Miami  on  the  Maiimee,  and  thence  northward 
so  as  to  include  Detroit,  or  perhaps  from  the  fort  down  the  river  to 
Lake  Erie.  He  pointed  out  the  propriety  of  excluding  Indian 
agents  from  all  share  in  the  trade  with  the  red  men,  and  proliibiting 
all  purchases  of  land  from  Indians,  excci^c  by  Congress,  or  State 
Legislatures.  Unless  t'uese,  or  simihir  measures  were  taken,  he 
prophesied  renewed  violent  border  wars. 

On  tlie  22d  of  September,  Congress,  in  pursuance  of  these  sugges- 
tions, forbade  all  purchase  of,  or  settlement  on  Lulian  lands;  and 
October  15th,  the  Commissioners,  to  treat  with  the  natives,  Avere 
instructed  : 

1st,    To  re([uire  the  delivery  of  all  prisoners. 

2d.  To  inform  the  Indians  of  the  boundaries  b'^tween  the  British 
possessions  and  the  United  States. 

;]d.  To  dwell  u])on  the  fact  that  the  red  men  bad  not  been 
faitliful  to  their  agreements. 

•1th.  To  negotiate  for  all  the  land  east  of  the  line  proposed  by 
Washington,  namely:  From  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  to  jMad 
river;  Lhence  to  Fort  Miami,  on  the  Maumee,  and.  thence  down  the 
ilaumee  to  the  lake. 

atli.    To  hold,  if  possible,  one  convention  with  all  the  tribes. 

7th.  To  learn  all  they  could  respecting  the  French  of  Kaskaskia, 
etc. 

8th.    To  eonlirm  no  grants  by  the  natives  to  individuals. 

9tli.  To  look  after  American  stragglers  beyond  the  Ohio,  to 
signify  the  displeasure  of  Congress  at  the  invasion  of  the  Indian 
lands,  and  to  prevent  all  further  intrusions. 

Uj'on  the  0th  of  the  following  March,  the  4th  and  5th  of  these 
instructions  were  entirely  changed  at  the  suggestion  of  the  commit- 
tee, headed  by  Mr.  Jefferson  ;  the  western  boundary  line  being  made  to 
run  due  north  from  the  lev* est  point  of  the  Falls  of  tlie  Ohio  to  the 
northern  limits  of  the  United  States;  and  the  Commissioners  beinsr 
told  to  treat  with  the  natives  at  various  placc.'^  and  at  dilferent 
times. 

The  treaty  ol"  17s;{,  which  terminated  the  war  of  the  revolution, 
included  Ohio  within  the  boundaricjs  oi  the  United  States,  and  the  7th 
Article  of  that  treaty  agreed,  that  the  Kiug'of  Great  Britain  would 


62 


IIarmat'''s  Cmnpaign. 


"  with  all  convenient  speed  "  "  withdraw  all  his  forces,  garrisons  and 
fleets  from  the  United  States,  and  from  every  jiost, place  and  harbor, 
within  the  same."  Military  posts  were  garrisoned,  however,  by  Brit- 
ish troops,  and  continued  under  the  dominion  of  Great  Britain 
many  years  after  that  date.  But  preparatory  to  taking  possession  of 
it,  and  in  order  to  avoid  collision  with  the  Indian  tribes,  whicli 
owned  the  soil,  treaties  were  held  with  them  from  time  to  time  by 
which  they  ceded  to  the  United  States  their  title  to  their  lands. 
But  the  territory  thus  secured  by  treaties  with  Great  Britain,  and 
with  the  Indian  tribes,  of  which  we  had  thus  established  an  amica- 
ble understanding,  was  many  years  sequestered  from  our  possession. 
The  British  government  urged  the  failure  of  Americans  to  fuliill 
that  part  of  the  treaty  protecting  the  claims  of  British  subjects 
against  citizens  of  the  United  States  ;  but,  from  their  "  aid  and  tribes 
comfort,"  rendered  the  Indians  in  the  campaigns  of  Harmar,  St. 
Clair  and  Wayne,  the  apparent  prime  cause  was  to  defeat  the  efforts 
of  the  United  States  to  extend  her  power  over  the  country  and  tribes 
north  of  the  Ohio  and  continue  to  the  British  the  advantage  of  tlie 
fur  trade,  whicli,  from  their  relations  with  these  tribes  they  possessed. 

The  ultimate  result  of  this  international  difficulty,  was  the  cam- 
paigns of  1T90, — '91  and  -'94,  ostensibly  against  the  Indians,  but, 
substantially,  against  them  and  their  British  allies,  which  bear  so 
intimate  a  relation  with  the  fornuil  surrender  of  the  country  to  its 
rightful  proprietor,  that  they  perform  an  essential  part  of  history. 
'  The  most  satisfactory  account  furnished,  relating  to  this  important 
campaign,  is  that  published  by  the  late  Charles  Cist,  in  his  first 
volume  of  the  "  Cincinnati  Miscellany,"  issued  in  1845.  This  rendi 
tion  of  the  true  history  of  these  events  is  given  with  so  much  evident 
caution,  emanates  from  a  source  of  so  great  respectability,  and  is 
adopted  or  continued  by  such  high  authorities,  that  there  is  no 
hesitation  to  accept  in  full  his  premises  and  conclusions.    He  says; 

"  Having  gathered  a  variety  of  papers,  which  shed  light  on  the 
various  campaigns  of  Ilarmar,  St.  Clair,  and  Wayne,  I  feel  it  a  duty 
imposed  on  me  by  that  circumstance  to  compile  a  fuller  and  more 
accurate  narrative  of  those  events  than  I  have  thus  far  seen  in  print. 
Nor  need  it  at  all  appear  strange,  under  the  existing  state  of  society 
and  condition  of  things,  that  much  of  Avhat  is  already  on  record. 
should  abound  in  errors;  and  that  both  Harmar  and  St.  Clair  should 
mistake  the  location  of  the  battle  they  fought,  and  that  many  state- 
ments founded  on  conjecture,  should  pass  curi*ent  for  years  in  the 


States  regnla 
and  whose  es( 
"TheW\'st 
1788,  in  a  ver; 
I    and  whites. 
^    however,  any 
J    the  extirpatio 
^    their  great  cc 
broke,  one  up( 
Kentucky  sta 
along  their  cc 
among  tlie  sa-v 
had  even  been 
and  families  bi 
provision   whi 
permanent  stc 
permitted  the 
"But  when 
after  fort,  circi 
from  their  fav( 
no  doubt  that 
savages,  which 
g   to  allay,  and  sc 
live  together  it 
the  country  fr( 
ness, 

"After  treat 
frontiers  had  be 
hawk  and  scnli 
lion,  detached 


Indian  Hatreds  and  Po'-ftdif. 


63 


community.,  to  an  extent  which  even  yet  serves  to  confuse  the  truth 
of  history.  These  things  are  all  easily  accounted  for  by  the  wilder- 
ness character  of  the  untrodden  West,  the  scattered  state  of  the 
settlements  in  the  Miami  country,  the  little  communication  between 
the  respective  parts,  and  the  utter  absence  of  newspapers. 

"I  commence  with  Harmars  campaign.  A  volume  would  hardly 
serve  to  point  out  the  errors  in  dates,  places,  and  facts  generally,  in 
print  upon  this  subject.  The  best  mode  of  correction  is  to  compile 
the  narrative  anew,  availing  myself  of  unpublished  manuscript  notes 
of  Captain  John  Armstrong,  who  commanded  a  company  of  United 
States  regulars  attached  to  Harmar's  army  during  that  campaign, 
and  whose  escape  with  life  in  the  first  battle  was  so  remarkable. 

"The  Western  frontier  had  been  for  some  years,  say  from  1782  to 
1788,  in  a  very  disturbed  state  by  reciprocal  aggressions,  of  Indians 
and  whites.  There  does  not  appear,  in  the  history  of  those  days, 
however,  any  systematic  and  general  movement  of  the  Indians  for 
the  extirpation  of  the  whites,  as  was  alleged  to  be  the  object  of 
their  great  confederacy  of  1782,  which,  dividing  into  two  parties, 
broke,  one  upon  the  ui)per  Ohio  settlement,  the  other  on  the  various 
Kentucky  stations,  carrying  massacre  and  captivity  so  extensively 
along  their  course.  The  irregular  and  precarious  mode  of  living 
among  the  savages,  forbade  the  accomplishment  of  such  design,  it  it 
had  even  been  their  settled  purpose  ;  the  subsistence  of  themselves 
and  families  being  principally  derived  from  the  chase,  a  species  of 
provision  which  did  not  permit  the  laying  up  of  extensive  and 
permanent  stores,  if  even  their  improvident  mode  of  living  had 
permitted  the  effort. 

"But  when  they  found  the  settlers  entrenching  themselves  in  fort 
after  fort,  circumscribing  their  range,  and  cutting  them  entirely  oft' 
from  their  favorite  hunting  grounds  south  of  the  Ohio,  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  a  determined  hostility  sprung  up  in  the  minds  of  the 
s'livages,  which  all  the  exertions  of  the  American  Government  failed 
to  allay,  and  soon  rendered  it  apparent  that  the  two  races  could  not 
live  together  in  amity,  where  it  was  the  policy  of  the  one  to  reclaim 
the  country  from  the  hunter,  and  of  the  other  to  keep  it  a  wilder- 
ness. 

"Alter  treaty  upon  treaty  had  been  made  and  broken,  and  the 
frontiers  had  been  suffering  through  this  whole  period,  from  the  toma- 
hawk and  scalping  knife,  the  government,  then  just  going  into  opera- 
tion, detached  a  force  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  regular  troops, 


C4 


IIai')nar\'i   Caiiq)ai(jn. 


enlisted  in  New  Jersey  luul  Pennsylvania  fur  the  protection  of  tlit 
frontiers,  and  devolved  the  command  on  Josiah  llarmar,  who  had  | 
borne   arms    as   a  colonel    with  credit  durinu;   the    Revolutionary 
struggle.     A  force  of  one  thousand  one  hundreil  and  thirty-three 
draft(Ml  militia  from  Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky,  .»as  also  placed 
under  his  orders.     The  regulars  consisted  of  tAvo  battalions,  coin-  | 
manded  respectively  by  Majors  Wyllye  and  Doughty,  and  a  company  i 
of    artillery  under  Captain    Ferguson,  with  three    brass  pieces  ot 
ordnance.     Colonel  Hardin,  of  Kentucky,  was  in  command  of  the 
militia,   in    which    Colonels   Trotter   atul    I'aul,   Majors    Hall   and 
j\IcMiil;..i  held    subordinate    commands.      The    orders   to    (jenoral 
llarmar  were  to  march  on  to  the  Indian  towns  adjacent  the  lakes 
and  intlict  on  them  such  signal  chas'.'sement  as  should  protect  tlie 
settlements  from  future  depredations. 

The  whole  plan  had  been  devised  by  Washington  himself,  who  well  u 
umlerstood  the  subject,  having,  prior  to  the  Hevolution,  as  is  well 
known,  learned  much  practically  of  the  Indian  character,  as  well  as 
the  condition  of  the  West,  although  it  is  not  easy  to  conceive  why 
he  should  have  selected   such  men  as  Ilarnnir  and  St.  Clair,  who 
were  destitute  of  the  training  he  himself  had  acquired,  and  whicl. 
could    have    been    found    on    the    frontiers    of    Pennsylvania    and 
Kent,iu;ky;  in   many    distinguished   Indian    lighters,  ready   for  use. 
The  forcQ   of  circumstances   probably  biased    his   judgment,   as  it  | 
served  to  ettect  appointments  equally  exceptionable  during  the  war 
of  1^12,  such  as  those  of  Hull,  Dearborn,  liloomheld,  and  Chandler,  I 
men  Avho  had  outlived  their  energies,  il  ever  qualilied  practically  for 
the  weighty  trust  devolving  on  them. 

On  the  :2'J'h  of  December,  ITbiJ,  General  llarmar  arrived  at 
Cincinnati.  He  had  been  stationed  for  some  months  prior  to  this 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum,  waiting  at  that  post  for  militia  force 
and  military  supplies  from  the  upper  country,  ,'ind  the  completion  ol 
Fort  Washington,  which  .Major  Doughty,  with  one  hundred  and  forty- 
six  men  from  Fort  llarmar,  had  been  detached  to  construct.  From 
this  period  to  the  30th  of  September,  17!)(),  he  was  employed  iii 
making  everything  ready  lor  the  ex2Jedition,  and  on  that  day,  all  lii> 
preparations  being  made,  he  started  with  the  regulars,  the  militia 
under  Colonel  Hardin  having  already  set  out. 

The  lirst  days  advance  was  seven  miles,  and  the  encamjiment  lor 
the  night  was  on  a  branch  of  Mill  creek;  course,  northeast.  Fight 
miles  more   were  made    the   second  day,  ou  a  general  course  ol 


Lndhiu   I'oirn.s  at  Fori  Wai/iH-. 


1^5 


northwest,  the  urmy  oucampiiiij;  on  another  branch  ot'  Mill  creek. 
On  thi!  tliirtl  day  n  march  ol'  iitteen  miles  was  made;  the  course 
generally  north,  ami  the  encampment  on  the  waters  of  Muddy 
creek,  a  tributary  oi'  the  Little  Miami,  within  one  mile  oi"  Colonel 
Hardin's  command.  The  next  morning  Colonel  Hardin,  with  the 
militia,  were  overtaken  and  passed  ;  and  halting  at  Turtle  creek,  one 
mile  farther  on,  the  whole  army  encamped  lor  the  night. 

On  the  Itli  of  October,  the  army  reached  and  crossed  the  Little 
Miami,  on  a  northeast  coujse,  moved  up  it  one  mile  to  a  branch 
called  .Sugar  «)r  Cwsar's  creek,  near  Waynesvilie,  where  they 
encamped,  having  atjcomplished  nine  miles  that  day.  Next  day  a 
march  of  ten  miles,  still  on  a  northeast  course,  brought  the  aimy 
to  Glade  creek,  near  where  Xenia  now  stands.  On  the  (ith  it 
reachetl  Chillicothe,  an  old  Indian  s  illage,  now  Oldtown,  and 
crossed  again  the  Little  Miami,  keeping  a  nortlieast  course,  making 
nine  miles  that  day.  Next  day  the  troops  crossed.  Mad  river,  ti\en 
called  the  ]^ickaway  Fork  of  the  Great  Miami,  and  made  nine  miles ; 
tlicir  course  for  the  iirst  time  becoming  west  of  north.  On  the  8th, 
pursuing  a  northwest  course,  they  crossed  Honey  creek,  and  nuide 
seven  miles  more.  On  the  next  day  they  followed  the  same  course, 
and  marching  ten  miles,  encamped  within  U\o  miles  of  the  Great 
iMiami.  Next  day  tlu.  army  crossed  the  Miami,  keeping  still  a 
northwest  course,  and  made  ten  miles  more.  . 

On  the  1 1th,  by  a  course  west  of  nortli,  it  passed  the  ruins  of  ^a 
French  trading  station,  marked  on  Ilutchins'  map  as  the  'Tawiytwces 
— (Twigtwees  or  iliamies.)  Encamped  after  making  eleven  miles. 
Next  day  the  army  kept  a  course  west  of  northwest,  near  Xoramie's 
crock,  and  across  the  head  waters  of  the  Auglaize.  Hero  they  found 
the  remains  of  a  considerable  village,  some  <jf  the  houses  being  still 
.standing;  fourteen  miles  made  this  day.  On  the  loth,  marched 
ten  miles,  keeping  west  of  northwest,  and  encamped,  being  joined 
by  a  reinforcement  from  Cincinnati,  witli  amnumition.  Next  day, 
the  1  ith,  Colonel  Hardin  Avas  detached  Avith  one  company  ol' regu- 
lars, and  six  hundred  militia,  in  advance  of  the  main  body,  and 
l)eing  chai'ged  with  the  destruction  of  the  towns  in  the  forks  of  the 
Maumce.  On  the  arrival  of  this  advance  party,  they  I'ound  the 
towns  abandoned  by  the  Indians,  and  the  principal  one  burnt. 
The  main  body  marched  on  the  1-lth  ten  miles,  and  on  the  15th 
oigiit  more,  both  days  on  a  northwest  course.  Next  day  made 
nine  miles,  same  course,  and  on  the  17th  crossing  the  Maumee  river 


•MMNt 


()(> 


ludlaih  Villacfcf^  at  Fori  Wdipii 


to  the  Indian  village,  formed  a  junction  again  with  Hardin,  at  the 
Omec  (au  Miami,  Fr.)  village,  ( noAv  called  Ilarmar'.s  Ford.  |  'J'his  Avas 
the  same  town  burnt  and  abandoned  by  the  savages. 

At  this  point  of  the  narrative,  there  is  considerable  obscurity  with 
names  and  places  which  1  must  explore  as  I  best  can.  The  Indians 
had  seven  villages  it  seems,  clustering  about  the  junction  of  the 
St.  Mary's  and  St.  Joseph's  rivers,  which,  as  is  well  known,  form  the 
river  Maumee,  1'hese  were:  Lst,  the  Miami  village,  so  called  alter 
the  tribe  of  that  name;  corruptly  and  by  contraction,  Omcc^  from 
Au  Minnii,  the  designation  given  it  by  the  French  traders,  who 
were  here  resident  in  great  force.  This  lay  in  the  fork  of  the  St. 
Joseph's  and  Maumee;  [now  the  ('olc-  I'aber  farm. J  'id,  a  village  of 
the  jNIaumees,  of  thirty  houses,  Ke  Kiogue,  now  Fort  Wayne — in 
the  foi'k  of  the  St.  Mary's  and  INIaumee.  od,  Chillicothe,  a  name 
signifying  ■  town,'  being  a  village  of  the  Sliawanees,  down  the 
Maumee,  on  its  north  bank,  and  of  fifty-eight  houses.  Opposite 
this  was  another  of  the  same  tribe,  of  eighteen  liouscs.  The  Dehi- 
wares  had  their  villages,  two  on  the  St.  INlary's,  |  near  where  tlie 
Allen  county,  Ind.,  I'oor  Asylum  is  now  situate.]  about  three  miles 
from  its  mouth,  and  opposite  each  other,  with  forty-live  houses 
together,  and  the  other  consisting  of  thirty- six  houses,  on  the  cast 
side  of  the  St.  Joseph's,  two  or  three  miles  from  its  mouth. 

The  day  of  Ilarmars  junction  Avith  Hardin,  tAvo  Indians  Averc 
iliscovered  by  a  scouting  jiai'ty,  as  they  Avere  crossing  a  prairie. 
'I'lie  scouts  jiursued  them  and  shot  one;  the  other  made  his  escape. 
A  young  num  named  Johnson,  seeing  the  Indian  a\  as  not  dead, 
attempted-  to  shoot  him  again;  but  his  pistol  not  making  tire,  tin' 
Indian  raised  his  rifle  and  shot  Johnson  through  the  body,  Avhicli 
proved  fatal.  This  night  the  Indians  succeeded  in  driving  througli 
the  lines  betAveen  fifty  and  one  luuidj-ed  horses,  and  bore  them  oil', 
to  the  no  small  mortification  of  the  Avhites. 

The  same  day  (October  ITth)  Avas  emjjloyed  in  searching  in  tlie 
hazel  tJiickets  for  hidden  treasure.  jNIuch  corn  Avas  foiuid  bulled  in 
the  earth.  On  the  evening  of  this  day,  ('a{)taiu  ]\IeClure  ami 
McClary  fell  upon  a  stratagem  peculiar  to  backwoodsmen.  Tliev 
conveyed  a  horse  a  short  distance  doAvn  the  river  undiscovered, 
fettered  him,  unstrai)ped  the  bell-tongue,  and  concealed  themselves 
with  their  lilles.  An  Indian,  attracted  by  the  sound  of  the  bell. 
came  (cautiously  u|)  .and  began  to  untie  him,  Avhen  McCHure  shot 
him,     Tlie  rejtort  of  the  gun  alarmeil   the  cainji,  ami  br(»ught  nnuiy 


I/anh'/i's  Covunand  I>cfe<ite(l. 


(i7 


of  the  troops  to  the  place.  A  young  man  taken  prisoner  at  Lora- 
mie's  was  brought  to  see  the  Indian  just  killed,  and  pronounced 
him  to  be  ''Captain  Punk — great  man — Delaware  chief.'' 

The  army  burned  all  the  houses  at  the  dilterent  villages,  and 
destroyed  about  twenty  thousand  bushels  of  corn,  which  they 
discovered  in  various  places  where  it  had  been  hidden  by  the  Indians, 
:i  large  quantity  havmg  been  found  buried  in  holes  dug  for  that 
purpose.  In  this  destruction  a  variety  of  property  belonging  to 
French  traders  was  involved.  On  the  18th,  tiie  main  body  of  the 
troops  was  moved  to  Chillicothe,  the  princijial  town  ot  the  8hawa- 
nese,  General  Harmar  having  previously  detached  a  jiarty  of  one 
hundred  and  eighty  militia  and  thirty  regulars  in  ])ursuit  of  the 
Indians,  who  appeared  to  have  retired  westward  across  the  St. 
Josc])h's,  .after  the  destruction  by  themselves  of  the  Omee  town,  Capt. 
.lohn  Armstrong  commanding  the  regulars,  and  Col.  Trotter,  of  the 
Kentucky  militia,  the  entire  force.  They  found  and  cut  off  a  few 
Indian  stragglers,  but  did  not  overtake  the  main  body,  being 
recalled  to  camp  by  signal,  late  in  the  evening.  Next  morning  the 
same  detachment  was  ordered  out  .'uiew,  and  being  placed  under 
the  command  ol"  Colonel  Hardin.  ])ursueil  the  same  route  in  search 
of  the  sav.'iges.  Finding  himself  in  their  neighborhood,  he  detached 
Captain  Faulkner,  of  the  Pennsylv.ania  militia,  to  form  on  his  left, 
which  he  did  at  such  a  distance  as  to  render  his  company  of  no 
service  in  the  api)roaching  engagement.  Il.ardin's  command  moved 
Inrward  to  what  ihey  discovered  to  be  the  cnc;nn])ment  oC  he 
iiuniy,  which  w:is  Hanked  by  a  morass  on  each  side,  as  well  as  ■■" 
one  in  Jront,  which  was  crossed  with  great  promptness  by  the 
troops,  now  reduced  to  less  than  two  himdred.  who,  before  they  had 
time  to  form,  received  a  galling  and  uiiexi»ected  tire  from  a  largo 
'lodv  of  savacjes.  The  militia  imnie<liatelv  broke  and  tied,  nor 
c'tuhl  iill  the  exertions  of  the  oilicers  rally  them  ;  hfty  tAvo  of  the 
ilispor.sing  being  killed  in  a  few  minutes. 

The  enemy  pursued  until  M.ajor  Fountain,  \>  ho  had  been  sent  to 
hunt  up  Faulkner  and  his  comp.any,  rettirning  with  them,  compelled 
llicm  to  retire,  and  the  survivors  of  tlu'  detachment  arrived  safe  in 
(';imp. 

Tlie  regul.ars  under  Armstrong  bore  the  brunt  of  this  ailair.  One 
^cnj^eant  and  twenty-om;  privates  being  killed  on  the  battle  ground. 
and  wlide  endeavoring  to  maintain  their  position,  wore  thrown  in 
disorder  by  the  militia  rumiing  through   their  lines.  Hinging  away 


i'.8 


i^apittiii  Ai'mxtromj  K  IC-iciijn 


tlu'ir  arras  witlioul  even  tiriiin'  a  sliot.  Tlie  Iiidiiins  killed  in  tliis 
iitl'air  nearly  one  liiuuhed  men. 

As  reniirds  tlic  force  ol"  the  savaues,  Caplain  Arnislroiig  who  was 
under  no  tem])tatioii  to  underrate  iheir  nniidter,  s]>eaks  ol'  them  a^ 
about  one  hmidied  in  force,  'riieir  strength  has  been  stated,  bill 
as  I  think,  without  any  data  by  Marslial.  in  his  life  of  Washinntoii. 
at  seven  hundred.  The  real  strength  ot  the  Indians  was  in  a  well 
chosen  position,  and  in  tlie  cowardice  of  tlie  militia,  who  found 
numerically,  the  princii.'al  force  op])Osed  to  them.  This  (U'struclivt' 
contest  was  fought  near  tlic  spot  wliere  the  Goshen  State  road  now 
crosses  Eel  River,  near  Hellers  Corners,  about  twelve  miles  west 
of  Fort  Wayne.  Captain  Armstrong  broke  througli  the  pursuing 
Indians  and  plunged  in  the  dee])est  of  the  morasses  referred  to, 
where  he  remained  to  his  chin  all  night  in  water,  with  his  head  con- 
cealed by  a  tussock  of  liigh  grass.  Here  he  was  compelled  to  listen 
to  the  noctui'nal  orgies  ol  the  Indians,  dantang  and  yelling  around 
the  dead  bodies  of  his  brave  soldiers.  As  day  .'ipproached  they 
retired  to  rest,  and  Armstrong  chilled  to  the  last  degree,  extricated 
himselt'from  the  swamj),  but  found  himselt  oldiged  to  kindle  a  lire 
in  a  ravine  into  which  he  crawled,  having  his  tinder-box,  watch  and 
compass  still  on  his  person.  By  the  aid  of  the  fire,  he  recovered  his 
feeling,  and  the  use  of  his  limbs,  and  at  last  reached  the  camj)  in 
safety.  For  some  years  after,  bayonets  were  found  upon  this  spot 
in  numbers,  and  bullets  have  been  cut  out  of  the  neig'.dioring  trees 
in  such  qualities  as  to  attest  the  desperate  character  of  this  engage- 
ment. 

On  the  20th  the  General  published  the  following  order  : 

"  Camp,  at  Ciiillicotiie,  i 

(One  of  the  Slmwnuesc  Townn  on  Ihc  Omec  (Mauinco)  iiiver,)  > 

October  20th,  1790.      } 

The  party  under  the  command  of  Ca])taiu  Strong,  is  ordered  to 
burn  and  destroy  every  house  and  wigwam  in  this  village,  together 
with  all  the  corn.  Ac,  which  he  can  collect.  A  i)arty  of  one  hun- 
dred men,  (militia)  projierly  othcered,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Hardin,  is  to  burn  and  destroy  etfectually  this  atternoon,  the  Picka- 
way town  with  all  the  corn,  &,c.,  which  he  can  find  in  it  and  its 
vicinity. 

"The  cause  of  the  detachment  being  worsted  yesterday,  was 
entirely  owing  to  the  shameful,  cowardly  conduct  of  the  militia 
Avho  ran  awav,  and  threw  down  their  arms  without  firintj  scarcelv  a 
single  gun.     In  returning  to  Fort  Washington,  if  any  officer  or  men 


shall  presi 
tliey  are  o 
to  lire  on 
m.ike  then 


Oil    tlif 
Wasliingtc 
iiameil)  wl: 
in  and  rep( 
lage.  lying 
llarniar,  an 
in  the  affaii 
surprise    tl 
under  his  oi 
companies  y 
of  .Major  V 
Colonel  I 
ofthe:L*-Jd. 
division  ofw 
at  the  ford, 
the  St.  Jose 
mIio  had  er 
division  un( 
lord,  on  the 
party  li;id  I'c 
he  tlie  sign  a 
in  the  I'ear, 
however,  M( 
they  h;id  In 
lord  initil  d.-i 
iiig  ahoul    1 
hegaii  to  i-al 
rushing    in. 
iintnedinteh 
iiUMilici's,  an< 
liiii's  men  in  I 
ll.inis    ot*  hi^ 
I'ligagemeni 
^iirpa.ssed  an\ 
ilii;'  do-\ii   (I, 


^ 


2'he  III  (Hint  H  A<;aiu  Affaded. 


69 


lus 

ill 

spot 


ilitia 
ely  a 

UR'll 


Hlinll  prt'siiiiK'  to  (luit  tlio  ranks,  or  not  to  marcli  in  tlic  Conn  tliat 
tlii'v  !iie  onlorcd,  the  (Tciicrtil  will  most  assui('(lly  order  the  urlilli'ry 
to  liro  oil  tlifin.  lie  liopus  tli(3  clit'iik  they  received  yesterday  will 
niiike  tliein  in  future  oltedient  to  orders. 

"JosiAiiilAitMAU,  Brigadier  General." 

On  the  -Ist  the  army  left  Chillicothe  on  tlu'ir  retuiii  t(t  l''ort 
W.'ishiniiton,  marching!:  ei<j;ht  miles,  [to  Merriam's  creek,  now 
iianu'dl  when  the  scouts,  who  had  l)Cen  scouring  the  country,  came 
in  .and  reported  that  the  Indians  had  re-oceupied  the  '  Omee  '  \\\- 
lage.  lying  in  the  junction  of  XXw  St.  tfoseph.s  and  Maumee  rivers. 
Ilannar,  anxious  to  elface  the  stigma  resting  on  the  American  arms 
in  the  alfair  of  the  T.lth,  detatched  Colonel  Hardin  with  orders  to 
surprise  the  savages,  and  bring  on  an  engagement,  'i'he  party 
under  his  orders  consisted  of  three  hundred  militi.a,  of  whicli  three 
(•(iinpanies  were  mounted  men,  with  sixty  regulars  under  command 
of  Major  Wyllys. 

Colonel  Hardin  arrived  at  the  Omee  town  early  on  the  morning 
ofthoi*'Jd.  Jlis  force  had  been  dividend  into  two  parties,  the  left 
division  of  which  was  to  have  formed  down  the  St.  3Iary's  and  cross 
at  the  ford,  after  which  they  were  to  rest  until  daylight,  and  cross 
the  St.  Joseph's  and  commence  an  attack  on  the  Indians  in  Iront, 
wild  had  encamped  out,  ne.ar  the  ruins  of  their  town.  The  right 
division  under  Hardin  and  Wyllys,  were  to  jjroceed  to  '•  Ilainiars  " 
lord,  on  the  ^^aumee,  where  they  were  to  remain  until  McMillan's 
party  had  reached  the  river,  and  commence  the  attack  which  was  to 
he  the  signal  lor  them  to  cross  the  ]\Iaumee  and  attack  the  Lnlians 
ill  the  rear.  Owing  to  the  treachery  or  ignorance  of  the  guides, 
however,  ]\rcMillan"s  force  lost  its  way  in  the  thickets  through  which 
they  had  to  pass.  aii<l  although  travelling  all  night,  did  not  rea<'h  the 
ford  until  daylight.  As  soon  as  the  Indians,  who  had  been  luicamp- 
iiig  .'ihout  the  ruins  of  their  t own.  disco\(U'ed  Hardin's  nien.thev 
liegau  to  r.ally  foi'  the  light,  llir  alarm  spr<'ading,  and  the  Indians 
nisliing  in.  Colonel  Hardin  discovering  thai  unless  he  crossed 
iitnnodiately  he  would  be  compelle<l  to  do  it  in  llic  lace  ol  su[iei'ior 
luunbers,  and  expecting  every  moment  to  hear  the  report  of  McMil 
laifs  men  in  his  i-ear,  gave  the  order  to  cross,  .-md  by  the  lini"  two- 
ll.inls  of  his  force  had  passed  o\i'r,  the  Itatth*  began.  A  se\ ere 
I'Ugageinenl  ensued;  the  desj»ei'ation  ol  the  sa\a<j,es  in  ihe  contest 
surpassed  anything  previously  known,  and  the  greater  part,  ihrow- 
Jny;  do'\n   theii-  arms    rushed  on   the   liayonets,  tomahawk  in   llMl\d, 


70 


-  {//'((■////</     /  lliiih  lit. 


tliUH  rciitlci-iiii;'  cvcrytliiiin-  itsulcss  but,  llii-  rilK's  oi'  llic  iiiilili:i.  miuI 
cjirryiiig  rai>i(l  <U'sl  ruction  ovorywhin'o  in  tlicir  advaiirc.  WliiK 
tills  iittaek  was  <jtoiii<f  mi,  tlic  rillcs  of  llic  rcuiaiiiiii!.;-  Indians  mcic 
fatally  cniployod  pickiii!;'  out  llii'  olliecrs.  Majctr  I'oiiiitain  and  W \\- 
lys,  l)otli  valual>io  onici'is,  toll  directly  alter  tlic  Iiatllc  l)cu,an,  tlio 
lornicr  pierced  with  eiu;lileen  Ituliett;.  Filty  one  ol'  Wyllys's  reifii- 
lars  shared  his  late,  and  llie  otlser  divisions  snUen'd  severely  in  liotii 
killed  and  wounded. 

Major  ^rcMillan  came  up  with  his  force  while  tlie  liattU'  was 
ras^iny,  hut  could  not  tiu'u  its  tide,  ahliou'jh  he  succeeded  in  enahlini; 
the  discoinlited  troops  to  retire,  which  they  did  in  coin[)ar;ilivcly 
j^ood  onler. 

The  militia  l»chaved  well  on  Ihi'^  nienmralile  day,  and  recei\  od  the 
thanks  of  Cieneral  Ilarinar  lor  their  i;ood  conduct.  What  the  car- 
najxe  in  this  battle  was,  may  he  iulerred  from  the  retui'u  ol"  one  hun- 
dred and  eiu'hty  killed  and  woumled.  not  more  llian  hall'  of  those 
onuiiLic'd  in  it  escapinji'  unhurt.  There  is  no  doul)t,as  respectH  the 
second  battle, — whatever  was  the  .act  in  the  lirsl,  — tliat  the  savage- 
outiumibered,  as  well  as  overpowered,  ifardin's  forces,  and  the 
disparity  was  rendered  still  n'reater  by  the  |»lan  of  niirht  attack 
which  separatoil  McMillan  from  the  nuiin  body  when  his  aid  was 
most  needed. 

It  is  alleged  by  soiiu'  historians  that  tlie  American  troojis  wei'r 
not  defeated,  as  was  pi-oveu  by  their  regular  retreat,  a  dis- 
orderly Hight  being  the  usual  concomitant  of  defeat.  l>ut  the  liul 
that  our  troops  were  obliged  to  lea^e  the  i-eniaiiis  of  the  brave 
soldiers  who  fell  on  that  occasion,  to  become  scalped  and  li(>  unbiir- 
led,  and  their  bones  bleaching  on  the  ground,  until  \\'ayne"s  visit. 
four  years  afterwards,  obtiiincd  fhcTii  decent  burial,  scouts  the  idea. 

An  artecting  incident  occurreil  at  the  place  of  crossing  the  river. 
A  young  Indian  and  his  father  and  brothti-  were  crossing,  when  tin' 
ball  of  a  white  man  passed  through  his  body,  and  ho  fell.  The  old  man 
seeing  his  boy  fall,  dropped  his  riile,  and  .attempted  to  raise  liis 
liiUen  son,  in  order  to  convey  him  beyond  the  reach  of  the  wliili' 
men,  when  the  other  son  also  fell  by  his  side.  He  drew  them  hotli 
to  the  shore,  then  sat  dov.n  between  them,  and  with  fearless, 
Roman  composure,  awaited  the  approach  of  the  pur.suing  foe,  who 
came  up  .ind  killed  him  also. 


Ildiniiirs  (  nfortiautti:  (rent'/'iflshfp- 


71 


\\  tli(  re  lie  :my  .i^oiiorjilshlp  in  Uius  si-ndiii^  out  (Iclacliimuit  altor 
ilctacliincMit  to  1(0  ('111  up  in  detail,  tliun  Genoral  I lariuar  deserves 
th;it  (lisliiictioii.  He  put  the  best  faeo  on  the  matter  wliieh  the 
iiiiiiirr  ()('  tlu'  case  periiiitled,  and  issued  the  tbllowiuL;  order  on  (he 
■jjil  ol'  Octolier.  the  day  ol'  the  si'eund  hattle  : 

"Cami-  Kiomt  Milks  vuom  tiik  liiLNS  } 

oi  TiiK  Maumek  Towns,  1  ;•)().  <i 


'•'riie  (n'ueral  is  exceediu'^Iy  })h'ased  witli  the  behavior  of  t lie 
militia  in  llie  action  of  this  niornini:;.  They  liave  Laid  very  many 
of  the  enemy  dead  upon  tlio  spot.  Althoutih  our  loss  is  nrreat,  still 
it  is  iticonsiilerable  in  c.oniparisdn  to  the  slauuhterainonif  tlu?  savaiijes. 
Kvery  account  Mi;rees  that  upwards  (>!'  one  huudr(!d  warriors  fell  in 
!hc  battle.  It  is  not  more  than  man  for  man,  and  wo  can  aftbrd 
llicm  two  for  one.  The  resobition  and  linn  determined  CDiuluct  oi' 
liic  militia  this  morniuj;  has  elfectually  retrieved  their  character  in 
the  opinion  of  the  General.     lie  knows  they  can  and  will  tij^ht." 

It  is  (.'asy  to  judtiC  by  tlie  preeedinj;-  narrative  and  orders  what 
kind  of  litness  llarmar  jiossessed  for  the  service  to  which  lu;  was 
ciiiled.  A  L!;eueral  who  encamps  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  enemy, 
with  a  force  large  enough  to  exterminate  him,  and  contents  himself 
with  seiuling  out  detachments  to  be  destroyed  successively,  where 
11(1  u(lc(iuate  reason  exists  why  the  Avhole  force  should  not  have 
liccii  l)rought  into  action, 'deserves  not  the  name  of  a  military  man. 
ilarniar  kept  two-thirds  or  three-fourths  of  his  troops  eight  miles 
from  the  battle  ground,  inactive,  and  of  as  little  service  as  if  lie  had 
left  them  at  Fort  Washington.  lie  appeared  to  be  fully  consoled 
for  the  loss  of  the  brave  oflieers  and  soldiers  who  fell  by  the  savage 
lomaliawk  and  ritle,  by  the  rellection  expressed  in  the  general 
orders  that-  the  American  troops  could  allbrd  to  lose  twice  as 
many  men  as  the  Indians.  My  unfavorable  Judgment  is  supi)orted 
by  tliiit  of  the  actors  of  that  campaign,  who  still  survive. 

The  celebrated  Indian  chief,  fJlllc  'rurlic.  cominandtMl  the  savages 
ill  both  battles  with  ('olonel  Hardin  an<l  his  troops,  as  he  did  after- 
wards in  St.  Clair's  defeat,  as  well  as  bore  a  eons[)icuou8  part  in  the 
i'littic  with  General  Wayne,  at  the  Fallen  Timbers. 

lli.rinar  returned  by  easy  marches  to  Fort  Washington,  where  he 
arrived  on  the  od  of  November,  and  which  he  left  soon  afterw.ards 
ror  Piiiladelphia,  being  succeeded  in  his  military  command  by  St. 
Clair.  He  resided  in  comparative  obscurity  for  some  years,  on  the 
bapK's  of  the  Scliuylkill,  and  died  about  IBO:),    1  was  present  at  the 


72 


Sf.  CJah'  Ap)y)l)itrd  Majnr  Gfneval. 


fiiiicnil,  wliicli  was  cniidiictoil  with  ijrcat  militiiry  poinii,  liis  liorHc 
iKfiiiLj  (IrcHsc'd  in  tuouniinij,  and  IiIn  sword  and  [listols  laid  npnn  his 
collin,  which  was  liorne  on  a  hicr,  hi'arscH  not  lic'in;4'  in  use  in  lhi>N(; 
days. 

Ilarniar's  disastrons  dofcat  liavinjjf  dcniojistratcd  tlic  nocosHity  of 
opposing  SOUK!  strong  cliock  upon  tlic  aggri'ssions  ol'  Iho  northern 
savages,  imnicdiato  nio.'isnriw  were  devised  fur  tlie  attninment  nt' 
that.  en<l. 

As  early  as  1185,  Wasliington  h.ad  been  impressod  with  tlio  supe- 
rior advantages  of  the  JNr'nmi  \illages  at  the  cdnlluonco  of  tlio  St. 
Mary's  and  St.  Joseph's  rivers,  for  the  ereetion  of  a  fort;  anti  it 
now  beeaniH  iho  paramount  purpose  duriiii;'  17'.)!,  to  build  this  and 
establish  a  chain  of  military  posts  from  Fort  Vr''ashii!gton  to  the 
head  of  t)jo  Maumee.  In  jjiirsuance  of  tins  objeet,  St.  Clair  was 
nppnint«d  Mnjor  General,  invested  with  the  eliief  command  ot  thu 
frontier  tbrces,  and  received  instructions  from  which  such  extracts 
are  taken  as  will  define  the  general  policy  of  the  government. 

"  It  is  only  general  prhiciides  which  can  be  i)ointed  out.  In  the 
execution  of  the  duties  of  your  station,  circunisl.aucos  which  can 
not  noAV  be  foreseen,  may  arise  to  render  material  devijitions  neces- 
sary. Such  circumstances  will  retiuiro  the  exercise  ol'  your  talents. 
The  government  jjossesses  a  guarantee  in  your  character  and 
mature  experience,  tliat  your  judgnient  will  be  tu-oper  on  .all  occa- 
sions. You  are  well  informed  of  tin;  unfavorable  i?npressions  which 
the  issue  of  the  last  exi)edit-ion  has  made  on  the  ]>ubli(;  mind,  and 
you  are  also  aware  of  the  expectations  which  are  Ibrmed  of  tli.' 
success  of  the  ensuing  campaign. 

"  An  Indian  war  under  any  circumstances,  is  regarded  by  the  great 
ma«s  of  the  ])eople  of  the  United  Stati's.  as  an  event  whicli  ought, 
if  ])OSsil)le.  1-0  b(!  avoided.  It  is  considered  th.at  the  sacrifices  of 
blood  and  treasure  in  such  ,'i  war  far  exceed  any  advantages  whicli 
can  possibly  bo  reaped  by  it.  The  great  policy,  therclove,  o\  tlu' 
(Tcneral  (Tovernmeut.  is  to  establish  a  just  and  liberal  peace  with  tin 
Indian  tribes  M'ithiu  the  limits  and  in  the  \  icinity  of  the  ten-itory 
lit'  the  United  States,  ^'our  intimations  to  the  hostile  Indians, 
immediately  aft.M-  the  late  expedition,  through  the  Wyandots  and 
Delawarcs  ;  the  arrangement.s  with  the  Senecas.  who  were  hiu'ly  in 
this  city,  that  part  of  the  Six  Xations  should  rejtair  to  the  said  hostile 
Indians,  to  intluence  tliem  to  ]>.aciilc  mensuros ;  together  with  the 
j-pcetit  mission  of  Colonel    Proctor    'o  Micm   for  ijie  stone  piirpo<i'. 


fndUht  Polu'ii  of  fhi   V nitol  Sfnijn, 


will  stfoni^'ly  cviiuu"  tlio  (loHirc  (if  (lie  (tciicral  fiovcrniiiunt  to 
|ir('Vont  th{i  olVusioii  of  Ijlood,  and  to  (|uict  all  diHturliaiici'H.  And 
wlicn  you  shall  arrive  upon  tlic  front icrs.  if  any  other  or  fnrthor 
iiu'asurc's  to  cUbct  tlii!  sauic  ohject  should  prosont,  you  will  oajjcrly 
t'luhrace  them,  and  tho  roasonahio  ('xponscs  tlioroof  wliall  bo  defrayed 
hy  tho  pul)lic.  Hut  if  all  the  lenient  mcasuroM  taken,  or  whieh  may 
he  taken,  sliotild  fail  to  brinjx  tlie  hoNtilo  Indians  to  a  Just  sense  of 
llieir  situation,  it  will  be  necessary  that  you  sliouhl  use  such  coer- 
cive means  as  you  shall  possess,  for  that  jmrpose. 

'•  Vou  are  informed  that,  by  an  act  of  Con!j;ress,  passed  tlie  '2d 
instant,  another  re«jiment  is  to  be  raised  and  acbled  to  the  military 
estiihlishment,  and  provision  madt^  I'or  raisinif  two  thousand  levies 
for  tlie  term  of  six  mouths,  for  tho  service  of  the  frontiers.  It  is 
contemplated  that  the  mass  of  the  rej^ulars  ami  levies  may  be 
recruited  and  rendezvous  at  Fort  Washintjton,  by  the  10th  of  July. 
In  this  case  you  will  have  assembled  a  force  of  three  thousand 
cff-jctives  at  least,  besides  leaving  small  garrisons  on  tho  Ohio,  in 
order  to  perform  your  main  expedition,  heri-inafter  mentioned. 
But,  in  th(>  meantime,  if  the  Indians  refuse  to  listen  to  tl)e  messen- 
fjers  of  ])eace  sent  to  them,  it  is  most  probable  they  will,  uidess 
prevented,  spread  themselves  along  tlic  line  of  frontiers,  for  the 
])iu'pose  of  committing  all  the  depredations  in  their  power.  In 
order  to  avoid  so  calamitous  an  evi'ut,  lirigadler  (Jeneral  Charles 
Scott,  of  Kentucky,  h;is  been  authorizcid  by  me,  on  the  ])art  of  the 
President  of  the  United  Slates,  to  make  an  expedition  against  the 
Wea  or  Ouiatanon  towns,  with  mounted  volunteers  or  militia  from 
Kentucky,  not  exceeding  the  numl)er  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty, 
officers  iiududed,  Vou  will  perceive,  by  the  instructions  to  Briga- 
dier (ieneral  Scott,  that  it  is  contided  to  your  discretion,  whctlier 
there  slioiild  be  more  than  one  of  tlie  said  expeditions  of  mountetl 
\oiiinteer';  or  militia.  Yotn*  nearer  view  ol'  the  o])ieets  to  be 
clU'cted  Ity  :i  secoiiil  desidtory  expedit i(Ui,  will  en;ib]e  you  In  tbrni 
a  iictter  Judgment  than  can  at  pri'sent  be  loi'mi'd  :i1  this  distance. 
The  [)roj)riety  of  a  secfond  operation  would,  in  some  degree,  depend 
"11  the  alacrity  and  good  eoniiiosition  of  the  troops  of  Avhich  the 
first  ni;iy  have  been  formed;  of  its  success;  ot  the  |)rol)able  etfects 
ii  second  similar  l)loV('  woidd  have  upuii  the  Indi.ans,  with  respect  to 
iti<  inHuene.ing  tluMii  to  peace;  or,  it  they  shoidd  be  still  hostilel^ 
disposed,  of  prevent i!:g  them  from  desohiting  tlu'  frontiers  by  thpiv 
i'ltvtios. 


74 


Instructions  to  St.  (  hiir 


%. 


"  Von  vill  oliH('V\('  ill  \\w  iiistriudloiis  to  IW-igadior  (u'lieral  Ht'fii: 
wliic.li  iire  to  serve  iis  :i  l);isi.s  for  tlii'  iiislriKtioiis  of  tlio  coiniii.'indn- 
who  may  Kuceeed  liim,  tliat  all  captives  arc  to  bo  treated  Avilli  grci 
Inimaiiity.  It  will  be  smni'l  iioliey  to  attract  the  Indians  by  kirn! 
ness,  after  di'uionf-trating  to  them  our  jiower  to  piniisli  them,  on  a 
occasions.  While  you  are  niakini;  such  use  ofdesuitory  oj)eratioiis ;; 
in  your  Judgment  the  occa.»-ion  may  require,  you  will  ])rocoed  vij,'(,i 
ously,  in  every  operation  in  your  jiower.  tor  the  ])i;rj»ose  ol"  tli 
main  expedition;  and  having  asj-  nbled  your  force,  and  all  tliiiiu- 
being  in  readiness,  it  m>  decisive  indications  of  peace  should  Ikim 
been  produced,  either  by  the  messengers  or  by  the  desultory  opera- 
tions, you  will  commence  your  march  for  the  iNIiarai  village,  in  oi'dir 
to  establish  a  strong  and  permanent  military  post  at  that  jilace.  I;, 
your  advance  you  Avill  establish  sucl*.  j»osts  of  communication  with 
Fort  Washington,  on  the  Ohio,  as  you  may  Judge  ])roper.  Tlii 
[>ost  at  tlie  Miami  village  is  intemled  for  the  jiurpose  of  aweing  ami 
curl)ing  the  Indians  in  that  ijuarter,  and  as  tin.'  only  pre\ cntive  df  ^ 
tiiture  hostilities.  It  ought,  therefore,  to  be  rcinb-red  securer  agaiib  % 
all  attempts  ami  insults  of  the  Imlians.  The  garrison  which  slioiik 
be  stationed  there  ought  not  oidy  to  be  sutHcient  for  the  defence  ol  tin 
place,  but  always  to  atford  a  detachment  of  live  or  six  hundre<l  mi/ti,  i 
either  to  chastise  any  of  the  Wabash,  or  other  hostile  Indians,  or  to  I 
secure  any  convoy  of  ])rovisions.  The  estalilishment  of  such  a  ]iom 
is  <'onsidered  as  an  important  object  of  tlie  campaign,  and  is  to  takt 
place  in  all  events.  In  case  of  a  previous  treaty,  the  In<lians  arc  !«j 
be  conciliated  upon  this  ])oint,  if  pos-iijle  ;  and  it  is  presumed  goo'i 
ai'guments  may  be  olfered,  to  induce  tlu'ir  acquiescence.  The  sitiia- 
tion,  nature,  and  cons' ruction  of  the  works  you  may  direct,  ivil 
depend  u[ion  your  own  Judgment.  ^lajor  Ferguson,  of  the  artillcn. 
will  be  fidly  capable  of  the  execution,  lie  will  be  furnished  witii 
three  iive  and  a  half  inch  howitzers,  throe  six  ])Ounders,  and  thm 
three  })ounib'rs,  all  brass,  with  a  sudicient  quantity  of  shot  nini 
shells  for  the  purpose  of  the  oxpeditiuu.  The  appropriation  ol 
these  pieces  Avill  (b'pend  upon  yo  u"  orders. 

''Having  commenced  your  niarcli  upon  the  main  expedition,  aii!: 
thr  Indiixus  continuini:  hostile,  you  will  use  every  jjossibie  excrtioi; 
'o  make  theni  ieel  t!;e  ct'bots  of  vour  superiority  ;  and  after  havini'j 
arrived  at  the  Mianii  village,  and  put  your  works  in  a  defonsil)' 
state,  \on  will  seek  the  enemy  with  the  whole  of  your  remainir.;: 
force,  and  endeavor,  l)y  all  i)os  ible  means,  to  strike  them  with  p^'t 


seven  ly.      Ii 
attaiuahie,  ai 


"^ 


Itistriicfioiis  li>  Si,  Chih' 


( '' 


a'veriiy.  li  \»'ill  '"'  li^'l't  (o  youi'  discri'tioii  wIu'IIht  to  ciiiiilov,  if 
MtlaiuitliU',  ;uiy  Indians  of  (lie  >-',ix  iiatiuu>-,  uiul  I  lie  (Mi  ickusawrfor  other 
iiortliei'ii    nation.'^.     .Alost  jirobahly  the  eniploymcnt  oC  about   iiCty 


ol  eiici 
ailvu.i 


mull 


■r  I  lie  ( 


liieelioii  ot  ioiiie  ilisereet  uiul  alile  cliief,  would 


t:ii,'e()iis,  Iml  these  oui^ht  not  Id  he  asisembled  beiore  the  line  of 
iiiaivli  was  taken  uj),  because  they  are  soon  tiled  and  will  not  bo  de- 
tiiined.  1'he  force  eonteiuplated  lor  the  garritioii  of  the  ]\[ianii  village 
and  the  conummications  has  iieeii  from  a  tlioiisand  to  twelve 
uiidred  uon-coinniissioned  (dlicersand  [)rivates.     Tiiis  is  mentioned 


II 

as  a  ireiierai  idea,  to  which   van  wil 


dhen 


o!'  iiMiii   which  von  wil 


deviate,  as  circumstances  may  retjuire.  'JMie  garrison  stationed  at 
ihc'  Miami  village,  and  its  commiinication.s,  must  have  m  store  at 
least  six  iiKMiths' good  salti'd  meat,  and  Hour  in  projiortioii. 

"  It  is  hardly  possible,  if  the  Indians  continue  hostile,  that,  you  w  ill 
he  suite  red  i|uii 
lerofore,  mav 


tlv  to  establish  a  post  at  the  .Miami  village;  conflicts. 


Ih 
ph 


expccte 


uai 


d  ;  and  it  is  to  be  presumed  thai,  disci- 
nod  valor  will  triumph  over  the  undisciplined  Indians. 
•'In  this  event  it  is  probable  that  the  Indians  will  sue  for  i)eaci'. 
ihis  shiuild  be  the  case,  tlie  dignity  of  the  United  States  will 
piire  thai;  the  terms  should  be  liberal.  In  oi'der  to  avoid  I'liiiire 
rs,  it,  iniirht  be  iironer  to  make  the  Wabash,  and  theti 


3Iiami. 


a.n 


il   d 


ro} 
own 


over  i<) 


loiiiulary.  excejiting  .so  far 


-IP 


same  to  its  month,  at  Lake  Krie,  thj' 
a.s  the  .same  should  relate  to  tiie  W'yaii- 
iliits  and  Delawares,  on  tlu'  supposition  of  their  contimiing  faithful 
lo  the  treatic.?.  But  if  (hey  should  join  in  the  war  against  I  he 
Culled  Stales,  and  your  army  be  victorious,  tlie  said  tribes  ought  to 
h^'  iviuoved  without  the  boundary  mentioned.  You  will  also  judge 
whether  it  would  be  proper  to  extend  the  boundary,  from  the  moiilh 
of  tin.'  Ifiver  an  Pause  of  tlu!  Wabash,  in  a  dne  west  line  to  the  ]\[issis- 
pi.  Few  Indians,  besides  the  Kickajtoos,  would  be  alfected  liy 
siielialine;  this  <uight  to  be  tenderly  managed.  The  modiiication 
ef  ilie  boundary  must  !)c  conlided  to  your  discretion,  witti  this 
single  observation,  that  x\v  })o1icy  and  interest  of  the  United  States 
ilictate  their  lieingat  piace  with  the  Imiians.  This  is  of  mo/e  vahir 
lliaii  millions  of  uiienltivated  acres,  th;.'  I'iglit  to  which  may  be 
loiiceded  by  some,  and  disjnited  by  other.'..  The  establishment  of  a 
p'ist  at  the  Miami  vilhigf,  wiU  i)robably  be  regarded,  by  the  Jiritish 
oHieers  on  (lie  frontii'r,  a.-  a  circnnistance  of  jealousy.  It  may, 
itii. r.Toiv.  be  ne(!e.«sary  tiuit  you  should,  at  a  jn-ojicr  time,  make  such 
Mitimutions  as  may  remove  all  such  dispositions,     This  intimation 


7« 


Sf.  VUiirs  A  rill  If  in  Motion. 


liad  bettor  follow  tliiui  procetle  the  possession  of  the  ])ost,  iiiilo>- 
circuiustiuices  diclute  othei'\vi.>se.  As  it  is  not  the  ineliiuition  oi 
interest  of  the  United  States  to  enter  into  ;i  contest  with  Qxn' 
Britiiin,  every  measure  tendinj^  to  any  discussion  or  alternation  niii>; 
hi  ])revented.  'V\\c  delicate  situation  of  affairs  may,  therel'un, 
render  it  impi-oper  at  pnsent  to  make  any  naval  arrangement  upni, 
Lake  Krie.  After  you  shall  have  ulfected  all  tlio  injury  to  the  ho^tili 
Indians  of  which  your  force  may  be  ca])able,  and  aftei'  having  estiil- 
lished  the  posts  and  garrisons  at  the  Miami  village  and  its  conum 
nications,  and  placing  the  same  niuler  flic  nrilers  of  an  olliiv: 
worthy  of  such  high  trust,  yon  will  return  (o  i-'ort  "Wasiiingtoii,  m 
the  Oiiio." 

Tlius  entrusted  and  commissioned,  St.  Clair  jiroceeded  with  all 
possible  celerity  to  e\e(Mite  instructions,  reaching   Pittsburg,  whciv 
troojJS,  horses  and  su[)pliLS   were  gathering,  late  in  A])ril ;  but  the 
fultillnu}nt   of    his    mission    and    tlif   disigns   of    the   government 
sutfered  unexpected  delay.     Arriving  at  fort  Washington,  May  15tli, 
he  found  himself  stronger  in  "  instructions"  lh)"i  in  the  means  fur 
carrying  them  into  etfect.     llf  had  only  two  hundred  and  sixty-four, 
available  non-commissioned  otlici'rs   and    privates.     July   15th,  tli>' 
first  regiment  of  two  Imndred  and  ninety-nine  men  joined  bin),  ami 
General   ]?utler's   recruits   adiUil    to    his    lori'es;    but   there  Mas  ;i ; 
deticiency   of    money,   ])rovi8ions    and    stons.      Kmipsacks,   pack- 
saddles,  tents,  kettles,  were  defective,  while  danniged  powder,  ai'iii\ 
and  accontrenu'nts,  and  ainu)st  entire  lack  of  tools-  to  make  th 
necessary  renairs,  ciuitribntcd   lo  the  (lilliciiltics.     Another  source 


)1"    anxietv    ai'<i> 


llirouu'h     till'    tlcniorali/ 


;inii 


>r   ti 


le     so 


Miers 


in    their    intrmpciMiir,'.    rouipi'lling    Si.   Claii 


a> 


II    n'h 


)rmiitorv 


nieasniv,  to  remove  the  iirn.v   r 
from  Fort   Washington,  which  inor. 
cost  of  ))rovision  lor  the  iidOD-. 


jU'ilow".<  Sialion.  .--ome  six  inile> 
nih  doiiiilcd    the  coiilnictwi 


Septembei 


irni  V. 


nuniiierim 


Luo 


hou 


sant 


I     tluv 


hundred,    moved    I'orv.ai'd    and    erected.  :it    a   jioini    on    the   (li'calj 
Miami,  the  lirsl    in   the  line  of  Ibrts,  an  I   named  it    Kort  ][amiltoii.[ 
October  I'^th.  Vovi  .ielfersoii  was  begun,  forty  miles  distant  (aboiii 
six  miles  south  of  (ireenville,  Darke  eonnty.)     from  the  :i+tli,tlii 
army  marcheil  through  tli"  wilderness,  under  the  most  (lisconrn!jiD;| 
circumstances  of    almt>st     iinpaHsable    roads,    insullicient    ration-. 
sjoknosK  Mii'i  d<?scj'rion  in  "'real  ni'inhers,  until  Noyomber  IW,  whe;. 


"^  thoy  reached 

-Mary's,  for  w 

'I'he  details 

November  -111 

((>  the  Secreta 

"The  right 

Inittahoiis,  co: 

line;  and  tlu 

Imttalioiis,  an 

Colonel  ])ark^ 

■   them  of  about 

The  right  llan 

and  Faulkner 

covered  the  le 

u!id  advanced 

order.    There 

of  the  creek,  b 

of  the  militia. 

miles  I'rom  the 

work,  the  i)lan 

Ferguson,  whe 

j  everything  else 

moved  on  to  a 

|ei)me  up.     But 

'liL'  4th,  about 

just  been  dism 

[liiive  them  all 

I  attack  was  mai 
time,  and  rusl 
(which,  togctlie 
disorder,  and  w 
cers,  was  never 
their  heels.  TJi 
almost  ins  tan  tb 

II  fi'W  minutes 
woight  of  it   w; 
artillery  was  phi 
^^^itli  great  slau 
confusion  begin 

jwere  falling  in 


/St.  Cldlrs  liepiirt. 


17 


■acttti 

t  hm  I 

(irwi! 
liltoii.] 
alioiiii 
li.tlv 
•aijitiil 
it  ion:.  I 


rliey  reachefl  a  branch  of   tho  Wabasli,  a  little  sontli  of  the  St. 
Mary's,  for  which  Si.  Clair  ini.stook  the  .streatn. 

'PJK'  details  of  the  encani])nieiit  here,  and  the  disa.«trons  defeat  of 
Kovember  4th,  are  extracttd  Ironi  the  commanding;  general's  letter 
tc  the. Secretary  of  War,  on  his  return  to  Fort  Washin^ii^ton. 

"The  risrht  M'inj^',  composed  of  Bntler's,  Chirk's,  and  Patterson's 

battalions,  commanded   Ijv  Major  (ieneral  liu'lor,  formed  the  lirst 

line;   and  tlie   left   wing,  consisting   of  liedinger's   and   Gaither's 

Jiattalions,  and   flie  second    regiment,    coninumded   by  Jjieutenant 

Colonel   Darlve,  formed  llie  srcoiid  line,  with  an   interval  between 

theni  of  abont  seventy  yards,  wliicli  was  all  the  ground  would  allow. 

Tlie  right  Ihmk  was  pretty  well  secured  by  the  c^reek;  a  steep  bank 

anfl  Faulkner's  corps,  some   ol'    U:     cavalry,  and  their  picipiets, 

covered  the  leiY  ilank.      'I'lic   militia  were  thrown  over  the  creek, 

and  advanced  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  '■ncam[)ed  in  the  same 

order.    There  were  a  few  Indians  who  apjteared  on  the  oi)posite  side 

of  the  creek,  but  fled  with  the  utinost  ]nvcii)itation,  on  the  advance 

of  the  militia.     At  this   place,  which  1  judged   to  be  about  tifteen 

miles  from  the  Miami   village,  I  determined  to  throw  np  a  slight 

work,  the  jilan  of  which  was  concerted  that  evening  with  Major 

Ferguson,  wherein   to    have   deiiosited   the   men's   knapsacks,  and 

evorvthing  else   that  was  not  of  absolute  necessity,  and   to  have 

j  moved  on  to  attack  the  enemy  as  soon  as  the  lirst  regiment  was 

jcome  up.    But  they  did  not  permit  me  to  execute  either;  for,  on 

I  the  4th,  about  half  an  hour  before  sunrise,  and  when  the  men  had 

just  been  dismissed  i'rom  parade,  (for  it  was  a  constant  practice  to 

jhave  them  all  under  arms  a  considerable  time  before  daylight,)  an 

[attack  was  made  ujion  the  militia.     These  gave  way  in  a  very  little 

[time,  and   rushed   into   camp    throcgh    Major    IJutler's    l)attalion, 

(which,  together  with  a  part  of  Clark's,  tliey  throw  into  considerable 

|disordor,  and.  which,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  both  those  olH- 

cers,  was  never  altogether  remedied.)  the  Indians  following  close  at 

thoir  heels.    The  lire,  however,  of  the  front  line  checked  tliem  ;  but 

almost  instantly  a  very  heavy  attack  began  ui)on  that  line:  and.  in 

alow  minutes  it  was  extended  to  the  second  likewise.     The  great 

pvoight  of  it  Avus  directed  against  the  center  of   each,  where  the 

iutillery  was  placed,  and  from  which  "he  men  w<.re  repeatedly  driven 

hvitli  great  slaughter.      I''i tiding  no  great  elfect  from  our  lire,  and 

jcoiifusion  beginning  to  spread  from  the  great  number  of  men  who 

[Were  falling  in  all  (puuters,  it  became  necessary  to  try  what  could. 


78 


VJxplcDKlfioilfi  of  'h<    I>)sii<tn'. 


bo  done  by  'he  btiyouet.  rjieutcnaut  Colonel  Barke  was  accordinjrly 
ordered  to  make  a  charge  Avith  part  of  the  second  line,  and  to  turn 
the  left  think  of  the  enemy.  This  was  executed  with  great  spirit. 
The  Indians  instantly  gave  way,  and  were  driven  back  tiirci;  or  four 
hundred  yards:  but  for  want  of  a  sufficient  numlter  of  rillemen  to 
pursue  this  advantage,  they  soon  returned,  and  the  troops  were 
nhliged  to  give  back  in  their  turn.  At  this  moment  they  had 
entered  our  camp  by  the  left  ilank,  having  pushed  back  the  troops 
that  were  posted  there.  Anotiier  charge  was  made  hei'e  by  the 
.second  regiment  Butler's  and  Clark's  battalions,  with  equal  etlect- 
and  it  was  repeated  several  times,  and  always  with  success;  but  in 
all  of  them  many  men  were  lost,  and  particularly  the  olficers,  whicli, 
with  so  raw  trooi)s,  was  a  loss  altogether  irremediable.  In  that  1 
just  spoke  of,  nuule  by  the  second  regiment  and  Butler's  battalion, 
Major  Butler  was  ilangeronsly  wounded,  and  every  otlieer  ot  tlu' 
second  regiment  fell  exe^'pt  three,  one  of  which,  Mr.  Cireaton,  was 
shot  through  the  body. 

"  Our  artillery  being  now  silenced,  aiul  all  the  officers  killed  excqit 
Captain  Ford,  who  was  very  badly  woundud,  and  inorc  than  half  nf 
the  army  fallen,  being  cut  off  from  the  road  it  became  necessary  to 
attempt  the  regaining  it,  and  to  make  a  retreat  if  i)ossible.  To  thi»  I 
purpose  the  remains  of  the  army  was  formed  as  well  as  circumstances 
would  admit,  towanls  the  right  of  the  encampment,  from  wiiicli,  by 
the  way  of  the  second  line,  another  charge  was  made  iijion  the  enemy,  j 
as  if  with  the  design  to  turn  thi.'ii'  right  Hank,  but  in  fact  to  gain 
the  r()ad.  This  was  elfected,  and  as  snoii  as  it  was  ojien,  the  militiii 
took  along  it,  Ibllowed  by  the  troops;  .Major  Clarke,  with  his  Iwi- 
talion,  covering  the  rear. 

"  The  retreat  in  those  circumstances,  was,  you  may  be  sure,  a  verv 
precipitate  one.  It  was,  in  fact,  a  ilight.  Thu  camp  and  artillciv 
were  abnndoned ;  but  that  was  unavoidable  ;  for  not  a  iiorse  \v:it 
left  alive  to  have  drawn  it  off,  had  it  otherwise  been  possible.  But 
the  most  disgraceful  ])art  of  the  business  is,  that  the  greater  ])art  o! 
the  men  tlnvw  away  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  even  after  tlu' 
pursuit,  which  continued  about  four  miles,  liad  ceased,  i  foiim! 
the  road  strewed  with  tliem  for  many  miles,  but  was  no'  able  tn 
remedy  it;  for,  having  had  all  my  horses  killed,  and  being  mounteil 
u})on  one  that  could  not  be  i)ricked  out  ot  a  walk,  could  not  gel 
forward  myself;  and  the  orders  1  sent  forward  either  to  halt  t!uj 
front,  or  to  prevent  the  men  from  parting  with  their  arms,  wen 


Lwcntv-niiie 


Idiiriiig  tlio  cai 


i»rovisions.     I  ;i 


77/'.'  Defeat  h'.rj>l(i /»(</. 


1\) 


unattended  to.  The  rout  coiiiinued  (juite  to  Fort  Jotforsoii, 
iwoiity-iiiiK'  miles,  whicli  ■was  reached  u  liUlo after  sim-sottiiig.  The 
action  begun  aljout  liall'  an  liour  lielbre  sunrise,  suul  the  retreat  was 
attempted  at  lialf  an  hour  after  nine  o'clock.  I  liave  not  yet  been  ubic 
to  o'et  returns  of  the  Ivilled  and  wounded  ;  but  Major  General  liutlcr, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Oldluini,  of  the  militia.  Major  Ferguson,  Major 
Hart,  and  Major  Clarke  are  among  the  former;  ('olond  iSargeant, 
my  Adjutant  general,  Lieutenant  Colonel  l)ari\e.  Lieutenant 
('olonel  Gibson,  Jlajor  liutler,  and  tlie  Viscount  Malartie,  who 
[.served  me  as  an  Aid-de-cara}),  aie  among  the  latter:  ;in(i  a  great 
number  of  ea])tains  and  subalterns  in  both. 

"I  have  now,  sir,  hnished  my  melancholy  tale — a  tale  that  will  be 

Mt  sensd)ly  by  every  one  who  has  sympathy  for  private  distress,  or 

tor  public  misibrtune.     I  have  ufjthing,  sir,  to  lay  to  the  charge  of 

the  troops,  but  their  want  of  discipline,  which,  from  the  short  time 

lli.y  had  been    in   service,   it   was   impossible    tiiey   should   have 

[!ie([uired,aud  which  rciulered  it  very  difiicult,  when  they  were  thrown 

linto  confusion,  to  reduce  them  again  loonier,  and  is  one  reason  Avhy 

ihcloss  has  fallen  so  heavy  on  the  oHicers,  who  did  every  thing  in 

liiiir  power  to  effect  it.     Neither  were  my  own  exertions  wanting  ; 

l)ut,  worn  down  with  illness,  a. id  suffering  under  :i  ipaiuful  disease, 

unable  either  to  'uount  or  dismount  a  liorse  without  assistance,  they 

pvere  not  so  great  as  they  otherwise  would,  iind  perhaps  ought  (i> 

jhiive  been.     We  were  overpowered  by  :iun)l)ers;  but  it  is  no  more 

[tliiui  justice  to  observe,  that,  though  composed  of  so  many  different 

iBpieies  of  trooi)S,  the  utmost  harmony  prevailed  through  the  army 

Idui'ing  the  campaign.     At   i'\)rt   .Jelfersou    1  fouud  the  iirst   regi- 

jiiK'nt,  which  had  returned  from  the  service  they  had  been  sent  upon, 

jwithout  either  overtaking  the  deserters,  or  meeting  the  convoy  of 

\)rovisions.    1  am  not  certain,  sir,  whether  1  ought  to  consider  the 

ibsencc  of  this  regiment  iVoni  the  field  of  actidii,  as  ibrtuiuite  or 

)tht'riA'ise.    I  incline  to  Ihiiik  it  was  fortunate,  lor,l  very  much  doubt 

^vhcther,  had  it  becii  in  the  action,  the  fortune  of  the  day  had  been 

jturned;  and,  if  it  had  not,  the  triumph  of  the  enemy  would  have  been 

move  complete,  am'   the  country  would  have  been  destitute  of  every 

kiifans  of  defence.     Taking  a  view  of  the  situation  of  our  broken 

iroops  at  Fort  Jefferson,  and  that  there  was  no  I'-rovision  in  tlie  fort,  I 

pillwl  \\[\nn  tiu^  field  otlicers.  viz  :  Lieutenant  ('alonel  Darke,  Major 

Ihimlramck,   .Major  Zeigler  and  Major  Ciaither,  together  with    the 

iijiUunt  General,  (Winthrop  Sargent)  for  their  advice  what  would 


80 


The  hefrnt  Ki-plaiiunl 


be  proper  furlhor  to  be  done  ;  audit  was  their  nuaiiinious  opinion, 
that  the  iulditioii  of  tlie  lirst  rci^inient,  unbroken  as  it  was,  did  not 
put  the  army  on  so  rcsjieotubir  a  loot  a.s  it  was  in  the  morning, 
because  a  great  part  ol"  it  was  now  unarmed;  that  it  had  been  tluii 
found  une(|ual  to  tlio  enemy,  and  shouUl  tliey  come  on,  wiiich  was 
possible,  wouhl  be  found  so  again:  tliat  tlie  fr()0])s  could  not  bu 
thrown  into  the  fort,  Ijotli  because  it  was  too  small,  and  that  there 
were  no  i)rovisions  in  it:  that  provisions  Avero  known  to  be  ujioii 
the  road,  at  the  distance  of  one,  or  at  most,  two  marclK'S ;  tlia; 
therefore,  it  would  be  more  projier  to  move  without  loss  of  time,  U 
meet  the  provisions,  when  tlie  men  might;  the  sooner  have  an  oppoi- 
tunity  of  some  refreshment,  and  that  a  proper  delac])ment  might  lie 
sent  back  with  it  to  have  it  safely  deposited  in  the  fort.  'JMiis  advice 
was  accepted  and  the  army  was  ]iut  in  motion  at  ten  o'clock,  ;im! 
marched  all  night,  and  the  .Nucceeding  d;ty  met  a  quantity  of  Hour. 
Part  of  it  was  distributed  immediately,  part  taken  back  to  supply 
the  army  on  the  nuirch  to  l-'ort  JIamilton,  and  the  remainder,  about  j 
fifty  horse  loads,  sent  forward  to  Fort  Jefferson.  "^I'lie  next  davii 
drove  of  cattle  was  met  with  for  the  some  place,  and  I  have  inlunii- 
ation  that  l)oth  got  in.  The  woundeel,  who  had  l)cen  left  j^l  thai 
place,  were  ordered  to  be  brought  to  Foi't  Washington  by  the  relunij 
horses. 

'•  I  have  said,  sir,  in  a  former  pan  of  this  letter  that  we  were  over- 
powered by  numbers.     Of  that,  however,  I  have  no  other  evidence  I 
but  the  weight  of  the  lire,  which  was  always  a  most  deadly  one,  aiifi 
generally  delivered  i'nmi  the  ground — few  of  the  enemy  showiii;;! 
themselves  afoot  except  Avhen  they  were  charged  ;  and  that  in  a  IlwI 
minutes  our  whole  camp,  Avhich  extended  above  three  hundred  audj 
fifty  yards  in  length,  was  entirely  surrounded  and  attacked  on  al 
quarters.     The  loss,  sir,  the  public  has  sustained  by  the  lall  ofso| 
many  officers,  particularly  (ieneral  Builer,  and  Major  Ferguson,  can- 
not be  too  much  regretted;  but  it  is  v,  circumstance  that  will  allevi- 
ate the  misfortune  in  some  measure,  that  all  of  them  fell  most  gal- 
lantly doing  their  duty.     I  have  had  very  particular  obligations  ii'j 
many  of  them,  as  well  as  to  the  survivors,  but  to  none  more  tliaiij 
Colonel  Sargent.     He  has  discharged  the  various  duties  of  his  otliotl 
with  zeal,  with  exactness, and  with  intelligence,  and  on  all  occasioiiil 
afforded  me  every  assistance  in  his  power,  which  1  have  also  experi- 
enced from  my  Aid-de-camp,  Lieutenant  Denny,  and  the  N'iscdimi 
Malartie,  who  served  Avith  me  in  the  station  as  a  volunteer." 


General  J\ 
deficiency  of 
among  those 
tee  of  the  J  In 
ter,  reported 
ibi-    the  dele] 
(March  ;jd)  f( 
in  the  Quart( 
when  the  exp 
and  e\])erienc 
Nt.  Clair  fron 
Perkins  in  liis 
defeat,  unnotic 
Congress;  viz. 
cx])eef;od  by  th 
by  tlie  Hying  n 
pureil,  all  chan 
who  command 
troops,  tile  evei^ 
different.    We 
were  surprised 
surprise.^    The 
advance  of  the 
advance,  was  Ca 
I  went  otit  to   1 
I  Oldham,  who  cc 
|e\!mu'ned  by  tin 
su-unniiig  throi 
skirts  of  the  arm 
duty  as  far  as  s 
person  to  the  ess 
"'>lit  Captain  8 
large  a  ijody  of 
roported  his  obs 
I'casons  uncxi)la 
'"'if'Tmafion,    an 
|<'olonel  Oldham 
the  presence  of  tl 
hiiii  Slough,  to  ( 


|not  go 


Til 


e  Con 


Kl'pliDKltioilS    Collfltl  //('</. 


81 


(icnenil  Knox  assigned  as  reasons  for  St.  Clair's  defeat, — 1st  the 
(k'li(;ioncy  of  good  troops;  2d,  the    want   of  apijropriate    training 
iiinong  those  he  had  ;  3d,  the  lateness  of  the  season.     The  Commit- 
tee of  the  House  of  liepresentatives  api)ointed  to  investigate  the  mat- 
tor,  reported  the  causes:  1st,  the  delay  in  preparing  estimates,  &c., 
for    tile  defence  of  tlie  frontiers,  and  the  late  passage  of   the  Act 
(Miireli  od)  for  that  pur])o,se ;  :'2d,  tJie  delay  caused  by  the  neglects 
ill  the  (Quartermaster's  department  ;  Jkl,  the  lateness  of  the  season 
wh"U  till!  expedition  was  coii  ,;ienced;  4tli,  the  want  of  disci})line 
and  ex])erience  in  the   troops;    and  especially  exonerated  General 
St.  Clair  from  all  l)lame  in  connection  Avith   the  disaster.    J.    11. 
Perkins  in  his  Western  Annals  calls  attention  to  two  causes  of  the 
defeat,  unnoticed  by  the  Secretary  of  War  ami  the  Committee  of 
Congress ;  viz.,  the  suri)rise  by  the  Indians,  who  were  in  no  degree 
expected  by  the  army  ;  and  the  confusion  introduced  at  the  outset 
by  the  Hying  militia.     Had  the  attack  been  expected,  the  troops  pre- 
pared, all  chance  of  confusion  avoided,  ami  had  the  very  able  officers 
who  couuuanded  been  obeyed, — with  all  the  disadvantages  of  raw 
troops,  the  event  might  have  been,  probably  would  have  been,  wholly 
different.    We  are  then  led  to  ask,  how  it  hajii)ened  that  the  troops 
were  surprised  ?     Were  proper  measures   taken   to  guard   against 
surprise?    The  militia  as  St.  Clair  says,  were  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
advance  of  the  main  army,  and  beyond  the  creek  ;  still  farther  in 
advance,  was  Captain  Slough,  who,  with  a  volunteer  party  of  regulars, 
went  out  to   reconnoitre;    and   orders   had    been    given    Colonel 
Oldham,  who  commanded  the  militia,  to  have  the  woods  thoroughly 
examined  by  the  scouts  and  patrols,  as  Indians  were  known  to  be 
swanning  tlirough  the  forests,  and  to  be  hanging  about  the  out- 
;  skirts  of  the  army.     In  all  this  St.  Clair  seems  to  have  done  his  entire 
duty  as  far  as  sickness  would  permit  him;  could  he  have  seen  in 
[ person  to  the  essential  steps  it  would  have  been  better.     During  the 
night  C'aptain  Slough,  who  was  a  mile  beyond  the  militia,  found  so 
hirgo  a  ijody  of  savages  gathered  about  him,  that  he  fell  back  ai\d 
jroported  his  observations  to  General  Butler.     But  the  (Jeneral,  for 
reasons  unexplained,  made  no  dispositions  in  conse(|uencc  of  this 
jinforniation,    and  did    not   report    it   to  the  Commander-in-chief. 
[Colonel  Oldham  also  obeyed  his  oulers,  the  woods  were  searched,  and 
jtho  presence  of  the  enemy  detected,  but  he  too  reported  through  Cap- 
Jtiiii;  Slough,  to  General  Butler,  beyoiul  whom  tlie  information  did 

liiot  go.    The  consequence  Avas  that  in  the  morning  tin;  army  was 
'  7 


82 


The  Terrified  Frotitle^ 


a 


taken  unawares  and  unprepared.  But  even  thus  taken  there  was  a 
great  chance  of  victory  lor  the  United  States  troops,  had  tliey  not 
been  thrown  into  disorder  at  the  outset  by  the  lliglit  of  the  militia; 
and  this  leads  us  to  notice  the  coincidence  of  common-sense  unin- 
formed by  technical  knowledge,  with  jiractical  military  slvill,  for 
both  (after  Ilarmars  experience  of  17J)()  Avitii  the  western  militia,) 
would  wave  forbidden  the  step  taken  by  St.  Clair  when  he  iwstiil 
his  militia  in  a  body  in  fiont  of  the  other  troops.  The  exjierioiKv 
of  Hardin  under  Ilarmar,  luul  demonstrated  that  militia  coukl  iiui 
be  trusted  as  a  military  force  opposed  to  Indians,  however  brave  tln' 
individuals;  as  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  their  untnistworthines! 
ae  troops,  when  opposed  to  regulars,  had  betu  experimentally  proved: 
and  common  sense,  if  free,  unlettered  by  technical  rules,  Avoukl  we 
think  have  prevented  St.  Clair  placing  his  militia  as  he  did.     *    * 

*  There  was  nothing,  absolutely  nothing  lo  excuse  the  abuse 
and  persecution  to  which  he  was  afterwards  subjected;  but  thtre 
was,  1st,  apparent  neglect  on  the  part  of  General  Butler  and  Colonel 
Oldham,  leading  to  asuiprise  ;  2d,  a  mistaken  ])osition  assigned  the 
militia  by  St.  Clair,  in  accordance  with  the  maxims  of  most  oflicers 
of  the  day ;  and  3d,  a  needless  adherence  to  military  rules  on  the 
part  of  the  Commander-iii-chief,  which  made  his  force  a  target  for 
the  Indians  to  shoot  at." 

The  final  scenes  in  the  melancholy  drama  of  this  gallant  soldier'- 
and  accomplished  gentleman's  life,  are  noted  under  the  "  Sketch  of 
the  old  Bench  and  Bar,"  in  anothei'  chapter  of  this  work. 

The  destructive  expedition  of  Generals  Scott  and  Wilkinson  inin 
the  lower  Wabash  region  during  the  summer  of  1791,  added  to  the 
efforts  of  General  Ilarmar  in  1790,  hid  inspired  the  Northwestern 
Indians  Avith  the  belief,  stimulated  by  the  British,  that  the  govern- 
ment policy  was  to  exterminate  the  race  and  seize  their  lands.  This 
belief  was  now  fully  confirmed  by  the  camj)aigu  of  St.  Clair. 
Inflamed  with  jealousy  and  hatred,  and  elated  by  the  result  of 
their  last  fierce  victory,  Indian  depredations  and  barbarities  threat 
ened  the  terrified  frontier  settlers.  The  inhabitants  proceeded  to 
provide  every  possible  means  of  defence,  while  the  government 
adopted  the  earliest  ]n'acticable  measures  for  recruiting  a  military 
force  adequate  to  the  successful  encounter  of  any  possible  combined 
Indian  force,  and  sufficient  for  the  establishment  of  the  proposed 
military  stronghold  at  the  Miami  villages. 


After  delibe 

iireessary  in  su 

Washington  ac 

Wayne  proceed 

iier,  the  "Legii 

\ilk',  about  twe 

April,  17!)y,  wh 

I'lioice,"  (the  ( 

n'\u-  Fort  AVas 

the  legion  left 

meats,  a  journa' 

limy. 

Aside  from  t 
down  on  the  spi 
gent  writer,  is  f 
notice. 

The  first  is,  tli 

"seventeen-mile, 

i  out  the    little   i 

])enod  alfoi-ded, 

'especially  vahiul 

untiring  vigilan 

!  which  afforded  ;i 

litiie,ss  for  the 

^  detached  by  govt 


T)mr  Sir: — A 

tunity  of  writin<. 

\  give  it  to  you  by 

;    7th  October.— 

i  the  army  had  no 

J  fen  miles.     Our 

i  Hamilton.     Maul 

I  I'lvtty  generally' 

tiiought  otherwise 

9th.— Our  thin 

of  Hamilton.     0 

vprj  vigilant,  or 

10th.— Our  fbu 

,  "I'ii^  tree,  and  nu 

i  'iiie  of  march,  e\- 

!«f  the  marching 

I  tion,  superadding 


Generid  W(nj)he'.s  Campaign — 1704. 


83 


After  deliberately  balancing  the  peculiar  military  qualifications 
lu'ccssiiry  in  such  an  o\i)eclition,  and  the  abilities  of  General  Wayne, 
Wiisliiugton  assigned  him  the  command.  In  June,  1792,  General 
Wiivnc  proceeded  to  Pittsburg  to  organize  his  army;  and  in  Decem- 
ber, the  "  Legion  of  the  United  States "  was  assembled  at  Legion- 
villc,  about  twenty  miles  below  Pittsburg.  Here  they  encamped  till 
A])ril,  i71>3,  when,  passing  down  the  Ohio,  it  landed  at  "  Hobsou's 
Clioico,"  (the  only  ])oint  possible  in  consequence  of  high  waters,) 
near  Fort  Washington,  where,  remaining  until  the  7th  of  October, 
the  legion  left  Cincinnati.  Below  is  given,  with  the  editor's  com- 
ments, a  journal  of  the  march,  taken  from  Cist's  Cincinnati  Miscel- 
lany. 

Aside  from  the  freshness  of  this  species  of  nari'ation,  written 
down  on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  which,  in  the  hands  of  an  intelli- 
irunt  writer,  is  sure  to  interest,  there  are  some  points  worthy  of 
notice. 

The  first  is,  that  distances  are  described  by  the  "  five-mile  spring," 
"seventeen-mile," and  "  twenty-nine-mile  tree,''  which  serves  to  point 
out  the  little  improvement  which  the  Miami  country  at  that 
jieriod  aiforded,  as  way-nuirks  on  the  march.  But  the  letter  is 
especially  valualjle,  as  a  testimony  from  beginning  to  end  of  the 
untiring  vigilance,  and  press-forward  spirit  of  Anthony  Wayne, 
which  aiforded  a  presage  from  the  first  day's  march  of  his  peculiar 
litness  for  the  hazardous  and  responsible  service  on  which  he  was 
ilotached  by  government. 

Camp,  Southwest  Bkanch  Miami,  ) 
October,  22d,  1793.         j" 

dear  Sir : — Agreeably  to  promise,  I  have  seized  the  first  oppor- 
tunity of  writing  you,  and  to  be  methodical  in  the  business,  I  shall 
;'  give  it  to  you  by  way  of  journal. 

7th  October. — Our  first  day's  march  was  great,  considering  that 
the  army  had  not  got  properly  in  their  gears.  T  think  it  was  about 
iiii  miles.  Our  second,  the  8tb,  was  greater — it  reached  Fort 
Hamilton.  Many  of  the  men  were  exceedingly  fatigued,  and  it  was 
|iivtty  generally  believed  hard  marching,  though  the  General 
iliought  otherwise,  and  it  must  be  so. 

9th. — Our  third  day's  march  was  to  the  five-mile  si)ring,  advance 
of  Hamilton.  Observe,  we  fortified  our  camp  ev(!ry  night,  and  were 
very  vigilant,  or  ought  to  be  so. 

10th. — Our  fourth  day's  march  we  encamped  about  the  seventeen- 
mile  tree,  and  nothing  extraordinary  happejied,  excepting  that  our 
line  of  march,  extended  for  near  live  miles,  owing  to  the  rapidity 
j  of  the  marching  and  the  badness  of  the  roads  for  our  transporta- 
tion, superadding  the  straggling  soldiers,  worn  down  with  fatigue 


81 


Genenil  WaifiH'n,  Mcforloiis 


and  sickness,  brought  up  by  the  rear  guard,  whom  they  rctardni 
considonibly. 

lltli. —  We  proceeded  on  to  the  tweuty-niiu'-niile  tree,  Ibrtilied  a- 
usual,  and  oeciipied  a  line  coinnumding  ground;  anil  nothing n; 
conse(|n(!nce  iiiippened  here. 

12th. — The  roads  were  very  had,  and  some  of  our  wagons  hrokf 
down:  but  as  tiie  (ienoral's  orders  declared  there  ,<liould  l)e  ii" 
interstices,  the  line  of  nuu'ch  was  not  impeded,  and  we  made,  mi 
ten  miles  this  day. 

l.'Uh. — AVe  advanced  by  toleraldy  «(uick  movemcnis  until  we  cttmel 
within  a  mile  or  so  of  Fort  Ji'lfcrson,  and  this  day  furni.sjied  a  good 
deal  of  sport;  for  as  the  devil  would  have  it,  Colonel  lliimtraiiick 
Avas   nuiueuvering   his   troops,  and    li:ul   a   sham   light,  which  «! 
construed  by  the  whole  army,  as  an  attack  upon  our  advance  giuird; 
or  Hankers.    It  really  frightened  a  good  many;  but  we  all  said,  Itij 
them  come;  or,  Ave  are  ready  lor  tlieni.     V,'c'  had  marched  hard  tlii>| 
day,  and  1 'think  not  so  well  jjrupared.     However,  it  Avas  at  leiigttl 
discovered  to  be  a  sham  light,  and  every  body  knew  it  then.    Oh,  i;| 
was  llamtramck's  usual  practice!  said  they.    IJut  it  was  all  iu iiivj 
eye — they  never  thought  of  Ilamtramck! 

14th. — 'We  marched  past  Fort  Jelft-rsoi,  without  even  desiring  tJ 
look  at  it ;  indeed,  some  of  us  turned  our  heads  the  other  Avay  wttl 
disdain ;  and  it  has  been  threatened  (as  report  says)  to  be  demolT 
ished  entirely.  This  day's  nuirch  brought  us  to  where  I  am  iiojj 
sitting,  writing  to  my  friend.  AVc  Ibrtilied  our  encampment  venj 
strong,  and  feel  very  secure. 

loth. — The  wagons  Averc  sent  back  to  Fort  St.  Clair  for  storeiJ 
provisions,  etc.,  with,  an  escort  of  two  subaltern  and  betAveen  eiglit;| 
and  ninety  men.     And  nothiug  happened  extra  this  day. 

IGth. — IMie  devil  to  pay;  Colonel  Blue,  Avith  near  twenty  of 
cavalry,  Avent  out  to  graze  the  horses  of  the  troops,  and  after  soiihl 
time  Blue  discovered  something  craAvling  in  the  grass,  Avhich  hea:[ 
lirst  thought  Avas  turkeys,  but  immeiliately  found  them  to  be  t«  [ 
Indians,  and  ordered  a  charge;  himself,  tAVo  sergeants,  and  a^jrivail 
charj^ed,  the  rest  ran  aAvay ;  the  conseipience  Avas,  the  two  Indiaiij 
killed  the  two  sargeants — Blue  and  the  private  escaped.  The  IfiiAf 
of  the  rascals  Avho  behaved  so  coAvardly  Avas  immediately  tried  aii-j 
condemned,  but  pardoned  the  next  day. 

17th. — Lt.  LoAvry,  Ensign,  formerly  Dr.  Boyd,  Avith  the  escort 
ninety  men  guarding  the  Avagons,  Avere  attacked  by  a  party  of  tliinj 
or  forty  Indians,  Avho  rushed  on  Avith  savage  fury  and  yells,  avI' 
panic  struck  the  whole  party,  (excepting  the  two  officers  and  lift«l 
or  tAVcnty  men,  Avho  fell  a  sacrilice  to  savage  barbarity,)  and  tli^l 
all  lied,  and  have  been  coming  into  Fort  St.  Clair  by  tAvosand  tlirrcl 
ever  since.  The  Indians  plundered  the  Avagons,  and  carried  olf  iviiJ 
them  sixty-four  of  the  best  wagon  horses  in  the  army,  killing  ii 
horses  at  the  Avagons  in  the  defeat.    Mr.  Hunt  has  been  a  cousidenibi 


dnn/Hurfii- 


04. 


85 


losor:  his  wii<,'on  wiia  pIiiikUtciI  also,  ("oloiid  Adair  pursued  lln' 
Indians,  aiul  found  sevc'al  lioi'Hos  dead,  wliicli  lie  supjxiscd  liad  \)w\\ 
tired  and  llicy  liillt'd  (lii'in,  ti  prool"  iluit  Uicir  lli;,dit,  was  very  vapid. 
In  lliisiittiick  W((  l)av(0()8t  two  proinisiu<j[.  worlliy  and  brave  ofru'crs, 
;in(I  altoiil.  twenty  men,  mostly  of  Captain  Sliaylor's  company; 
for  luH  and  daptain  I'rior's  Ibrnied  the  escort,  and  are  hoth  iu)W 
rather  in  di8*;race. 

We  have  Itocii  h'd  to  helieve  thut  this  placu  would  have  been 
made  the  j,a"and  ileposit,  until  tiiis  day;  we  now  loarn  that  tliere 
will  bo  a  I'orward  move  in  tlie  course  of  ten  days,  nine  milos  further 
into  tile  indiiin  country,  to  a  i>laoo  called  Still  Wiitor  ;  the  reason  1 
ean't  surmise,  but  tliey  say,  tliey  are  very  coj^ent  ones.  I  have  no 
husinoss  to  pry,  but  if  I  should  accidentally  find  it  out,  you  shall  be 
intbrnied.  in  the  meantime  believe  me  to  be  very  sincerely  your 
friend,  Jno.  M.  Scott. 

Lute  in  October,  General  Wayne  established  his  Avinter  liead- 
quurters,  about  six  miles  north  of  Fort  Jefferson,  and  there  erected 
Fort  Greenville,  the  present  site  of  the  town  of  that  name  in  Darke 
county. 

On  Christmas  day,  179.'},  a  detachment  re-occupied  the  ground 
which  had  been  rendered  memorable  by  the  disastrous  defeat  of  St. 

I  Clair,  three  years  before,  and  there  built  a  stockade  -work,  which  was 
signiiicantly  called   Fort  Recovery.     During  the  progress  of  this 

I  work  he  oflered  a  reward  for  every  human  skull  found  on  the  battle 
ffrouiul.  Six  hundred  of  those  relics  of  carnage  were  collected 
iiiul  entombed  beneath  one  of  the  block  houses.  Says  one  of  the 
legion,  "  when  we  went  to  lay  down  in  our  tents  at  night,  we  had  to 
scrape  the  bones  together,  and  carry  them  out  to  make  our  beds.'' 

[  I  See  chapter  on  Mercer  county.] 
Providing  an  ade(iuate  garrison,  rrcnoral  "Wayne  placed  the  fort  in 

[charge  of  Captain  Alexander  Gibson,  and  during  the  early  months 
of  179i  actively  engaged  in  preparations  for  the  anticipated  blow. 

[lie  had  already  been  admonished  by  incidents  of  the  march,  and  the 
vigilance  of  his  numerous  spies,  that  an  active,  dexterous  and  pow- 

[erful  enemy  were  in  the  wilderness  surrounding  him. 

The  government,  always  anxious  to  avoid  the  carnage  of  war,  had 

[exhausted  every  means  to  obtain  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the  dif- 
iicultios;  although  the  fact  that  five  different  embassies  were  sent, 
oHoring  most  generous  terms  of  peace  to  the  hostile  tribes,  attests 
the  sincerity  of  the  expressed  design   on   tho  part  of  the  United 

|Statosauthorities  to  render  full  justice  to  the  aborigines.     But  the 

ifiuliixn   successes,  with  promised  Bvitislx  and  ftpanisli  assistanoe, 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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86 


General  Waf/jie'.t  Victorious 


\l\ 


rendered  them  insensible  to  pacific  overtures, — all  of  which  were 
more  or  le^s  directly  rejected,  and  three  of  the  embassadors, — Free- 
men, Trueman  and  Colonel  Hardin — were  murdered. 

In  June  1794,  before  the  enemy  had  left  winter  quarters,  a  detach- 
ment which  had  acted  as  escort  of  provisions  from  Fort  Eecovery, 
fell  into  an  ambush  of  Indians  about  a  mile  from  the  fort,  and  were 
driven  back  with  great  loss,  the  victors  continuing  the  pursuit 
to  the  very  gates,  which  they  endeavored  to  enter  with  the  fugitives. 

The  siege  continued  nearly  two  days,  and  from  General  Wayne's 
despatch  we  learn  that  "  there  was  a  considerable  number  of  armed 
white  men  in  the  rear,  who  they  frequently  heard  talk  in  our 
language,  and  encouraging  the  savages  to  persevere  in  the  assualt; 
their  faces  generally  blacked."  Adds  General  Wayne,  "  another 
strong  corroborating  fact  that  there  were  liritish,  or  British  militia 
in  the  assault,  is,  that  a  number  of  ounce  balls  and  buck  shot  were 
lodged  in  the  block  houses  and  stockades  of  the  fort,  ft  would 
also  appear  that  the  British  and  savages  expected  to  find  the  artil- 
lery that  was  lost  on  the  4th  of  November  1791,  and  hid  by  the 
Indians  in  the  beds  of  old  fallen  timber,  or  logs  which  they  turned 
over  and  laid  the  cannon  in,  and  then  turned  the  logs  back,  in  their 
foiyiier  berth.  It  was  in  this  artful  manner  that  we  found  them 
generally  deposited.  The  hostile  Indians  turned  over  a  great 
number  of  logs,  during  the  assault,  in  search  of  these  cannon,  and 
other  plunder,  which  the^  had  probably  hid  in  this  manner,  after 
the  action  of  November  4th,  1701.  I  therefore  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  the  British  and  Indians  depended  much  upon  this  artil- 
lery to  assist  in  the  reduction  of  the  fort ;  fortunately  they  served 
in  its  defence." 

July  26th,  Scott  joined  Wavne  at  Greenville  with  1,600  mounted 
Kentuckians,  and  on  the  28tn,  the  legion  took  up  the  track  of  the 
Indians,  who  had  left  it  obviously  marked  in  their  rear,  either  from 
the  haste  in  which  they  made  it,  or,  what  is  more  probable,  because 
they  were  desirous  of  luring  the  army  still  farther  into  the  recesses 
of  the  wilderness. 

He  halted  at  Girty's  town,  at  the  crossing  of  the  St.  Mary's,  twenty- 
four  miles  in  advance  of  Greenville,  a  sutlicient  length  of  time  to 
build  Fort  Adams,  on  the  bank  of  that  stream.  He  was  enabled  to 
complete  his  march  unobserved,  till  he  arrived  almost  in  sight  of 
Au  Glaize,  the  great  emporium  of  the  enemy,  of  which  he  took 
possession  on  the  8th  of  August,  without  the  loss  of  a  single  mau. 


Cainpaign — 1 794. 


87 


On  the  preceding  eveuiiig  Lue  enemy  abandoned  their  settlements 
and  vilhiges,  witli  such  apparent  marks  of  surprise  and  precipita- 
tion, as  convinced  everybody  that  the  approach  of  the  legion  was 
not  discovered  until  a  few  hours  before  its  arrival,  when  the  fact 
was  communicated  by  Newman,  who  deserted  from  the  army  at  St. 
Mary's. 

It  was  manifest  that  the  defection  of  that  villain  enabled  the 
Indians  to  save  their  persons  by  a  rapid  flight;  leaving  all  their 
property  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  tlie  Federal  forces.  The  extensive 
and  highly  cultivated  fields  and  gardens,  which  appeared  on  every 
side,  exhibited  the  work  of  many  hands.  The  margins  of  the 
beautiful  rivers,  Au  Glaise  and  Miami,  [of  the  Lake,]  had  the 
semblance  of  a  continued  village,  for  several  miles  above  and  below 
that  junction. 

The  first  duty  of  the  General,  after  taking  possession  of  the 
country,  was  to  erect  a  strong  stockade  fort,  with  four  block  houses, 
by  way  of  bastions,  at  the  confluence  of  the  rivers,  which  he  named 
Fort  Defiance. 

The  annexed  plan  and  description 


i  of  Fort  Defiance,  is  found  in  the  mem- 
'  oranda  of 


Benj.  Van  Cleve,  commu- 
nicated by  his  son,  John  W.  Van 
Cleve,  of  Dayton,  to  the  American 
Pioneer. 

At  each  angle  of  the  fort  was  a  block-house. 
Till.'  one  next  the  Maiimee  is  marked  A.hav- 
injT  ]iort-h()les  B,nn  the  three  exterior  sides,  and 
door  D  and  chimney  C  on  the  side  facing  to  the 
interior.     There  was  a  line  of  pickets  on  each 
i^ide  of  the  fort,  connecting  the  block-houses  by 
their  nearest  angles.     Outeide  of  the  pickets  and 
around  the  block-houses  was  a  glacis,  a  wall  of 
enrili  eight  fi^et  thick,  sloping  upwards  and  out- 
wards from  the  feet  of  the  pickets,  supported  by 
!i  log  wall  on  thi»  side  of  the  ditch  and  by  facineti, 
a  wall  of  faggots,  on  the  side  next  the  Auglaize. 
The  ditch,  tifteen  feet  wide  and  eight  feet  deep, 
surrounded  the  whole  work  except  on  the  side 
tov  aid    the    Auglaize;    and   diagonal    pickets, 
eleven  feet  long  and  one  foot  apart,  were  secu- 
red to  the  log  wall  and  jirojccted  over  the  ditch. 
E  and  E  were  gateways.     F  was  a  bank  of 
earth,  four  feet  wide,  left  for  a  passage  across 
the  ditch.     (J  was  a  falling  gate  or  drawbridge,  which  was  raised  and  lowered  by  pullies, 
acros,s  the  diti'li,  coverini;  it  or  li-.'iving  it  uncovered  at  pleasure.     The  officers' (luartera 
wore  at  H,  and  the  sioreliouses  at   I.     At  K,  two   lines  of  pickets  converged  towards  L, 
|r^     which  was  a  ditch  right  fret  deep,  by  v.  hirh  water  «  as  |iroeiiied  from  the  river  without  ex- 
posing the  carrier  to  the  enemy.     M  was  a  small  snnd-bnr  at  the  jioint. 


Fort  Drfi liner. 


88 


General  Wayne^H  Victorious 


% 


It  had  been  ascertalnetl  by  the  most  recent  intdb'gence,  tliat  tlic 
enemy  were  collected  in  great  force — that  they  had  l)oen  johied  hy 
the  Detroit  militia,  and  a  portion  of  the  regular  army — and  that 
they  had  selected,  for  the  contest,  an  elevated  plain,  above  the  foot 
of  the  Kapids,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  over  which  a  tornadd 
had  recently  passed,  and  covered  the  gronnd  with  fallen  timber,  hy 
which  it  was  rendered  nnfavorable  for  the  action  of  cavalry  'riiis 
information,  unpleasant  as  it  was,  did  not  excite  any  serious  appre- 
hension, or  in  the  least  degree  cool  the  spirit  and  ardor  of  tlic- 
troops.  On  the  contrary,  among  the  officers  and  privates,  both  of 
the  legion  and  the  mounted  volunteers,  there  was  but  one  aspiration 
heard,  and  that  was  to  meet  the  enemy. 

Captain  Wells,  the  wily,  sagacious,  and  intrepid  warrior  of  tlio 
woods,  led  his  party  \\  itliin  so  short  a  distance  of  the  British  works, 
as  to  ascertain  that  the  Indians  Avere  encamped  under  their  protcc 
tion.  He  took  one  or  two  prisoners,  and  made  a  bold,  though 
unsuccessful  attempt  on  a  camp  of  warriors  in  the  night,  in  Avhicli 
he  was  wounded.  Hoon  after  his  return,  the  army  moved  slowly  and 
cautioiisly  down  the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee,  (or  "  Miami  of  the 
Lake,"  and  sometimes  "  Omee,''  as  the  river  was  then  called.) 

On  the  13th  of  August,  true  to  the  spirit  of  peace,  advised  by 
Washington,  General  Wayne  sent  Christian  Miller,  who  had  been 
naturalized  among  the  Shawaneesc,  as  a  special  messenger  to  offer 
terms  of  friendship.  Impatient  of  delay,  he  moved  forward,  and  on 
the  16th,  met  Miller  on  his  return  with  the  message,  that  if  tlu 
Americans  would  Avait  ten  days  at  Grand  Glaize  (Fort  Defiance.) 
they — the  Indians — would  decide  for  peace  or  war.  On  the  IBtli, 
the  army  arrived  at  Roche  de  Boeufy  just  south  of  the  site  of  Water- 
ville,  where  they  "erected  some  light  works  as  a  place  of  deposit  for 
their  heavy  baggage,  Avhich  Avas  named  Fort  Deposit.  During  tlu 
19th,  the  army  labored  at  their  Avorks,  and  about  eight  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  20th,  moved  forward  to  attack  the  Indians,  avIio 
Avere  encamped  at  the  fallen  timbers,  on  the  bank  of  the  Maumee, 
at  and  around  a  hill  called  "  Presque  Isle,"  about  two  miles  south  of 
the  site  of  Maumee  city,  and  four  south  of  the  British  Fort  Miami. 

This  British  post  had  been  occupied  by  a  garrison  sent  from 
Detroit  the  previous  spring.  There  could  be  no  misappreliensioii 
of  the  motives  Avliich  led  to  this  occupation — tiiking  place,  as  it  did, 
eleven  years  after  the  country  had  been  ceded  to  the  United  States: 
ftn<l  ftt  »  time,  too,  when  the  angry  ^^(i  protracted  negotiation  ofi 


^ 


several  years 
ill!  open  rup 
Hritisli. 

Witli  the  j 

array  themsel 

their  destinie; 

iiijurionsly. 

tiieir  agents  \ 

it  the  means 

stretching  oul 

forest,  and  in 

hiid  been  cede 

then  in  nrogr 

and  as  the  Ir 

eountry  in  di 

surrender,  so  t 

sition  of  a  sii 

towards  the  eh 

independence  ( 

western  fronti 

the  conditions 

As  long  as  t 

foiuul  in  arms 

that  the   Briti 

therefore,  of  j 

eoimtry,  that 

prudence.    A 

every  previous 

about  the  midc 

ik'structive  to 

probably  decide 

Fndians.    Gene 

ance  tliat  this  ( 

lion  as  the  fort 

the  Iiulians,  un 

^11  eh  a  course  h 

General  Way 

iiiand,  and  the  I 

'liis  is  not  ini 

Northwestern  f] 


(Jampaigu — 17  94. 


89 


several  years  rolatiiijif  to  it,  was  supposed  to  be  about  terminating  in 
an  open  rupture.  The  Indians  were  all  decidedly  in  favor  of  the 
British. 

With  the  jealousy  natural  to  Aveakness,  tliey  were  always  prone  to 
array  themselves  against  tiie  power  which  most  directly  pressed  upon 
their  destinies,  and  which  they  thought  most  likely  to  affect  them 
injuriously.  The  British  were  fully  aware  of  this  feeling,  which 
tiieir  agents  Avere  zealously  active  to  excite  and  foster.  They  saw  in 
it  the  means  of  crippling  the  growth  of  a  young  rival,  who  was 
stretching  out  into  the  West  with  giant  strides,  trampling  down  the 
forest,  and  introducing  Christianity  and  civilization.  The  country 
JKul  been  ceded  by  a  treaty  still  in  force;  but  new  negotiations  Avero 
then  in  progress,  under  the  influence  of  several  disastrous  defeats, 
and  as  the  Indians  demanded  an  independent  dominion  over  the 
country  in  dispute,  the  British  Government  might  expect  that  a 
surrender,  so  desirable  to  them,  Avould  at  last  be  granted.  A  propo- 
sition of  a  similar  character  Avas  made  by  the  same  government 
towards  the  close  of  the  second  Avar  with  Great  Britain.  The  entire 
kdopendence  of  the  Indians  occupying  a  Avide  belt  on  our  north- 
western frontiers,  Avas  formally  and  seriously  demanded,  as  one  of 
the  conditions  of  peace. 

As  long  as  the  formidable  coalition  of  tribes  Avhicli  General  Wayne 
found  in  arms,  should  continue  united  and  hostile,  it  Avas  evident 
that  tlic  British  pretentions  and  hopes  Avould  remain.  It  Avas, 
tlierefore,  of  great  moment  Avith  General  Wayne,  and  Avith  his 
country,  that  his  present  steps  should  be  taken  Avith  the  utmost 
prudence.  A  new  defeat,  like  that  which  had  terminated  almost 
every  previous  campaign,  commencing  Avith  the  colonial  period, 
about  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  Avonld  have  proved  not  only 
destructive  to  his  army,  so  far  advanced  in  the  wilderness,  but 
probably  decided  the  British  to  openly  espouse  the  cause  of  the 
Indians.  General  Wayne,  in  the  present  case,  could  feel  no  assur- 
ance that  this  cause  would  not  then  be  sustained  by  such  co-opera- 
tion as  the  fort  and  garrison  could  afford.  Indeed,  the  position  of 
the  Indians,  under  the  Avails  of  the  fort,  rendered  it  probable  that 
such  a  course  had  been  determined  on. 

General  Wayne  had  about  three  thousand  men  under  his  com* 
iiiand,  and  the  Indians  are  computed  to  have  been  equally  numerous. 
This  is  not  improbable,  as  the  hostile  league  embraced  the  Avholo 
Northwestern  frontier.    As  he  approached  the  powsition  of  the  enemy, 


00 


General  Wayne's  Victorious 


he  sent  forwtivJ  a  battalion  of  mouu  ted  riilenien,  which  Avas  ordered, 
in  case  of  an  attack,  to  make  a  retreat  in  feigned  confusion,  in  order 
to  draw  the  Indians  on  more  disadvantageous  ground.  As  was 
anticipated,  this  advance  soon  met  tlie  enemy,  and  being  tired  on, 
fell  back,  and  was  warmly  pursued  towards  the  main  body. 

The  morning  was  rainy,  and  the  drums  could  not  communicate 
the  concerted  signals  with  sufficient  distinctness.  A  plan  of  turning 
the  right  ilank  of  the  indians,  was  not,  therefore,  fultlUed.  But  the 
victory  was  complete,  the  whole  Indian  lijie,  after  a  severe  contest, 
giving  Avay  and  Hying  in  disorder.  About  one  iiundred  savages 
were  killed. 

During  the  action,  and  subsequently,  while  General  Wayne 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  the  British,  there  did  not  appear  to  be 
any  intercourse  between  the  garrison  and  the  savages.  The  gates 
were  kept  shut  against  them,  and  their  rout  and  slaughter  were 
witnessed  from  the  walls  with  apparent  unconcern,  and  without 
offering  any  interposition  or  assistance.  After  the  battle.  General 
Wayne  devastated  all  the  fields,  and  burnt  all  the  dwellings  around 
the  fort,  some  of  them  immediately  under  the  walls.  The  house  of 
Colonel  McKee,  an  Indian  trader,  who  was  snnposed  to  have  exer- 
cised great  influence  over  the  Indians,  was  reduced  to  ashes  in  the 
general  conflagration. 

"It  is  too  important  to  omit,"  says  Mr.  Mann  Butler,  in  his 
history  of  Kentucky,  '•  that  General  Wayne  had  positive  authority 
from  President  Washington  to  attack  and  demolish  the  British  Fort 
of  Miami.  But  on  reconnoitering  it  closely,  and  discovering  its 
strength,  added  to  his  own  weakness  in  artillery,  the  General,  with 
a  prudence  not  always  accorded  him,  most  judiciously  declined  an 

In  this  daring  reconnoitre,  the  General  was  near  falling  a  victim 
to  his  gallantry.  He  had  rode  within  eighty  yards  ol  the  fort, 
accompanied  by  his  aid.  Lieutenant  William  11.  Harrison,  and 
within  point  blank  shot  of  his  guns,  when  a  considerable  disturb- 
ance was  perceived  on  the  platform  of  the  parapet.  The  intelligence 
of  a  deserter  the  next  day  explained  the  whole  affair.  It  appeared  that 
a  Captain  of  marines,  who  happened  to  be  in  the  garrison  when 
General  Wayne  made  his  approach,  resented  it  so  highly,  that  he 
immediately  seized  ?.  port  fire,  and  was  going  to  apply  it  to  the  gnn. 
At  this  moment,  Major  Campbell,  the  commandant,  drcAV  his  sword 
and  threatened  to  cut  the  Captain  down  instantly,  if  he  did  not  desist 


Canqmufn — 1794. 


91 


He  ibon  onlerofl  him  to  be  arrested.  'I'Jiis  high-minded  forbearance, 
in  all  probability,  saved  the  life  of  General  Wayne,  with  his  suite, 
and  possibly  the  peace  of  the  United  States.  Major  Campbell  then 
opened  the  folloAving  correspondence : 

Miami  (Maumbk)  Kivkk,  August  2l8t,  1794. 

,sV/- ; — An  army  of  the  United  States  of  America,  said  to  be  under 
vour  command,  having  taken  jiost  on  the  banks  of  the  Miami 
(l\raumee)  for  upwards  of  the  last  twenty-four  hours,  almost  within 
the  reach  of  the  guns  of  this  fort,  being  a  post  belonging  to  His 
Majesty  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  occupied  by  His  Majesty's 
troops,  and  which  I  have  the  honor  to  command,  it  becomes  my 
duty  to  inform  myself,  as  speedily  as  possible,  in  what  light  I  am  to 
view  your  making  such  near  approaches  to  this  garrison.  I  have  no 
hesitation,  on  my  part,  to  say,  that  I  know  of  uo  war  existing 
between  (ircat  liritain  and  America. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  Avith  great  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

William  Campbell, 
Major  2ith  Reg't,  Comd'g  a  British  post  on  the  banks  oj  the  Miami. 

To  Major  General  Wayne,  etc. 


Camp,  ok  the  Banks  of  the  Miami,  •        \ 

(Maumee,)  August  31st,  1794.      | 

Sir : — I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  date,  requiring  from  mo 
the  motives  which  have  moved  the  army  under  my  command  to  the 
position  they  at  present  occupy,  far  within  the  acknowledged  juris- 
diction of  the  United  States  of  America.  Without  questioning  the 
uuthority,  or  the  propriety,  sir,  of  your  interrogatory,  I  think  I  may, 
without  breach  of  decorum,  observe  to  you,  that  were  you  entitled 
to  an  answer,  the  most  full  and  satisfactory  one  was  announced  to 
you  from  the  muzzles  of  my  small  arms,  yesterday  morning,  in  the 
action  against  the  horde  of  savages  in  the  vicinity  of  your  post, 
which  terminated  gloriously  to  the  American  arms ;  but,  had  it 
continued  until  the  Indians,  etc.,  were  driven  under  the  influence 
of  tlie  post  and  guns  you  mention,  they  would  not  have  much 
imjiedcd  the  progress  of  the  victorious  army  under  my  command,  as 
no  such  post  was  established  at  the  commencement  of  the  present 
Wiir,  between  the  Indians  and  the  United  States. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  great  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

Anthony  Wayne, 
Major  General,  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Federal  Army. 

To  Major  William  Campbell,  etc. 


02 


General  lVaf/ne\s  Victor iotfs 


FoiiT  Mr  AMI,  August  22il,  1794. 

Sir: — Although  your  letter  of  yesterday's  iliito  fully  Jiutliorizes 
mo  to  auy  act  of  hostility  iigainst  (he  army  of  the  lluited  Stiitey 
in  this  neighborhood,  under  your  comnuind,  yet,  still  anxious  to 
prevent  that  dreadful  decision  whieh,  perhaps,  is  not  intended  to  he 
appealed  to  by  either  of  our  countries,  I  have  forborne,  for  these 
two  days  past,  to  resent  those  insults  you  have  offered  to  tlie  liritisli 
flag  Hying  at  this  fort,  by  approaching  it  within  pistol  shot  of  my 
works,  not  only  singly,  but  in  numbers  with  arras  in  tlieir  hands. 
Neither  is  it  my  wish  to  wage  war  with  individuals;  but  should 
you,  after  this,  continue  to  ap]n'oach  my  post  in  the  threatering 
manner  you  are  this  moment  doing,  my  indispensable  duty  to  my 
King  and  country,  and  the  honor  of  my  profession,  will  oblige  me 
to  have  recourse  to  those  measures,  which  thousands  of  either  nation 
may  hereafter  have  cause  to  regret,  and  which  I  solemnly  appeal  to 
God,  I  have  used  my  utmost  endeavors  to  arrest. 

I  liave  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  much  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

William  Campbell, 
Major  2Wi  Reg't,  Gomd'g  at  Fort  Miami. 
To  Major  General  Wayne,  etc. 


Camp,  Banks  of  the  Miami,  32d  August,  1794. 

Sir : — In  your  letter  of  the  21st  instant,  you  declare:  "I  have 
no  hesitation  on  my  part,  to  say,  that  I  know  of  no  war  existing 
between  Great  Britain  and  America."  I,  on  my  part,  declare  the 
same,  and  the  only  cause  I  have,  to  entertain  a  contrary  idea  at 
present,  is  the  hostile  act  you  are  now  in  commission  of,  i.  c,  by 
recently  taking  post  far  within  the  well  known  and  acknowledged 
limits  of  the  United  States,  and  erecting  -a  fortification  in  the  heart 
of  the  settlements  of  the  Indian  tribes  now  at  war  with  the  United 
States.  This,  sir,  appears  to  be  an  act  of  the  highest  aggression, 
and  destructive  to  the  peace  and  interest  of  the  Union.  Hence  it 
becomes  my  duty  to  desire,  and  I  do  hereby  desire  and  demand,  in 
the  name  of  the  President  of  the  United  Stales,  that  you  immedi- 
ately desist  from  any  further  act  of  hostility  or  aggression,  by 
forbearing  to  fortify,  and  by  withdrawing  the  troops,  artilleiy,  aiul 
stores,  under  your  orders  and  direction,  forthwith,  and  removing  to 
the  nearest  post  occupied  by  liis  Britannic  Majesty's  troops  at  the 
peace  of  1783,  and  which  you  will  be  permitted  to  do  unmolested 
by  the  troops  under  my  command. 

I  am,  with  very  great  respect,  sir, 

*  Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

*  Anthony  Wayne, 

To  Major  AVilliam  Campbell,  etc, 


:"ii 


CamixvHjn — 1794. 


93 


% 


Fort  Miami,  22d  August,  1794. 

^9/r. I  have  tlils  moment  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 

letter  of  this  date;  in  answer  to  which  I  have  only  to  say,  that 
being  placed  here  in  the  command  of  a  British  post,  and  acting  in 
a  niflitary  capacity  only,  I  cannot  enter  into  any  discussion  either 
on  the  right  or  im]n-opriety  of  my  occupying  my  present  position. 
These  are  matters  that  I  conceive  will  be  best  left  to  the  ambassa- 
dors of  our  diflerent  nations. 

Having  said  this  much,  permit  m«  to  inform  you  that  I  certainly 
will  not  abandon  this  post  at  the  summons  of  any  power  whatever, 
until  I  receive  orders  for  that  purpose  from  those  I  have  the  honor 
to  serve  under,  or  the  fortune  of  Avar  should  oblige  me.  I  must  still 
adhere,  sir,  to  the  purport  of  my  letter  this  morning,  to  desire  that 
your  army,  or  individuals  belonging  to  it,  will  not  approach  within 
re.'icli  of  my  cannon,  without  expecting  the  consequences  attend- 
ing it. 

Although  I  have  said,  in  the  former  part  of  my  letter,  that  my 
situation  here  is  totally  military,  yet,  let  me  add,  sir,  that  I  am 
much  deceived,  if  Ilis  Majesty,  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  had  <iot 
a  post  on  this  river,  at  and  prior  to  the  period  you  mention. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

William  Campbell, 
Major  2^th  Iteg't,  Comd'g  at  Fort  Miami, 
To  Major  General  Wayne,  etc. 


Ito 
ed 


Before  General  Wayne  retired  from  the  Valley,  his  foresight 
suggested  to  him  that  the  erection  of  a  military  post  near  the 
continence  of  Swan  creek  with  the  Maumee  river,  would  secure 
to  his  government  more  than  all  the  advantages  which  could  be 
derived  by  the  possession  of  the  British  fort  Miami.  Under  his 
orders,  therefore,  a  stockade  was  built  below  the  mouth  of  Swan 
creek,  and  placed  in  charge  of  Captain  J.  Ehea,  who  held  it  until 
after  the  evacuation  of  all  the  British  posts  in  the  Northwest,  which 
occurred  in  pursuance  of  Jay's  treaty.  Tlie  remains  of  this  fortifi- 
cation were  examined  by  General  John  E.  Hunt,  in  his  early  years, 
when  they  were  in  good  condition  and  preservation ;  and  they  were 
not  entirely  obliterated  as  late  as  1836,  Avhen  Richard  Mott  made  his 
tlrst  visit  to  Toledo.  Samuel  Andrews,  now  of  the  Toledo  "  Blade," 
and  Charles  A.  Crane,  now  of  East  Toledo,  and  many  others,  have 
distinct  recollections  of  this  fort,  which,  in  the  natural  features  of 


94 


General  Wuajin'.^  Death. 


the  country,  occupied  a  prominent  position  on  the  bluff,  on  the  site 
near  the  south  side  of  Summit,  between  Jefferson  and  Monroe 
streets.  That  a  conflict  luid  occurred  at  Toledo  during  Wayne's 
visit  to  the  Maumee,  appears  probable,  from  the  fact  that  early 
settlers  procured  harvests  of  bullets  on  the  ground  above  described, 
and  also  other  antiquities  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Trinity  Church 
building.  In  the  work  of  grading  the  streets,  human  bones,  and 
remains  of  garments,  to  which  buttons  were  attached,  were  exhumed 
in  considerable  quantities  ;  thus  affording  evidence  that  a  sangui- 
nary conflict  had  occurred  on  the  platc.niu  now  in  possession  of 
the  busy  ihrong  who  have  established  a  commercial  emjjire  at 
Toledo. 

On  the  27th,  the  troo])S  took  up  tiieir  march,  devastating  every 
village  and  field  on  the  line  to  Fort  Defiance,  which  they  proceeded 
to  render  more  substantial.  September  14th,  the  legion  moved  on 
to  the  Miami  villages,  where  the  long  contemplated  fort  was 
constructed,  and  October  22d,  ]794,  placed  under  command  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Ilamtramck,  who,  after  firing  fifteen  rounds 
of  cannon,  gave  the  name  which  the  city  now  bears,  of  Fort 
Wayne. 

On  the  38th  of  October,  having  fully  achieved  the  objects  of  the 
campaign,  General  Wayne  started  on  his  return  with  the  main  body 
of  the  regulars,  for  Fort  Greenville,  where,  in  the  following  year,  he 
rendered  himself  as  conspicuous  in  atatesmanship  and  diplomacy  as 
in  war,  by  a  treaty  which  will  be  found  iu  its  proper  place  in  this 
volume. 

Although  given  the  sobriquet  of  "  Mad  Anthony,"  he  was  as  prudent 
as  he  was  valorous ;  and  if  there  had  been  reasonable  hope  of  reduc- 
ing the  British  Fort  Miami,  the  attack  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
made.  However,  it  became  his  happy  privilege  to  take  peaceful 
possession,  by  authority  of  President  Washington,  of  this  fort  early  in 
1796,  when  the  Britisli  Government  surrendered  the  northern  posts, 
including  Fort  Miami,  (built  in  1794,  by  the  Canadian  Governor 
Simcoc,  at  the  foot  of  the  Rapids  of  the  Maumee,)  in  pursuance  of 
the  treaty  negotiated  by  Chief  Justice  Jay,  in  1793. 

General  Wayne's  reception  of  this  fort  was  one  of  his  last  official 
military  acts,  and  occurred  only  a  few  months  prior  to  his  death, 
near  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  buried,  until  removed  many 
years  after,  by  his  son,  to  the  place  of  his  nativity. 


chief  in  the 


(hpia  in    1 1  'tIJid  ni    1 1  V//.<?. 


or. 


of 

lial 
th. 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  WELLS. 

As  tlie  name  of  this  remarkable  man  is  associated  witli  some  of 
till'  most  prominent  and  thrilling  events  connected  with  the  liiatory 
of  the  Maiimee  Valley,  and  his  descendants  were  wt-II  known  to 
tlio  pioneers  of  the  country,  a  brief  sketch  of  him  contained  in 
McBride's  Pioneer  IJiography,  is  here  given: 

''  Of  Captain  William  Wells'  birth  and  parentage,  we  have  no 
record.  lie  was  captured  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  when  he  was 
an  inmate  of  the  family  of  Hon.  Nathaniel  Pope,  in  Kentucky,  by 
the  Miami  tribe,  and  going  through  the  formal  adoi)tion,  lived  to 
miinhood  among  them.  His  Indian  name  was  Black  Snake.  He 
ln'Ciinie  (piite  an  influential  man  among  them,  and  married  a  sister 
of  tiie  celebrated  chief,  Little  Turtle.  Jle  fought  l)y  the  side  of  his 
chief  in  the  contests  with  General  llarnnir  and  !St.  Clair.  '  After- 
wanl,  in  tim<;s  of  calm  reflection,  witli  dim  memories  still  of  his 
cliildhood  home,  of  brothers  and  ])laymates,  he  seems  to  have 
lieen  harassed  with  the  thought  that  among  the  slain,  by  his 
own  hand,  may  have  been  his  kindred.  The  approach  of  Wayne's 
ariuy,  in  1794,  stirred  anew  conflicting  emotions,  based  upon  indis- 
tinct recollections  of  early  ties,  of  country  and  kindred  on  the  one 
hand,  and  existing  attachments  of  wife  and  children  on  the  other, 
lie  resolved  to  make  his  history  known.  With  true  Indian  char.ac- 
tei'istics,  the  secret  purpose  of  leaving  his  adopted  nation  was, 
according  to  reliable  tradition,  made  known  in  this  manner: 
Taking  with  him  the  war-chief,  Little  Turtle,  to  a  favorite  spot 
on  the  banks  of  the  Maiimee,  Wells  said :  '  I  leave  now  your  nation 
for  my  own  people.  We  have  long  been  friends.  We  are  friends 
yet,  until  the  sun  reaches  a  certain  hight  (which  he  indicated). 
From  that  time  we  are  enemies.  Then,  if  you  wish  to  kill  me, 
you  may.  If  I  want  to  kill  you,  I  may.'  At  the  appointed  hour, 
crossing  the  river,  Captain  Wells  disappeared  in  the  forest,  taking 
an  easterly  direction  to  strike  the  trail  of  Wayne's  army.  Obtain- 
ing an  interview  with  General  Wayne,  he  became  ever  afterward  the 
faithful  friend  of  the  Americans. — Hon.  J.  L.  Williams'  Historical 
Sketch  of  the  First  rresbijterian  Church  of  Fort  Wayne,  p.  17. 

"He  was  made  captain  of  the  spies  connected  with  Wayne's  army. 
Mis  adventures  in  that  capacity  are  sufficiently  detailed  by  Mr. 
MoBride.  After  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  and  the  establishment 
of  peace,  he  was  joined  Ijy  his  wife  and  family,  'and  settled  at  the 
'old  orchard,'  a  short  distance  from  the  conllnence  of  the  St.  IVLary 
■iiid  St.  Joseph,  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream  there,  afterward 
•  ailed  '  Spy  Hun,'  and  Avhich  still  bears  that  Viame.  The  govern- 
ment; subsequently  granted  him  a  pre-emption  of  some  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land,  including  his  improvement,  the  old  orchard, 
etc.     Wells  afterward  also  became,  by  appointment  of  the  govern- 


96 


In  Coniiaand  at  Fort  Wayne. 


ment,  Indittn  agent  here  (Fort  Wayne),  in  wliicli  capacity  lie  served 
several  years.' — Jirice'.s  History  of  Fort  [Vdj/nc,  p.  liS. 

"Ca])tain  AVclls,  by  his  first  wile,  had  throe  tlaughters  and  (me 
son.  'I'he  daii^diters  were  Mrs.  Judge  Wolcott,  of  Maumee  C  ty, 
Mrs.  Turner  and  Mrs.  llackley,  of  Fore  Wayne.  Mr.  Williams  siys 
of  them:  *Uf  the  first  members  of  this  church,  two  wew  Imlf 
Indians,  who  had  before,  in  iHiiO,  joined  the  liaptist  dhurch  under 
the  labors  of  Kcv.  Mr.  McCoy,  missionary  to  the  Indians  ut  this 

post They  Avere   educated  in  Kentucky,  and  are  yet 

kindly  remembered  by  some  in  tiiis  church  and  community,  as 
ladies  of  refinement  and  intelligent  piety.' — p.  IG,  17.  The  son, 
Wayne  Wells,  died  when  a  young  man,  while  crossing  Lake  Erie,  in 
183;}.  CJa|)tain  AVells  afterward  married  another  sister  of  Jjittle 
Turtle.  They  had  one  daughter,  Jane,  Avho  married  a  son  of  an 
old  I'ort  Wayne  pioneer,  ]\latthew  Griggs,  and  settled  at  Peru, 
Indiana. 

"In  the  war  of  181U,  Ca])tain  Wells  was  in  command  at  Fort 
Wayne.  When  he  heard  of  General  Hull's  orders  for  the  evacuation 
of  Fort  Dearborn,  he  made  a  rapid  march  to  reinforce  Captain 
Heald,  and  to  'assist  in  defending  the  fort,  or  prevent  his  exposure 
to  certain  destruction  by  an  attempt  to  reach  the  head  of  tlie  | 
Maumee.  Bui  he  was  too  late.  All  means  for  maintaijiing  a  sioge 
had  been  destroyed  a  few  hours  l)efore,  and  every  preparation  Jiatl 
been  made  for  leaving  the  post  next  day.'  On  the  morning  of  tlie 
15th  of  August,  the  little  company,  with  Captain  Wells  and  his 
Miamis,  evacuated  the  fort  and  moved  along  the  shore  till  they  came 
to  Sand  Hills,  when  they  Avere  attacked  by  five  hnndred  'treacher- 
ous and  cowardly  Pottawatomics.'  *  The  conflict  was  short,  desper- 
ate, and  bloody.  Two-thirds  of  the  white  people  were  slain  or 
wounded,  and  all  the  horses,  provisions,  and  baggage  lost.  Only 
twenty-eight  strong  men  remained  to  brave  the  fury  of  about  five 
hundred  Indians,  who  had  lost  but  fifteen  in  the  conflict.'  '  Captain 
Wells  displayed  the  greatest  coolness  and  gallantry.  He  Avas  by  the 
side  of  his  niece  (Mrs.  Captain  Heald),  Avhen  tlie  conflict  began. 
'  We  have  not  the  slightest  chance  for  life,'  he  said,  'Ave  must  part  to 
meet  no  more  in  this  Avorld — God  bless  yon.'  With  these  Avords  lie 
dashed  forward  Avith  the  rest.  In  the  midst  of  the  fight,  he  saw  a 
young  Avarrior  painted  like  a  demon  climb  into  a  wagon  in  Avhich 
were  twelve  children  of  the  white  people,  and  tomahawked  tlieiii 
all!  Forgetting  his  own  immediate  danger,  AVelJs  exclaimed:  'If 
that  is  their  game,  butchering  Avomen  and  children,  I'll  kill  too.' 
He  instantly  dashed  toAvard  the  Indian  camp,  where  they  had  left  I 
their  squaws  and  little  ones,  hotly  pursued  by  SAvift-footed  young  | 
warriors,  Avho  sent  many  a  rifle  ball  after  him.  He  lay  clost 
to  his  horse's  neck,  and  turned  and  fired  occasionally  upon  lii» 
pursuers.  When  he  had  got  almost  beyond  the  range  of  their  rifles, 
a  ball  killed  his  horse  and  Avounded  himself  severely  in  the  log. 
The  young  saA^ages  rushed  forward  Avith  a  demoniac  yell  to  make  I 


Othfir  Incidents  in  his  Life. 


91 


him  11  ]irisoner,  mul  reserve  him  for  tortnre,  for  lie  was  to  tliem  ati 
mrh  Dfl'oiuler.  His  friends,  Win-iio-meg  iind  Wan -ban-see,  vainly 
iittcniptccl  to  save  him  from  his  fate.  IIo  knew  the  temper  and 
pruetices  of  the  savages  well,  and  resolved  not  to  be  made  a  captive, 
lie  taunted  them  with  the  most  insulting  epithets  to  provoke  them 
to  kill  him  instantly.  At  length  ho  called  one  of  the  fiery  yonn^ 
waiTiors  J'er*so-tiim  (a  squaw),  which  so  enraged  liim  that  he  killei 
Wells  instantly  with  his  tomahawk,  jumped  upon  liis  body,  cut  out 
his  heart,  and  ate  a  jiortion  of  the  warm  and  half-palpitating  morsel, 
with  savage  delight." — Lossing's  Field  Book  of  the  War  of  1812, 
p.  UOO. 

In  a  sketch  in  the  same  volume,  contributed  by  Mr.  McDonald, 

the  following  is  extracted : 

"General  Wayne  had  a  bold,  vigilant,  and  dexterous  enemy  to 
contend  with.  It  became  indispensable  for  him  to  use  the  utmost 
caution  in  his  movements,  to  guard  against  surprise.  To  secure  his 
urmy  against  the  possibility  of  being  ambuscaded,  he  employed  a 
number  of  the  best  woodsmen  the  frontier  afforded,  to  act  as  spies 
or  rangers.  Captain  Ephraim  Kibby,  one  of  the  first  settlers  at 
Columbia,  eight  miles  above  Cincinnati,  who  had  distinguished 
himself  as  a  bold  and  intrepid  soldier,  in  detvnding  that  infant 
settlement,  commanded  the  principal  part  of  the  spies.  The  writer 
of  this  article,  and  his  brother  Thomas,  were  attached  to  Captain 
Kibby's  company  of  rangers.  This  will  account  lor  the  author's 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  subject  of  which  he  is  giving  a  relation. 
A  very  effective  division  of  the  spies  was  commanded  by  Captain 
William  Wells. 

"  Captain  Wells  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  when 
(|uite  a  youth ;  he  grew  to  manhood  with  them,  and  consequently 
was  well  acquainted  Avith  all  their  wiles  and  stratagems.  From 
causes  not  now  remembered,  about  eighteen  months  previous  to  the 
time  of  which  I  am  writing,  he  left  the  Indians  and  returned  to  his 
relatives  and  friends  in  civilized  life. 

"  Being  raised  by  the  Indians,  well  acquainted  with  the  country 
which  was  about  to  be  the  theater  of  action,  talking  several  of  their 
languages  fluently,  and,  withal,  desperately  brave,  such  a  soldier 
was  a  real,  effective  acquisition  to  the  army.  Captain  Wells  was 
:  the  same  gentleman  named  by  the  Rev.  O.  M.  Spencer,  in  the  narra- 
tive of  his  capture  by  the  Indians,  and  release  from  captivity.  It 
was  to  Captain  Wells  that  Mr.  Spencer  was  primarily  indebted  for 
his  liberty.  (See  Spencefs  Narrative,  page  105.)  I  am  particular 
m  describing  this  corps  of  the  army,  as  they  performed  more  real 
service  than  any  other. 

"Attached  to  Captain  Wells'  command  were  the  following  men  : 
Robert  McClellan  (whose  name  has  been  since  immortalized  by  the 
graphic  pen  of  Washington  Irving,  in  his  "  Astoria  ")  was  one  of 
the  most  athletic  and  active  men  on  foot  that  has  appeared  on  this 

8 


98 


Other  Incidents  in  his  Life. 


globe.  On  tlie  grand  parade  at  Fort  Green-'ille,  where  the  ground 
was  very  little  inclined,  to  show  his  activity,  he  leaped  over  a  road- 
wagon  with  the  cover  stretched  over ;  the  wagon  and  bows  were 
eight  and  a  halt  feet  high.  Next  was  Henry  Miller.  He  ana  a 
younger  brother  named  Christopher  had  been  made  captives  by  the 
Indians  when  young,  and  adopted  into  an  Indian  family.  Henry 
Miller  lived  with  them  till  he  was  about  twenty-four  years  of  age; 
and,  although  he  had  adopted  all  their  manners  and  customs,  he,  at 
that  age,  began  to  think  of  returning  to  his  relatives  among  the 
whites.  The  longer  he  reflected  on  the  subject  the  stronger  his 
resolutitin  grew  to  make  an  attempt  to  leave  the  Indians.  He 
communicated  his  intention  to  his  brother  Christopher,  and  used 
every  reason  he  was  capable  of.  to  induce  his  brother  to  accompany 
him  in  his  flight.  All  his  arguments  were  inettectuaL  Christopher 
^.vas  young  when  made  captive — he  was  now  a  good  hunter,  an 
expert  woodsman,  and,  in  the  full  sense  of  the  word,  a  free  and 
independent  Indian.  Henry  Miller  st't  ofl"  alone  through  the  woode, 
and  arrived  safe  among  his  friends  in  Kentucky.  Captain  Wells 
was  well  acquainted  with  Miller  durinj:"  his  captivity,  and  knew  that 
he  possessed  that  firm  intrepidity  which  would  render  him  a  valua- 
ble companion  in  time  of  need.  To  these  were  added  a  Mr. 
Hickman  and  Mr.  Thorp,  who  were  men  of  tried  worth  in  Indian 
warfare. 

*'  Captain  Wells  and  his  four  companions  were  confidential  and 
privileged  gentlemen  in  camp,  who  were  only  called  upon  to  do  duty 
upon  very  particular  and  interesting  occasions.  They  were  permitted 
a  carte  blanrhe  among  the  horses  of  the  dragoons,  and  when  upon 
duty  went  well  moimted  ;  whilst  the  spies  commanded  by  Captain 
Kibby  went  on  foot,  and  were  kept  constantly  on  the  alert,  scour- 
ing the  country  in  every  direction. 

"  The  headquarters  of  the  army  being  at  Fort  Greenville,  in  the 
month  of  June,  1794,  General  Wayne  despatched  Captain  Wells 
and  his  company,  with  orders  to  bring  into  camp  an  Indian  as  a 
prisoner,  in  order  that  he  could  interrogate  him  as  to  the  future 
intentions  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Wells  proceeded  with  cautious 
steps  through  the  Indian  country.  He  crossed  the  river  St.  Mary, 
and  thence  to  the  river  Auglaize.  Avithout  meeting  any  stragghng 
party  of  Indians.  In  passing  up  the  Auglaize  they  discovered  a 
smoke;  they  then  dismounted,  tied  their  horses,  and  .proceeded 
cautiously  t*^  reconnoiter  the  enemy.  They  found  three  Indians 
camped  on  a  high,  open  piece  of  ground,  clear  of  brush  or  any 
underwood.  As  it  was  open  woods,  they  found  it  would  be  difficult 
to  approach  the  camp  without  being  discovered.  Whilst  they  were 
reconnoitering,  they  saw  not  very  distant  from  the  camp,  a  tree 
which  had  lately  fallen.  They  returned  and  went  round  the  camp 
so  as  to  get  the  top  of  the  fallen  tree  between  them  and  the  Indians, 
The  tree-top  being  full  of  leaves  would  serve  as  a  shelter  to  screen 
them  from  observation.    They  went  forward  upon  their  hands  and 


Capture  of  Christopher  Miller. 


99 


knees,  with  the  noiseless  movements  of  the  cat,  till  they  reached 
the  tree-top.  They  were  now  within  seventy  or  eighty  yards  of  the 
camp.  The  Indians  were  sitting  or  standing  about  the  lire,  roasting 
their  venison,  laughing  and  making  other  merry  antics,  little  dream- 
in<'  that  death  was  about  stealing  a  march  upon  them.  Arrived  at 
the  fallen  tree  their  purpose  of  attack  was  soon  settled ;  they  deter- 
mined to  kill  two  of  the  enemy  and  make  the  third  prisoner. 
McClellan,  who,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  almost  as  swift  on  foot 
as  a  deer  of  the  forest,  was  to  catch  the  Indian,  whilst  to  Wells  and 
Miller  was  confided  the  duty  of  shooting  the  other  two.  One  of 
them  was  to  shoot  the  one  on  the  right,  the  other  the  one  on  the 
left.  Their  rifles  were  in  prime  order.  th«  muzzles  of  their  guns 
were  placed  on  the  log  of  the  fallen  tree,  the  sights  were  aimed  for 
the  Indians'  hearts — whiz  went  the  balls,  and  both  Indians  fell. 
Before  the  smoke  of  the  burnt  powder  had  risen  six  feet,  McClellan 
was  running  at  full  stretch,  with  tomahawk  in  hand,  for  the  Indian. 
The  Indian  bounded  oif  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and  made  down 
thp  river;  bat  by  continuing  in  that  direction  he  discovered  that 
McClellan  would  head  him.  He  turned  his  course  and  made  for 
the  river.  The  river  here  had  a  bluff  bank  about  twenty  feet  high. 
When  he  came  to  the  bank  he  sprang  down  into  the  river,  the 
bottom  of  which  was  a  soft  mud,  into  which  he  sunk  to  the  mid- 
dle. While  he  was  endeavoring  to  extricate  himself  out  oi  the 
mud,  McClellan  came  to  the  top  of  the  high  bank,  and,  without 
hesitation,  sprang  upon  him  as  he  was  wallowing  in  the  mire.  The 
Indian  drew  his  knife — McCllellan  raised  his  tomahawk — told  him 
to  throw  down  his  knife,  or  he  would  kill  him  instantly.  He  threw 
down  his  knife,  and  surrendered  without  any  further  effort  at 
resistance.  « 

"  By  the  time  the  scuffle  had  ceased  in  the  mire,  Wells  and  his 
companions  came  to  the  bank,  and  discovered  McClellan  and  the 
Indian  quietly  sticking  in  the  mire.  As  their  prisoner  was  now 
secure,  they  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  take  the  fearful  leap  the 
others  had  done.  They  selected  a  place  where  the  bank  was  less 
precipitous,  went  down  and  dragged  the  captive  out  of  the  mud  and 
tied  him.  He  was  very  sulky,  and  refused  to  speak  either  Indian  or 
English.  Some  of  the  party  went  back  for  their  horses,  whilst 
others  washed  the  mud  and  paint  from  the  prisoner.  When  washed 
he  turned  out  to  be  a  white  man.  but  still  refused  to  speak  or  give 
any  account  of  himselt.  The  party  scalped  the  two  Indians  whom 
they  had  shot,  and  then  set  off'  with  their  prisoner  for  headquarters. 
Whilst  on  their  return  to  Fort  Greenville,  Henry  Miller  began  to 
admit  the  idea  that  it  was  possible  their  prisoner  was  his  brother 
Christopher,  whom  he  had  left  with  the  Indians  some  years  previ- 
ous. Under  this  impression  he  rode  alongside  of  him  and  called 
him  by  his  Indian  name.  At  the  sound  of  his  name  he  started,  and 
stared  round,  and  eagerly  inquired  how  he  came  to  know  his  name. 
The  mystery  was  soon  explained — their  prisoner  was  indeed  Chris- 


100 


Ilelease  of  ChHstcyplier  Miller. 


topher  Miller  !  A  mysterious  providence  appears  to  have  placed 
Christopher  Miller  in  a  situation  in  the  camp  by  "vvliich  his  lite  Avas 
preserved.  Had  he  heen  standing  on  the  right  or  left  ho  would 
inevitably  have  been  killed.  But  that  i'ate  Avhich  appears  to  have 
doomed  the  Indian  race  to  extinction  permitted  the  white  man  to 
live,  whilst  the  Indians  were  permitted  to  meet  the  'fate  they  can 
not  shun.' 

"  Captain  Wells  arrived  safely  with  their  prisoner  at  Fort  Green- 
ville. He  was  ])laced  in  the  guard  house,  Avhero  General  Wayne 
frequently  interrogated  him  as  to  what  he  knew  of  the  future  inten- 
tions of  the  Indians.  Captain  Wells  and  Henry  Miller  were  almost 
constantly  with  Christojiher  in  the  guard  house,  urging  him  to  leave 
ott"  the  thought  of  living  longer  Avith  the  Indians,  and  to  join  liis 
relatiA'CS  among  the  Avhitcs.  Christopher,  for  some  time,  Av.ns 
reserved  and  sulky,  but  at  length  became  more  cheerful,  and  agreed, 
if  they  Avould  release  him  from  confinement,  that  he  would  remain 
with  the  Avhites.  Captain  Wells  and  Henry  Miller  solicited  General 
Wayne  for  Christopher's  liberty.  Gener.al  Wayne  could  scarcely 
deny  such  pleaders  any  request  they  could  make,  and,  Avithout  hesi- 
tation, ordered  Christopher  Miller  to  be  set  at  liberty,  remarking  that 
should  he  deceive  them  and  return  to  the  enemy,  they  Avould  be  but 
one  stronger.  Christopher  Avas  set  at  liberty,  and  appeared  pleased 
Avith  his  change  of  situation.  He  Avas  mounted  on  a  fine  horse,  uml 
otherAvise  Avell  equipped  for  Avar.  He  joined  the  company  Avitli 
Captain  Wells  and  his  brother,  .and  fought  bravely  against  the 
Indians  during  the  continuance  of  the  Avar.  He  Avas  true  to  his 
word,  and  upon  every  occasion  proved  himself  an  intrepid  and 
daring  soldier. 

"  As  soon  as  Captain  Wells  and  company  had  rested  themselves 
and  recruited  their  horses,  they  Avere  anxious  for  another  hout  Avitli 
the  red  men.     I'ime,  Avithout  action,  Avas  irksome  to  such  stirring 
spirits.     Early  in  July,  they  left  Greenville;    their   company  Avas 
then   strengthened   by  the  addition   of  Christopher ;    their  orders 
were  to  bring   in  prisoners.     They  pushed  through   the   countr)'. 
ahvays  dressed  and  painted  in  Indian  style;  they  passed  on,  cross- 
ing the  liver  St.  Mary,  and  then  through  the  country  near  to  the  j 
river  Atiglaize,  Avhere  they  met  a  single  Indian,  and  called  to  him 
to  surrender.     This  man,  notAvithstanding  th.at  the  Avhites  Avere  six 
against  one,  i  efused  to  surrender.     He  leveled  his  rifle,  and,  aa  the  | 
Avhites  Avere  approaching  him  on  horseback,  he  fired,  but  missed  i 
his   mark,  and   then   took  to  his  heels  to  effect  his  escape.     The 
xnidergrowth  of  lirush   Avas   so   very   thick   that   he  gained   upoii| 
his  pursuers.     McClellan  and  Christopher  Miller  dismounted,  and 
McClcllan  soon  overhauled  him.     The  Indian,  finding  himself  over , 
taken  by  his  pursuers,  turned  round  and  made  a  bloAV  at  McClellan 
Avith  his  rifle,  which  Avas  parried.     As  McClellan's  intention  wa> 
not  to  kill,  he  kept  him  at  bay  till   Christopher  Miller  came  up  I 
when   they  closed   in  upon  him  and  made   him  prisoner  without  | 


The  Heroic  Captain  Wells. 


101 


receiviiiLj  any  injnvy.  Tliey  turned  about  for  headquarters,  and 
arrived  safely  at  Fort  Greenville.  Their  prisoner  was  reputed  to 
be  a  Fottawotamie  chief,  whose  courage  and  prowess  was  scarcely 
enualed.  As  Christopher  Miller  had  perlornied  his  ])art  on  this 
occasion  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  brave  spirits  with  whom 
he  acted,  he  had,  as  he  merited,  their  entire  confidence. 

"On  one  of  Captain  Wells'  peregrinations  througli  the  Indian 
country,  as  he  canie  to  the  bank  of  the  river  St.  Mary,  he  discov- 
ered a  family  ot  Indians  coming  up  the  river  in  a  canoe.  lie 
dismounted,  and  concealed  his  men  near  the  bank  of  the  river, 
whilst  ho  went  himself  to  the  bank,  in  open  view,  and  called  to  the 
Indians  to  come  over.  As  he  was  dressed  in  Indian  style,  and 
i;poke  to  thcni  in  their  own  language,  the  Indians,  not  e.xjiecting 
an  enemy  in  that  part  of  the  country,  without  any  sus])icion  of 
<lauger,  Avent  across  the  river.  The  moment  the  canoe  struck  the 
shore,  Wells  heard  the  cocks  of  his  comrades'  rifles  vvy.  '  nick,  nick,' 
as  they  prepared  to  shoot  the  Indian;^;  but  who  should  be  in  the 
canoe  "but  his  Indian  father  and  mother,  with  their  children !  As 
his  comrades  were  coming  forward  with  their  rilles  cocked,  ready 
to  pour  in  the  deadly  storm  upon  the  devoted  Indians,  Wells  called 
to  them  to  hold  their  hands  and  desist.  He  then  informed  them 
wli )  those  Indians  wore,  and  solemidy  declared,  that  the  man  who 
would  atteni])t  to  injure  one  of  them,  would  n'ceive  a  ball  in  his 
head.  He  said  to  his  men,  that  '  that  tartiily  had  fed  him  when  he 
was  hungry,  clothed  him  when  ho  was  naked,  and  kindly  nursed 
liiin  Avheu  sick ;  and  in  every  respect  Avero  as  kind  and  affectionate 
to  him  as  they  were  to  their  own  children.' 

''Those  hardy  soldiers  approved  of  the  motives  of  Captain  Wells' 
li'uity  to  the  enemy.  They  threw  down  their  rifles  ancl  tomahaws, 
wout  to  the  canoe,  and  shook  hands  with  the  trcmibling  Indians  in 
the  most  friendly  manner.  Captain  Wells  .assured  them  they  had 
nothing  to  fear  from  him ;  and  after  t.alking  with  them  to  dispel 
their  fears,  he  said,  '  that  (general  Wayne  Avas  .approaching  with  an 
iiverwlu'lming  force;  that  the  best  thmg  the  Indians  could  do  was 
to  make  ])e.ace;  that  the  Avhite  men  did  not  Avish  to  cojitinue  the 
war."  He  urged  his  Indian  father  for  the  future  to  keep  out  of 
the  roach  of  danger.  He  then  bade  them  farewell ;  they  appeared 
grateful  for  his  clemency,  They  then  pushed  off  their  canoe,  and 
went  doAvn  the  river  as  fast  as  they  could  pro])el  her. 

"Captain  Wells  and  his  comrades,  though  perfect  desperadoes  in 
fi.!j;lit,  upon  this  occasion  proved  they  largely  2)ossessed  that  real 
gratitude  and  benevolence  of  heart,  which  does  honor  to  human 
kind. 

"Early  in  the  month  of  August,  Avheh  tlie  main  army  had  arrived 
at  the  ])l!ice  sul)sc-([uently  designated  as  Fort  Defiance,  General 
W  ;iyue  wished  to  be  informed  of  the  intentions  of  the  enemy.  For 
this  jiurpose,  Captain  Wells  Avas  again  despatched  to  bring  in 
imother  prisouor.    'J^he  distauc(,^  from  Fort  Defiance  to  the  Britisl^ 


102 


Other  Adventu7'es  of  the 


fort,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Maumee  river,  was  only  forty-five  miles, 
and  he  would  not  have  to  travel  far  bei'ore  he  would  find  Indians. 
As  his  object  was  to  bring  in  a  prisoner,  it  became  necessary  for 
him  to  keep  out  of  the  way  of  large  parties,  and  endeavor  to  fall 
in  with  some  stragglers,  who  might  be  easily  subdued  and  captured. 

"  They  went  cautiously  down  the  river  Maumee,  till  they  came 
opposite  the  site  on  which  Port  Meigs  was  erected  by  General 
Harrison,  in  1813.  '['his  was  two  miles  above  the  British  fort,  then 
called  Fort  Campbell.  On  the  west  bank  of  the  Maumee  was  an 
Indian  village.  Wells  and  his  party  rode  into  the  village,  as  if  they 
had  just  come  from  the  British  fort.  Being  dressed  and  painted  in 
complete  Indian  style,  they  rode  through  the  village,  occasionally 
stopping  and  talking  to  the  Indians  in  their  own  language.  No 
suspicion  of  who  they  were  was  excited,  the  enemy  believing  them 
to  be  Indians  from  a  distance,  coming  to  take  a  part  in  the  battle 
which  they  all  knew  was  shortly  to  be  fought.  After  they  had 
passed  the  village  some  distance,  they  fell  iu  with  an  Indian  man 
and  woman  on  horseback,  who  were  returning  to  the  town  from 
hunting.  This  man  and  woman  were  made  captives  without  resist- 
ance.    Thev  then  set  off  for  Fort  Defiance. 


"  As  they  were  rapidly  proceeding  up  the  Maumee  river,  a  little 
after  dark,  they  came  near  a  large  encampment  of  Indians,  who 
were  merrily  amusing  themselves  around  their  camp-fires.  Their 
prisoners  were  ordered  to  be  silent,  under  pain  of  instant  death. 
They  went  round  the  camp  with  their  prisoners,  till  they  got  about 
half  a  mile  above  it,  where  they  halted  to  consult  on  their  future 
operations.  After  consultation,  they  concluded  to  gag  and  tie  their 
prisoners,  and  ride  back  to  the  Indian  camp,  and  give  them  a  rally, 
in  which  each  should  kill  his  Indian.  They  deliberately  got  down, 
gagged  and  fastened  their  prisoners  to  trees,  rode  boldly  into  the 
Indian  encampment,  and  halted,  with  their  rifles  lying  across  the 
pummels  of  their  saddles.  They  inquired  when  last  they  had  heard 
of  General  Wayne,  and  the  movements  of  his  army;  how  soon,  and 
where  it  was  expected  the  battle  would  be  fought.  The  Indians 
who  were  standing  around  Wells  and  his  desperadoes,  were  very 
communicative,  answering  all  their  interrogatories  without  suspect- 
ing any  deceit  in  their  visitors.  At  length,  an  Indian,  who  was 
sitting  some  distance  from  them,  said,  in  an  undertone,  in  another 
tongue,  to  some  who  were  near  him,  that  he  suspected  that  these 
strangers  had  some  mischief  in  their  heads.  Wells  overheard  what 
he  said,  and  immediately  gave  the  preconcerted  signal,  and  each 
fired  his  rifle  into  the  body  of  an  Indian,  at  not  more  than  six  teet 
distance.  The  Indian  who  had  suspected  them,  the  moment  he 
made  the  remark,  and  a  number  of  others,  rose  up  with  their  rifles 
in  their  hj»Tid8,  but  not  before  Wells  and  his  party  had  each  shot  an 
Indian.  As  soon  as  Wells  and  his  party  fired,  they  put  spurs  to 
their  horses,  1'  '»'  with  their  breasts  on  the  horses'  necks,  so  as  to 
lessen  the  m!  the  enemy  to  tire  at.     They  had  not  got  out  of 


the  light 

McClellan 

under  his  t 

Captain  "V^ 

rifle ;  the  a 

"  After  1 

rode  at  ful 

them  on  he 

McClellan 

of  about  tl 

receive  the 

painful,  one 

ance  for  a  j 

ger  arrived 

perilous  sil 

sympathy  ^ 

feeling  for  1 

we  can  ther 

of  the  sufte 

Without  a  ] 

of  the  swii 

fellows  to  \ 

camp,  and  t 

"As  the  1 
after  this  afl 
were  not  en 
the  Indians 
peace." 


Heroii]  Captain  Wells. 


loa 


—  -5; 


n 


the  light  of  the  camp-fire,  before  the  Indians  shot  at  them.  As 
McClellan  lay  close  on  his  horse's  neck,  he  was  shot,  the  ball  passing 
under  his  shoulder-blade,  and  coming  out  at  the  top  ot  his  shoulder. 
Captain  Wells  was  shot  through  the  arm  on  which  he  carried  his 
rifle;  the  arm  was  broken,  and  his  trusty  rifle  fell. 

"  After  having  performed  this  act  of  military  supererogation,  they 
rode  at  full  speed  to  where  their  captives  were  confined,  mounted 
them  on  horses,  and  set  otf  for  Fort  Defiance.  Captain  Wells  and 
McClellan  were  severely  wounded ;  and  to  Fort  Defiance,  a  distance 
of  about  thirty  miles,  they  had  to  travel,  before  they  could  rest  or 
receive  the  aid  of  a  surgeon.  As  their  march  would  bo  slow  and 
painful,  one  of  the  party  was  dispatched  at  full  speed  to  Fort  Defi- 
ance for  a  guard  and  a  surgeon.  As  soon  as  Captain  Wells'  messen- 
ger arrived  at  Fort  Defiance,  with  the  tidings  of  the  wounds  and 
perilous  situation  of  those  heroic  and  faithful  spies,  very  great 
sympathy  was  manifested  in  the  minds  of  all.  General  Wayne's 
feeling  for  the  suffei'ing  soldier  was  at  all  times  quick  and  sensitive  ; 
we  can  then  imagine  how  intense  was  his  solicitude,  when  informed 
of  the  sufferings  and  perils  of  his  confidential  and  chosen  band. 
Without  a  moment's  delay,  he  dispatched  a  surgeon,  and  a  company 
of  the  swiftest  dragoons,  to  meet,  assist,  and  guard  these  brave 
fellows  to  headquarters.  Suffice  it  to  say,  they  arrived  safely  in 
camp,  and  the  wounded  recovered  in  due  course  of  time. 

"  As  the  battle  was  fought,  and  a  brilliant  victory  won,  a  few  days 
after  this  aftair  took  place,  Captain  Wells  and  his  daring  comrades, 
were  not  engaged  in  any  further  acts  of  hostility,  till  the  war  with 
the  Indians  was  auspiciously  concluded  by  a  lasting  treaty  of 
peace." 

From  the  Connecticut  Evangelical  Magazine,  published  at  Hart- 
ford, the  following  extracts  from  a  report  made  to  the  Trustees  of 
the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut,  by  Rev.  David  Bacon,  is 
reproduced  here,  in  order  to  exhibit  the  religious  and  moral  condi- 
tion of  the  race  which  then  maintained  dominion  in  the  Maumee 
Valley :  • 

"The  29th  of  April,  1802,  sat  out  for  the  Miami  in  a  canoe  with 
Beamont  and  the  man  that  I  had  hired ;  but  by  reason  of  unfavora- 
ble winds,  we  did  not  arrive  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  until  the  4th 
of  May.  We  were  much  fatigued  with  hard  rowing,  and  were 
several  times  in  danger  by  the  violence  of  the  waves,  but  God  was 
better  to  us  than  our  fears.  I  was  obliged  to  go  without  the  public 
interpreter,  as  he  could  not  be  spared.  I  started,  however,  with 
hopes  of  obtaining  his  brother,  who,  as  I  was  told,  lived  but  a  few 
miles  out  of  my  way.  But  after  traveling  till  laie  in  the  night  to 
see  him,  with  limbs  that  were  wearied  with  the  fatigues  of  the  day, 
I  was  disappointed  of  him,  also.  But  when  1  camo  to  the  Miami,  I 
learned  the  reason  of  these  disappointments ;  for  there  1  found  an 


104  Moral  and  J^eUgious  Condition  of  the 


excellent  interpreter,  in  whom  the  Indians  place  the  utmost  confi- 
dence, and  who  served  me  faithfully  for  a  much  less  sum  than  Avhat  ^ 
either  of  the  others  would  have  asked.  His  name  is  William  * 
Dragoo.  He  appears  to  be  a  very  worthy  man,  considering  the 
advantages  he  has  enjoyed — was  taken  prisoner  on  the  Mouonga- 
hela,  when  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  and  adopted  into  the  head 
family  of  the  nation,  and  is  considered  a  chief 

"  When  I  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  the  most  of  the  chiefs 
were  drunk  at  the  traders  above.  After  remaining  there  two  days, 
and  finding  it  uncertain  when  they  would  be  down,  we  went  up  and 
stored  my  provisions  and  farming  tools  at  Fort  JNliami,  eighteen 
miles  above.  Hearing  tliere  that  the  most  of  them  had  gone  down, 
we  returned  the  next  day  to  the  mouth.  The  day  after  I  found  that 
Little  Otter,  the  head  chief,  and  one  other,  were  all  that  were  in 
the  main  village  where  wo  were,  and  that  the  rest  all  lay  drunk  in 
the  neighboring  villages.  In  the  afternoon,  I  spent  several  hours 
with  these  two,  in  explaining  to  them  the  origin  and  designs  of  the 
Missionary  Society,  and  the  benefits,  temporal  and  spiritual,  that 
they  might  expect  to  receive  from  having  me  among  them.  They 
appeared  to  pay  good  attention,  and  when  I  had  concladed,  Little 
Otter  observed  in  reply,  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  been  listening, 
and  that  they  and  their  young  men  had  been  listening  to  all  I  had 
said ;  that  he  believed  it  was  true ;  that  the  air  appeared  clear  and 
no  clouds  in  the  way,  and  that  ho  would  assemble  his  chiefs  and 
hear  me  again  as  soon  as  possible;  but  that  till  then,  he  could  give 
me  no  further  answer. 

"  This  was  Saturday,  the  8th.  Througli  the  Sabbath  following, 
we  enjoyed  peace  and  quietness  in  the  midst  of  them.  Hitherto, 
the  most  of  them  had  remained  sober.  But  the  following  night  mo 
were  disturbed  by  the  rattles  and  drums  of  a  number  of  individual* 
who  spent  the  night  in  conjui'ing  over  a  poor  sick  child  in  order  to 
save  its  life ;  but  it  died  within  a  day  or  two  after.  Near  morning, 
they  began  to  drink,  and  by  eight  o'clock,  several  got  to  fighting. 
But  at  the  request  of  the  sober  Indians,  who  chose  not  to  interfere, 
we  parted  them;  and  after  some  time,  made  out  to  pacify  them, 
though  one  of  them  was  so  iar  enraged  as  to  attempt  to  murder  his 
antagonist.  As  spon  as  this  disturbance  had  subsided,  I  called  on 
Little  Otter,  who  informed  me  that  he  should  not  be  able  to  collect 
his  chiefs  that  day,  as  we  had  expected,  as  most  of  them  were  still 
drunk ;  but  added,  that  they  would  be  sober  the  next  day,  as  they 
were  preparing  to  have  a  dance  the  Tuesday  night  following,  and 
that  if  it  was  possible,  he  would  assemble  them  in  season  to  attend 
to  my  business  first,  though  he  thought  it  doubtful  whether  they 
would  be  able  to  give  me  a  hearing  till  after  the  dance. 

"  The  next  day  he  called  upon  me  and  informed  me  that  they 
would  not  be  collected  in  season,  and  observed  that  as  I  was  sent 
there  by  the  Great  Spirit,  and  my  business  was  important,  it  would 
PQt  do  to  have  it  hurried;   and  that  as  it  was  necessary  to  hay^ 


wished:  and  hi 


Indians  in  the  Valleif,m  1802. 


105 


tliem  all  sober  before  we  entered  on  the  business,  he  wislied  me  to 
wait  three  clays,  as  tliey  would  not  be  prepared  sooner,  and  as  I 
alight  expect  by  that  time  to  find  them  wise,  and  ready  to  attend 
to  me.  As  there  were  sick  people  who  needed  my  charity,  and  aa 
others  were  constantly  begging  from  me,  I  had  then  disposed  of  all 
inv  provisions,  and  found  it  necessary  to  go  up  to  the  fort  for  more. 
When  I  arrived  at  my  interpreter's,  which  was  one  mile  above,  I 
found  there  the  head  chief  of  Rushdaboo,  who  is  very  troublesome 
when  iu  li(pior.  I  perceived  that  he  was  intoxicated,  and  soon 
discovered  by  his  gestures,  and  the  tone  of  his  voice,  while  talking 
with  another  Indian,  that  he  had  something  against  me.  Withiu 
a  few  minutes  he  accosted  me  in  an  angry  manner,  told  me  that  he 
had  heard  bad  news — that  he  had  been  informed  that  the  white 
people  were  a  going  to  collect  all  the  Indians  together,  and  then 
tall  \i\ion  them  and  kill  them ;  and  that  he  believed  that  I  had  come 
upon  that  business.  But  I  soon  convinced  him,  by  means  of  my 
interpreter,  that  I  had  neither  ability  nor  inclination  to  destroy 
them ;  and  that  I  had  come  among  them  to  be  one  of  their  people, 
and  to  do  them  all  the  good  that  was  in  my  power.  lie  then  gave 
me  his  hand  and  told  me  he  Avould  be  my  friend;  but  begged  that  I 
would  lend  him  a  dollar  to  get  some  whiskey.  IJut  I  put  him  oft"  by 
telling  him  that  I  had  been  so  long  from  home,  that  I  had  spent  the 
most  of  my  money,  and  that  if  I  had  to  remain  there  much  longer 
I  did  not  know  but  I  should  have  to  call  on  him  for  assistance 
But  before  we  parted,  he  kissed  mc  more  times  than  I  could  have 
wished;  and  hugged  me  till  he  obliged  me  to  return  the  compliment. 

"  As  we  had  a  strong  head  wind,  it  was  with,  difliculty  that  we 
got  but  five  miles  up  the  river  that  afternoon.     We  encamped  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  their  dancing  ground.     ^ly  intery)reter 
advised  me  to  go  Avith  him  to  see  them  that  evening ;  and  I  had  a 
desire  to  be  present,  as  I  supposed  that  I  might  acquire  some  infor- 
mation that  might  be  useful;  but  I  thought  it  would  not  be  pi'udent 
to  be  among  them  that  night,  as  I  knew  that  some  of  them  were 
intoxicated,  .and  that  such  would  be  apt  to  be  jealous  of  mo  at  that 
time;  and  that  nothing  would  be  too  absurd  for  their  imaginations 
to  conceive,  or  too  cruel  for  their  hands  to  perform.     But  as  a  son  of 
;  the  head  chief  was  sent  early  next  morning  to  invite  me  down.  I  Avent 
.  to  see  them.     I  had  the  greater  desire  to  go,  as  this  is  their  annual 
conjuration-dance,  which  is  celebrated  every  spring,  on  their  return 
[from  hunting,  and  at  no  other  time  in  the  year.     No  one  is  suttered 
to  take  a  part  in  it  who  has  not  served  an  api)renticeship,  and  been 
regularly  admitted.      Their    number   used   to   be   but   small,  .and 
[  consisted  of  men  only ;  but  is  now  very  great,  and  consists  of  men 
[  and  women,  and  children  that  are  above  the  age  of  twelve  or  fifteen. 
It  appears  to  bo  a  very  growing  evil  among  them  of  late ;  and  is  as 
I  much  of  a  secret  as  Free  Masonry.    My  interpreter,  Avho  has  been 
I  bred  up  with  them  from  a  child,  told  me.  that  he  knew  nothing 
I  ihout  it,  .18  he  had.  not  tb.ought;  fit  to  jojq  th^na.    S^t£^n  hj^s  not 


106  Moral  and  Religious  Condition  of  the 


been  ignorant  of  what  has  been  doing  of  late  for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel  among  them ;  and  I  believe  that  this  and  spirituous  liquor 
lire  the  principal  engines  which  he  is  employing  against  it.  And 
I  doubt  not  but  he  is  flattering  himself  with  hopes  of  success ;  and 
certainly  appearances  seem  to  be  in  his  favor.  Mr.  Anderson,  a 
respectable  trader  at  Fort  Miami,  told  me  that  they  had  been  grow 
ing  worse  and  worse  every  year  since  he  had  been  acquainted  witb 
them,  which  is  six  or  seven  years ;  and  that  they  have  gone  mucli 
greater  lengths  this  year  than  he  has  ever  known  them  before.  Ht 
assured  me  that  it  was  a  fact,  that  they  had  lain  drunk  this  spring, 
as  much  as  ten  or  fifteen  days,  at  several  different  traders  above 
him ;  and  that  some  of  them  had  gone  fifteen  days  without  tasting  a 
mouthful  of  victuals  while  they  were  in  that  situation.  Mr.  Ander 
son  disapproves  of  the  practice  ;  and  by  not  complying  with  it,  has 
lost  the  trade,  and  has  turned  his  attention  to  his  farm.  He  treated 
me  very  kindly,  and  seemed  friendly  to  my  designs,  and  very  desir- 
ous to  have  me  come  out  there.  ^ 

"  The  leaders  of  the  dance  I  have  mentioned,  may  be  called 
conjurers  or  doctors.  They  are  never  without  large  bags  of  medi 
cine,  and  their  conjuring  apparatus ;  and  are  supposed,  by  the 
Indians,  to  possess  great  skill  in  medicine,  and  great  power  in 
bewitching.  Sickness  and  ill-success  in  lumting  are  commonly 
ascribed  to  their  agency.  It  is  believed  that  they  ai'e  able  to  poison 
or  bewitch  people  at  any  distance ;  or  to  afford  relief  to  those  who 
are  poisoned  or  bewitched ;  which  they  suppose  to  be  the  diflicultj 
with  the  most  who  are  sick.  And  if  any  die  without  applying  to 
one  of  these  men,  their  death  is  usually  attributed  to  this  cause.  It 
is  supposed,  likewise,  that  they  are  able  to  heal  the  sick,  where  the 
Great  Spirit  does  not  interfere.  In  short,  life  and  death,  in  moBt 
instances,  are  considered  to  be  at  their  disposal.  In  cases  of 
extreme  illness,  they  often  send  great  distances  for  the  most  noted, 
and  give  them  whatever  they  ask,  that  is  at  their  disposal,  which  is 
commonly  a  large  sum,  besides  storing  them  with  a  plenty  of 
provisions,  especially  with  liquor.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  one  of 
this  description  to  require  a  horse,  saddle  and  bridle  before  he  will 
undertake  to  effect  the  cure.  And  if  he  does  not  succeed  in  the 
attempt,  in  order  to  give  satisfaction,  has  only  to  report  the  Great  j 
Spirit  killed  him.  Their  pupils,  before  they  can  be  admitted  into 
their  dance,  are  required  to  encamp  one  winter  at  least  near  one 
of  their  order,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  their  education.  Then, 
when  they  carry  their  preceptor  a  supply  of  the  best  provision! 
they  can  procure,  he  will  condescend  to  instruct  them  in  medicine, 
and  learn  them  the  songs  and  dances  that  are  peculiar  to  themselves. 
And  at  the  time  they  are  admitted  into  the  dance,  they  have  to  | 
give  each  of  the  conjurers  a  blanket  or  shirt,  or  something  equiva- 
lent. The  Indians  frequently  have  other  dances,  in  which  any  one  I 
is  allowed  to  take  a  part ;  but  no  one  is  admitted  into  this  upon  | 
cheaper  terms.    Then,  after  serving  a  number  of  years  in  this  way, 


if  there  is 
instruct  thei 
for  about  or 
disciples  is  i 
they  have,  i 
nothing  to 
The  most  of 


Indians  in  the  Valley  in  1802. 


lOY 


Great  I 
into] 
one 
hen,] 
isioM  I 
icine, 
elves. 
,ve  to 
juiva- 
y  one 
upoo 
way,! 


if  there  is  not  likely  to  be  too  many  of  their  order,  they  will 
instruct  them  in  the  black  art,  and  receive  them  into  their  number, 
for  about  one  hundred  dollars.  But  this  revenue  arising  from  their 
disciples  is  not  all :  No  one  dares  refuse  them  a  share  of  any  thing 
they  have,  if  they  do  but  ask  for  it.  They  are  not  chiefs,  and  have 
uothing  to  say  in  public  councils ;  but  they  are  superior  to  chiefs. 
The  most  of  the  chiefs  have  some  little  respect  paid  to  them  by  the 
common  people,  and  they  may  do  something  by  advice  and  persua- 
sion ;  but  they  have  no  authority  or  power  to  enforce  their  com- 
mands; and  they  receive  no  emoluments;  and  commonly  suffer  as 
mucli  from  indigence  as  any  in  the  nation.  With  few  exceptions, 
the  only  honor  put  upon  them,  that  is  worth  mentioning,  is,  that 
they  are  allowed  to  transact  national  affairs,  and  their  voice  allowed 
to  be  decisive  in  councils.  But  in  all  their  decisions,  they  must 
take  care  that  they  do  not  offend  their  conjurers  ;  as  they  stand  in 
as  slavish  fear  of  them  as  any  of  the  common  people.  So  that  these 
vile  imposters  are,  in  fact,  the  lords  and  governors  of  the  nation. 
These  are  a  set  of  enemies  that  I  was  not  aware  of.  I  obtained 
the  chief  of  my  information  respecting  them  from  Mr.  Anderson 
and  my  interpreter,  at  the  Miami,  whose  testimony  I  am  warranted 
to  rely  on.    It  has  likewise  been  confirmed  to  me  by  others. 

"  I  think  it  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  chiefs  will  be 
generally  disposed  to  be  friendly  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel 
among  them,  when  they  come  to  find  that  it  is  addressed  to  them 
as  well  as  others ;  as  those  who  pride  themselves  in  being  the  first 
in  the  nation,  and  the  most  fit  to  give  instructions,  will  doubtless 
be  the  last  to  receive  them.  But  if  I  mistake  not,  the  conjurers 
will  be  much  the  most  bitter,  active  and  successful  opposers;  for 
if  they  have  but  half  an  eye,  they  will  perceive  at  once  that  their 
craft  is  in  danger.  Surely,  no  Missionary,  who  views  things  as  I  do, 
will  ever  encounter  and  withstand  the  united  influence  of  these  ene- 
mies of  all  righteousness,  and  the  overbearing  influence  of  spirituous 
liquor,  without  a  firm  and  steadfast  faith  in  Him,  who  has  subdued 
principalities  and  powers,  and  is  able  to  subdue  all  things  to  himself. 
God  grant  that  I  may  soon  experience  those  unknown  degrees  of 
grace  which  are  necessary  to  fit  me  for  the  arduous  conflict. 

"I  have  conversed  with  traders  and  interpreters  from  most  of  the 
different  nations  in  this  country,  and  from  what  I  can  learn,  there 
are  none  but  what  acknowledge  that  there  is  a  Great  and  Good 
Spirit,  who  has  made  all  things  ;  and  that  there  is  a  bad  spirit.  But 
what  seems  remarkable  is,  that  most,  if  not  all  their  prayers  and 
sacrifices  are  offered  to  the  bad  spirit.  The  reason  they  assign  for 
it  is,  that  the  good  Spirit  will  ixot  hurt  them ;  and  that  the  bad 
spirit  will,  if  they  do  not  make  use  of  these  to  pacify  him.  It  seems 
that  they  are  literally,  worshipers  of  devils ;  and  I  have  no  doubt 
but  they  receive  special  assistance  fi'om  them.  Acccording  to 
report,  the  exploits  of  the  conjurers  in  their  dances,  could  not  be 
performed  without  the  evil   agency  of  invisible  beings.     However 


108  Moral  and  MeUgimis  Condition  of  the 


some  may  sneer  at  the  idea,  I  think  that  it  is  not  unseriptural ;  and 

they  cannot  be  rationally  acconntfd  for  in  any  other  way.     'rhogo 

exploits  are  performed  only  in  tiio  ni<2;ht.     What  they  are,  I  sliall 

not  undertake  to  say,  as  J   was  not  present  to  seo  them.     While  I 

was  there,  the  chief  of  their  time  was  taken  up  m  conjuring  over 

their  medicine,  and  in  rattliiisj  and  drnmminoj,  sinnjing  and  duiiciii^. 

Each  of  these  dancers  had  skins  of  fur-animals  lilled  with  pulverized 

medicine,  which  they  would  puff  into  each  other's  faces  as  they  were 

dancing.     This  had  very  ditferent  etiects  on  dilferent  persons.     My 

interpreter  informed  me  that,  when  it  first  strikes  the  face  of  the 

newly  received  members,  they  fall  down  motionless,  and  remain  for 

ten  or  fifteen  minutes  Avith  scarce  any  signs  of  life.     As  they  wore 

admitted  at  the   b(\ginning  of  the  dance,  I  was  not  witness  to  this 

myself;  but  when  I  came  there  they  looked  like  death,  and  would 

fall  as  soon  as  it  reached  them,  unless  held  up ;  but   they  would 

commonly  rise  again  within  the  space  of  one  or  two  minutes.     On 

the  old  ones,  who  were  most  experienced,  it  appeared  to  have  much 

less   effect.     They   did    not   fall ;    but   they   conducted   much   like 

persons  strangled  with  snuth     I  was  told  by  my  interpreter,  that 

when    drunken    Indians,  who   did   not  belong  to  the   dance,  have 

ventured  in  among   them,  and  accidentally  received   some  of  the 

medicine,  it  has  very  near  cost  them  their  lives.     Krom  all  this.  I 

concluded  that  it  was  composeil  of  very  poisonous  materials ;  and 

that  the   different  effects  which   it  had   on  different  persons,  was 

owing  to  habit.     The  dancers  appeared  to  be  about  one  hundred 

and  fifty  in  number,  and  very   gaily  dressed.     Their  parade   was 

npon    a   beautiful    eminence  upon    the    bank   of    the   river.      Tlie 

turf  was   taken    oft'   of    their  dancing   ground,    which    was  about 

twenty  feet  in  widtli  and  forty  in  length.     In  the  middle  stood  a 

red  post  with  a  white  feather  in  the  to}),  round  which  the  conjurers 

took  their  stand,  who  seemed  to  be  musicians  to  the  rest,  who  were 

dancing  round  them.     On  each  side  they  had  bark  roofs  erected, 

under    which   they  smoked   their  pipes    and  refreshed   themselves 

when  fatigued.     The  most  of  them  had   begun  to  be  intoxicated, 

and  some  of  them  were  very  noisy  and  ({uarrelsomo  ;  but  when  they 

attempted  to  fight,  the  rest  wouUl  hold  them  till  they  got  pacified, 

or  till  they  got  them  drunk  enough  to  sleep.     The  Indians  who  did 

not  belong  to  the  dance,  were  seated  round  at  some  distance  from 

the  rest,  and  were  merely  Sjiectators.     I  took  my  stand  by  the  side 

of  my  interpreter  at  the  end  of  the  !)ark  hut,  within  four  or  live 

rods  of  them,  where  I  had  a  fair  prospect.     While  I  was  standing 

there,  I  recollect  to  have  soon  one  of  the  conjurors  walking  about 

for  some  time,  and  looking  at  nie,  but  I  Daid  no  attention  to  him 

till  I  saw  him  advancing  very  last  towards  me,  with  a  countenance 

that  bespake  bad  intentions.     \\"  was  just  enough  in  li([tujr  to  iVi'l 

insolent  and  courageous.     Tiie  nearer  lie  advaneod,  his  countenance 

assumed  a  more  threatening  aspect.     Jiy  the  time  he  came  within  a 

j-otl  of  me,  while  approacliing  n^'  with  greater  spped,  he  railed  oi^t 


Indio/ns  in  the  Voile}/  m  18t)2. 


109 


at  mo,  flourisliiii,?  his  fist,  and  cluir}i;ecl  me  with  despising  them,  and 
with  coming  there  to  make  frame  of  tiieni,  I  must  acknowledge, 
with  siiame,  tliat  I  was  (hiunted  at  tlio  first  shock,  being  oft'  from 
my  giiiinl ;  but  on  looking  to  (lod  for  grace  and  strength,  and 
ivcoliecting  that  this  enemy  could  not  raise  his  hand  without  His 
a^,'ency,  I  was  immediately  strengthened.  As  soon  as  the  words  were 
intt'r])roti'd  to  me,  I  replied  that  he  was  mistaken,  and  that  what  he 
■Siiiil  was  not  true ;  that  I  had  a  great  regard  for  the  Indians,  and 
had  come  out  in  a  friendly  nuinner  to  visit  them,  in  ordsr  to  do 
tiicm  good — that  I  had  been  invited  there  by  one  of  his  people,  but 
that  1  luid  not  come  there  Avith  the  least  intention  of  making  sport 
of  them.  This,  however,  did  not  satisfy  him,  for  he  immediately 
added,  that  he  supposed  that  I  thought  that  ho  was  poor,  and  that 
ill'  did  not  know  much ;  but  he  said  that  he  had  property  at 
home,  and  that  he  thought  liimself  as  good  as  a  white  man.  I 
replied,  that  I  had  a  good  opinion  of  tlie  abilities  of  the  Indians, 
and  that  he  had  no  reason  to  think  that  I  was  disposed  to  under- 
value them,  as  I  had  come  out  to  live  with  them,  to  be  one  of  their 
people,  if  they  were  willing  to  receive  me.  But  he  said  that  he  did 
not  want  to  have  me  stay  there ;  and  observed  that  when  the 
Flench  came  into  this  country,  the  Wyandots  and  some  others 
embraced  their  religion,  but  that  they  had  not,  and  did  not  like  it, 
and  had  always  continued  in  their  own  way ;  and  added,  that  the 
Great  .Spirit  had  made  him  an  Indian,  made  him  red,  and  made  him 
every  way  just  as  he  was,  and  placed  him  there  on  thatgronnd  ;  and 
said  that  he  meant  to  remain  just  as  he  was;  and  that  he  did  not 
mean  to  hear  to  me.  lie  addctl  further,  as  1  understood  my  inter- 
l)reter,  that  they  did  not  pray ;  but,  pointing  to  the  dance,  said  that 
tliat  was  the  way  they  did.  I  suppose  his  meaning  was,  that  they 
did  not  pray  to  the  Good  S})irit,  but  to  the  bad  spirit,  as  that  is 
luuloubtedly  the  case  when  they  are  conjuring.  I  told  him  that  I 
was  waiting  to  have  a  council  with  the  chiefs  ;  and  if  they  were  not 
generally  disposed  to  have  me  stay,  I  should  go  away  immediately. 
And  I  observed  that,  if  1  did  stay,  he  or  any  other  one  would  be  at 
liberty  to  do  just  as  they  pleased  about  embracing  my  religion.  He 
held  up  his  medicine  bag,  and  said  he  supposed  I  thought  that  that 
was  a  bad  thing,  and  that  their  way  was  a  bad  one  ;  but  he  said  that 
bag  was  a  good  thing,  and  that  there  was  nothing  bad  in  it ;  and 
that  their  way  was  a  very  good  one,  and  much  better  for  them  than 
ours.  But  he  said  if  wc  thouglit  our  rehgion  was  so  much  better 
than  theirs,  he  wanted  to  know  why  our  people  did  not  teach  it  to 
their  forefathers,  when  they  first  came  into  this  country.  He  said 
if  our  people  had  begun  with  the  Indians  then,  that  they  might 
have  learned  our  religion,  and  been  all  of  our  way  now.  But  he 
said  their  forefathers  were  all  dead  and  gone;  and  they  had  contin- 
ued in  their  way  so  long,  that  they  could  not  turn  about  now.  I  told 
him  that  our  people  did  do  something  to  Christianize  the  Indians 
then,  that  lived  near  them,  and  that  they  had  been  doing  something 


110  Moral  cmd  ReUgimis  Condition  of  the 


since ;  but  that  wars  between  us  and  them,  and  a  want  of  ministers, 
with  many  other  difficulties,  had  prevented  them  from  being  able 
to  do  much  till  of  late.  He  then  related  to  me  the  shameful  and 
horrid  story  respecting  the  poor  innocent  Moravian  Indians  on  the 
Muskingum,  who  were  inhumanly  murdered,  in  the  late  revolu- 
tionary war,  by  a  band  of  our  American  volunteers.  And  he  added, 
that  they  might  expect  to  experience  something  similar  if  thev 
received  me  amongst  them.  I  replied  that  we  were  as  angry  witn 
those  cruel  murders  as  they  could  be,  but  that  it  was  difficult  to 
keep  wicked  men  from  doing  mischief  in  time  of  war.  I  observed, 
however,  that  as  we  were  at  peace  with  our  red  brothers,  they  had 
nothing  now  to  fear,  as  our  good  people  did  not  wish  to  hurt  them, 
and  our  bad  people  would  not  be  suffered  to  do  it  in  time  of  peace, 
To  cut  the  business  short,  as  he  was  disposed  to  be  tedious,  I  offered 
him  my  hand,  and  told  him  I  must  leave  him,  as  I  was  in  a  hurry 
to  go  up  the  river ;  that  if  I  remained  there,  and  he  wished  to  have 
any  more  talk  with  me,  he  must  come  to  see  me ;  and  added  that, 
notwithstanding  all  he  had  said,  if  I  came  there  to  live,  I  meant  to 
treat  him  well ;  and  that  I  meant  to  have  him  for  one  of  my  best 
friends.  At  first  he  seemed  unwilling  to  receive  my  hand,  but  on 
hearing  that  I  meant  to  be  a  friend  to  him,  he  shook  my  hand,  and 
said  if  that  was  the  case,  he  would  be  a  friend  to  me ;  and,  as  a 
token  of  this,  he  invited  me  to  come  and  eat  meat  and  bear's  grease 
with  him.  * 

"  This  was  Wednesday,  the  12th  of  May.  I  then  went  up  to  the 
fort ;  and,  as  I  thought  it  doubtful  whether  they  would  receive  me, 
I  brought  down  all  my  things.  When  I  returned,  I  found  the  most 
of  them  sober. 

"  Friday,  the  14th,  in  the  afternoon,  I  got  them  assembled  at  the 
mouth  ot  the  river.  After  a  short  introduction,  I  delivered  the 
Trustees'  address  to  them ;  which  I  endeavored  to  make  as  plain 
and  familiar  to  them  as  possible.  I  had  read  it,  and  explained  it  to 
my  interpreter  before ;  but  fearing  that  that  would  not  be  sufficient, 
I  took  care  now  to  read  him  but  a  few  lines  at  a  time,  and  then,  to 
express  the  ideas  in  a  language  better  adapted  to  his  capacity,  and 
more  agreeable  to  their  modes  of  speaking.  I  think  the  address 
was  much  too  long,  i.  e.  that  it  contained  too  many  ideas  on  that 
subject,  to  them  so  uninteresting,  to  be  delivered  to  Indians  at  once, 
but  this  made  it  much  longer.  Little  Otter  was  too  unwell  to  attend 
that  afternoon.  I  was  glad  that  I  had  explained  the  business  to  him 
before  ;  and  I  apprehend  that  he  heard  the  most  of  it  now,  as  he  lay 
in  the  flag  camp,  that  was  close  to  the  door  of  the  bark  house  that 
it  was  delivered  in.  From  what  I  could  discover,  the  leading  ones 
present,  were  disposed  to  treat  the  matter  with  neglect,  if  not  with 
contempt.  The  most  of  the  chiefs,  though  not  conjurers,  belonged 
to  the  dance,  and  I  observed  that  these  took  a  more  active  part  in  it 
than  others.  Little  Otter  belongs  to  the  dance,  likewise,  but  he 
appeared  to  take  a  less  active  part,  and  he  treated  what  I  had  to  say 


fndians  in  the  Valley  in  1 802. 


Ill 


with  much  more  respect.  When  speeches  are  delivered  to  tliem,  it 
is  usual  for  most  of  the  chiefs  and  old  men  to  give  their  huoh  at 
the  end  of  every  paragraph,  or  interpretation.  It  seems  to  l)e 
always  a  sign  of  attention,  and  when  breathed  out  strong,  of  appro- 
bation. When  such  parts  of  the  address  were  interpeteu  to  them  as 
accorded  with  their  notions  of  things,  such  as,  that  there  is  a  God 
who  made  all  things,  and  that  we  must  not  murder,  steal, 
cheat  or  lie,  etc.,  they  gave  the  sign  of  attention  tliat  I  have 
mentioned,  though  with  a  degree  of  backwardness.  To  other  parts 
of  the  address  they  appeared  to  pay  very  little  attention,  and  almost 
wholly  withheld  the  sign  of  it.  We  were  much  disturbed  the  most 
of  the  time  by  the  hallooing,  screaming  and  laugiiing  of  a  multitude 
of  their  young  men,  who  were  playing  ball  round  the  house.  This 
sliows  the  ditticulty  of  teaching  a  disorganized  people. 

"  Before  I  began  the  address,  I  marked  out  on  the  ground  a  map 
of  Lake  Erie,  the  States  of  New  York  and  Connecticut — divided  the 
latter  into  towns,  and  described  a  great  house  in  the  middle  of  each, 
where  our  people  met  to  worship  God,  and-  hear  his  ministers — 
described  another  at  Hartford  for  the  General  Association  ;  and,  for 
convtiiience,  another  at  New  Haven  for  the  Legislature,  and  a  still 
greater  one  at  the  city  of  Washington  for  Congress.  This  excited 
their  curiosity,  and  served  to  give  them  an  idea  of  Connecticut,  the 
number  of  our  ministers,  and  the  regularity  of  our  towns ;  and  it 
helped  them  to  understand  those  parts  of  the  address  which  spake 
of  the  General  Association,  the  Missionary  Society,  and  the  Legis- 
lature. And  it  helped  me,  likewise,  to  give  them  a  more  just  idea 
of  the  importance  of  the  different  characters  which  compose  the 
honorable  Board  of  Trustees,  as  I  could  point  them  to  the  great 
houses  to  which  the  different  civilians  belonged ;  and  tell  them  what 
important  stations  they  held  in  them.  I  informed  them  that  the 
other  six  were  as  great  in  the  ministry.  I  had  taken  care  before 
this  to  lei  them  know  that  I  had  a  written  recommendation  from 
one  ol  the  great  chief  warriors  of  the  United  States.  I  was  the 
more  particular  with  respect  to  such  characters,  as  they  feel  the 
most  dependent  on  these,  and  have  the  greatest  respect  for  them. 
At  the  conclusioi.  of  the  address,  I  observed  to  them,  that  if 
their  patience  was  not  exhausted,  I  should  be  glad  if  they  would 
liear  what  I  had  to  say  to  them.  And  as  they  readily  complied, 
and  seemed  to  pay  better  attention,  I  delivered  them  a  pretty  • 
lengthy  speech,  in  which  I  carefully  noticed  every  thing  of  import- 
ance that  appeared  to  me  to  be  to  the  purpose.  Supposing  that  they 
might  want  to  know  why  we  had  not  sent  them  a  minister  before, 
since  we  were  so  urgent  to  have  them  receive  one  then,  I  informed 
them  we  had  been  prevented  by  wars,  by  a  want  of  ministers,  and 
by  their  living  at  such  a  great  distance  from  us,  but  that  we  had 
sent  ministers  to  the  other  Indian  nations  who  lived  nearer  to  us. 

"  Having  heard  of  four  objections  which  I  supposed  they  stood 
ready  to  offer,  I  brought  them  up  and  answered  them. 


112  Mot'ol  a/nd  Meligioim'  Conditimi  of  the 


f 


"  The  first  objection  was,  that  our  religion  was  not  designed  for 
Indians.  In  answering  this,  I  availed  myself  of  the  declaration* 
and  promises  of  Hcripture  to  the  contrary,  and  the  command  of 
Christ,  ^0  preach  it  to  every  creature  (which  I  told  them  I  could 
show  them),  and  the  success  which  he  had  given  to  the  ministry. 

"  The  second  objection  that  I  noticed  was,  that  our  religion  was 
not  good  for  them.  In  reply  to  this,  I  showed  them  what  etiectsi' 
would  have  on  their  children — on  th'ir  young  men,  who,  it  was  said, 
did  not  mind  the  chiefs  as  they  used  to — and  on  society  in  general; 
how  it  would  tit  them  for  heaven,  and  give  them  a  sure  title  to  it 
that  it  must  be  good  for  them  if  God  had  designed  it  for  them 
that  other  Indian  nations,  to  whom  we  had  sent  ministers,  tried  it, 
and  found  it  to  be  good,  and  that  they  would  do  wrong  to  condemn 
it,  or  reject  it  without  trying  it. 

"The  third  objection  was,  that  by  listening  to  me  they  would 
expose  themselves  to  the  fate  of  the  poor  Moravians,  who  wen 
destroyed  by  our  people,  in  consequence  of  their  embracing  our 
religion. 

*'  In  answering  this,  I  observed  to  them,  that  they  could  bavt 
nothing  to  fear  from  having  me  among  them,  or  from  listening  to 
me,  because  that  our  bad  men  would  not  be  allowed  to  hurt  them 
now,  as  our  people  were  at  peace  with  them,  and  their  great  fathers 
in  Congress  were  disposed  to  treat  them  as  their  children. 

"  The  fourth  objection  I  thought  to  be  much  the  most  important, 
and  tlie  most  difficult  to  answer.  It  was  tliis ;  that  they  could  not 
live  together  so  as  to  receive  any  instructions  on  account  of  their 
fighting  and  killing  one  another  when  intoxicated. 

"Two  liad  been  killed  but  a  few  days  before  at  the  trader's  above: 
and  1  found  that  they  seldom  got  together  without  killing  some; 
that  their  villages  there  were  little  more  than  places  of  residence 
for  fall  and  spring,  as  they  were  obliged  to  be  absent  in  the  Avinter 
on  account  of  hunting,  and  as  they  found  it  necessary  to  live  apart 
in  the  summer  on  account  of  liquor :  and  that  the  most  of  them 
were  going  to  disperse  in  a  few  days  lor  i)lanting,  Avhen  they  Avould 
be  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles  apart,  and  not  more  than  two  or  three 
families  in  a  place.  To  remove  this  objection,  I  acknowledged  the 
difficulty  of  their  living  together  Avhile  they  made  such  free  use  of 
spirituous  liquor ;  and  proposed  to  them  to  begin  and  build  a  new 
village  upon  this  condition,  that  no  one  should  be  allowed  to  get 
drunk  in  it;  that  if  they  would  drink,  tliey  should  go  off  and  stay 
till  they  had  it  over,  and  that  if  any  would  not  comply  with  this 
law,  they  should  be  obliged  to  leave  tlie  village. 

"  I  then  sliowed  the  advantages  of  adopting  the  plan — that  they 
would  live  in  peace,  as  they  never  quarreled  when  they  were  sober; 
that  with  my  assistance  they  would  be  able  to  give  their  children  an 
education ;  for  want  of  which  they  were  going  on  blindfold  in  their 
business  with  white  people,  who  frequently  imposed  upon  them;  but 
who  would  not  have  it  in  their  power,  if  they  once  had  eyes  of  their 


own,  to  see 

cliieis  and 

i'liigiish  ;  an 

liuiguage  for 

what  I  conic 

{\mv  grouiu 

then  a/uiost 

potatoes,  s([ii 

jioiiltry;  th:i 

about  biiildi 

their  houses 

about  niakiii 

M'onien  how 

.send  them  oi 

nothing;  tlui 

wai;  a  gooil  rr 

lor  them  in  1 

than  what  t 


trouble  of  go 
land  was  exc 
men  would  n 
these  privileg 
then  they  avo 
for  those  Avh 
winter  Avhilst 
what  Avas  inli 
the  religion  < 
it,  Avould  ma 
into  vieAV  the 
to  his  proposi 
that,  as  the  av 
be  too  scarce 
their  children 
we  did,  that 
would  not  ki 
excellent  lan( 
pleasiiiit  riveil 
distant  and 
since  it  Avas  tli 
they  Avould  n 
pro])osed  villa- 
it ;  that  1  avoi 
among  ihoin 
convince  then 
'lipiu  ami   tin 
Indians,  had 
means  of  this 
drnnkenness  av 


Indians  in  the  Valley  in  1802. 


113 


own,  to  see  for  themselves;  as  wouki  be  tlie  case  if  their  young 

chicrs  and   others   should  get   an   education   and    learn   to   speak 

lliiidish  ;  and  that  then  tliey  might  have  books  printed  in  their  oAvn 

hui'^uage  fur  them  to  read  ;  that  I  would  show  them  and  assist  them 

wiuit  I  could  about  making  carts  ami  i)loughs,  and  about  ])loughing 

their  ground,  so  that  they  might  employ  their  horses,  wliich  were 

tlien  almost  useless  to  them;  and  raise  a  plenty  of  corn  and  wheat, 

notatoes,  S(iuashes  and  tobacco,  horses  and  cattle,  sheep,  hogs  and 

poultry;  that  I  would  show  them  and  assist  them  what  I   could 

about  building  a  mill,  building  houses,  and  making  funiture  for 

their  houses;    that  I   would  make   them    wheels  and   show  them 

about  making  looms;  and  that  my  wife  would  learn  their  young 

women  how  to  make  their  own  cloth  ;  that  our  good  people  would 

send  them  on  school  masters  enough  to  school  all  their  children  for 

nothing;  that  I  would  try  to  have  them  send  on  a  blacksmith,  who 

wa;^  a  good  man,  and  would  mend  their  guns,  and  do  all  their  work 

tor  them  in  the  best  manner,  and  at  a  much  more  reasomible  price 

than  what  they  had  to  give  for  it  then,  besides  saving  them  the 

trouble  of  going  a  great  distance  for  it.     I  told  them  that,  as  their 

iaud  was  excellent,  if  they  would  adopt  this  plan,  and  their  young 

men  would  assist  their  women  and  children,  they  might  enjoy  all 

these  privileges  within  a  few  years,  without  working  hard,  and  that 

then  they  Avould  have  a  comfortable  home  for  their  old  people,  and 

lor  those  who  were  sick,   where  they  could  remain  through  the 

winter  whilst  the  others  were  gone  to  their  hunting  grounds  ;  and, 

what  was  infinitely  more  than  all  the  rest,  they  might  then  enjoy 

the  religion  of  God's  Avord,  which,  if  they  would  rightly  attend  to 

it,  would  make  tliem  unspeakably  happy  forever.     I  then  brought 

into  view  the  coufcoquences  that  would  follow  if  they  did  not  glisten 

to  his  proposal.    I  told  them  that  game  was  growing  scarce,  and 

that,  as  the  white  people  were  settling  round  them,  it  .would  soon 

be  too  scarce  for  them  too  live  by  hunting ;  that  if  they  did  not  teach 

their  children  to  cultivate  the  laud  and  raise  their  living  out  of  it  as 

we  did,  that  they  would  soon  be  so  poor  and  hungry  that  they 

would  not  know  Avhat  to  do;    that  at   best  they  would  sell  their 

excellent  land  for  little  or  nothing,  and  l)e  obliged  to  leave  that 

l)leas9nt  river  and  delightful  country  and  seek  a  home  in  some 

distant  and  unknown  wilderness.    And  I  observed  to  them  that, 

since  it  was  thus,  I  hoped  they  would  listen  to  my  advice,  and  that 

they  would  nof  only  prevent  liquor  from  being  brought  into  the 

proposed  village,  but  that  they  would  entirely  desist  from  drinking 

it;  that  1  would  have  them  more  afraid  of  those  Avho  brought  it 

among  ihem  than  those  who  cann  against  tliom  with  lire-guns.     To 

convince  them  of  this,  I  assured  them  that  the  country  between 

tlicni  and   the   Atlantic,  Aviiich   was  once  thickly  inhabited    with 

Indians,  had  become  almost  entindy  dejiopulated,  principally   by 

means  of  this  destroying  liquor.     And  1  addi-d  that  this  universal 

drunkenness  was  very  displeasing  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  provoked 

9 


114  Moral  and  lieligioits  Condition  of  the 


him  to  give  them  up  to  die,  as  it  Avere,  by  their  own  hands ;  and 
that  if  they  continued  to  go  on  as  otliers  had  done,  they  must 
expect  ere  long  to  be  universally  swept  from  the  earth  in  like 
manner.  I  told  them  that  they  might  thiuk  that  they  could  not 
keep  from  drinking,  but  that  if  they  Avould  strive  against  it,  and 
pray  to  the  Great  bpirit  to  help  them,  that  he  would  enable  them  to 
keep  from  it ;  that  if  they  had  any  regard  to  their  welfare,  the  least 
they  could  think  of  doing  would  be  to  accept  of  my  assistance,  and 
follow  my  advice  with  respect  to  the  village  I  had  proposed,  and  not 
suffer  any  liquor  to  come  into  that.  I  told  them  that  I  might  have 
lived  much  happier  at  home  among  my  dear  friends  and  acquanit- 
ances,  where  we  had  everything  that  Avas  comfortable  around  us; 
but  knowing  how  much  they  needed  my  assistance,  and  having  a 
great  love  for  them,  and  being  commanded  by  God,  1  had  forsaken 
all,  and  had  come  a  great  distance  to  tpend  my  days  with  them,  in 
order  to  make  them  happy  in  this  world  and  in  the  world  to  come: 
that  I  had  come  by  the  desire  of  God's  ministers  and  good  people, 
who  tenderly  loved  them,  who  had  always  been  their  best  and  only 
true  friends,  both  in  time  of  war  and  in  time  of  peace,  and  had 
always  been  praying  to  God  for  them,  that  they  might  enjoy  those 
great  privileges  which  they  had  now  been  at  so  much  pains  and 
expense  to  help  them  to ;  that  I  had  not  come  merely  of  my  own 
accord,  or  by  the  desire  of  those  good  people,  but  that  I  was  sent 
there  by  God  himself,  who  commanded  them  to  listen  to  me  ;  tliat 
since  it  was  thus,  if  they  did  not  receive  me,  and  attend  to  the  good 
things  which  I  was  sent  to  teach  them,  they  would  make  me  very 
sorrowful,  exceedingly  grieve  the  hearts  of  God's  ministers  and 
people,  and,  what  was  inconceivably  worse,  they  would  dreadfully 
offend  the  God  who  had  sent  me,  and  make  him  very  angry  with  them. 
To  conclude  my  speech  to  them,  I  told  them  that  they  were  not 
to  blame  for  not  having  this  good  religion  sent  to  them  before,  bnt 
that  if  they  rejected  it  now  it  was  sent,  rejected  the  goodness  of  God 
in  sending  it  to  them,  and  all  our  kind  oilers  to  them,  which  had 
cost  us  so  much  trouble  and  expense,  they  would  certainly  be  inex- 
cusable, and  that  1  therefore  hoped  they  would  give  me  a  favorable 
answer. 

"I  was  thus  urgent  with  them,  because  I  suspected  that  the  most 
of  them  were  determined  not  to  receive  me.  They  heard  me  with 
the  more  patience  on  account  of  my  having  furnished  them,  in  the 
first  place,  with  as  much  tobacco  as  they  could  smoke.  As  tk 
Trustees'  address  took  Vip  so  much  time,  I  should  have  been  glad  to 
have  been  much  shorter;  bnt  as  I  thought  the  ca.se  doubtful,  I  wa? 
unwilling  to  omit  anything  which  might  be  to  the  purpose.  The 
most  of  the  chiefs  renniined  together  that  night.  Tliey  assembled 
on  the  grass  the  next  day,  at  about  twelve  o'clock,  and  sent  for  nie. 
Little  Otter  was  well  enough  to  attend  ;  and  he  delivered  me  tin' 
following  speech,  with  several  of  the  ideas  often  re})eated : 

"  Brother,  we  listened  to  you  yesterday,  and  heard  all  you  had  to 


Indians  in  iJie  Valley  in  1802. 


11^ 


say  to  us.  Since  that,  we  have  been  tliinking  of  what  you  said  to  us, 
and  have  been  talking  it  over  among  ourselves,  and  have  made  up  our 
minds.  Now,  brother,  if  you  will  listen  to  us,  we  will  give  you  an 
answer.  But  it  is  our  way  to  be  very  short.  Our  white  brothers, 
when  they  make  speeches,  are  very  lengthy.  They  read  and  write 
so  much,  "that  they  get  in  a  great  many  little  things.  But  it  is  not 
so  with  your  red  brothers.  When  we  go  on  any  great  business,  and 
have  any  great  things  to  say,  we  say  them  in  a  few  words.  Brother, 
we  understand  tliat  you  are  sent  out  here  by  the  Great  Spirit,  and 
by  his  good  people,  who  live  in  one  of  the  sixteen  tires.  Brother, 
we  believe  you  have  not  come  alone,  or  of  your  own  accord,  but  that 
you  are  sent  out  here,  as  you  say,  by  the  Great  Spirit,  and  by  some 
of  his  great  black-gowns  and  great  men  who  make  laws.  And  we 
thank  those  great  Fathers  for  being  so  kind  to  us.  Brother,  we 
like  what  you  have  said  to  us.  We  know  that  it  is  all  true,  and  all 
very  good.  When  you  was  talking,  you  kept  looking  up,  and  said  a 
great  deal  to  us  about  the  Great  Spirit.  We  believe  that  there  is  a 
Great  Spirit,  who  has  made  the  world,  the  sun,  the  moon,  the  stars, 
the  ground,  the  water,  the  trees,  and  all  the  men,  creatures  and 
things  that  are  in  the  world.  Brother,  we  understand  that  you  have 
come  to  teach  us  and  our  children  how  to  worship  the  Great  Spirit, 
and  what  we  must  do  to  please  Him,  and  be  happy  in  this  world  and 
in  the  world  to  come.  We  understand  that  you  want  to  have  us 
raise  a  plenty  of  corn  and  wheat,  horses  and  cattle,  and  all  the  other 
creatures  and  things  that  you  raise ;  and  that  you  want  us  to  live 
like  the  people  that  wear  hats.  And  we  believe  that  you  and  our 
great  fathers  that  sent  you,  Avish  to  do  us  all  the  good  you  can ;  that 
you  want  to  make  us  happy,  not  only  here,  but  in  the  world  to  come. 
Brother,  we  know  that  you  spoke  true,  when  you  told  us  that  our 
game  was  growing  scarce,  and  ihat  it  would  soon  be  so  that  we 
could  not  live  by  hunting  as  we  used  to.  We  feel  very  poor,  and  we 
do  not  know  how  we  are  going  to  live  or  what  we  shall  do.  Now, 
brother,  if  you  and  your  great  black  gowns  and  chiefs  want  to  help 
us  and  make  us  happy,  wliy  don't  you  stop  your  people  from  settling 
so  near  us  ?  If  you  would  do  t'is  we  might  have  game  enough  and 
do  very  well. 

"Brother,  we  know  that  it  is  all  true  what  you  say  to  us  about  the 
stuff  the  Avhite  people  make,  which  we  like  so  well.  We  know  that 
it  makes  us  foolish,  and  quarrelsome,  and  poor,  and  that  it  destroys 
us,  and  has  greatly  diminished  our  number;  that  we  used  to  be 
much  happier  before  it  came  among  us,  and  that  it  would  be  much 
better  for  us  to  be  entirely  without  it.  We  do  know  how  to  make 
it ;  Indians  don't  know  how  to  make  it,  and  have  nothing  to  make 
it  of  If  your  people  did  not  make  it  and  bring  it  to  us  Ave  should 
not  have  it.  And  if  we  did  not  see  it  wc  should  not  care  anything 
about  it.  But  when  Ave  get  a  taste  of  it  Ave  love  it  so  well  Ave  "do  not 
knoAV  how  to  stop  drinking.  Brother,  since  it  is  so,  why  do  you  not 
stop  your  people  from  bringing  it  among  us  ?    If  you  would  do  this. 


116  Moral  and  Religious  Condition  of  the 


then  perhaps  you  might  get  us  to  come  and  live  together  in  one 
village,  so  that  you  might  have  an  opportunity  to  instruct  ns  and 
do  us  good.  But  until  this  liquor  is  stopped  we  shall  (juarrel  so 
among  ourselves,  when  we  get  it,  that  we  cannot  many  of  us  live 
together  in  the  same  village,  and  you  will  not  be  able  to  do  anything 
with  us. 

*'  Brother,  what  yor  have  said  to  us  is  all  true,  but  we  would  not 
wish  to  steal  the  good  words  or  keep  them  to  ourselves.  We  under- 
stand that  you  Avas  sent  out  to  travel  round  and  visit  the  Indians 
in  order  to  find  out  their  minds  respecting  this  business.  You  have 
seen  but  a  few  Indians  yet.  Tliere  are  a  great  many  that  live  away 
back  of  us.  If  you  Avas  to  go  and  see  them  all  it  would  take  you 
two  or  three  years.  We  think  you  had  better  go  and  talk  with  them 
all,  and  see  what  they  think  about  it ;  aiul  if  they  will  agree  to  have 
black  gowns,  we  will  agree  to  have  one  too.  This  is  all  the  red 
brothers  have  to  say  to  you. 

I  suppose  they  meant  to  require  me  to  stoj)  all  the  liquor  and  get 
the  consent  of  all  the  Indians  to  receive  ministers  before  they  would 
receive  me.  This,  they  doubtless  thought,  would  be  putting  the 
matter  oif  far  enough  for  the  present,  and  that  it  would  be  a  more 
polite  way  of  answering  me  than  saying  no.  I3ut  I  was  not  disposed 
to  take  even  no  for  an  answer  till  I  had  a  farther  trial.  Therefore, 
as  soon  as  he  had  finished  his  speech,  I  begged  another  hearing, 
and  delivered  them  another  speech  as  lengthy  as  my  first,  in  which 
I  was  enabled  with  the  greatest  ease  to  remove  every  difficulty  they 
had  artfully  flung  in  my  way ;  to  represent  things  in  the  clearest 
light,  and  to  press  the  matter  home  in  such  a  manner  as  forced 
them  to  a  fair  explanation.  But  time  and  ])atience  require  me  to 
be  very  brief  in  my  account  of  it.  I  told  them  the  fault  with  respect 
to  our  people's  settling  too  near  them  Avas  their  oAvn,  as  they  sold 
them  the  land;  that  their  observations  against  Jicpior  were  very 
encouraging,  especially  as  the  same  had  been  made  by  Little  Turtle 
in  his  speech  to  the  President,  which  Avas  in  behalf  of  several 
nations,  and  as  the  same  had  been  Avarmly  expressed  by  the  head 
chief  of  the  Shawanesc  ;  that  it  Avas  not  in  the  power  of  our  good 
people  who  had  sent  me  to  put  a  stop  to  it,  but  that  they  Avould 
rejoice  to  hear  that  they  were  opposed  to  having  it  come  among 
them ;  and  that  if  they  Avould  get  the  other  nations  to  join  them, 
and  petition  Congress  against  it,  our  good  peo])le  Avould  undoubtedly 
do  the  same  in  their  behalf,  and  that  there  Avonld  be  but  little 
danger  but  that  the  united  influence  of  the  Avhole  would  i)revail,  and 
that  Congress  Avould  pass  a  law  to  prevent  liquor  from  being  carried 
into  tlie  Indian  country.  I  assured  them  that  nothing  should  be 
Avantiug  on  my  part  to  bring  this  about. 

"  Here  I  enlarged  on  the  transientness  of  the  pleasures  deriA'ed 
from  it,  and  the  mischievous  and  destructive  consequences  attending 
it ;  and  on  the  happy  conse<|uences  that  Avould  follow  the  ])r()liibition 
of  it,  and  urged  them  to  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  get  as  many 


of  the  I 

petition  ^ 

on  the  A 

iimong  ti 

of  evciy 

liad  actec 

ill  j)etitio 

tlieir  indi 

tiiat  it  Avc 

minister  ■ 

tliey  had  \ 

plan  I  ha 

Aviiling  to 

a  village,  ] 

families  to 

schooling  t 

a.s  Cast  as  t 

and  that  I 

.•?ick  Avho  : 

promote  th 

atl  vantages 

all  who  Avoi 

represented, 

before  man^ 

as  the  most 

interest  to 

that  it  was  ; 

<lo  well  Avhi 

ministers;  i 

H'ickedness 

them  for  seT 

Jil\e  the  sno^ 

oxpect  to  pn 

"le-    I  assnr 

build  a  great 

seventh  day 

ill  his  bookt 

he  destroyed 

and  prosper 

MVithres) 
that  it  would 
Ponld  serve 
send  out  any 
pi-ojiosed,  I  n 
they  were,  or 
•'^"ffieient  nu 
^vished   to  h 
file  he§(;  way 


^ 


.1 


Indians  in  the  Valley  in  1802. 


11Y 


of  the  Indian  nations  as  possible  to  join  tlieni,  and  send  in  their 
petition  without  delay.  I  inlbrined  them  that  some  of  the  six  nations 
on  the  Allec^heny,  throucfh  the  intluence  of  the  Quakers  who  were 
among  them,  had  come  to  the  noble  resolution  to  dash  the  heads 
of  eveiy  kog  of  li((uor  that  was  ottered  for  sale  to  their  peojde,  and 
had  acted  accordingly ;  and  that  if  they  should  not  be  successful 
in  petitioning  Congress,  it  would  not  only  be  justifiable  in  them  but 
their  indisi)ensible  duty  to  follow  their  example.  But  I  told  them 
that  it  would  do  by  no  means  for  them  to  think  of  doing  without  a 
minister  till  this  experiment  could  be  made  ;  that  if  they  thought 
they  had  not  resolution  enough  in  general  to  adopt  and  pursue  the 
plan  I  had  proposed,  there  would  probably  be  some  Avho  would  be 
willing  to  attempt  it ;  that  if  they  would  nnike  choice  of  a  place  for 
a  village,  I  would  begin  it  if  I  could  not  get  more  than  one  or  two 
families  to  begin  with  me  ;  that  I  would  be  learning  their  language, 
schooling  their  children  and  receiving  new  members  into  the  society 
as  fast  as  they  were  disposed  to  comply  with  the  regulations  of  it ; 
and  that  I  would  do  what  I  could  for  the  comfort  of  the  aged  or  the 
sick  who  might  be  left  there  during  winter,  and  exert  myself  to 
promote  the  general  interests  of  the  Avhole.  I  then  pointed  out  the 
advantages  that  would  occur  to  the  children,  the  aged,  the  sick  and 
all  who  would  be  so  wise  as  to  ccrnply  with  my  proposals.  And  I 
re])resented  the  flourishing  state  the  village  would  probably  be  in 
before  many  years  if  they  would  suffer  me  to  make  this  beginning, 
as  the  most  of  them  must  soon  be  convinced  that  it  was  for  their 
interest  to  come  and  live  in  it  and  follow  my  advice.  I  told  them 
that  it  was  all  in  vain  for  them  to  think  that  they  could  prosper  and 
do  well  while  they  rejected  Avhat  God  had  to  say  to  them  by  his 
ministers;  that  he  had  been  very  angry  with  the  Indians  for  their 
wickedness  (showing  them  in  what  it  consisted)  and  had  suffered 
them  for  several  hundred  miles  to  melt  away  before  the  white  people 
like  the  snow  before  the  sun,  and  that  the  only  way  that  they  could 
expect  to  prosper  was  by  listening  to  what  he  had  to  say  to  them  by 
me.  I  assured  them  that  if  they  would  come  and  live  together  and 
build  a  great  house  for  God,  and  meet  in  it  and  worship  him  every 
seventh  day  as  our  good  people  did,  and  do  as  God  told  them  to  do 
ill  his  book  and  by  his  ministers,  that  he  would  not  suffer  them  to 
lie  destroyed  as  he  had  the  other  Indians,  but  would  preserve  them 
and  prosper  them  as  ho  had  the  white  people. 

"  AVith  respect  to  visiting  all  the  other  Indians,  I  observed  to  them 
that  it  would  be  of  no  service  to  get  the  consent  of  every  tribe,  as  I 
could  serve  but  one,  and  as  our  good  people  were  not  prepared  to 
send  out  any  more  at  present;  that  if  I  travelled  round  as  they  had 
l^roposcd,  I  might  not  And  any  Indians  who  were  so  well  inclined  as 
fliey  were,  or  who  would  be  disposed  to  receive  me ;  that  they  had  a 
sufficient  number  about  them  for  me  to  begin  with  ;  that  if  they 
wished   to  have   all  the  other  Indians  join  them  in  those  things, 

the  best  way  wa,e  for  tliem  to  ?et  the  excvmple  m^  show  tliem  the 


118  Moral  and  Heligious  Condition  of  the 


happy  consequences,  which  would  preach  louder  to  them  tlian  any- 
thing I  could  say  or  do.  I  concluded  what  I  had  to  say  to  them  in 
the  following  words :  Fathers,  you  see  that  I  am  very  unwilling  to 
leave  you.  1  have  come  a  great  way  to  visit  you,  and  I  find  there  is 
a  prospect  of  my  doing  you  so  much  good  if  1  remain  here  that  I  do 
not  know  how  to  think  of  going  away.  You  see  that  it  is  just 
with  me  as  it  is  with  your  children.  If  you  tell  them  that  you 
cannot  have  them  with  you,  and  that  they  must  go  off  and  look 
out  for  another  home,  they  will  tell  you  that  they  love  you  so  that 
they  cannot  leave  you.  And  if  you  insist  on  their  going  away,  they 
will  hang  round  you  and  tell  you  they  cannot,  and  they  will  plead 
with  you  to  let  them  live  with  you,  and  will  tell  you  how  much 
good  they  will  do  you  if  you  will  let  them  stay.  Now,  fatliers,  if 
you  will  not  turn  away  your  children  who  love  you  and  are  willing 
to  do  anything  for  you,  and  who  plead  with  you  in  this  manner  to 
keep  them,  I  think  I  may  conclude  that  you  will  not  turn  me  away, 
I  then  left  them  to  prepare  an  answer. 

"This  extract  is  much  shorter  than -the  original,  though  much 
longer  than  I  intended.  But  they  paid  better  attention  than  before, 
and  I  believe  they  were  very  much  puzzled  for  some  time  to  know 
what  reply  to  make  to  it,  as  they  wished  to  put  me  off,  if  possible, 
without  assigning  the  true  cause  for  it.  They  went  alone,  and  were 
very  secret  in  their  consultations  with  respect  to  an  answer.  After 
deliberating  for  some  time,  they  sent  for  me  to  hear  Little  Otter's 
reply.  The  first  part  of  it  was  mere  rei)etitions  of  a  lew  things  that 
were  nothing  to  the  purpose,  occasioned,  as  I  suppose,  by  a  reluC' 
tance  to  come  to  the  main  point.  The  principal  ideas  contained  in 
it,  expressed  in  fi  wer  words,  are  as  follows  :  Brother,  the  most  of 
our  horses  are  wild.  In  oider  to  catch  them,  we  liave  to  catch  one 
of  the  tame  ones  first,  and  then  we  can  dratv  the  rest  in  so  as  to 
secure  them  too.  It  seems  that  you  think  that  the  Indians  are  like 
these  horses.  You  consider  us  to  be  the  tamest,  and  imagine  that 
if  you  begin  with  us  that  you  will  be  able  to  draw  in  the  whole. 
But  we  are  all  wild,  and  if  j'ou  were  to  try  ever  so  long,  you  could 
never  get  us  to  live  together.  You  can  go  home,  or  write  home  to 
the  great  fathers  who  sent  you,  and  let  them  know^  how  it  is.  Tell 
them  that  it  is  not  with  their  red  brothers  as  it  is  with  the  white 
people;  that  you  have  tried  all  that  you  could  to  have  us  live 
together,  and  that  you  could  not  get  us  to  do  it,  and  that  if  they 
were  to  try  ever  so  much,  they  would  never  be  able  to  do  anything 
with  us,  and  that  this  is  the  way  of  their  red  brothers.  Brother, 
your  religion  is  very  good,  but  it  is  only  good  for  white  people.  It 
will  not  do  for  Indians.  They  are  (piite  different  sort  of  people. 
When  the  Great  Spirit  made  white  ])eople,  he  made  them  just  as 
be,  and  put  them  on  another  island  and  gave  them  farms  and 


they 


tools  to  work  with  ;  and  he  made  horses  and  horned  cattle,  and 
sheep  and  hogs  for  them,  so  that  they  might  get  thejr  living  that 
way.    And  he  learned  them  to  resid,  and  gave  theiii  tljeif  religion 


1* 


in  a  bo 

them  in 

have,  so 

us  to  li 

liave  wa 

do  for  u 

liave  noi 

ping  up 

Well,  thi 

ojieii  con 

you  see  r 

might  hi 

afraid  of 

tlieix'fore 

come  a  gi 

folks  and 

iiny  thing, 

tiiat  your 

"  The  I 
was  conju 
"  Little 
and  capab 
con  Id  disci 
come  ther 
these  speec 
was  eviden 
"At  the 
more  to  si 
and  should 
so  dreadful 
the  world 
tliem.    Th 
tl'iy,  the  15 
ness,  and  t 
evening, 
lake  shore 
for  many  d 
very  urgen 
favored  as 
Jioon  the  ' 
|liougl}  we 
'■^  'ip'-n  tht 
"  In  purs 
crosh,  r  set 
•schooner,   i 
•-•iptain  all 
place  in  .scy 
flian  at  Det 


Indiana  in  the  Valley  in  1802. 


119 


in  a  book.  When  he  made  Indians,  ho  made  thorn  wild  and  put 
them  in  the  woods  on  this  ishind,  and  gave  them  tlit'  game  that  they 
have,  so  that  tlicy  niiglit  live  by  hunting.  80  tliat  he  did  not  make 
us  to  live  like  the  white  people.  The  religion  which  we  used  to 
JKive  was  very  much  like  yours.  But  we  found  that  that  would  not 
do  lor  us  ;  and  Ave  have  lately  discovered  a  much  better  way.  "We 
have  now  got  so  that  some  of  us  come  to  life  again.  There,  [strip- 
])ing  up  his  shirt-sleeve,]  do  you  see  that  ])]ack  spot  on  my  arm? 
Well,  that  was  put  into  my  arm  when  I  lived  before,  away  in  the 
open  country.  Afterwards  1  came  to  life  here  on  this  ground  where 
you  see  me.  If  you  had  only  proposed  to  school  our  children,  you 
might  have  got  here  and  there  one  to  attend  to  you,  but  we  are 
iilVaid  of  your  religion.  We  lind  that  it  will  not  answer  for  us,  and 
tlierelbre  Ave  cannot  listen  to  you.  You  mentioned  that  you  had 
come  a  great  Avays  to  see  us.  We  go  a  great  ways  sometimes  to  see 
folks  and  get  neAVs;  but  if  Ave  do  not  jjet  any  news,  or  make  out 
anything,  Ave  do  not  mind  it,  or  think  anything  of  it.  This  is  all 
that  your  red  brothers  have  to  say  to  you. 

"  The  Interpreter  told  me  that  Avhat  they  meant  by  the  new  way 
was  conjuration. 

"  Little  Otter,  though  said  to  be  clever,  is  a  very  shrewd  old  man, 
and  capable  of  deceiving  if  he  is  disposed  for  it ;  but,  from  Avhat  I 
could  discover,  I  am  of  opinion  that  he  Avas  in  favor  of  having  me 
come  there  at  first;  and  am  inclined  to  believe  that  in  delivering 
these  speeches  he  spoke  for  the  conjurers,  rather  than  himself.  It 
was  evident  at  least  that  he  was  not  half  so  bitterly  opposed  to  me. 

"At  the  close  of  this  last  speech  I  told  them  that  I  had  nothing 
more  to  say,  only  that  I  thanked  them  for  treating  me  so  civilly, 
aiul  should  always  wish  well  to  them  ;  that  I  Avas  sorry  to  find  them 
so  dreadfully  deluded,  and  that  they  Avould  be  forever  sorry  for  it  in 
the  world  to  come.  I  then  shook  hands  Avith  the  Avhole  and  left 
them.  The  Interpreter  appeared  very  sorrowful.  This  Avas  Satur- 
day, the  15th,  and  near  night ;  but  as  Ave  had  everything  in  readi- 
ness, and  the  Avind  favorable,  avo  sat  out  and  went  several  miles  that 
evening.  A.s  the  Avind  Avas  lair  the  next  day,  and  as  Ave  Avere  on  the 
lake  shore  Avherc  Ave  Avere  liable  to  be  detained  Avith  contrary  winds 
for  many  days,  and  Avere  on  expense,  and  my  call  to  be  homo  was 
very  urgent,  Ave  sailed  about  lialf  of  the  day;  and  Ave  Avere  so  far 
favored  as  to  be  enabled,  Avith  hard  rowing,  to  reach  home  before 
noon  the  Tuesday  following.  We  Avere  blessed  with  good  health, 
though  we  Avere  exposed  to  Avind  and  weather,  and  Avere  obliged  to 
lie  \\\M,\\  the  ground  almost  every  night. 

"  In  pursuance  of  my  original  plan,  to  visit  the  Indians  at  Arbor- 
crosh,  T  set  sail  the  2d  of  June,  Avith  my  family,  in  a  convenient 
schooner,  for  this  place.  Our  accommodations  were  good,  our 
captain  all  kindness  and  attention,  and  Avere  gently  Avafted  to  this 
place  in  seA'en  days.  The  Indians  are  vastly  more  numerous  here 
than  fit  Detroit,    I  gee  none  here  but  Ottawas  and  Chipeways.    I 


120  Moral  and  Meligloits  Condition  of  the 


believe  that  tlic  Ottawas  are  much  the  most  mmierous  just  about 
here.  Tlioy  are  accounted  by  both  nations  to  be  the  fathers  of  the 
Chipoways.  I  tind,  as  I  had  been  informed,  that  there  is  a  good  dial 
of  difference  between  the  hmguage  of  tliese  Indians,  and  tliose  of 
the  same  nations  about  Detroit.  Some  words  seem  wholly  unlike; 
but  tlie  difference  in  general  appears  to  be  in  the  pronunciation, 
which  is  not  so  drawling,  but  much  more  agreeable  to  the  English 
pronunciation.  These  Indians  appear  much  more  sprightly,  cleanly, 
industrious  and  agreeable  than  tliose.  I  have  not  been  able  to  talk 
with  them  much  yet,  for  the  want  of  an  interpreter.  T  am  disap- 
pointed with  respect  to  the  public  interpreter,  as  he  is  a  Frenchman 
and  can  scarce  speak  any  English.  In  order  to  speak  with  them  by 
him,  it  is  necessary  to  have  another  to  interpret  French.  I  am  in 
some  hopes  that  the  interpreter  at  St.  Joseph's,  whom  I  mentioned 
in  one  of  my  letters  last  winter,  will  be  here  within  a  few  days,  as 
there  is  a  vessel  expected  in  from  that  place.  But  if  I  do  not 
succeed  in  getting  him,  I  do  not  know  but  I  am  like  to  make  out 
about  as  well ;  for  I  have  lately  seen  a  young  man  from  the  main 
land,  who  speaics  good  English  and  Indian,  and  who  has  partly 
agreed  to  serve  me  for  his  board  and  schooling.  Such  an  interpreter 
would  be  of  great  service  to  me  in  getting  the  language.  Indeed,  it 
Avould  be  next  to  impossible  for  me  to  get  it  without  an  interpreter, 
unless  I  could  be  all  the  time  with  the  Indians,  and  even  then  it 
would  be  very  difficult. 

"From  what  I  can  learn,  I  fear  that  it  is  not  much  better  with 
the  Indians  at  Arborcrosh,  on  account  of  drinking  and  fighting, 
than  it  is  with  those  at  the  Miami.  Hearing  that  they  were  mostly 
drunk,  and  not  having  an  interpreter,  I  have  not  visited  them  yet. 
Or,  if  it  had  not  been  for  these  difficulties  I  do  not  know  but  I 
should  have  waited  for  the  assistance  of  Colonel  Hunt,  as  he  is  now 
expected  every  day,  to  take  the  command  of  this  post.  Knowing 
that  he  was  to  be  here  so  soon,  I  rather  wished  not  to  see  Ihem  till 
he  came.  Foi*it  is  said  there  are  no  Indians  who  pay  so  great  respect 
to  the  commanding  ofiicer  as  what  these  do;  and  he  told  me  he 
would  use  all  his  influence  in  my  favor.  With  all  the  forbidding 
circumstances  in  view,  which  I  see  attending  my  mission  to  these 
Indians,  as  I  am  to  look  for  miracles,  I  considered  it  a  matter  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  avail  myself  of  every  circumstance  in  my 
favor,  at  my  first  introduction.  With  all  these,  I  think  it  is  very 
doubtful  whether  I  shall  be  received  by  the  chiefs.  There  are  two 
circumstances  against  me  which  I  have  not  mentioned.  One  is,  that 
these  Indians  at  Arborcrosh  have  formerly  had  Roman  Catholic 
priests  with  them,  to  whom  they  adhered  as  strictly  as  could  have 
been  expected. 

"  Another  circumstance  not  mentioned  is,  the  Indians  in  general 
have  an  idea  that  ministers  have  a  power  to  send  distempers  or 
sickness  among  people,  like  their  conjurers.  And  if  any  mortal 
djgeas?  breaks  out  among  them  whilf  they  are  with  thepi ,  they  are 


Indians  in  the  Valley  in  1802. 


121 


tU:       \ 


supposed  to  be  the  authors  of  it.  Tlie  Indians  to  this  day  tell  that 
the  priests  whom  they  had  with  them  at  Arborcrosh,  sent  sickness 
among  them.  So  that  thougli  tliey  would  be  more  likely  to  jjrefer 
the  Roman  Catholic  than  us,  yet  it  does  not  seem  very  likely  that 
they  would  wish  for  either  to  come  among  them.  But  if  I  cannot 
lu'evail  o\\  the  chiefs  to  receive  mo,  I  mean  to  insist  hard  on  their 
letting  me  have  a  number  of  their  sons  to  educate  hen^  on  the 
Lshuid,  whilst  1  am  learning  their  language,  and  1  shall  re(|uire  them 
to  find  them  food  and  clothes. 

"  My  present  determination  is  to  remain  about  here  till  in  one 
way  or  another  I  get  the  language ;  and  if  1  can  get  a  good  inter- 
preter at  a  moderate  expense,  be  preaching  through  the  summer 
to  all  the  Indians  who  will  hear  mo.  As  they  are  always  absei\t 
through  the  winter,  I  must  try  in  that  })art  of  the  time  to  be  doing 
something  to  help  support  myself,  either  by  a  school  (which  must  be 
small)  or  by  some  kind  of  labor." 

The  editor  of  the  Magazine  appends  the  following  comments 
upon  the  report  of  Mr.  Bacon  : 

"The  reader  will  perceive  from  Mr.  Bacon's  account  of  the 
Indians  that  one  of  the  greatest  obstacles  in  the  way  of  propagating 
the  gospel  among  them  is  the  influence  of  the  conjurers.  These 
conjurers  are  the  same  as  the  powows  spoken  of  in  the  history 
of  the  New  England  Indians,  which  has  been  published  in  several 
numbers  of  this  Magazine.  They  have  sense  enough  to  see  that  the 
introduction  of  the  Christian  religion  among  the  Indians  will 
destroy  their  influence  and  endanger  their  craft.  Tliey  will,  there- 
fore, exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  prevent  Missionaries  being 
received ;  and  as  Mr.  Bacon  very  justly  observes,  they  are,  doubtless, 
the  instruments  of  satan  in  preserving  idolatry  and  opposing  the 
true  God.  ]&ut  the  failure  of  this  first  attempt  of  Mr.  B.  ought  not 
to  discourage  the  friends  to  the  Missionary  cause  ;  it  should  rather 
stimulate  them  to  more  vigorous  exertions.  The  Indians  on  the 
Miami,  from  their  proximity  to  the  white  people,  have  more  free 
access  to  spiritous  liquors,  and  are  much  more  opposed  to  everything 
good  than  the  tribes  which  live  more  remote.  There  is  still  reason 
to  hope  that  to  some  of  the  tribes  God  Avill  give  a  listening  ear,  and 
that  he  will  prosper  the  labors  of  the  Missionaries  that  may  bo 
sent  among  them.  *  It  is  certainly  the  duty  of  Christians,  and  it  is  a 
duty  the  obligation  of  which  they  cannot  but  feel,  when  they  see  to 
what  a  deplorable  state  of  sin  and  wretchedness  the  Indians  are 
reduced,  to  make  every  possible  exertion  to  recover  some  of  them  at 
least  from  that  state.  They  ought  always  to  remember  the  promise 
that  the  fullness  of  the  Gentiles  shall  come  in ;  that  the  glorious 
bead  of  the  church  is  infinitely  superior  to  satan  and  all  his  instru- 
ments; and,  believing  these  things,  they  should  exert  themselves, 
and  submisGivelv  wait  God's  time  to  bless  their  exertions  with 
niccess," 


CHAPTEll    II. 

WAK  0J-'  181J2-15. 

The  war  declared  against  Great  Britain  by  the  United  States 
June  12,  1812,  may  be  regarded  as  a  continxiation  of  the  Revolution,  ;| 
and  as  an  effort  on  the  part  ot  the  latter  to  compel  respect  lor  the 
provisions  of  the  treaty  of  peace  made  in  1783.    It  resulted  in  the  i 
consummation  of  the  independence  of  the  States  and  the  enforcomeni 
of  the  terms  of  that  treaty.     The  immediate  causes  that  produced 
the  war,  wore  the  interference  with  American  trade,  enforced  bj 
the  blockade  system ;  the  impressment  of  American  seamen ;  the  I 
encouragement  of  the  Indians  in  their  barbarities;  and  the  attempt' 
to  dismember  the  Union  by  the  mission  into  the  New  England 
States  of  Henry,     Through  the  winter  of  1811-12,  these  causes  of? 
provocation  were  discussed  in  Congress  and  the  public  prints,  and  i 
war  Avith  Great  Britain  openly  threatened.     Even  in   December, 
1811,  the  proposal  to  invade  Canada  in  the  following  spring,  before  i 
the   ice  broke  up,  was  debated  in  the  House  of  Representatives: 
and  in  particular  was  urged  the  necessity  of  such  operations  at  the  I 
outset  of  the  anticipated  contest,  as  should  wrest  from  the  enemy 
the  command  of  the  upper  lakes,  and  secure  the  neutrality  or  favor  | 
ot  the  Indian   tribes  by  the  conquest  of  Upper   Canada.    While, 
therefore,  measures  were  taken  to  seize  the  lower  province,  other  I 
steps  were   arranged  for   the   defense  of  the   iTorthwest  frontier] 
against  Indian  hostility,  and  which,  in  the  event  of  a  rupture  tI 
Great  Britain,  would  enable  the  United  States  to  obtain  the  com- 
mand of  Lake  Erie.     The  following  letter  which  now  makes  its  first  | 
public  appearance  in  this  voluri»3,  was  addressed  by  General  Sole 
mon  Sibley,  a  distinguished  citizen  of  Detroit,  to  Thomas  Worth' 
ington,  then  Senator  in  Congress  from  Ohio,  and  will  convey  some  I 
idea  of  the  situation  and  the  apprehensions  of  the  inhabitants  onthtl 
exposed  ^Northwestern  frontier  during  the  few  months  precedins 
the  w^r,  and  when  it  became  clearly  evident  that  th^t  evoiit« 


Eccposed  Situation  of  the  Frontier. 


123 


inevitable.  On  the  back  of  this  letter  is  ondorscd,  "Received 
March  2G,  1812,  answered  the  same  day,  and  put  into  the  hands  of 
the  Secretary  of  War  on  the  same  evening :" 


Detroit,  February  2G,  1812. 


Dear  Sir 


-I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  addrcHsing  you  on  a 
\  subject  highly  interesting  and  important  to  myself  in  common  with 
j  my  friends  in  this  place,  and  although  T  cannot  expect  that  you  will 
embrace  my  individual  private  feelings,  yet  I  Hatter  myself  that 
iyour  luimanity  will  draw  your  thoughts  towards  this  (juarter.  I 
lam  connected  with  a  lady,  the  daughter  of  an  old  friend  of  yours. 
We  are  favored  with  children.  Their  happiness,  their  safety,  is 
[dear  to  rae.  Will  you  not  accept  my  anxiety  on  a  subject  so  inter- 
[esting,  for  an  apology  in  troubling  you  at  this  time':' 

From  a  carefnl  perusal  of  the  proceedings  of  Congress,  I  am  led 
[to  believe  that  war  with  England  is  probable.  Our  situation 
[exposes  us  in  a  peculiar  manner  to  the  calamity  of  war.  But,  sir,  a 
hvar  with  England,  -simply,  has  no  terrors  compared  with  those 
[arising  from  their  savage  allies.  Our  melancholy  fate,  should  we 
[unfortunately  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  need  not  be 
Ipointed  out.  The  consequences  are  too  obvious  to  require  descrip- 
Ition. 

On  reading  the  President's  communication,  delivered  at  the  open- 
ling  of  Congress,  slight  mention  is  made  of  the  Indians.     The  little 
[said  on  this  head  is,  however,  important,  inasmuch  as  it  convinces 
Ithose  who  read  it,  that  the  President  is  not  furnished  with  full  and 
Icorrect  information  by  his   agents  on  so  important  a  point.     It  is 
[feared  that  the   agent  rests  satisfied  with  the  transmission  of  the 
)ublic  speeches;  that  having  done  this,  he  flatters  himself  that  he 
las  discharged  his  duty.     If  this  surmise  should  prove  correct,  it 
rill  exhibit  one  of  two  things,  either  that  the  man  is  a  stranger  to 
[the  arts,  subtelty  and  deceit  of  the  Indian  character,  or  afraid  to 
[express  himself  in  terms  contradicting  the  open  professions,  lest  he 
should  give  umbrage.     The  Government  ought  to  be  advised  of  their 
secret  movements  and  resolves,  to  enable  them  to  meet  and  counter- 
ict  them.     It  has  always  been  noted,  that  when  an  Indian  is  bent  on 
lischief,  he  is  more  than  usually  open  in  his  professions  of  friendly 
ttttachraent.    He  smiles   upon  and  caresses  the  victim  devoted  to 
iestruction.    A  secret  cause  of  hatred  and  disatfection  exists,  and 
3as  been   nourished   for   some   years  by   the  savages,  against  the 
United  Siates.    This  spirit  has  been  encouraged  by  secret  enemies 
)f  the  United  States,  imtil  it  has  pervaded  the  whole  Indian  nations, 
"ilarly  the   ensuing   spring,  it  will   burst   upon   the   whole  line  of 
frontier,  involving  them  equally  in  ruin.     This  fact,  I  am  assured 
T)f  in  that  way  as  to  force  full  conviction  upon  my  mind.     Our  local 
Mvernment  is  satisfied  of  the  impending  dangers  that  hang  over  us. 
Use  why  has  the  Governor,  Secretary  and  Judges  adopted  measures 


124 


Krpom-<l  Sihiotioii  of  the  FroiUier. 


■If 


of  iiulividuiil  H;ii'oty — soino  by  Icaviiit^  llio  Territory  i)erHoiiiillv 
otliorH  by  sending;  llioir  rainiliiis  out  of  llin  rountry  V  Arc  wc  i 
expect  from  tliewc  movements  that  the;  <^cneral  {government  will  in 
8U|»i)ort  and  protect  tis  by  timely  and  adc(|uat(^  n\eans  V  If  siicli  . 
the  (b'termination  of  the  j^uncsral  jjjovernment,  why  not  commuiiiia, 
it  to  th(f  citizens,  and  thereby  alford  tiiem  a  chancie  of  provi(hin,'t(,,'i 
indiviibiai  safety,  and  tliat  of  their  families  V  Far  be  it  from  mJ 
the  tiioui^ht  (hat  our  government  will  adopt  a  course  ho  deroi^aton 
of  tlie  national  dignity.  1  am  conlldent  the  country  will  b((  deftiiiW 
with  ])romptitudc  and  energy,  and  that  nothing  is  wanted  butcoirci: 
information  to  draw  the  attention  of  government  to  this  or  antl 
other  point  of  the  Union  where  threatened  witli  danger. 

1  have  stated  it  is  liiy  o])inion  that  this  country  will  be  uttackKE 
early  in  the  spring,  and  will  submit  some  ot  the  gro\mds  to  yoi;] 
consideration  on  which  I  have  drawn  the  (lonclusion.     It  is  unmet- 
sary  for  your  information,  for  me  to  remark  that  the  first  settlors :  J 
this  country  Avero   Krenchmen,  and  that  their  descendants  fonni^i 
large  pro|)ortion  of  our  present  population.     This  class  of  citizni'  I 
in  some  instances,  arc  allied  to  the  savages  b)»  intermarriage,  tlimV;! 
cementing  a  union  previously  formed  by  habits  of  trade  and  famifei'i 
intercourse.     To  these  may  be  added  the  fact  that  the   Canadiiin 
familiarly   acquainted   with    the  several  Indian  languages.     Thi> 
causes  have  at  all  times  secured  to  the  Canadi.ans  the  friendship anv 
confidence  of  their  Indian  neighbors.     To  the  enlightened  FrenclU 
merchant,  trader  and  farmer  I  have  therefore  applied  for  informs  ' 
tion ;  and  to  them  ami  indebted  for  the  knowledge  upon  wliidil 
have  formed  the  oi)inion  of  their  hostile  views,  already  expresM 
and   shall  be  happy  should    it  prove  incorrect.     Several  Canadii| 
gentlemen,  entitled  to  credit,  and  well  disposed  towards  ouriiotl 
ernment,  have  stated  to  me  that  they  have  been  repeatedly  callei| 
upon  lately,  by  Indians  whom  they  believed  their  friends,  who  1 
requested  them   not   to   mingle   or   identity    themselves   Avith  til 
Americans,  or  '•  Long  Knives ;'  that  early  in  the  spring,   (at  tlT 
first  swelling  of  the  buds)  the  Indians  Avould  strike  upon  Detro;! 
and  the  Avhole  frontier.     That  if  they  Avere  found  at  home,  attcDli 
ing  to  their  private  concerns,  they  Avould  be   respected  and  tiieil 
property  remain  safe ;  otherwise,  that  they  Avould  be  involved  intbtj 
fate  of  their  neighbors,  the  Americans.     That  their  determinatioJ 
Avas  to  clear  the  country  north  and  west  ot  the  Ohio  of  every  Amerij 
can,  and  in  future  establish  that  river  for  a  boundary.     That  tbl 
scheme  had  been  long  in  agitation,  and  now  Avas  endorsed  generall| 
by  the  Indians.     That  such  natives,  or  tribes,  as  reiused  to  joint' 
confederacy,  would  also  be  cut  oft".     These  communications  fromtfej 
Indiana  to  their  friends,  have  made  deep  impressions  upon  the  ff«T 
dispo&ed  Canadians.     How  the  majority  Avill  act,  should  an  attail 
be  made,  is  doubtful.     It  Avould  bo  unwise  for  the  government  tooij 
culate  much  on  their  assistance.    |t  is  further  stated  by  those  gentlfl 
men  that  the  impending  stovra  hA^no  immediate  connection  Avith oil 


n 


Kvpoml  Sit  If  at  ion  of  the  Jn'oiUior. 


125 


InderstandinccB  wltli  (4reat  Hritiiin ;    (hut,  i\\v  uttui;k  will  bo  inado 

\y  the  savauoH,  whiitevcr  may  bo  tho  ri'sult  of  otir  pt'iidhit;  nogolia- 

x)iis  wilii  Kii<,'laii(l.     They  Mtato  lurthcr,  that,  tlu"  Indians  arc  atiiply 

ipplicil  with  anus,  ainmuiiition,  blankets,  itc,  t.(»  cnalih!  tlieni  to 

■iisctiiti'  war  with  vij,'<»r.     Tho  niodo  of  attactk  is  not  so  fully  (ioni- 

uiiicati'd.     Frotu    sonio    hints  wldeh  have  fallen,  it  is  bolioved  a 

rco  will  have  in  chartje  to  waylay  the  roads  leadini^  to  tho  Ohio, 

itli  a  view  of  interruptinj^  and  cuttinjj;  oil"  re-inforecMueiits  and  sup- 

ios.    Shoidd  this  i)lan  l)o  adopted  and  adhered  to  for  a  few  uionthw, 

is  post  would  bo  in  great  danuer.     We  have  no  eoinpetent  force 

tliis  quarter  to  force  a  corninunicatlon. 

Havino-  made  tho  above  remarks  on  this  subject,  considered 
iply  in  relation  to  tho  Indians,  I  wish  to  draw  your  attention  to 
H  (iiiestion  in  tho  event  a  war  with  England  should  tako  place. 
u"  present  military  force  stationed  at  Andierstburj;,  unaided  by 
(linn  auxiliaries,  is  not  such  as  to  excite  apprehensions  tor  the 
,lbly  «»f  Detroit.  But,  sir,  it  has  heretofore  been  tho  policy  of 
eat  Hritain,  in  her  wars  in  America,  to  call  upon  the  savages  for 
And  when  tho  immense  sums  of  money  that  government 
pemls  annually  to  retain  them  in  her  interest  is  considered,  no 
onahlo  doubts  can  be  entertained  of  her  future  policy  in  case  of 
r  with  tho  United  States.  The  fact  is  notorious,  and  avoU  attested 
by  every  person  who  has  lately  visited  Andierstburg,  that 
jery  possible  exertion  is  making  to  render  that  fortress  secure  and 
able,  and  also  to  retain  command  of  tho  upper  lakes.  The  gov- 
ment  has  already  a  large  armed  vessel  upon  Lak(!  Erie,  equipped 
fully  manned,  superior  to  any  naval  force  tho  United  States  can 
iil;  ai^ainst  it.  Not  content  with  this  force,  thoy  are  actually 
j)loyed  in  building  a  second  vessel  of  equal  or  superior  force, 
idi  will  be  completed  and  manned  at  the  tirst  opening  of  naviga- 
|n.  By  means  of  this  force,  all  communication  by  water  will  be 
oil'  between  our  ports.  While  one  is  stationed  \ipon  Lake  Erie, 
other  will  be  ordered  to  Lake  Huron  to  aid  in  the  reduction  of 
hilimackinac  and  Chicago.  In  addition  to  the  naval  force,  if^is 
orted  and  believed  by  many  that  the  British  w^ill  seize  upon  and 
Id  works  at  the  mouth  of  tho  Detroit  Kiver,  at  or  near  what  is 
ed  1%  Creek,  on  the  United  States  territory — a  place  strong  by 
lUrc,  and  well  situated  to  aid  the  navy  in  cutting  oft"  all  supplies 
iigncd  cither  by  land  or  water  for  this  garrison.  It  is  believed 
the  ))oint  last  mentioned  will  bo  occu])ied  ])revious  to  a  decla- 
011  of  war,  and  tho  moment  it  is  thought  to  bo  unavoidable. 
era!  otHeers  of  distinction  have  lately  visited  Amherstburg.  In 
V  niunber  is  included  an  engineer  and  barrack-master;  also  a 
.  St.  George.  They  report  that  tho  Britisli  are  greatly  enlarging 
r  works,  building  extensive  barracks,  and  apparently  under  an 
icctation  of  a  mucli  larger  force  than  has  ever  been  stationed  in 
upper  country.  From  tho  various  steps  and  movements  of  that 
ernment,  it  is  to   me  evident  that  they  Avill  make  a  firm  and 


126  Exposed  Situation  of  the  Frontier. 


formidable  .  .and  in  this  upper  country,  contrary  from  what  appean 
to  be  a  prevailing  sentiment  in  Congress.  Great  calculations  are 
made  from  the  aid  which  they  expect  to  derive  from  the  Indians. 
Should  Detroit  fall,  it  is  evident  it  would  cost  the  United  States 
much  blood  and  treasure  to  regain  what  they  will  have  lost.  By  it  an 
extensive  wilderness  will  be  thrown  between  the  upper  province 
and  the  physical  force  of  the  Western  States.  Our  whole  line  of 
frontier  Avill  be  ravaged  and  kept  in  a  state  of  alarm.  These  are 
consequences  calculated  upon  by  the  British  government,  and,  in 
my  opinion,  on  correct  principles.  It  is,  however,  in  the  power  of 
our  government  to  defeat  their  views,  by  marching  six  or  eight 
hundred  militia  or  volunteers  from  the  State  of  Ohio  or  Kentucky 
before  the  lakes  break  up.  If  troops  are  not  at  Detroit  before  Mav 
or  Jut  ,  the  opportunity  and  season  of  saving  us  will  be  lost.  ^Ve 
shall  be  sacrificed  with  the  interest  ot  the  public. 

I  hope,  sir,  you  will  receive  the  remarks  contained  in  this  letter 
as  intended  by  the  writer.  It  has  been  hastily  written,  and  is  full 
of  delects.  The  object  I  had  in  view  was  frankly  to  disclose  my 
opinion  of  our  dangerous  situation.  I  sincerely  wish  you  to  have 
an  interview  with  the  Secretary  of  War.  Impress  him  with  ite 
necessity  ot  succor  for  this  place.  A  few  days  delay  Tiay  lose  tbe 
place  to  the  United  States.  Should  you  discover  any  part  of  my 
letter  that  can  give  umbrage,  suppress  it.  If  it  contains  any  re 
marks  that  you  think  can  be  of  service,  you  are  at  liberty  to  make 
use  of  them.  Will  you  inform  me  if  we  may  expect  assistance 
shortly  ?     I  am,  dear  sir. 

Your  most  obedient  servant,  Sol.  Sibley. 

Governor  Hull  had  comraunicated  similar  warnings  to  the  Var 
Department,  and  liad  recommended  the  adoption  of  a  like  policy: 
and  the  same  measures  were  also  urged  by  General  Armstrong,  in 
a  private  letter  of  January  2d,  1813  ;  yet  the  government  proposed 
to  use  no  other  than  military  means,  and  hoped,  by  the  presence  of 
two  thousand  soldiers,  to  effect  the  capture  or  destruction  of  the 
British  licet.  Nay,  so  blind  was  the  War  Department,  that  i: 
refused  to  increase  the  number  of  troops  to  three  thousand,  althougli 
informed  by  Governor  Hull  that  that  was  the  least  number  from 
which  success  could  bo  hoped.  When,  therefore,  Goyernor,  now 
General  Hull,  (to  whom,  in  consideration  of  his  revolutionary 
services,  and  his  supposed  knowledge  of  the  country  and  the  native?, 
the  command  of  the  army  destined  for  the  conquest  of  the  Cunatlas 
had  been  confided,)  commenced  his  march  from  Dayton  on  the  1st 
of  June,  it  was  with  means  which  he  himself  regarded  as  utterly 
inadequate  to  the  object  aimed  at — a  fact  which,  in  some  degree, 
mitigates  his  vascillating,  nerveless  conduct.    Regarding  the  appoint- 


General  HulVs  Movements. 


127 


inent  of  General  Hull,  John  Johnston,  Avho,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  vear  1812,  was  transferred  from  the  agency  at  Fort  Wayne  to  a 
iK'W  agency  at  Pifjua,  having  in  charge  all  the  Indians  of  Oliio,  with 
tiie  Delawares,  of  Indiana,  and  who  was  in  Washington  at  the 
time  Congress  was  discussing  the  ({uestion  of  a  declaration  of  war, 
comnuuiicatt'd  in  1S46  to  Cist's  Miscellany  the  following:  -'Whilst 
at  Washington,  I  learned  that  Hull  was  an  applicant  for  the 
oomniand  of  the  Northwestern  Army.  Governor  Worthington  was 
then  in  the  Senate.  I  took  the  liberty  of  warning  him  against  the 
appointment.  The  people  of  the  country  where  he  was  to  operate 
had  no  confidence  in  him;  the  Indians  despised  him;  he  was  too 
old,  broken  down  in  body  and  mind,  to  conduct  the  multifarious 
operations  of  such  a  command.  The  nomination  was  made,  object- 
ed to,  referred  to  a  committee,  reported  on  favorably,  and  confirmed. 
On  the  very  same  day  he  jmssed  the  Senate,  the  poor,  weak,  vain 
old  man  was  seen  in  full  dress  uniform,  parading  the  streets  of 
Washington,  making  calls." 

Through  the  whole  month  of  June,  General  Hull  and  his  troops 
toiled  toward  the  Maumee  country,  busy  with  their  roads,  bridges 
and  block-houses.  On  the  34th,  advices  from  the  Secretary  of  War, 
dated  on  the  18th,  came  to  hand,  but  not  a  word  contained  in  them 
made  it  probable  that  the  long-expected  war  would  be  immediately 
declared, although  Colonel  McArthur,  at  the  same  time, received  word 
from  Ohillicothe,  warning  him,  on  the  authority  of  Thomas  Worth- 
ington, that  before  the  letter  readied  i.im,  the  declaration  would 
have  been  made  public.  Tliis  inforuuition  McArthur  laid  before 
General  Hull;  and  when,  upon  reaching  the  Maumee,  that  com- 
mander proposed  to  place  his  baggage,  stores,  and  sick  on  board  a 
vessel,  and  send  them  by  water  to  Detroit,  the  backwoodsman 
warned  him  of  the  danger,  and  refused  to  trust  his  own  property 
on  board.  Hull,  however,  treated  the  rejiort  of  war  as  the  old  story 
which  had  been  current  through  all  the  spring,  and  refused  to 
believe  it  possible  that  the  government  would  not  give  him  infor- 
mation at  the  earliest  moment  that  the  measure  was  resolved  on. 
He  accordingly,  on  the  1st  of  July,  embarked  his  disabled  men,  and 
most  of  his  goods  on  board  the  Cuyahoga  packet,  Hull'ering  his  aid- 
de-canip  in  his  carelessness  to  send  by  her  even  his  instructions  and 
army  roll,  and  then  proceeded  upon  his  way. 

On  the  Ist  jf  June,  Mr.  Madison  recommended  war  to  the  Senate; 
on  the  3d  of  June,  Mr.  Calhoun  reported  in  favor  of  it,  and  in  an 


128 


General  HuWs  Incapacity. 


able  manifesto  set  forth  the  reasons ;  and  on  the  19th,  proclamation 
of  the  contest  was  made.  Upon  the  day  preceding,  Congress  having 
passed  the  needful  appropriation  bill,  the  Secretary  wrote  to  General 
Hull  one  letter,  saying  nothing  of  the  matter,  and  sent  it  by  n 
special  messenger, — and  a  second  containing  the  vital  news,  which 
he  confided  to  a  half-organized  post  as  far  as  Cleveland,  and  thence 
literally  to  accident.  And,  as  if  to  complete  the  circle  of  folly,  tlu 
misled  General,  through  neglect,  suficred  his  otticio!  papers,  which 
he  owned  ougiit  never  to  have  passed  out  of  his  possession,  to  pas.- 
into  that  of  the  foe,  and  thus  informed  them  of  his  purposes  and 
strength. 

But  that  strength,  compared  with  their  own,  was  such  that  ii 
proved  adequate  to  deter  the  British  from  making  any  attempt  to 
prevent  the  march  of  the  Americans  to  Detroit,  or  to  interfere  with 
their  passage  across  tlie  river  to  Sandwich,  where  they  established 
themselves  on  the  12th  of  July,  preparatory  to  attacking  Maldoii 
itself,  and   commanding  the  conc^uest  and   conversion  of   Upper 
Canada.    And  here,  at  once,  the  incapacity  of  Hull  manifested 
itself.    By  his  own  confession,  he  took  every  step  raider  the  influ- 
ence of  two  sets  of  fears :  He  dared  not,  on  the  one  hand,  act  boldly, 
for  fear  that  his  incompetent  force  would  all  be  destroyed ;  while 
on  the  other  hand,  he  dared  not  refuse  to  act,  for  fear  his  militia, 
already  nneasy,  would  utterly  desert  him.    Thus  embarrassed,  he 
proclaimed  freedom,  and  the  need  of  submission  to  the  Canadians: 
held  out  inducements  for  the  British  militia  to  desert,  and  to  the 
Indians  to  keep  quiet,  and  sat  still  at  Sandwich,  striving  to  pacify 
his  blood-thirsty  backwoodsmen,  who  itched  to  be  at  Maiden.    To 
amuse  liis  own  army,  and  keep  them  from  trying  dangerous  experi- 
ments, he  found  cannon  needful  to  the  assault  of  the  British  posts, 
and  spent  three  weeks  making  carriages  for  live  guns.    While  these 
were  under  way,  Colonel  Cass  and  Colonel  Miller,  by  an  attack  \\\m 
advanced  parties  of  the  enemy,  demonstrated  the  willingness  auil 
power  of  their  men  to  push  their  conquests,  if  the  chance  were 
given,  but  Hull  refused  the  opportunity;  and  when,  at  length,  the 
cannon  were  prepared,  the  ammunition  placed  in  wagons,  and  the 
moment  for  assault  agreed  on,  the  General,  upon  hearing  that  .i 
proposed  attack  on  the  Niagara  frontier  had  not  been  matlc,  ami 
that  troops  from  that  f[uarter  were  moving  westward,  suddenly 
abandoned  the  enterprise,  and,  with  most  of  the  army,  on  the  7th 
of  August,  returned  to  Detroit,  having  etfected  nothing  except  the 


destructio 
force  unde 

Mean  tin 

Maiden,  ai 

that  post  j 

States,  he  ( 

to  cut  off 

merely  neu 

into  surren 

keep  open 

reacli  him. 

published  ii 

mand  had  I 


;S'/>.--l  1 
States  for  i 
army  at  Chi 
also  all  othe 
iiorth  of  the 
of  Michigan 
with  a  view 
su])p]ies  mig 
ported  in  ves 
Previous  < 
of  provisions 
Ohio  and  P( 
to  this  place 
is  now  shut ; 
for  me  to  fur 
means  tlian 
wilderness  fo 
tlie  roads  are 
and  where,  n^ 
Jng  on  liorsei 
hostile  dispo 
dations  on  t 
their  power  t 
Under  the 
efforts  of  an 
short  of  tlie 
Some  time 
>'e»iuested  tl)i, 
but  have  not 
Understam 


•ma 


Complaint  of  Army  Contractors. 


129 


destruction  of  all  confidence  in  himself  on  the  part  of  the  whole 
force  under  his  control,  officers  and  privates. 

Meantime,  upon  the  29th  of  July,  Colonel  Proctor  had  reached 
Maiden,  and  perceiving  instantly  the  power  which  the  position  of 
that  post  gave  him  over  the  supplies  of  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  he  commenced  a  series  of  operations,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  cut  off  the  communications  of  Hull  from  Ohio,  and  thus  not 
merely  neutralize  all  active  operations  on  his  part,  but  starve  him 
into  surrender,  or  force  him  to  detnil  his  whole  army,  in  order  to 
keep  open  his  way  to  the  only  point  from  which  supplies  could 
reach  him.  The  following  letters  from  army  contractors,  now  tirst 
pubhshed  in  these  pages,  will  show  the  straits  to  which  Hull's  com- 
mand had  been  so  easily  driven  : 

Detroit,  July  28th,  1812. 

Sir: — I  have  a  contract  with  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  for  the  supply  of  all  rations  which  may  be  required  by  the 
army  at  Chicago,  Michillimakinac,  Fort  Wayne  and  this  place,  and 
also  all  other  places  in  the  State  of  Ohio  and  Indiana  Territory, 
north  of  the  forty-first  degree  of  latitude,  and  also  in  the  Territory 
of  Michigan.  This  contract  was  entered  into  by  me  in  time  and 
with  a  view  to  a  state  of  peace,  and  with  an  expectation  that  the 
supplies  might  be  furnished  as  they  have  heretofore  been,  and  trans- 
ported in  vessels  over  the  lakes. 

Previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  I  had  made  large  purchases 
of  provisions  along  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie,  within  the  States  of 
Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  and  had  just  commenced  removing  them 
to  ibis  place  when  war  was  declared.  The  navigation  of  that  lake 
is  now  shut  against  us  by  the  enemy,  and  of  course  it  is  impossible 
for  me  to  furnish  the  army  by  water.  There  then  remains  no  other 
means  than  to  forward  supplies  from  the  State  of  Ohio  through  the 
wilderness  for  one  lumdred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred  miles,  where 
the  roads  are  so  bad  that  it  is  almost  impossible  for  wagons  to  travel, 
and  where,  no  doubt,  the  cheapest  mode  will  be  to  transport  by  pack- 
ing on  horses.  In  addition  to  these  embarrassments,  is  that  of  the 
hostile  disposition  of  the  Indians,  who  are  daily  committing  depre- 
dations on  travelers  on  their  route,  and  will,  no  doubt,  do  all  in 
their  power  to  prevent  supplies  from  passing. 

Under  these  circumstances  you  will  see  at  once,  Sir,  that  the 
efforts  of  an  individual  can  proiluce  but  little  effect,  and  that  nothing 
short  of  the  energies  of  government  can  furnish  necessary  supplies. 

Some  time  ago  I  wrote  ib  the  Secretary  of  War  on  this  subject,  and 
requested  that  he  would  devise  means  to  overcome  these  difficulties, 
but  have  not  received  his  answer. 

Understanding  that  General  K..11  was  about  to  address  you  on  the 

10 


I 


180  Difficulties  in  Transporting  Supplies. 


siibjeot  of  an  additional  force  to  his  army,  and  supplies  for  that  and 
the  force  already  here,  1  am  induced  to  make  this  communication. 

There  is  one  circumstance  relating  to  these  supplies  which  I  will 
mention ;  that  is  that  the  army  which  came  on  with  General  Hull, 
very  socn  after  their  arrival,  passed  into  Canada  toithout  the  limits 
of  my  contract ;  but  notwithstandini^  have  been  supplied  by  me; 
since,  as  a  matter  of  necessity,  should  an  additional  force  come  on, 
I  conclude  they  would  also  pass  into  Canada,  and  of  course  be 
placed  out  of  the  reach  of  any  government  contract  for  supplies. 

I  leave  to-morrow  to  proceed  eastward  along  the  southern  shore 
of  Lake  Erie,  with  a  view  of  sending  on  some  su])plie8  in  boats  from 
New  Connecticut;  but  the  success  of  this  attempt  must  be  doubtful, 
and  not  to  be  relied  on.  I  should  wish  that  your  Excellency  might 
adopt  such  measures  to  furnish  supplies  as  your  better  judgment 
may  direct,  without  considering  me  us  the  contractor. 
I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Augustus  Porter. 
To  His  Excellency  Governor  Meigs. 


Urbana,  20th  Aug.,  1812. 

His  Excellency,  li.  J.  Meigs,  Governor  of  Ohio : 

Sir:  On  the  10th  of  July  I  was  appointed  by  the  Hon.  Brig. 
Gen.  Wm.  Hull,  an  agent  to  supply  tlie  Northwestern  army  with 
provisions,  in  the  Michigan  Territory  and  State  of  Ohio  north  of  the 
41st  degree  of  N.  Lat.,  under  the  contract  of  Augustus  I'orter,  Esq., 
the  said  contractor  having  tiailed  to  furnish  agreeable  to  his  contract. 
Gen.  Hull  having  only  advanced  me  a  sufhciency  ol  funds  to  pur- 
chase two  hundred  thousand  rations,  and  to  furnish  them  at  the 
Detroit  post.  The  additional  force  now  going  on  from  this  State 
and  Kentucky,  makes  it  necessary  that  a  large  quantity  should  be 
sent  on.  Communication  being  cut  off  with  the  army  precludes  the 
possibility  of  procuring  funds  from  General  Hull.  1  therefore  have 
to  request  your  excellency  to  advance  me  ten  thousand  dollars  to 
enable  me  to  furnish  the  army  now  going  on. 

With  respect,  I  am  your  obedient  servant,        John  H.  Piatt. 

A  proper  force  on  Lake  Erie,  or  the  capture  of  Maiden,  would 
have  prevented  these  annoying  and  fatal  embarrassments,  but  the 
imV)ecility  of  the  government  and  that  of  the  General  combined  to 
favor  the  plans  of  Proctor.  Having,  by  his  measures,  stopped  the 
stores  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  at  the  river  Raisin,  he  next  defeated 
the  insufficient  band  of  two  hundred  men  under  Van  Home,  pent  by 
Hull  to  escort  them ;  and  so  far  withstood  that  of  five  hundred 
under  Miller,  as  to  cause  Hull  to  recall  the  remnant  of  that  victo- 


"^ 


7erms  of  IIiilVs  Surrender. 


131 


rious  and  gallant  band,  though  it  had  completely  routed  the  British 
and  Indians.  By  these  means  Proctor  amused  the  Americans  until 
General  Brock  reached  Maiden,  which  he  did  upon  the  13th  of 
August,  and  prepared  to  attempt  the  conquest  of  Detroit  itself. 
And  here  again  occurred  a  most  singular  want  ol  skill  on  the  part  of 
the  Americans.  In  order  to  prevent  the  forces  in  Upper  Canada 
from  being  combined  against  Hull,  General  Dearborn  had  been 
ordered  to  make  a  diversion  in  his  favor  at  Niagara  and  Kingston, 
but  in  place  of  doing  this,  he  made  an  armistice  with  the  British 
commanders,  which  enabled  them  to  turn  their  attention  entirely  to 
the  more  distant  West,  and  left  Hull  to  shift  for  himself  On  the 
l-lth  of  August,  therefore,  while  a  third  party,  under  McArthur, 
was  dispatched  by  Hull  to  open  his  communications  with  the  river 
Haisin,  though  by  a  new  and  impracti(;able  road.  General  Brock 
appeared  at  Sandwich  and  began  to  erect  batteries  to  protect  his 
further  operations.  These  batteries  Hull  would  not  sutler  any  to 
molest,  saying  that  if  tlie  enemy  would  not  fire  on  him  be  would 
uot  on  them;  and  though  when  summoned  to  surrender  on  the  I5th, 
he  absolutely  refused,  yet  ui)on  the  IGth,  without  a  blow  struck, 
the  Governor  and  General  crowned  his  course  of  indecision  and 
iinuiauly  tear  by  surrendering  the  town  of  Detroit  and  territory  of 
Michigan,  togetlier  with  fourteen  hundred  brave  men,  longing  for 
battle,  to  three  luuulred  Englisli  soldiers,  four  hundred  Canadian 
militia  disguised  in  red  coats,  and  a  band  of  Indian  allies.  The 
tbllowing  were  the  terms  of  General  Hull's  capitulation: 

Camf  at  Detroit,  IGth  August,  1812. 

Vapitnlafion  for  the  .surrender  of  Fort  Detroit^  entered  into  hetwee^i 
Major  General  Brock,  coniniandiu'j  Jlis  Britanic  Mnjesty^s 
Forces,  on  the  one  part,  and  Brigadier  Ucneral  Hull,  command- 
ing the  Nortluoestern  Army  of  the  United  tStates,  on  the  other 
part. 

1st.  Fort  Detroit,  witli  all  the  troops,  regulars  as  well  as  militia, 
will  l)e  immediately  surrendered  to  the  Britisii  forces,  under  the 
command  of  Major  General  Brock,  and  will  be  considered  prisoners 
of  war,  with  tiie  exception  of  such  of  the  militia  of  the  Michigan 
Territory  who  have  not  joined  the  army. 

2d.  All  public  stores,  arms,  and  all  public  documents,  including 
everything  else  of  a  public  nature,  will  be  immediately  given  up. 

3d.  Private  persons  and  property  of  every  description  will  be 
respected. 


132 


Hull  Convicted  of  Goioardice. 


4th.  His  excellency,  Brigadier  General  Hull,  having  expressed  a 
desire  that  a  detachment  from  the  State  of  Ohio,  on  its  way  to  join 
his  army,  as  well  as  one  sent  from  Fort  JJetroit,  under  the  commaiul 
of  Colonel  McArthnr,  shall  be  included  in  the  above  capitulation,— 
it  is  accordingly  agreed  to.  It  is,  however,  to  be  understood  that 
such  part  of  tiie  Ohio  militia  as  have  not  joined  the  army,  will  be 
permitted  to  return  to  tlieir  homes  on  condition  that  they  will  not 
serve  during  the  war.  Their  arms,  however,  will  be  delivered  up,  if 
belonging  to  the  i)ublic. 

5th.    The  Governor  will  march  out  at  the  hour  of  twelve  o'clock 
this  day,  and  the  British  forces  will  take  immediate  possession  of 
the  fort. 
[Signed,]  J. 


J. 


McDonnell, 
Lt.  Col.  Militia,  P.  A.  D.  C, 
B.  Gleog, 
Major  A.  D.  V.; 
James  Miller, 

Lt.  Col.  T)th  U.  S.  Infantry  ; 
E.  Brush, 

Col.  \st  liegt.  Mich.  Militia. 
Approved : 

William  Hull, 

Brig.  Gen.  ComcVg  the  N.  W.  Army. 
Approved : 

Isaac  Brock, 

Major  General. 


For  this  conduct  he  was  accused  of  treason  and  cowardice,  and 
found  guilty  of  the  latter.  Nor  can  we  doubt  the  justice  of  the 
sentence.  However  brave  he  may  have  been  personally,  he  was,  as 
a  commander,  a  coward;  and,  moreover,  he  was  influenced,  confes- 
sedly, by  his  fears  as  a  father,  lest  his  daughter  and  her  children 
should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  His  faculties  luul 
become  paralyzed,  by  the  intemperate  use  of  alcoholic  stimulanti?. 
which  produced  a  cowardly  fear — fear  that  he  should  fail,  fear  tlmt 
his  troops,  whose  confidence  and  respect  he  could  not  fail  to  discover 
he  had  lost,  would  prove  untrue  to  him ;  fear  that  the  savages  would 
spare  no  one,  if  opposed  with  vigor;  fear  of  some  undefined  and 
horrid  evil  impending.  His  conduct  throughout  was  such  as  might 
have  been  reasonably  expected  from  a  man  who  had  reached  prema- 
ture dotage  and  physical  decay  by  the  excessive  use  of  spirituous  i 
liquors. 

But  the  fall  of  Detroit,  though  the  leading  calamity  of  this  unfor- 
tunate summer,  was  not  the  only  one.  The  misfortune  did  not 
come  singly.    Word  had  been  sent  through  the  kindness  of  some 


fnV'nd  I 

ill  form  i 

miles  fr 

Han  ki, 

notice  f; 

koy  of  I 

Hritish, 

tvventy-c 

men,  fell 

constant 

war,  and 

Less  ft 
Clilcago. 
(Ca]itain 
distribute 
Heald,  as 
evident  tl 
in  conseqi 
wanted,  t 
learned,  ai 
oatastroph 
the  fort,  b 
they  were 
'ifty  to  si XI 

Thns,  b^ 
exception  r 
of  the  Bri( 
were  also  al 
greatest  vio 
Captain  Z.  ' 
the  war  wi 
United  Stat 

Ca])tain  ] 
matu];u)(;  of 
•^ncceedinof  y 
to  (Jovernor 
then  been  aci 
red  four  dav 


'  M 


Fort  Wayne  Escapes  the  General  Misfoi'tune.     133 


friend  under  a  frank  from  the  American  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
iiiforiiiing  tlio  British  commander  at  St.  Joseph,  a  post  about  forty 
miles  from  Mackinac,  of  the  declaration  of  war;  while  Lieutenant 
Hiiiika,  commanding  the  American  fortress  itself,  received  no 
notice  from  any  source.  The  consequence  was,  an  attack  upon  the 
key  of  the  Northwestern  lakes,  on  the  17th  of  July,  by  a  force  of 
British,  Canadians,  and  savages,  numbering  in  all  one  thousand  and 
twenty-one.  The  garrison,  amounting  to  but  fifty'Seven  effective 
men,  felt  unable  to  withstand  so  formidable  a  body,  and  to  avoid  the 
constantly  threatened  Indian  massacre,  surrendered  as  prisoners  of 
war,  and  were  dismissed  on  parole. 

Less  fortunate  in  its  fate  was  the  garrison  of  Fort  Dearborn  at 
Chicago.  General  Hull  sent  word  to  the  commander  at  the  fortress 
(Captain  Heald)  of  the  loss  of  Mackinac,  and  directed  him  to 
distribute  his  stores  among  the  Indians,  and  retire  to  Fort  Wayne. 
Ilcald,  as  heretofore  explained,  proceeded  to  do  this,  but  it  was  soon 
evident  that  the  neighboring  savages  were  not  to  be  trusted,  and  he 
in  consequence  determined  not  to  give  them,  what  they  most  of  all 
wanted,  the  spirits  and  the  powder  in  the  fortress.  This  they 
learned,  and  this  it  was,  as  Blackhawk  asserted,  which  led  to  the 
catastrophe.  On  the  loth  of  August,  all  being  ready,  the  troops  left 
the  fort,  but  before  they  had  proceeded  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half, 
they  were  attacked  by  the  Indians,  and  two-thirds  of  them  (from 
fifty  to  sixty)  massacred  at  once. 

Thus,  by  the  middle  of  August,  the  whole  Northwest,  with  the 
exception  of  Fort  Wayne  and  Fort  Harrison,  was  again  in  the  hands 
of  the  British  and  Indians.  Early  in  September,  these  two  posts 
were  also  attacked,  and  the  latter,  had  it  not  been  defended  with  the 
greatest  vigor,  would  have  been  taken.  Its  defence  was  entrusted  to 
Captain  Z.  Taylor,  who  subsequently  won  distinguished  honors  in 
the  war  with  Mexico,  and.  in  1848  was  elected  President  of  the 
United  States. 

Captain  Rhea,  who,  subsequent  to  Wayne's  campaign,  was  com- 
mandant of  the  post  below  Swan  creek,  but  who,  during  the 
succeeding  war,  held  the  garrison  at  Fort  Wayne,  addressed  a  letter 
to  Governor  Meigs,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy.  He  had  not 
then  been  advised  of  the  surrender  of  Hull's  army,  which  had  occur- 
red four  days  prior  to  the  date  of  his  letter : 


y 


134 


General  Cass  on  the  Situation. 


FoHT  Wayxk,  August  20th,  1812. 

Honored  Sir: — 1  am  re<iuo8to(l  ])y  Chingwiiitluih,  or  the  Little 
Turtle's  nephew,  the  present  cliiff  of  the  Miiimie8,  who  has  just 
returned  with  part  of  the  escort,  hildy  under  the  oonimaud  of 
Captain  Wells,  to  assist  in  the  evaeualion  of  Fort  l)eurl)orn,  to 
inform  you  that  as  soon  as  he  can  collect  his  men,  women  and 
children  together,  they  will  repair  to  the  great  council  at  Piqua  with 
all  possible  dispatch.  Both  they  and  the  Pottawottamies  of  this 
country  would  have  been  at  the  council  before  this  period,  had  not 
the  necessity  of  assisting  Captain  ileald  intervened.  I  have  no 
doubt  of  th"  attachment  of  this  young  chief  to  the  American 
interest. 

Any  information  you  can  give  us  of  the  success  of  (reneral  Hull 
and  his  army  will  alford  us  much  satisfaction. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  respect,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

.1.  Khea,  (Jiipt.  (JomtVg, 
To  his  Excellency  Governor  Meigs.  • 


In  reference  to  the  trial  of  Geu'-ral  Hull,  General  Jessup  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  Governor  Kthan  Allen  Brown  : 

ALBAJfY.  N.  Y..  ()th  February,  18U. 

Dear  Sir:  I  arrived  in  this  city  on  the  .'>rd  inst.,  after  a  most 
tiresome  and  disagreeable  journey.  The  trial  ot  General  Hull  pro- 
gresses slowly.  'I'he  court  has  been  a  month  in  session,  and  not 
more  than  eight  or  ten  witnesses  are  examined.  The  General's 
guilt,  however,  is  so  apparent  from  the  testimony  already  adduced, 
that  even  his  own  counsel.  I  understand,  have  abandone<l  the  idea 
ol  disproving  the  tact  contained  in  tlie  (ihargoH.  Tin  y  will  attenipl 
to  show,  it  is  said,  that  his  conduct  was  the  consequence,  not  of 
cowardice  or  treason,  but  of  extreme  fatigue  and  anxiety  of  mind! 
When  such  is  the  defence,  how  hopeless  must  be  the  cause. 

Sincerely  yovu's,  Th.  J.  .Tessti'. 

Hon.  E.  A.  Brown. 


The  following  letters  from  distinguished  sources  illustrate  im- 
portant movements  occurring  at  the  time,  and  may  here  be  properly 
introduced,  as  none  of  them  have  hitherto  been  made  public  : 

Isr  Camp,  Ukbana,  June  8.  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  We  reached  this  place  yesterday  On  arriving  at 
Staunton,  and  making  inquiry  respecting  the  route  down  the  Au- 
glaize, it  was  found  that  at  this  season  of  the  year  that  stream  was 
useless  for  any  purpose  of  navigation,  and  that  a  road  along  it  would 


Jlie  Enemy  Cut  of  Communication. 


135 


be  difficult  and  circuitouR.  It  was  conoluded  to  change  our  direction, 
to  proceed  to  this  plao(>,  and  from  here  on  tlie  best  ground  to  the 
foot  of  the  rajtids.  In  this  determination  I  concurred.  A  road 
from  here  to  the  rapids  would  open  to  Detroit  the  centre  of  the 
State ;  and  in  tlie  event  of  a  war  with  England  our  supplies  must  be 
drawn  from  here.  It  is  indisputably  the  shortest  and  probably  the 
best  route. 

Boyd's  regiment  joins  us  to-morrow.  Things  go  on  well  in  camp. 
This  morniag  four  comi)anie8  marched  for  Mauary's  Block-House  to 
open  the  road. 

We  have  had  a  council  with  the  Indians.  They  have  agreed  to 
permit  us  to  open  the  road,  and  to  establish  along  it  a  line  of  block- 
houses. You  well  know  the  situation  of  the  men  who  compose 
tliis  detachment.  They  were  generally  in  respectable  standing  and 
of  good  pi'ospects.  They  have  made  great  sacrifices.  They  did  not 
come  for  money,  because  all  the  money  they  can  receive  will  be  but 
a  poor  compensation. 

[And  here  follows  an  appeal  urging  the  necessity  of  a  more 
prompt  payment  of  the  troops,  and  the  letter  concludes  :] 

Rely  upon  it,  it  must  be  done.  And  still  further  rely,  that  you 
are  the  man  who  must  see  it  done.  Your  standing,  influence  and 
the  confidence  your  fellow-citizens  place  in  you,  all  justify  them  in 
looking  to  you.     I  know  they  will  not  be  disappointed. 

Sincerely  ever  yours,  Lew.  Cass. 


lien 

ot 
|u\' 


River  Raisik,  August  11,  1812. 

Sir :  I  improve  the  first  opportunity  by  the  bearer,  Major  Taylor, 
(0  inform  you  that  I  arrived  at  the  rapi<ls  of  the  Miami  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  0th  inst .  but  have  been  delayed  on  the  road  for  want  of 
grain  for  the  horses.  I  came  here  yesterday  accompanied  by  twenty- 
one  rangei-s  from  Manary's  Block-House,  who  volunteered  as  an 
escort  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  your  letter  addressed  to  Captain 
Manary. 

I  regret  that  I  cannot  send  you  an  accurate  detail  from  head- 
•luarters,  but  this  is  now  hupossible.  The  communication  with  the 
army  is  entirely  obstructed  by  the  enemy.  On  Wednesday  last  the 
mail  was  escorted  by  between  two  hundred  and  three  hundred  men. 
A  severe  engagement  ensued  on  the  way.  Our  troops  retreated, 
formed,  and  fought  valiantly  for  a  time,  until  overpowered  by  the 
enemy,  which  consisted  of  both  Indians  and  British.  Twenty-five  of 
the  escort  went  from  this  place,  and  but  .^eveii  of  them  have  returned, 
and  some  of  them  are  wounded.  From  the  best  information  we 
have,  about  one -half  of  the  escort  were  killed  and  missing.  It  seems 
to  have  been  a  dreadful  havoc.  The  road  was  strewed  with  the 
mangled  bodies  of  the  dead !     A  prisoner  escaped  from  Maiden,  and 


136 


Preparation  for  the 


came  in  here  yesterday,  who  states  on  oath  that  l»e  saw  the  mail 
opened  in  the  British  garrison,  wliich  was  supposed  to  have  been 
taken  in  the  battle  of  Wednesday  last,  and  that  there  was  much 
sport  in  Maiden  in  consequence  of  arresting  the  public  papers,  which 
were  examined  by  the  enemy. 

I  have  also  to  state  that  a  severe  engagement  took  place  day 
before  yesterday  three  or  four  miles  the  other  side  of  Brownstown, 
very  near  the  place  of  the  battle  ground  of  Wednesday,  and  it  is 
confirmed  by  two  Frenchmen  who  fled  from  a  boat  ^being  there 
prisoners,)  that  our  troops  were  victorious,  and  the  enemy  experi- 
enced a  total  defeat.  Such  are  the  reports  here ;  and  such  the  general 
opinion  relative  to  the  battles  of  Wednesday  and  Sunday.  But,  sir,  we 
are  all  in  doubt  and  anxiety  about  the  details  of  the  two  last  engage- 
ments. As  many  as  five  different  expresses  have  been  sent  from  this 
place  to  General  Hull  to  get  tidings  from  the  army,  and  not  one  has 
been  heard  of  or  returned.  The  expresses  sent  were  confidential  men 
and  persons  well  acquainted  with  the  woods.  An  express  man  is 
here  now  waiting  from  Buffalo,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  who 
says  the  British  have  started  three  vessels  to  reinforce  Maiden  ;  and 
one  of  the  Frenchmen  from  Maiden  states  that  the  three  vessels 
have  arrived  at  Maiden  with  reinforcements.  A  rejoicing  ensued 
at  the  fort,  and  the  guns  were  heard  at  tliis  place. 

Captain  Brush's  company  arrived  here  on  the  0th,  all  in  good 
health  and  good  spirits.  There  are  now  about  one  hundred  and 
sixty  troops  hero  (exclusive  of  the  militia,  which  cannot  be  relied 
on.)  Great  suspicion  is  attached  to  the  Frenchmen  living  in  and 
about  this  place.  The  people  are  flocking  into  the  stockade  for 
protection,  and  the  town  and  country  around  are  alarmed. 

I  cannot  inform  you,  sir,  what  course  will  be  pursued  here.  If 
there  is  even  a  probable  chance  of  seeing  Detroit  without  incurring 
the  reputation  of  rashness,  I  shall  proceed  to  headquarters.  If  not, 
I  shall  wait  with  the  rest  of  the  troops  till  I  can  hear  from  General 
Hull. 

I  have  but  little  time  to  write.  The  bearer  now  waits.  I  must, 
however,  be  permitted  to  suggest  that  I  think  our  army  is  in  a  pt- 
carioua  situation.  There  are  many  sick  or  unable  to  do  duty- 
several  have  been  killed  or  wounded ;  and  it  is  possible  the  Avhole 
corps  may  dissolve  for  reasons  known  to  your  excellency,  unless 
encouraged  by  immedinte  reinforcement.  Would  not  the  volunteers 
from  Gallia  and  Athens  counties  march  without  delay  to  this  place, 
with  orders  to  report  themselves  to  the  commandant  here  ? 

With  deference  I  submit  to  your  excellency  this  hasty  summary, 
and  meanwhile  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant,  Jessup  N.  Codch. 

His  Excellency,  Return  J.  Meigs. 

Before  the  surrender  of  Hull  took  place,  extensive  preparations 
had  been  made  in  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  to 


Defence  of  the  Maumee  Valley. 


187 


brine  into  service  a  large  and  efficient  army.  Three  points  needed 
defence,  Fort  Wayne  and  the  Maumee  Valley,  and  the  Wabash  and 
Illinois  coimtry.  The  troops  destined  for  the  Maumee  were  to  bo 
under  the  command  of  General  Winchester,  a  Revolutionary  officer 
resident  in  Tennessee,  and  but  little  known  to  the  frontier  men. 

Reaching  Cincinnati,  he  addrcsacd  (Jovernor  Aleigs  the  following 
letter : 

Cincinnati,  9th  September,  1812. 

Sir: — I  am  thus  far  on  my  way  to  assume  the  command  of  the 
army  on  your  Northwestern  frontier.  1  shall  leave  this  place 
to-niorro\v"for  Piqua,  wiiere  I  shall  be  extremely  glad  to  see  you, 
in  order  to  consult  with  you  relative  to  the  best  possible  means  of 
protecting  the  exposed  frontier  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  without  losing 
sight,  at  the  same  time,  of  Upper  Canada.  I  am  authorized  by  the 
Secretary  of  War  to  call  on  your  excellency  for  reinforcements  of 
militia.    On  this  subject,  also,  a  personal  interview  is  desirable. 

Should  it,  however,  be  inconvenient  to  you,  sir,  to  meet  me  at 
Piqua,  or  at  some  other  place  on  my  route,  you  will  be  good  enough 
to  communicate  to  me  in  writing  your  ideas  on  the  subject  of  the 
protection  of  your  frontier  inhabitants,  as  well  as  the  extent  of  mili- 
tia you  can  furnish  upon  my  requisition. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  high  consideration, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  Winchester, 
Brigadier  General  U.  8.  Army. 

To  His  Excellency  R.  J.  Meigs,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 


And  from  his  headquarters  at  Fort  Wayne  the  following: 

Headquarters,  Fort  Wayne,  32d  September,  1813. 

Sir: — I  had  the  honor  last  night  of  receiving  your  excellency's 
Idispatch  of  the  16th  instant,  coveiing  a  communication  from  General 
jWadsworth,  for  which  I  beg  you  will  accept  my  sincere  thanks. 
IWitli  you,  I  rejoice  at  the  prospect  of  regaining  lost  territory,  and  at 
jthe  determination  of  the  President  on  a  vigorous  course  of  measures ; 
ind  I  still  hope  to  winter  in  Detroit  or  its  vicinity  the  ensuing 
(season. 

To  enable  me,  in  part,  to  effect  this  purpose,  I  avail  myself  of  the 

iauthority  given  me  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  call  upon  your 

feNccllency  for  such  reinforcements  as  I  may  deem  necessary.     You 

vill  please  to  furnish  two  regiments  of  infantry  to  join  me  at  the 

:{apids  of  the  Miami  of  the  lake,  about  the  lOth  or  15th  of  October 


138 


Oeveral  Winchester  at  Defiance. 


Gt 


next,  well  clotlu'd  for  ii  full  rampuign.  ArniH  imd  iiiniTiunitioii  caii 
be  tiniwii  fmm  Newport,  Kenliicky.  it  Ih  extrctiit'ly  dcHiroiM  to  nit 
that  iiu  time  may  be  lout  in  .sii[»plyiM^f  tliU  re(|iii8ition.  The  cold 
season  is  fast  ajtproaehiuff,  ami  the  stain  on  the  Ameriean  chanietci 
at  Detn)it  not  yi't  wiped  away. 

If  yon  conld  fnrnisii  one  other  rej^iment  to  rendezvons  at  Piqim, 
and  proceed  to  open  and  improve  the  road,  by  eauHeways,  etc..  t 
Detuiiiee.  it  would  jfreatly  facilitate  the  tran.sport,ation  of  HUpplu-N  tn 
this  arniy,  wliieh  i.s  imperatively  requisite  to  its  welfare.  This  liittei 
regiment  might  then  return,  or  proceed  on  after  the  army,  n? 
circumstances  should  dictate. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  high  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

.F.  Winchester, 

Bri(j.  Gen.  IT.  S.  Army. 

To  His  Excellency  lleturn  J.  Moigs,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 


And  on  the  15th  of  October,  181'2,  not  having  been  informed  u; 
the  appointment  of  (kmeral  Harrison,  on  tiie  previous  mouth,  to 
the  chief  command  of  the  Northwestern  army.  General  Winchester 
a^Idressed  Governor  Meigs  the  following  letter: 

Camp  Defianck,  Mouth  of  the  Auglaize, 
15th  October,  1812. 

Sir  : — Captiiin  Wt>od.  commanding  a  small  party  of  spies,  camf 
into  this  camp  yesterday,  .and  reports  that  he  w.as  detached  from 
TTrbana  to  visit  tlie  rapids,  etc. ;  that  he  fell  in  with  other  spif« 
who  hail  just  returned  from  that  place,  and  had  obtaiiu>d  all  the  in 
formation  tli;it  he  possibly  could  I  therefore  have  directed  liimtn  | 
return  and  report,  deeming  it  unnecessary  that  he  should  proceed, as 
the  inlbnu.'ition  required  had  been  obtaine<l,  and  being  desirious.  tno. 
to  communicate  to  your  excellency  that  tl. is  army  could  immediately 
march  and  take  possession  of  the  rapids,  if  supplies  of  provision*, 
ifec  .  could  certainly  reach  us  in  a  few  days  after  our  arrival.  Many  j 
days  provisions  could  not  be  carried  with  us,  because  it  is  not  hce. 
Neither  h.ave  we  the  means  of  transportation,  and  it  is  impovtani 
that  the  corn  at  that  place  should  be  saved  if  it  could  be  done. 

At  this  place  a  })icketed  post  with  four  block-houses,  two  siouf  | 
houses  and  a  house  for  the  sick,  will  be  finished  this  day.     Thenl 
shall  tui'u  tny  attention   to  building  pirogues  for   the  purpose  otj 
trausportiug  heavy  baggage  and  provisions  down   the   river,  ami 
anxiously  wait  your  answer  with  relation  to  supplies.     I  shall  remain  | 
in  readiness  to  march  as  soon  as  it  is  received. 


It  (reneral 

!  tents  of  this  I 
nIkiiiM  addret 
I  have  the  1 


To  His  Excell 


The  appointi 
lover  all  the  f 
|]7th  of  Septen 
lonth. 

The  followir 
^iist  to  the  adra 
from  the  War  ] 


Sir:  The  Pn 
'J^orth  western 
I'-ingers  in  thos( 
Jf  Kentucky,  CJ 
jinia  ;ui(l  Peini 
;lioiisaii(l  men. 

■•iving  procc 

lill  retake   !)» 

-.iii.'kIm,  you  wi 

JdiM-  coiiim.-md 

Imiii  ot  .•irtiller 

lil'ie,  rcijuires  t'i 

Y  that  place,  wi 
leceive  your  \n^ 
leport  himself  t( 
Inil  join  you  wit 

V  receive  such  o 
TJeginieut  of  Di 
liau-ly.    Such  st 
fill  be  aj)proved 

Copies  of  all 

|i':insiuitted.     M 

'  i'uniisli  mag.az 

m  Deputy  V^u 

Itores  and  munit 


General  Harrimn  Commander-in-Chief.        139 

It  (toncral  llarriHon  i«  at  Urbiina,  you  will  communioato  tho  con- 
ItJ'titN  of  this  I'.'ttcr  to  him.  If  I  know  whoro  ho  could  bo  founrl,  I 
Uhotilil  iultlrt'SH  n  letter  to  him  on  tho  «umo  Hubjoct. 

1  havo  the  honor  to  bo,  with  iijrcnt  roHpect. 

Your  KxcoUoncy's  obeiliont  Hcrvant, 

J.  Wl.VOHKSTER, 

Brif/in/irr  (reueral  f/,  *S'.  Army. 
Ito  Ilis  Excellency  Return  J.  McigH,  Urbana. 


Tho  appointment  of  Harrison  to  the  post  of  Commander-in-Chief 
over  all  the  forcos  in  the  West  and  NorthwcHt,  was  made  on  the 
|]7th  of  September,  1H12,  and  officially  ratitiod  on  tho  '24th  of  that 
lonth. 

The  following  judicious  instructions,  liberal  in  their  spirit,  and 
just  to  the  adrainistratiou  and  to  General  Ilarrison,  were  forwarded 
from  the  War  Department : 

VVak  Department,  September  17,  1812. 

Sir :  The  President  is  pleased  to  assign  to  you  the  command  of  tho 

foithweslern  arm)    which,  in  addition  to  the  regular  troops  and 

faniferH  in  those  (j  rs,  will  consist  of  the  volunteers  and  militia 

KeiitiK'ky,  C)hi(  i.iree  thousjind  th'tached  militia  from  Vir- 

tiiiia  .iiiil  l*ennsyivui.i.i,    making   your  whole    force  consist    of  ten 

^liniisaiid  men. 

Having  proceeded  for  the  protection  of  the  western  frontier,  you 
Rill  ro  take  Detroit  and,  with  a  view  to  tho  concjuest  of  l^pper 
[Canada,  you  will  |)enelrato  that  country  as  soon  as  the  force  under 
jTiiur  I'ointnand  will  Justify.  Every  c.vertion  is  making  to  give  you  a 
liaiii  ot  artillery  from  Pittsburgh,  to  etlect  which,  yi)U  must  bi-  .sen- 
|il)lo,  riMjuires  time.  Major  Stoddard,  the  senior  officer  of  artillery 
Y  that  place,  will  advise  you  of  his  arrangements  autl  projects,  and 
receive  your  instructions.  Captain  Gratiot,  of  the  engineers,  will 
h'port  himself  to  you  from  Pittsburgh.  He  will  receive  your  orders 
Ind  Join  you  with  the  tirst  pieces  of  artillery  which  can  be  prepared, 
W  receive  such  orders  as  you  may  direct.  Major  Ball  of  the  Second 
u'ginieut  of  Dragoons  will  also  report  himself  and  join  you  imme- 
liaic'ly.  Such  staff  officers  as  you  may  appoint,  conformably  to  law. 
Irill  be  approved  by  the  President. 

Copies  of  all  the  contracts  for  supplying  provisions  have  been 
jran(iinitted.  Mr.  Denny,  the  contractor  at  Pittsburgh,  is  instructed 
0  tuniish  magazines  of  provisions  at  such  points  as  you  may  direct. 
Hie  Deputy  Quartermaster  at  Pittsburgh  will  continue  to  forward 
tores  and  munitions  of  every  kind,  and  will  meet  your  requisitions. 


140 


General  Jlarrison^s  Plan. 


Colonel  Buford,  Deputy  Commissioner  at  Lexington,  is  furnished 
with  funds  and  is  subject  to  your  orders.  Should  an  additional  pur- 
chasing commissary  become  necessary,  you  will  appoint  one,  and 
authorize  him  to  draw  and  sell  bills  on  this  department.  It  seemi) 
desirable  to  keep  the  local  contractors  in  re(|uisition  as  far  as  they 
can  supply.  With  these  objects  in  view  you  will  command  sucb 
means  as  may  be  practicable.  Exercise  your  own  discretion  and 
act  in  all  cases  according  to  your  own  judgment. 
Very  respectfully,  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  EUSTIS. 
To  General  Wm.  H.  Harrison,  Commanding  the  N.  W.  Army. 


Meantime  Fort  Wayne  had  been  relieved,  and  the  line  of  the 
Maumee  secured ;  so  that,  when  Harrison  found  himself  placed  at 
the  head  of  military  aHairs  in  the  West,  his  main  objects  'vere 
as  will  have  been  noted,  first,  to  drive  the  hostile  Indians  fromtLv 
western  side  of  the  Detroit  river ;  second,  to  take  Maiden ;  and  thiiVi 
having  thus  secured  his  communications,  to  recai)turc  the  Michica; 
territory  and  its  dependencies. 

The  plan  adopted  by  General  Harrison  to  meet  the  duties  inciii!: 
bent  upon  him  was,  to  collect  the  troops  at  four  points,  Woostt: 
Urbana,  Fort  Defiance  and  St.  Mary's.  From  these  places  li 
object  for  concentration  for  his  troops  Avas  the  rapids  of  the  Maurat 
The  forced  expedition  at  first  adopted  against  Detroit  was  iio« 
abandoned,  because  the  infantry  could  not  be  in  readiness  to  seciir 
and  retain  the  acquisition,  shoulu  it  be  made. 

The  base  line  of  the  new  campaign  w'as  one  drawn  from  Upper 
Sandusky  along  the  southerly  side  of  the  swampy  district  to  St, 
Mary's.  These  two  places,  with  Fort  McArthur  between  them. 
were  intended  as  the  depots  for  provisions,  .artillery  and  niilitan 
stores.  The  troops  at  Defiance  were  intended  to  act  as  a  corps ol 
observation,  and  when  the  artillery  should  be  brought  to  bpper 
Sandusky,  they  were  to  advance  to  the  rapids.  At  Lower  Saiuliiskv 
a  corps  of  observation  was  also  stationed,  which,  wiiii  that  at  Deliaiice, 
would  form  the  extremities  of  the  new  military  base,  Avhen  the  array 
should  have  reached  the  advanced  j)osition  mentioned  on  the  Ma"- 
mee.  These  arrangements  covered  the  frontiers  by  the  diti'ereii; 
corps,  and  kept  the  troops  within  the  bounds  of  tlie  ordinary  coj 
tractors;  while  the  quartermasters  were  accumulating  provisioi'l 


Fort  Jennings  Erected. 


141 


farther  in  advance,  and  procuring  means  of  transportation  across 
the  difficult  district  of  country  so  well  termed  the  Black  Swamp. 
General  Winchester  was  in  command  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Waj'!i_', 
and  General  Harrison  had  proceeded  to  St.  Mary's,  where  about  three 
thousand  men  were  collected   for  the  purpose  of  the  expedition. 
against  Detroit  already   alluded   to.      This  expedition   had   been 
abandoned  by  the    commanding  General,  for  reasons   which    have 
l)ec'i.  already   assigned,     AVhile  in    this  position,   information    was 
leceived  by  Quartermaster  Thomas  D.  Carneal,  that  a  large  force 
(if  British  and  Indians,  with  artillery,  was  passing  up  the  left  bank 
of  the  Maumee,  towards  Fort  Wayne.     General  Harrison  immedi- 
,  aiely  determined  by    a  rapid   march  upon  the  coniiuence  of  the 
l  Aui^laize  with  the  Maumee.  to  try  and  intercept  the  return  of  this 
i  (letachnient,  knowing  it  would  be  met  in  front  by  the  return  of 
\  Winchester.    The  force  under  the  immediate  command  of  the  Gen- 
eral at  this  time  consisted  of  some  troops  of  cavalry  from  Ohio  and 
;  Kentucky ;  the  mounted  corps  of  Finley  of  the  former  State,  and 
lot  R.  M.  Johnson  belonging  to  the  latter ;  together  with  the  in- 
Ifantry  regiments  of  Poague,  Barbee  and  Jennings.     The  latter  oificer 
rvith  his  regiment  had  previously  been  detached  to  erect  an  inter- 
[mecliate  post  between  St.  Mary's  and  Defiance,  called  Fort  Jennings. 
On  the  oOth  of  September,*  General  Harrison  set  out  on  the  pro- 
posed expedition.     Apprehensive  that  the  infantry  would  too  much 
retard  his  progress,  after  the  first  day's  march,  the  two  regiments 
l^vere  ordered  to  return ;  and  the  General,  at  the  head  of  the  cavalry, 
icontinued  his  march.     No  weather,  or  condition  of  a  country,  could 
be  more  trying  to  the  feelings  and  the  subordination  of  irregular 
kioops,  than  during  this  forced  expedition  of  General  Harrison,     The 
pin  fell  in  torrents:  the  fiat  beech  woods  were  covered  with  water, 
knd  they  were  so  swampy  that  the  horses  sank  half  leg  deep  at  every 
Itep,    On  the  close  of  the  second  day's  march,  the  troops  encamped 
a  bottom  of  the  Auglaize, 

"  A  description  of  the  bivouac  of  this  night  might  well  serve  for  that 

bt'many  similar  ones  which  were  passed  by  the  General  and  his  troops 

ling  this  campaign,  with  the  exception  of  the  increase  of  suffer- 


•Here  is  an  cnor  In  date,  made  bj'  Mr.  Dntler,  in  his  History  of  Kentuclty,  authority 

pich  iH  generally  regarded,  and  jiiftly,  too,  of  the  hifjhoat  character.    It  muHt  have  been 

iveral  days  later  than  Scpifmber  aotli;  for,  on  the  l.'itli  of  October,  General  Wincliester 

rritos  to  Onveriior  Mei{,'s  that  he  was  desirous  of  eoniniunienting  with  (ieneral  Harrison,  but 

luot "  know  where  he  could  be  found." 


142 


A  Night  Bi/vouac  on  the  Auglaize. 


ing  from  the  severe  cold  of  winter.    The  troops  being  on  a  forced 
march,  were  not  suffered  to  encamp  as  long  as  there  was  light 
enough  to  march.     They  were  formed   as   well  as  possible  in  an 
order  ot  encampment,  and  guards  placed  out.    The  ground  of  tk 
encampment    here    spoken  of,  was   on  the   side  of    the   Auglaizt 
river,  in  a  flat    beech  bottom,  which  was  nearly  covered  by  tht 
water  from  the  rain,  which  fell  in  torrents  during  the  whole  night 
The  troops  were  without  axes,  and  their  tomahawks  could  effeoi 
nothing  with  the  large  green  beech  trees.     Happy  were  they  whu 
could  tiud  a  dry  log  in  which  a  fire  could  be  kindled.     Those  who 
had  not  this  good  fortune  were  obliged  to  content  themselves  witli  I 
passing  the  night  sitting  on  their  saddles  at  the  roots  of  the  trees, 
against  which  they  leaned  and  procured  a  little  sleep.     Being"  sepa- 
rated from  the  baggage,  there  were  few  who  had  anything  to  eat, 
or  spirits  to  drink.     In  a  situation  of  this  kind,  men  are  peevishdj 
ill-natured,  in  the  venting  of  which  a  thousand  circumstances  contii- 
ually  occur.     To  prevent  ebullitions  of  this  kind,  and  to  produce  I 
more  pleasant  feelings,  the  General,  seated  round  a  small  tirewitU 
his  staff,  wrapped  in  his  cloak,  and  taking  the  rain  as  it  fell,  directed 
one  of  his  officers  to  sing  an  Irish  glee.     The  humor  of  this  son  J 
and  the  determination  which  seemed  to  exist  at  hciulqnarters  topm 
circumstances  at  defiance,  soon   produced   cheerfulness  and  gooiil 
humor  throughout  the  camp." 

Hy  day-break  of  the  next  morning,  the  march  was  resumed,  tkl 
troops  being  required  to  be  in  readiness  to  mount  by  reveille. 
the  course  of  the  next  day,  the  General  was  met  by  an  ofliwl 
from  General  Winchester,  who  informed  him  of  the  latter  oil 
cer's  arrival  at  Fort  Defiance,  and  the  united  body  of  British  anil 
Indians  had  retired  down  the  Maumee.  Ho  then  prosecuted  hiij 
march,  with  a  small  escort,  to  Winchester's  camp,  leaving 
detachment  to  come  up  more  at  their  leisure.  He  arrived  late>i| 
night. 

At  Fort  Detif  nee  a  revolt  in  the  Kentucky  regiment  ot  Coloneil 
Allen  took  place,  which,  for  its  honorable  termination,  as  welUj 
from  motives  ot  historical  fidelity,  requires  to  be  mentioned.  Ill 
has  been  but  obscurely  alluded  to  by  General  McAfee  and  llj 
Dawson. 

Soon  after  General  Harrison's  arrival  at  camp,  and  after  he 
retired  to  enjoy  some  little  repose,  so  welcome  to  anv  one  wholuij 
been  exposed  on  the  preceding  conifortlegs  and  forced  expediliotl 


jtlie  diVooiitontc'd 
N^Pectatiou  of  fi 


Defiance — Revolt  in  a  Kentucky  Regiment.      143 


he  found  himself  suddenly  awakened  by  Colonel  Allen  and  Major 
M.  D.  Hardin.  These  officers  were  the  bearers  of  the  mortiiying 
news  that  Allen's  regiment,  exhausted  by  the  hard  fare  of  the  cam- 
i»ai£>n,  and  disappointed  in  the  expectation  of  an  immediate  engage- 
ment with  the  enemy,  had,  in  defiance  of  their  duty  to  their  country, 
and  all  the  earnest,  impassioned  remonstrances  of  their  officers, 
(lelermined  to  return  home.  The&o  officers  assured  General  Harri- 
son that  they  could  do  nothing  with  their  men  ;  that  their  represen- 
tations were  answered  by  insults  alone.  They  begged  the-  General 
to  rise  and  interfere,  as  the  only  officer  who  had  any  prospect  of 
bringing  the  mutineers  back  to  their  duty.  He  refused  to  interfere 
at  that  time,  but  assured  the  gentlemen  that  he  would  attend  to 
the  serious  object  of  their  request  in  his  own  way,  and  at  his  own 
time.  The  officers  retired.  In  the  meantime.  General  Harrison  sent 
oue  of  his  aids  to  direct  General  Winchester  to  order  the  alarm,  or 
point  of  war,  to  be  beat  on  the  following  morning,  instead  of  the 
reveille.  This  adroit  expedient  brought  all  the  troops  to  their  arms 
the  first  thing  in  the  morning.  It  diverted  the  spirits  of  the  discon- 
tented troops  into  a  new  channel  of  feeling,  and  prepared  them  for 
the  subsequent  events. 

On  the  parading  of  the  troops  at  their  i)osts,  General  Winchester 

was  ordered  to  form  them  into  a  hollow  square.     General  Harrison 

now  appeared  upon  parade,  much  to  the  surprise  of  the  troops,  who, 

from  his  late  arrival  in  camp,  were  unapi>rised  of  his  presence.     If 

the  smlden  and  unexpected  arrival  of  tiieir  favorite  commander  had 

!^o  visible  ail  effect  upon  the  men,  his   immediate  address   to  them 

fully  preserved  the  impression.     He  began  by  lamenting  that  there 

were,  as  he  was  informed,  considerable  discontent    in  out-  of   the 

Kentucky  regiments:  this,  although  a  source  of  mortilication    to 

himself,  on  their  acciumt,  was  happily  of  little  consetiuence  to  the 

government.    He  had  more  troo]is  than  he  knew  well  what  to  do 

with  at  the  present  stage  of  the  campaign;  he  was  expecting  daily 

j  the  arrival  of  the  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  quotas,     it  is  fortunate, 

I 'aid  this  otlicer,  with  the  ready  oratory  for  which  his  native  Virginia 

is  So  famed,  that  he   had   found  out  this  dissatisfaction   before  the 

[  Ciuupaifi;n  was  farther  advanced,  when  the  discovery  might  have  been 

mischievous  to  the   public  interests,  as   well  as  disgraceful  to  the 

p:u'tit.'s  concerned.     Now,  so  far  as  the  government  was  interested, 

jilie  discontented  troops,  who  had  come  into  the  woods  with  the 

[expectation  of  finding  all  the  luxuries  of  home  and  of  peace,  had 


144      Defiance — Revolt  in  a  Kentucky  Reghn&nt. 


full  liberty  to  return.  He  would,  he  continued,  order  faci  ities  to  be 
furnisiied  for  their  immediate  accommodation.  But  he  could  not 
refrain  from  expressing  the  mortification  he  anticipated  for  tiie 
reception  they  would  meet  from  the  old  and  the  young,  who  had 
greeted  them  on  their  march  to  the  scene  of  war,  as  their  gallant 
neighbors. 

What  mnst  be  their  feelings,  said  the  General,  to  see  those  whom 
they  had  hailed  as  their  generous  defenders,  now  returning  without 
striking  a  blow,  and  before  their  term  of  plighted  service  had  ex- 
pired ?  But  if  this  would  be  the  state  of  })ublic  sentiment  in  Ohio, 
what  would  it  be  in  Kentucky?  If  their  lathers  did  not  drive  their 
degenerate  sons  back  to  the  lield  of  battle  to  recover  their  wouikW 
honor,  their  mothers  and  sisters  would  hiss  them  from  their  presence, 
If,  however,  the  discontented  men  wen-  disposed  to  i)ut  up  withal! 
the  taunts  and  disdain  which  awaited  them  wherever  they  win, 
they  were,  General  Harrison  again  assured  them,  at  full  liberty  to:- 
back. 

The  iniluence  of  this  animated  address  was  instantaneous.    Tli-, 
was  evinced  in  a  manner  most  flattering  to  the  tact  and  numagenitii;  \ 
of  the  commander.     Colonel  J.  M.  Scott,  the  senior  Colonel  of  Ktii- 
lucky,  and  who  had  served  in  the  armies  of  Harniar,  St.  Clair,  an ; 
Wayne,  in  the  medical  staff,  now  aildressed  his  men.     These  weiv 
well  known  in  the  army  as  the  "  Iron  Works,"  from  the  neighbor- 
hood from  which  they  had  come.     "  You,  my  boys, '  said  the  generoi;: 
veteran,  "  will  prove  your  attachment  for  the  service  of  your  iiountn 
and  your  General,  by  giving  him  three  cheers.'    The  address  wt 
attended  with  immediate  success,  and  the  air  resounded  with  i: 
shouts  of  both  ofHcers  and  men. 

Colonel  Lewis  next  took  up  the  same  course,  and  with  the  saii] 
effect. 

It  now  became  the  turn  of  the  noble  Allen  again  to  try  the  teni]W 
of  Ms  men.  He  begged  leave  of  the  General  to  address  them;  bm 
excess  of  emotion  chokeil  his  utterance ;  at  length  he  gave  veiitto 
the  contending  feelings  of  his  heart,  in  a  broken,  but  forcible  adclre» 
breathing  the  lire  which  ever  burned  so  ardently  in  his  breast.  ^\ 
the  close  of  it,  however,  he  conjured  the  soldiers  of  his  regiment  k 
give  the  General  the  .same  manifestation  of  their  patriotism  iiiidrr 
turning  sense  of  duty,  which  the  other  Kentucky  regiments  liad? 
freely  done.  The  wishes  of  their  high  spirited  officer  were  comi'li^ 
with;  and  a  mutiny  was  nipped  in  its  bud,  which  might,  if  persist^t 


Oiiii.sc.    ;^ 

til  rough  tl 

ottered  up 

of  Raisin. 

(leiieral 

siibonlinati 

t'wl  H'incli 

officer  were 

iiicnts  of   f 

;uldi(i()j)al  n 

(.'i»luiu'l   Bo( 

'ii'aluiisoilice 

fodiviw  u])() 

"IiieJi  he  mi; 

•'li^  coniinaiid 

,        ft  now  hoc 

■     his  attention 

^'■<'0]is,  wliiel, 

;    ;i'iil  Virginia. 

,1    «1'  tlie  Ohio  n 

only  provision 

niiiterie]  of  w; 

■    "'Jieii  but  two 
f'i<-'(]ii,'grjiocfii| 
'Uul  whicJi  tilt" 
''•-'  Iiad  rather 
'""•g'l  withoul 
^''^Mviiolocoim 
Pliwl  with  all  . 
"We  to  Aim  is)  1 
which  the  can-ii 
'J''iis  Was  flu. 
'"  'i  "lost  ini]),,, 
Colonel    Mor 
I  .^^'illiarn  Piatf,  . 
' "'  '''^'  service,  t( 
["■estern  army. 


Defiance — Revolt  in  a  Kentucky  Regiment.      145 


iti'oK 


ill.  have  spread  disafloctioii  through  the  Kentucky  troops,  to  the 
disgrace  of  that  gallant  State,  and  the  lasting  injury  of  the  public 
c.inso.  No  troops,  however,  behaved  more  faithfully  or  zealously 
111  rough  the  n-uKiiiuler  of  their  service,  till  the  greater  part  of  them 
oH'civd  up  their  lives  in  defence  of  their  country  on  the  fatal  Held 
(if  Kaisin. 

(ieneral  Harrison  having  ([uelled  this  unhapjjy  disturbance,  in  the 
subordination  of  the  troops,  now  made  his  arrangements  witn  CJen- 
cral  Winchester,  for  the  full  command  of  the  left  wing.  To  this 
oilicer  were  committed  the  regulars  under  Colonel  Wells,  the  regi- 
ments of  Scott,  Lewis  and  Allen,  already  mentioned,  and  the 
additional  regiments  under  Colonels  Poague,  Barbee,  and  Jennings. 
Colonel  Bodley,  the  quarternnister  of  this  wing,  an  etlicient  and 
zealous  orHcer  of  Kentucky,  was  fully  empowered  by  Ceneral  Harrison 
to  draw  upon  the  treasury  for  the  carrying  into  elfect  all  orders 
which  he  might  receive  from  (ieneral  Winchester  for  the  supply  of 
his  eonunaiul. 

It  now  became  necessary  for  the  commanding  General  to  direct 
his  attention  to  the  arrangements  for  the  accommoilation  of  the 
troops,  which  were  marching  to  his  reinforcement  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia.  'IMiese,  together  with  the  brigade  of  (Ieneral  Perkins, 
of  the  Ohio  militia,  constituted  the  right  wing  of  the  army.  Not 
only  provisions  were  to  be  collected  for  this  body  of  men,  but  all  the 
materiel  of  war,  ammunition  and  artillery,  were  yet  to  be  obtained. 
It  will  hardly  be  believed  in  the  future  history  of  America,  that 
when  tint  two  pieces  of  disposable  artillery  of  small  calibre  had,  by 
I  he  disgraceful  surrender  of  Hull,  bern  left  in  the  Western  country, 
and  which  the  comnuuuling  General  informed  the  Secretary  of  War 
he  had  rather  be  without,  cannon  should  have  been  sent  to  Pitts- 
liurgh  without  their  carriages.  Yet  such  was  the  fact :  and  when 
the  whole  country  su])]ioscd  (Jeneral  Harrison  was  thoroughly  sup- 
plied with  all  the  munitions  of  war,  which  the  governnu'ut  was  so 
able  to  furnish,  the  trees  were  still  growing  about  Pittsburgh,  out  of 
which  the  carriages  of  the  artillery  were  to  be  manufactured. 

This  was  the  state  of  protracted  destitution  of  the  army,  in  regard 
to  a  most  important  military  arm. 

Cdlonel    ]\Ioirison,  an   old   Ilcvolutioiuiry   officer,   and    Colonel 
William  Piatt,  had  l)een  aj^pointed  deputy  (^uartermasters-Cieneral 
the  service,  to  act  at  the  head  of  their  department  in  the  North- 
I  western  army.    These  officers  were  placed  under  the  command  of 


146 


General  Tujp'per  to  Governor  Meigs. 


General  Winchester ;  ajid  lie  was  fully  informed  of  the  general  plan 
of  tlie  campaign  by  General  Harrison,  and  thus  became  responsible 
for  the  part  assigned  him,  in  the  general  operations  of  the  military 
service. 

General  E.  W.  Tnpper,  commanding  the  central  column,  addressed 
to  Governor  Meigs  the  following  letter: 


Camp,  Near  McArtkjr's  Block-House,) 
November  9th,  1812.  j 

Sir: — 1  have  for  some   time  thought  a  ])risoner  from  near  the 
!Maumee   Rapids  would  at  this  time  be  of  much  service,   and  highly 
acceptable  to  General  Ilarrisun.     For  this  i)urpose  I  ordered  Cai»taiii 
llinkton  to  the  Kapids,  with  his  comi)any  of  spies,  Avith  orders  to 
Take  a  prisoner,  if  iiossibje.     Tie  has  just  returned,  and  brought  in 
with  him  Cai)lain  A,  Clark,  a  l>ritisli  subject,  wiio  resides  two  miles 
above  Maiden,  and  was  out  with  a  party  of  about  five  hur.  ^red  Indians 
and  liI'Ly  ]5ritish,  with   two  gunboats,  six  bateaux,  and  one  small 
schooner  at  the  ibut  of  the  liapids,  to  gather  in  and  carry  ovlt to 
Maiden  the  corn.     Captain  Clark  had  but  just  arrived  with  the  vau 
of  the  detiichnient.     The  vessels  and  boats  had  not  yet  anchored 
when  the  spies  surprised  him  as  he  advanced  a  lew  rods  from  the 
shore  to  reconnoitre,  and  brought  him  ott  undiscovered ;  and  this 
from  a  number  of  Indians,  who  were  killing  hogs  and  beginning  to 
gather  corn.     At  the  same  time,  several  of  Captain  llinkton's  fipk> 
lay  concealed  on  the  bank  within  live  rods  of  the  place  where  soiiu 
of  the  first  boats  were  landing.     Captain  llinkton  has  condiicteil 
this  business  with  great  skill  and  address.     Captain  Clark  was  taken 
prisoner  on  the  7th  instant,  a  little  before  sun  setting.     He  inform; 
me  that  the  force  now  at  the  liapids  contemplated  remaining  there 
from  ten  to  llfteen  days,  in  order  to  convey  the  whole  of  the  eorii  in 
that  neighborhood  to  JNIalden.     I  know  not,  sir,  whether  it  will  meet 
your  api)robation,  or  that  of  our  commander-in-chief:    but  I  have 
orderccl  every  man  in  the  brigade  who  does  not  fear  the  fatigues ula 
rapid  nuirch,  ;ind  is  in  a  conilition  to  perform  it,  to  draw  live  days' 
provisions,  and  march   with  me  for  the  liai)ids  in   the  morniug. 
taking   nothing   with  them   but   their  provisions,  knapsacks  aiiJ 
blankets.     Although   the  force   will    not  exceed   six  hundred  am! 
fifty,  I  -am  convinced  it  is  sufficient  to  rout  the  force  nowattki 
Eapids,  and  save  the  greater  })art  of  the  corn,  which  is  all-imiiortaiit  | 
tons.     A  moment  ---         -  .     „    ., 

three  days. 

I  have  also  sent  an  express  to  General  AVinchcster,  advisin? 
him  of  the  situation  of  the  enemy,  and  of  our  march;  but  a; 
we  can  reach  the  Jtapids  one  day  sooner  than  General  Winchestei| 
Avaiting  for  my  express,  I  could  not  think  of  losing  one  day, 
thereby  sutler  the  enemy  to  escape  with  the  forage. 


it  is  not  to  be  lost.     We  shall  be  at  the  Eapids ia^B  To  hig  Jj^-p^^jj^.j 


British  Officer  Captured. 


147 


Captain  Clark  informs  me  that  there  are  but  few  Indians  now  at 
Miiklen ;  that  they  have  principally  been  in  antl  received  their 
anmiities  and  returned  to  their  families.  The  Brownstown  Indians 
are  now  at  the  liapids  with  the  foraging  party — amounting  to  about 
sixtv  mounted  warriors.  The  othei  Indians  now  at  tlie  Rapids  are 
Cliippeways,  Ottawas  and  Pottawotamies,  who  came  up  in  the  vessels 
and  canoes.  Detroit  is  now  garrisoned  with  lifty  men  of  the  forty- 
tiist  regiment,  under  the  command  of  General  Proctor.  They  have 
made  no  improvement  on  the  fort.  The  battery  opposite  to  Detroit 
is  demolished.  Eight  large  pieces  of  cannon  taken  at  Detroit,  now 
lie  on  the  wharf  at  Maiden.  Captain  Clark  cannot  say  what  num- 
ber of  cannon  are  mounted  at  I)etroit; — he  thinks  but  few,  and 
those  small.  iMalden  is  garrisoned  with  about  five  hundred  regular 
troops  of  the  forty-llrst  regiment,  and  about  two  hundred  militia.  It 
mounts  four  heavy  cannon  in  each  bastion,  consisting  of  18-pounders 
and  long  9-i)ounders.  The  greatest  force  of  militia  they  have  ever 
been  able  to  raise  was  about  four  hundred.  Tiie  Indian  force  at  the 
surrender  of  Detroit  did  not  exceed  seven  hundred — the  British 
regulars  and  militia  between  six  and  seven  hundred.  Captain  Clark 
must  be  a  good  judge  of  the  force,  having  been  in  the  battles  of 
Brownstown  and  JMaguuga,  and  tvt  the  surrender  of  Detroit.  At 
Maiden  they  are  strengthening  the  fortifications,  though  they  do  not 
calculate  on  an  expedition  from  the  United  States  this  season.  They 
are  apprised  of  General  Winchester's  force,  but  understand  he  is 
building  a  fort  at  Defiance,  and  is  to  remain  there  during  the  winter. 
They  have  no  knowledge  of  any  other  preparations  making  in  the 
State  of  Ohio.  i 

This  contains  the  most  important  part  of  the  information  I  have 
gained  from  Captain  Clark.  I  have  given  him  to  understand  that 
liis  treatment  hereafter  will  depend  entirely  upon  the  truth  of  his 
relations.  I  send  him  off  in  the  morning  to  General  Harrison.  I 
write  you,  sir,  in  great  haste.  The  pre})arations  making  for  our 
march  will  employ  me  the  whole  night.  I  take  with  me  one  light 
G-nounder,  drawn  by  six  horses.  1  am  in  hopes  of  tinding  some  of 
those  vessels  iu  the  river,  and  with  this  piece  I  can  advance  thirty 
miles  per  day. 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  p]xcellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

Edward  W.  Tupper, 

Brif/iicUer  Oen.  Ohio  Quota. 

To  his  Excellency  R.  J.  Meigs,  Governor  of  Ohio. 

P.  S. — I  shall  not  take  a  man  with  me  but  such  as  volunteer  their 
siryiees.    I  have  assured  them  that  they  will  have  to  endure  liunger, 

S  iatigue,  difficulties  and  dangers.  Such  as  fear  to  risk  their  lives,  or 
encounter  the  sufferings  of  a  rapid  march,  on  short  rations,  I  leave 

^i  behind  to  guard  our  camp. 


148 


The  SltuMlon  at  the  close  of  1812. 


Tlie  troops  commanded  by  Goneral  Tupper  were  raised  chictlv 
from  the  county  of  liis  residence,  (^Gallia,)  and  from  Lawrence  iim! 
Jackson  couniios. 

Tlius,  at  the  close  of  the  year  1812,  nothing  efTectiial  had  Ijceii 
done  towards  the  re-con(|ues^t  of  Michigan.  Winchester,  witii  the 
left  wing  of  tlie  army,  was  at  Defiance,  on  his  way  to  the  Rapiils, 
his  men  enfeebled  by  sickness,  want  of  clothes,  and  want  of  food: 
the  right  wing  at  Upper  Sandnsky,  and  tlie  centre  resting  at  Fort 
McArtlnir. 

Several  smaller  operations  had  taken  ])lace,  and  one  of  some 
imi)ortance  oc(.'nrred  near  tiie  close  of  the  year,  when  General  liiirri- 
son  disjiatched  a  party  of  six  hnndred  men  against  the  Mijimi 
villages  upon  the  Mississinneway,  a  branch  of  the  Wabash.  This 
body,  under  the  command  of  Tjieutenant  Colonel  Canipboll, 
destroyed  several  villages  and  fought  a  severe  battle  with  the 
Indiiins,  who  were  defeated;  but  the  severity  of  the  weather,  the 
nuuiljer  of  his  wounded  (forty-eight),  the  scarcity  of  provisions,  and 
the  fear  of  an  attack  from  Tecumseh,  at  the  head  of  six  hundred  fresh 
savages,  led  Colonel  Campbell  to  retreat  immediately  after  the  battle, 
without  destroying  the  i)rincipal  town  of  the  enemy.  The  expedi- 
tion, however,  was  not  without  valual)le  results,  as  it  induced  some 
of  the  tribes  to  come  openly  and  wholly  under  the  protection  ami 
within  the  borders  of  the  Republic. 

0.1  the  10th  of  January,  1813,  Winchester  with  his  troops  reached 
the  Rapids.     From  tlie  13th  to  the  IGth,  messengers  arrived  at  Win- 
chester's camp  tVom   the  inhabitants  of  French  town  on   the  river] 
Raisin,  representing  the  danger  to  which   that  [)lace  was  exposeil 
from  the  hostility  of  the  British  and  Indians,  and  begging  for  pro- 
tection.    These  rejiresentations  and  petitions  excited  the  feelings  of 
the  Americans,  and  led  them,  forgetful  of  the  main  objects  of  the 
campaign,  and  of  military  caution,  to  determine  upon  the  step  of 
sending  a  strong  party  to  the  aid  of  the  sufi'erers.     On  the  ITtli,  ac- 
cordingly. Col.  Lewis  was  despatched  with  550   men   to  the  river 
Raisin,  and  soon  after  Col.  Allen  foUoAved  with  110  men.     Marchinj 
along  the  frozen  borders  of  the  Bay  and  Lake,  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  18th  the  Americans  reached  and  attacked  the  enemy  who  were 
posted  in  the   village,   and    after   a   severe   contest   defeated  theui.  i 
Having  gained  ])ossession  of  the  town.  Colonel  Ijewis  wrote  for  rein- 
forcements and  prepared   himself  to   defend   the  position  he  liiid  j 
gained.     And  it  was  evident  that  all  his  means  of  defence  would  bf 


Winch  ester'' s  AlUtake. 


149 


needed,  as  the  pliicc  was  but  eigliteeri  milf!^  from  MaUUui,  wliere  the 
whole  lii'ilish  Ibrcc  was  colloctetl  umlcr  Proctor.  Winclioster,  on 
the  inth,  having  lieard  of  the  action  of  the  previous  day,  niarclied 
witli  ;J5tf  men,  wliich  was  tlie  most  he  dared  detaoli  from  the  Rapids, 
to  tlie  aid  of  tlu;  cajitor  of  Frenohtown,  which  i)hice  lie  reached  on 
the  next  evening.  But  instead  of  placing  his  men  in  a  secure  posi- 
tion, and  taking  measures  to  prevent  the  srcret  a])proach  of  the 
eneniv,  Winchester  sntfered  the  troops  he  had  brought  with  him  to 
rejnain  in  the  open  ground,  and  took  uoellicient  measures  to  protect 
himself  from  surprise,  although  inft)rmed  that  an  attack  might  be 
expected  at  any  moment.  The  consequence  was  that  during  tlie 
iiiglit  of  the  21st  the  whole  British  force  approached  undiscovered 
and  erected  a  battery  within  300  yards  of  the  American  camp. 
From  this,  before  the  troops  were  fairly  under  arms  in  the  morning, 
a  discharge  of  bombs,  balls,  and  grapeshit,  informed  the  devoted 
soldiers  of  Winchester  of  tlie  folly  of  their  commander,  and  in  a 
moment  more  the  dreaded  Indian  yell  sounded  on  every  side.  The 
troops  under  Lewis  Avere  i)rotected  by  the  garden  jiickets  behind 
which  their  commander,  who  alone  seems  to  have  been  upon  his 
gnard,  had  stationed  them  ;  the  troops  yielded,  bi'oke  and  fled,  but 
lied  under  a  fire  which  mowed  them  down  like  grass  ;  Winchester 
and  Lewis  (who  had  left  his  pickets  to  aid  his  superior  ofHcer),  were 
taken  i)risoners.  Upon  the  party  who  fought  f-om  behind  their 
slight  defences,  however,  no  impression  could  be  made,  and  it  was 
not  till  Winchester  was  induced  to  send  them  what  Avas  deemed  an 
order  to  surrender  that  they  dreamed  of  doing  so.  This  Proctor 
persuiided  him  to  do  by  the  old  story  of  an  Lulian  massacre  in  case 
of  continued  resistance,  to  which  he  added  a  promise  of  help  and 
protection  for  the  wounded,  and  of  a  removal  at  the  earliest 
moment;  without  which  last  promise  the  troops  of  Lewis  refused  to 
yield  even  when  required  by  their  General.  But  the  promise,  even 
if  jijiven  in  good  faith,  was  not  redeemed,  and  the  horrors  of  the 
succeeding  night  and  day  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  frontier.  Of  a  i)ortion  of  those  horrors  we  give  a 
description  in  the  words  of  an  eye-witness  : 

NiciroLASviLLE,  Keutiicky,  April  24th,  1^13. 

Sir: — Yours  of  the  Ath  instant,  re(ptcsting  me  to  give  you  a 
statement  respecting  the  late  disaster  at  FronchtoAvn,  was  duly 
received.    .I?est  assured,   sir,  that  it  is  with  sensations  the  most 


150 


21i6  Mmmore  at  liiver  Huimi. 


unpleiisaiit  that  I  iiiulcrtiiko  to  recount  tli»>  iMfiimous  and  Ijarbarotis 
coiuluct  of  the  Urili.sli  and  Indians  after  tlie  battk-  of  tlie  :i2d 
January.    'I'lio  blood  runs  cold  iu  my  voins  wIku  I  think  of  it. 

On  the  niorniui^  of  the 'Jlid,  .shortly  after  lifjlit,  six  or  cifflit  Indiiins 
came  to  tho  liouse  of  .lean  Unptisto  Jcreaume.  where  I  was,  in  com- 
pany with  Major  (J raves,  (Japtains  Ilail  and  Hickman,  Doctor  'I'otUl, 
and  liftecii  or  twenty  volunteers,  belonnin;^  to  dilferent  corps,  Thuy 
did  not  molest  any  person  or  thin<i[  on  iheir  lirst  approach,  but  kept 
saunterin^j:  about  until  there  was  a  large  number  collected  (say  one 
or  two  hundred),  at  which  time  tliey  commenced  ])lunderin^'  the 
liouBcs  of  the  iidnilnlants,  and  the  massacre  of  tho  wounded 
prisoners.  I  was  one  amongst  the  first  that  was  taken  ]>risoner,  iuid 
was  taken  to  a  horse  about  twenty  j)aces  from  the  house,  after  buin;,' 
divested  of  part  of  my  clothiuf?,  and  comnumded  by  signs  there  to 
remain  for  further  orders.  Shortly  after  being  there,  I  saw  them 
knock  down  Cajjtain  llic^kman  at  the  door,  together  with  several 
others  with  whom  I  was  not  accpuiinted.  Supposing  a  general  mii>- 
sacre  had  commenced,  I  made  an  effort  to  get  to  a  house  al)out  oin 
hundred  yards  distant,  which  contained  a  number  of  wounded,  h,ii 
on  my  reachii.g  the  house,  to  my  great  moitification,  found  it  sur- 
rounded by  Indians,  which  precluded  the  iiossibility  of  my  giviiii: 
notice  to  the  unfortuiuite  victims  of  savag(^  barbarity.  An  Indian 
chief  of  the  Tawa  tribe  of  the  name  of  K'Carty,  gave  me  possession 
of  his  lurse  and  blanket,  telling  me  by  signs  to  lead  the  horse  to  the 
house  wliicli  1  had  just  before  left.  'IMie  Indian  that  first  took  nn, 
by  this  time  came  up,  and  manifested  a  liostile  disposition  towunK 
me,  by  raising  his  tomalniwk  as  if  to  give  mo  the  fatal  blow,  wliicii 
was  prevented  by  my  very  good  friend  M"(!arty.  On  my  reaching' 
the  house  wliich  I  had  first  started  from,  1  saw  Ihe  Indians  take  oil 
several  prisoners,  wliich  I  afterwards  saw  in  the  road,  in  a  ino.'-i 
mangled  condition,  and  entirely  strij)ped  of  their  clothing. 

Messrs.  Bradford,  Searls,  Turner  and  Blythe,  were  collected  roniu! 
a  carryall,  which  contained  articles  taken  by  the  Indians  from  tb' 
citizens.  We  had  all  been  placed  there,  by  our  resjiective  captoiN 
except  Blythe,  who  came  where  we  were  entreating  an  Indian  to 
convey  him  to  Maiden,  promising  to  give  him  forty  or  fifty  dollars, 
and  whilst  in  the  act  of  pleading  for  mercy,  an  Indian  more  savii<ii' 
than  the  other,  ste])ped  up  behind,  tomahawked,  stripi)ed  and  scalped 
him.  The  next  that  attracted  my  attention,  was  the  houses  on  tire 
that  contained  several  wounded,  whom  I  knew  were  not  able  to  ,ffit 
out.  After  the  houses  Avere  nearly  consumed,  we  received  marcliiii!; 
orders,  and  after  arriving  at  Sandy  Creek,  the  Indians  called  a  halt 
and  commenced  cooking:  after  pre]iaring  and  eating  a  little  sweet- 
ened gruel,  Messrs.  Bradford,  Searles,  Turner  and  myself,  received 
some,  and  were  eating,  when  an  Indian  came  up  and  proi)osed 
exchanofing  his  moccasins  for  Mr.  Searls'  shoes,  which  he  readilv 
complied  with.  They  then  exchanged  hats,  after  which  the  Indian 
inquired  how  many  men  Harrison  had  Avith  him,  and,  a,t  the  same 


time,  oallii 

litiu'k  and  i 

the  body. 

to  resist,  ai 

his  oyc.i  an( 

I  was  near 

fatal  blow,  i 

saw  three  oi 

town,  wliiel 

being  expos 

we  were  pni 

covered  witi 

when  we  a< 

river  Koiige, 

(lays,  tlicn  t 

of  the  j)roci 

cation  whici 

Baker,  and  t 

have  partieu 

far  as  came  i 

I  am,  sii 


Jesse  Bledsoe 

Of  the  An 
were  killed  in 
•5o  escaj)ed. 

Oeneral  If; 
U' ill  eh  ester  ] 
eiiiiie  to  liim 
some  meditate 
Lower  Sandu.- 
'•attalion  of  ti 
learned  what  t 
and  with  addi 
he  arrived  ear 
arrival  of  the 
outstripped;  t 


The  Massacre  at  Hiner  Raisin. 


151 


t,im<\  oiilliii!^  Soarls  a  Wnsliinfr^on  or  Madison,  then  riiisod  his  toma- 
hawk and  strnok  him  on  llu'  slionldcr,  wliu-h  cnt  into  tlic  oavily  ol" 
the  body.  Scarls  then  can.irlit  holil  ol"  tiic  ti)niahawk  and  appeared 
to  resist,  and  npi»n  my  lolIin<(  iiim  his  fate  was  inevitable,  be  closed 
hi.s  eye.j  anil  recived  tbr'  savai^e  blow  wliicb  tiTniinated  lii.s  existence. 
I  was  near  cnonj;;!)  to  liini  to  receive  tin.'  brains  and  l)lood,  after  the 
tatal  blow,  on  my  I)lanket.  A  sliort  time  after  the  death  of  Searls.  I 
saw  three  others  share  a  similar  fate.  We  then  set  ont  for  lirowns- 
town,  which  i)hice  wo  roaclied  about  12  or  I  o'clock  at  ni^dit.  Alter 
l)ein)?  exposed  to  several  hours' incessant  rain  in  rea(■bin^•  that  place, 
we  were  put  into  the  council  house,  tlu'  lloor  of  which  was  j)artly 
covered  with  water,  at  which  place  we  remaineil  until  next  morniui!!-, 
when  we  a,i,'ain  received  marchinc;  orders  for  their  villau^e  on  the 
river  Kouge,  which  ))lace  we  made  that  day,  where  I  was  kept  six 
days,  then  taken  to  l^etroit  and  sold.  I'or  a  more  detailed  account 
(if  till'  proceedincis.  I  take  the  lil)ei'ty  of  referrini,'  you  to  a  publi- 
calioa  which  ap|)eared  in  the  jiiiblic  prints,  siijned  l)y  Ensign  ,1.  L. 
Baker,  and  to  the  i)ublication  of  .Tudg-e  Woodward,  both  of  which  1 
have  parlieularly  examined,  and  llnd  them  to  be  literally  correct,  so 
far  as  came  under  my  notice. 

I  am,  sir,  with  due  regard,  your  fellow-citizen, 

(irsTAvrs  M.  Boavku, 
Surgeon's  Mate  Fifth  Regiment  Kentucky  Volunteera, 

Jesse  Bledsoe,  Esq.,  Lexington. 

Of  the  American  army,  which  was  about  SOO  strong,  one-th.ird 
were  killed  in  the  liattle  and  the  massacre  which  followed,  and  but 
:5lj  escaped. 

General  Harrison,  as  we  have  stated,  was  at  Upper  Sandusky  when 
Winchester  reached  the  lla}>ids:  on  the  night  of  the  IGth  word 
panic  to  him  of  the  arrival  of  the  left  wing  at  that  point,  and  of 
some  meditated  movenuuit.  He  at  once  proceeded  with  all  speed  to 
bower  Sandusky,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  ISth  sent  forward  a 
hattalion  of  troops  to  the  support  of  Winchester.  On  the  LOth  ho 
learned  what  the  movement  Avas  that  had  been  meditated  and  made, 
and  Avith  additional  troops  he  started  instantly  for  the  Rapids,  where 
he  arrived  early  on  tlu'  morning  of  the  ;.'Oth ;  here  he  awaited  the 
arrival  of  tlu;  regiment  with  Avhich  he  had  started,  but  which  he  had 
outstripped;  this  came  on  the  evening  of  the  21st,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning  was  despatched  to  Frenchtown,  while  all  the  troops 
belonging  to  the  army  of  Winchester  yet  at  the  Rapids,  300  in 
number,  were  also  hurried  on  to  the  aid  of  their  commander.  But 
it  Avas,  of  course,  in  vain;  on  that  morning  the  battle  Avas  fouglit, 
and  General  Harrison  Avith  his  reinforcements  met  thefcAV  suivivors 


152 


TTavrimn  A  handons  Fort  Meigs. 


long  bflbro  thoy  roiichcd  the  ground.  A  council  being  culled,  it  was 
ilecnicd  uiiwirti'  to  lulvjiiu-c  iiny  rurtlirr,  and  tin-  troojj.n  retired  to  tiie 
Rapids  again  ;  here,  during  tile  niglit,  anotlier  consultation  took 
place,  the  result  of  which  was  a  di'teriniiuition  to  retreat  yet  fartluT 
ill  order  to  jircvent  the  juxsaibility  of  being  cut  ofF  from  tlio  convoys 
of  stores  and  artillery  upon  their  way  from  Sandusky.  On  the  next 
morning,  therefore,  the  block-house  which  had  been  built  was 
destroyi'd,  together  with  the  provisions  it  contained,  and  the  troops 
retired  to  Portage  river,  eighteen  miles  in  the  rear  of  Winchester's 
position,  there  to  aivait  the  guns  and  reinfonu'ments  which  wore 
daily  expected,  but  which,  as  it  turned  out,  were  detained  by  rains 
until  the  30th  of  January.  Finding  his  army  1700  strong.  General 
Harrison  on  the  1st  of  February  again  advanced  to  the  Hapids, 
where  he  took  up  a  new  and  strt)nger  position,  at  which  point  he 
ordered  all  the  troops  as  rapidly  as  possilile  to  gather.  lie  did  this 
in  the  hope  of  being  able  before  the  middle  of  the  month  to  advance 
upon  Maiden,  but  the  causes  which  compelled  him  to  abandon  this 
hope  are  clearly  set  forth  in  the  following  letter  addressed  to  the 
Secretary  of  War: 

ilEAOQUAUTKriS,    FoOT   OF   TITK   MlAMT    RaPIDS, 

11th   February,  181 3. 

Sir  : — Having  been  joined  by  General  Leftraech,  with  his  brigade, 
and  a  regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  (]uota  at  Portage  river,  on  the 
;}Oth  ultimo,  I  marched  from  thence  on  the  1st  instant,  and  reached 
this  place  on  the  morning  of  the  '^d,  with  an  effective  force  of  aboin 
sixteen  hundred  men.  I  iiave  been  since  joined  by  a  Kentucky 
regiment,  and  General  Tupper's  Ohio  brigade,  which  has  increased 
our  numbers  to  two  thousand  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates.  Y'our  letter  of  the  -27th  ultimo,  was  received  before  I 
left  the  camp  at  Portage  river,  and  although  the  injunctions 
contained  in  it  were  such  as  to  produce  many  doubts  of  the 
propriety  of  pushing  on  the  arrangements  calculated  for  the 
accomplishment  of  the  [)rincipal  objects  of  the  campaign  duriiii; 
the  present  winter,  yet  there  were  other  considerations  wliicli 
produced  a  preponderence  in  my  mind  in  favor  of  proseciitiiif; 
them  with  vigor  as  long  as  a  hope  remained  of  their  being  suc- 
cessful. I  accordingly  ordered  the  whole  ol  the  troops  of  the  left 
wing,  excepting  one  company  for  each  of  the  six  forts  in  that 
([uarter — the  balance  of  the  Pennsylvania  brigade,  and  the  Ohio 
brigade,  under  General  Tupper,  and  a  detachment  of  regular  troops 
and  twelve  months'  volunteers,  nnder  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Campbell,  to  march  to  this  place  as  soon  as  posssible,  believ- 
ing I  should  be  able  to  advance  from  hence  by  this  day  or  to-mor- 


Difficulties  of  Trant^povfiny  Army  Supplies.     \tu\ 


row;  aiul  il'  il^  wi'iv  not  in  my  puwLT  to  tiikc  heiivy  iirtilU'ry  for  the 
siege  of  MaklcMi,  I  aliouKl  !«'  I'lmhli'd  to  scour  tliu  wholo  country — 
(lisiifr.so  till!  Indians — di'stroy  all    llu'  shipitiiij^  of  tho  cncniy  luid 
tlio  i^reator  i)arl of  tlioir  i)r(>visions,  jiud  ii-uvc  u  ijorlioii  at.  or  nciir 
Brownstuwu  until  a  further  supply  of  cannon  and  stores  couKl  be* 
broiiLrlit  up.    Such   was  my  )»liin   when   I  marched   from   Porta<;c 
river  on  the  list   instant,  anil  my  sitiiiition  was  such  as  to  authorize 
the  stroiifjest  hopos  of  success.     Although  tho  ag<^regate  amount  of 
all  the  efre(;tive  nuMi   in  all  the  corfis  above  nu'ntioned  was  only  a 
luuuber  that  will  greatly  sur[)rise  you  to  hv  furnished  with  so  nniny 
nominal  brigades,  and  the  j)eriod  of  service  of  the  Kentucky  and 
Oliie  troops  was  rajjidly  termiiuitiiig — some  of  iheni  e\pirin<:  about 
the  middle  of  the  mouth,  and  all   l)efore  I  ho  last  of  it — I   had  estal)- 
lished  with  thorn  the  i)rincipal  that  I  had  a  right  to  march  them  to 
lUiv  ]H)int   before    the    ihiy    which    would    couiplete    their    fourteen 
months'  tour;  and  I  know  them  to(»  well  to  believe  that  they  would 
abimdou  mo  in  the  country  of  tho  enemy.     Provisions  and  ammuni- 
tion were  also  on  the  road  from  the  Samluskys  |  Upper  and    Lower  | 
anil  McArthur's  Block-house,  in  considerable  (|uant  ities,  and  measures 
taken  to  supi)ly  the  means  ot  transportion  for  the  advance  from  this 
I  place.    These  fair  ])rospects  have  been  entirely  destroyed  by  circum- 
stances which  no   human    being    could    contrtd.      'Hie  present   is 
precisely  the  season,  in  common  years,  when  the  most  intense  frosts 
prevail  in  this  country,  giving  the  most  ])erfect  security  and  facility 
in  passing  the  lakes,  rivers  and  swamps  with  which  it  abounds.     For 
the  last  twelve  or  liftcen  days,  however,  it  has  been  so  warm  that  the 
roads  have  becomi^  entirely  In'okeu  up,  and  for  a  considerable  distance 
jin  our  rear  absolutely  impassable  for  wagons  or  sleds,  and  can  with 
[great  dillicnlty  be  traversed  with  single  horses.     A  number  of  wagons 
land  sleds,  loaded  Avith  ammunition  and  other  munitions  of   war, 
[have  been  eighteen  days  coming  from  Upper  Sandusky,  and  are  yet 
[twenty-five  miles  off.     Eighl  days  they  were  stopped  by  an  nncom- 
Inion  h'eshet  in  the  Tymocta,  and  have  been  two  more  in  getting 
|twenty-live  miles.    The  weaHier  has  even  affected  the  ice  cd' the  lake. 
jOn  the  evening  before  last,  I  went  with  a  detachment  in  i)ursuit  of 
|a  body  of  Indians,  who   were  driving  oft'   the  cattle  from  a  small 
Trench  settlement  about  fourteen  miles  from  this  place.     We  pur- 
bued  them  for  abont  twenty-six  miles  \\\w\\  the  ic(>.  which  was  so  weak 
in  many  places  that  a  n-])onnder  Avhich  was  taken   with  us  broke 

who  were 
I  have 
^or  a  chani'-i'  in 
the  ho]ii    .1  ;„ 

now 
^eiitui         ,oo]j.-. 
four  (lay      hut  if 
Qot  hesitate  to  f" 


hroiigh  and  was  nearly  lost,  us  did  several  id'  the  otlicers 
h'lonntei 


\ 


.  an  anxiety  which  I  cannot  describe 
and  until  tjiis  day  I  never  abandoned 
.'ute  the  })lan  which  I  had  formed.     It 
i'  the  mimth,  the  ]ieriod  for  which   the 
at  took  the  field,  were  to  serve,  expires  in 
were  ready  to  advance,  I  am  satisfied  they  would 
ow  me.     To  persevere  longer  under  the  expecta- 
tion of  accomplibmug  the  objects  of  th"  campaign  during  the  winter, 


Utl 

ch  1. 


154       Posts  on  the  Avfflaue,  St.  Marifs,  and  at 


is,  ill  my  opinion,  no  Ioniser  proptM",  considering  the  enormous 
expense  which  ;i  continuance  of  tliese  eil'orts  iit  this  season  daily 
]iroiliK'es,  and  which  conld  only  l»e  jiistilied  l)y  a  reaoonable  hope 
of  snccess  nnder  pres('nL  appearances.  I  can  no  longer  indulge  .such 
hopes.'  Indeed.  I  R'ar  1  shall  hi'  censured  foi'  having  cherished  them 
too  long,  and  that  I  have  saeriticed  the  ])ul)lic  interests  in  a  vain 
pursuit.  I  have  no  hesitation,  however,  in  asserting  that  I  hu^-eit 
in  my  i)o\ver  to  satisfy  the  government  that  (heir  wishes  would  have 
been  accomplished  hut  for  the  unfortunate  event  of  the  Rjver 
Raisin,  and  others  over  whicli  \  could  have  no  control;  and  that 
until  a  few  days  sitice  my  calculations  of  succeeding  were  su^jportwl 
by  the  opinion  of  every  general  and  lield  officer  in  the  army. 

It  remains  for  me,  sir,  to  inlorni  you  of  the  dis])osition  I  shall 
make  of  the  troops  for  the  remaining  part  of  the  winter.  A  Inittal- 
ion  of  the  militia  lately  called  out  from  thio  State,  with  the  conipanv 
of  regular  trooi)s  now  at  Fort  AVinchester,  will  garrison  the  ]iosb 
upon  the  waters  of  the  Auglaize  and  St.  Mary's.  The  small  block- 
houses upon  ITuirs  trace,  will  have  a  su'oaltern's  commaiul  in  each. 
A  company  will  be  placed  at  {"'"pjier  Sandusky,  and  another  at  Lower 
Sandusky.  All  the  rest  of  the  troops  will  be  brought  to  this  place, 
amo\inting  to  frum  tifteen  to  eighre<>n  hundred  men. 

I  am  erecting  here  a  i)retly  strong  I'ort  -capa1)le  ot  resisting  ficlil 
artillery  at  least.  The  troojis  will  be  placed  in  a  fortified  camp, 
covered  on  one  Hank  by  the  Ibrt.  '^Fhis  position  is  the  best  that  can 
be  taken  to  cove  the  frontiers,  and  the  snndl  posts  in  the  rear  of 
it,  and  those  above  it  on  the  Miami  and  its  waters.  The  force  placed 
here  ought,  however,  to  be  strong  enough  to  encounter  any  that 
the  enemy  may  detach  against  the  forts  above.  Twenty-iive  hun- 
dred would  not  be  too  many.  But  anxious  to  reduce  the  expenses 
during  the  winter  withiii  as  narrow  bounds  as  possible,  I  have 
desired  the  Governor  of  Kentucky  not  to  call  out.  but  to  hold  in 
readiness  to  march,  the  fifteen  hundred  men  lately  re([uired  of  him. 
All  the  teams  wb.ich  have  been  hired  for  the  nul)lic  service  wil!  Ik 
immediatily  discharged,  and  those  bi'longing  to  the  public  whichar- 
pricipally  oxen,  disjiosed  of  in  the  .settlements,  where  forage  is 
cheaper,  ;ind  every  other  arrang'tnt  iit  mad;'  which  can  les.scn  ihi' 
expenses  during  the  winter.  Attention  will  still,  however,  be  paid 
to  the  deposit  of  snpidies  for  the  ensuing  camjiaigu.  Little  remain.* 
to  complete  the.se.  Ininiensc  supplies  of  jirovisions  have  been  accu- 
mulating ni)on  the  Auglaize  river,  and  boiits  ar;d  pirogues  prepared 
to  bring  t'em  down  as  soon  as  the  river  opens.  I  shall  havi' th-r 
honor  to  give  yon  a  more  particular  account  of  these  in  a  few  diiv;. 

1  regret  that  I  had  the  misfortune  to  i)c  misunderstood  by  Colouel 
Munroe,  in  his  letter  of  tlie  17th  ultimo,  lie  snpjiosed  that  I  had 
asscifed  i..  mine  of  the  -1th,  that  Maiden  could  lu't  !»'  taken  by  lit'?' 
miu-ching  to  Detroit  and  crossing  the  sti'ait  there  'vjth  an  iirnn 
sufliciently  .'«trong.  and  taking  with  it  everything  winch  it  woiild 
want,  either  for  its  subsistence  or  for  annoying  the  enemy.  It  woiik 
certainly  not  he  material  at  what  ]ioint  it  would  cross  the  strait. 


m. 


Upper  and  Lower  Sandusky  to  he  (jrarrisoned.    155 


Tlie  whole  tenor  ol"  my  argument,  \vliei>ever  the  subjec.  has  been 
incnlioiied  in  my  letters,  is  this:  That  by  going  around  by  Detroit 
more  time  would  be  rocjuired  to  cfrect  tlie  olijecl,  and  more  jiro- 
vlsioiis  of  0(uirse  wanted:  and  tliat  il"  supplies  ol'  tiiese  wciv  to  be 
(Iniwii  I'rom  tlie  rear,  each  convoy  must  be  strong  enough  to  resist 
the  whole  of  the  enemy's  dispoi^iihlc  force,  becau,-:r  the  line  of  opera- 
tion upon  which  these  convoys  would  nuive — passing  almost  in  sight 
(it  Maiden,  and  the  enemy  haviug  the  means  of  ci'ossing  the  stmit, 
thoy  could  attack  them  when  and  where  they  })leased.  \  never 
,loubted  that  our  army  would  be  al)le  to  go  anywhere,  if  sutliciently 
.strong,  antl  luring  with  it  such  a  (piantity  of  })rovisions  aiul  other 
necessaries  as  to  re(,uire  no  sr.]»plies  from  the  dciiosits  in  the  rear. 

1  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  the  de])ositiou  of  a  certain , 

uho  was  at  the  Eiver  Haisin  the  fi^d  ultimo,  and  remained  there 
until  the  6th  inst.  Ilis  account  of  the  loss  of  the  enemy  in  the  action 
i,s  corroborated  by  several  others  ;  nor  is  there  the  least  I'cason  to  doubt 
his  statement  as  regards  the  horrible  fate  of  our  wounded  men. 
There  is  another  circumstance  w^hich  ])lainly  shows  ihat  the  British 
have  no  intention  to  ccMduct,  the  war  (at  least  in  this  qiuirtcr,)  u])ou 
liiosf  ]irineiples  which  have  been  held  sacretl  l)y  all  civilized  luitions. 
Oil  the  oOtli  ultimo  1  dispatched  Doctor  JMctJeehan,  a  Surgeon's 
male  iu  the  militia,  with  a  ilag  of  truce  to  ascertain  the  situation  of 
our  wounded.  He  was  attended  by  one  of  our  militia  men  and  a 
Frenchman.  On  the  night  after  th^ir  departure,  they  halted  near 
:his  place  for  the  purjHise  of  taking  a  few  hours  sleep  in  a  vacant 
cabin  ujioii  the  bank  of  the  river.  The  cariole  in  which  they 
travelled  was  left  at  the  door  with  the  ilag  set  np  in  it.  They  were 
discovered  by  a  party  of  Indians,  accompanied,  it  is  said,  by  a  British 
oflicer,  and  attacked  in  the  manner  descril  ed  in  the  deposition.  Tjc 
Monte,  the  militia  man,  was  killed  and  scalped,  and  the  doctor  and 
Freiiehnian  taken.  Dr.  "^^cGeehan  Avas  fnrnished  with  a  letter 
addressed  to  any  J^'itish  ofTicer  whom  be  might  meet  with,  describing 
the  character  in  Avhich  he  w^ent,  and  the  c^"'i"ct  for  which  he  was 
sent.  An  open  letter  to  General  Winchester,  and  written  instruc- 
tions to  himself,  all  of  which  he  M'as  directed  to  show  to  tlv  lirst 
officer  he  met  with.  He  was  also  su]ii)lied  with  one  hundred  dollars 
in  irnld  to  procure  necessaries  for  the  wounded. 

Sho^ild  any  opportunitv  occur  of  doinc  anvthmg  in  advance,  by 
way  of  a  rr)?/;)  de  wain,  it  shall  not  be  neglected,  and  there  is  a  iirob- 
nhilify  that  a  stroke  of  this  kind  mav  reach  the  Qm^eti  Oharlottc, 
althoiigh  she  is  covered  by  the  guuf!  of  j\ra1den. 

I  have  not  3'et  received  the  in'omised  letter  o!'  ("olonel  Mnnroe, 
with  the  late  acts  of  Conafress  for  raising  an  additional  Ibrce.     When 

T      T  •  •  • 

1  do  receive  ir,  T  will  imniediateb;  communicate  my  sentimenls  as  to 
wliat  may  be  done  under  them  in  the  westerii  country. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be.  with  great  respect.  Mr, 
Your  obedient  humble  servant. 

Wm.  IIknry  Harrisox. 
To  Hon.  John  Armstrong,  Secretary  of  War. 


Ir.  '     State  of  the  Country  and  of  Puhlio  Opinion. 


The  coimunnications  wliicli  follow  will  iitlbnl  u  \ievv  of  the  state 
of  the  country  luul  of  tlu'  public  o[)inion  which  followed  the  disaster 
at  River  Raisin ; 

Daitun,  February  2d,  1813. 
Gov.  Meigs: 

<SVy  ."—Since  the  n^'ws  reached  thi.s  place  of  tlu;  destruction  of  tliu 
left  win;^;  of  the  Northwestern  Army  under  Winchesti'r,  the  inhabi- 
tants are  much  alarmed.  Many  families,  even  in  thi.s  town,  are 
ahnost  on  the  wing  for  Kentucky.  If  the  posts  at  (h'eenville  are  to 
be  abandoned,  this  place  will  !)e  a  part  of  the  frontier  in  ten  davs 
after.  'J'iie  collections  of  Indians  on  our  frontiers  also  heighten  [\w 
alarm.  I  verily  believe  that  if  the  Indians  are  not  removed  from 
J'i(|na,  the  peojjle  will  ri.se  in  a  nniss  and  drive  them  olf.  I  ain  sorry 
the  second  expedition  to  Mississinnaway  is  givi'u  uj)  for  the  present. 
I  am  conlident,  from  very  recent  inl'ormation,  ^hat  Tecumseh  is  now 
at  ]\[ississinnaway,  with  n))wards  ot  1.000  warriors,  lie  has  nut 
been  sent  there  by  i'roctor  to  be  an  idle  spectator  of  passing  events: 
the  frontier  and  rear  of  our  army,  I  presnnie,  is  marked  out  for  him 
to  act  u])on. 

Lieutenant  (Jravcs,  who  bears  this,  and  a  nienujrial  from  the  citi- 
zens of  the  town,  can  relate  to  you  information  received  from  Colonel 
"Wells,  who  is  immediately  from  General  Harrison's  camj).  &c.  I 
have  Just  heard  the  otlicers  of  the  three  regiments  of  militia  have 
been  exchanged,  but  know  nothing  as  respects  my  situation. 
With  great;  ]'esi)ect, 

Your  obedient,  humble  servant,  A.  i^iinvAiU)S, 

General  Meigs,  Chillicothe. 


Miami  County,  State  of  Ohio,  Feb.  3d,  1813. 

To  His  Excellency  R  J.  Meigs,  Gov.  of  said  State  : 

The  peti'ion  of  the  undersigned  humbly  sheweth  :  That  whert*;!: 
there  are  a  considerable  miml)er  of  Indians  of  the  Delaware  triln 
called  in  by  order  of  Geiu'ral  Harri.'^on,  and  are  now  in  our  county; 
that  it  is  but  Ihinly  settled  on  the  IV(»ntier,  distant  from  a  niarkti 
where  ]n'ovisions  can  l)e  I'nrnishtd  them,  and  the  people  of  the  iieigli- 
bo; hood  feel  themselves  in  a  dangerous  situation  in  consefpiencc  of 
their  being  t'X]»()sed  to  invasion  and  depredations  from  them,  tlnv 
being  ce)ntiguous  to  the  enemy:  lunce  every  o])portunity  of  con- 
veying information  to  them  of  our  situation,  moving  off  and  joining 
theiU,  aiul  doing  much  mischief  from  their  knowledge  of  o'lr 
country,  &(!.  This  brief  ])etition  we  would  humbly  beg  your  Excel 
lency  to  take  into  consideration,  and  relieve  us  from  a  state  of 
uneasiiu'.ss  and  alarm  by  having  them  removed  into  the  interior  o! 
the  State,  where  from  its  population,  they  will  be  awed  into  submit 
sion  to  the  aulliorities  having  charge  over  them,  and  supported  at  a 
much  less  expense  to  tlie  Government.  And  we  shall  as  in  duty 
bound,  &c.,  G.  Smitji  Houston,  and  53  otherg. 


A  Fluchy  IvUliman  Report f<  for  Duty.         157 


ITamilton  CouxTf,  Fob.  lltli,  1813. 

Dear  Sir: — I  h:ive  just  read  (lu'  joiinial  of  an  Anu'i-ican  oflicor 
(fiipturi'd  at  Qucenstowii  on  10th  Oetohcr),  kejit  on  his  passage  from 
Fort  (ii'org''  to  lioston,  stating  that  while  at  (^ncbec,  between  fifteen 
and  twciitv  Ii'islinu'U  (naturalized  citizens,  ami  several  of  them  having 
t'aniilies  iii  the  United  States)  were  separatetl  from  the  American 
prisoners,  and  put  on  board  a  ship-of-war  to  be  sent  to  Botany  liay, 
or  executed,  ibr  having  borne  arms  against  a  Power  which,  by  its 
multiplied  oppressions,  Inid  driven  them  from  their  native  homes  to 
seek  shelter  in  a  foreign  land.  I  inive  no  doubt  of  the  foregoing 
statement  being  correct.  'JMie  British  have  adopted  this  system  of 
cruelty  in  order  to  deprive  the  United  States  of  the  aid  of  a  numerous 
class  of  citizens. 

It  was  my  lot  to  be  born  in  Ireland.  T  have  been  sixteen  years 
in  the  United  States,  married  here,  and  have  a  numerous  family.  I 
am  on  the  next  class  for  duty,  (and  it  api)oars  our  land  forces  are  in 
the  habit  of  being  taken  jn-isouers.)  To  nuirch  in  the  ranks  Avith 
native  citizens  who,  if  ovei'])owered,  might  lind  safety  in  surrendering, 
aiii)ears  for  me  to  bo  highly  inii)rudent :  what  would  be  safety  for 
them  would  be  certain  destruction  to  me.  1  have  talked  with  several 
well-informed  ]iersons  on  the  sul)ject,  whose  o))inions  coincide  with 
mine,  and  1  have  no  doubt  the  same  sentiment  pervades  the  breast 
of  every  Irishman  in  the  State.  I  wouhl  nuirch  cheerfully  enro^'ed 
with  native  citizens  against  the  Indians.  Our  cases  would  be  equal ; 
but  to  march  against  the  British  in  the  sani''  nninner,  there  would 
be  no  e(juality  whatever.  Let  ns  be  enrolled  in  a  distinct  corps, 
arnit'd  and  provided,  and  ])laced  under  the  direction  of  General 
llarri'^on,  and  1  have  im  doubt  we  will  tleserve  well  of  our  adopted 
cuuntrv.    We  would  expeci  no  mercy  and  take  no  prisontM'S. 

If  enriillcd  in  a  distinct  corps,  T  would  invfer  mai'cbing  against 
the  Ib'itish  (the  Indians  have  done  me  no  "essential  injury").  I 
have  received  much  injury  from  the  British  personally,  and  they 
have  pluiulered  and  insulted  my  progeuit(n-s  these  twelve  hundred 
years.    Therefore,  vengeance  calls  aloud,  and  the  voice  is  irresistible. 

Dear  sir,  pardon  the  liberty  i  have  taken  in  suggesting  the  fore- 
,:j;oing.  The  urgencv  of  the  case  i.i  evident.  Therefore,  I  pray  your 
Hxcelkncy  to  divine  how  (I  presume)  six  or  eight  hundred  men  may 
be  of  service  to  their  country,  and  at  the  same  time  take  ample  ven- 
geanci'  on  their  enemies. 

1  am,  with  great  resiiect,  your  ob't  seivant, 

-ionX    CVMIMJELL, 
Eiiftign  \st  Battalion  'id  Regiment  Xd  ^.  0.  Militia. 

His  Excellency  Governor  Meigs. 

P.  S.— Since  the  Prince  Regent  has  declared  this  slnUl  be  a  war  of 
extermination,  the  sooner  we  commeiici'  business  the  better.  I 
would  glory  to  march  in  the  ranks  of  a  Spartan  band  whose  best 
iilleruative  would  be  to  die  with  face;  to  the  enemy.  J.  C. 


158       Unsatisfactory  State  of  Military  Affairs. 


So  far  the  militiiry  oi)enitions  ol'tlie  Northwest  liud  cortiiinly  been 
snftieieiitly  iliscouraging :  the  capture  of  Mackinac,  the  surrender  of 
Hull,  the  ma'ssacre  at  Chicaf?o,  and  the  overwhelming  defeat  at 
Frenchtown,  are  the  leading  events.  Nothing  had  been  gained, ami 
of  what  had  been  lost,  nothing  had  been  retaken.  The  sliglit 
successes  over  the  Indians  b\'  Hopkins,  Edwards  and  Campbell,  IkuI 
not  shaken  the  power  or  conlidenee  of  Tecumseh  and  his  allies; 
while  the  fruitless  etforts  of  Harrison  through  five  months,  to  gather 
troops  enough  at  the  mouth  of  the  ilaumee  to  attempt  the  recon- 
([uest  of  Michigan,  which  had  l)een  taken  in  a  week,  depressed  the 
spirits  of  the  Americans,  and  gave  new  life  and  hoi)es  to  their  foej. 

About  the  time  that  Harrison's  unsuccessful  campaign  urew  to  a 
close,  a  change  took  place  in  the  War  Department,  and  General 
Armstrong  succeeded  his  incai)able  i'riend.  Dr.  Eustis.  Armstrong's 
views  were  those  of  an  aljle  soldier.  In  October,  1812,  he  haJ 
again  addressed  the  government,  through  Mr.  Gallatin,  on  the 
necessity  of  obtain i.ig  command  of  tiie  Lakes,  and  when  raised  to 
power  determined  to  make  naval  (Operations  the  basis  of  the  military 
movements  in  tlie  Northwest.  His  views  in  relation  to  the  comiii'' 
campaign  in  tlie  We.-l.  were  based  upon  two  points,  viz. :  the  use  of 
regular  troops  alone,  and  the  c  )mnuind  of  the  Lakes,  which  he  »: 
led  to  think  could  be  o!)tained  by  the  ;it)th  of  June. 

Although  the  views  of  the  Secretary  in  regard  to  the  non-employ- 
ment of  militia,  were  not,  and  could  not  be,  adhered  to,  the  general 
plan  of  merely  standing  upon  the  defensive  until  the  command  of  tlif 
lake  was  secured,  was  persisted  in,  although  it  was  the  'id  of  August. 
instead  of  the  1st  of  June,  before  the  vessels  on  Erie  could  leave  the 
harbor  in  which  they  had  been  built.  Among  these  defensive  opera 
tions  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1815j,  that  of  Fort  Meigs,  the  ^-n 
post  taken  by  Harrison  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  and  that  at  Low 
Sandusky,  deserve  to  be  especially  noticed,  as  they  form  historical 
wealth  which  the  whole  country,  and  especially  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Maunier^  valley,  will  ever  regard  with  feelings  of  pride  and  in 
terest.  It  had  been  anticipated  that,  with  the  opening  of  spring,  tlit 
British  would  attempt  the  conquest  of  the  position  upon  the  j\Iaum«, 
and  measures  had  been  taken  by  the  General  t  forward  reinforce- 
ments,  which  were  detained,  however,  as  usual,  b)  the  spring  fresheti 
and  the  bottomless  roads.  It  was  no  surprise,  therefore,  to  Genera. 
Harrison,  that  on  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  in  Lake  Erie,  General 
Proctor,  with  all  bis  disposable  force,  consistiag  of  regulars  ans 


i 

I 


Seige  of  Fort  Meigs — Fort  Findlay  Attacked.    159 


Canadian  militia  from  Maiden,  and  a  large  body  of  Indians  under 
Tecumscli,  auionnting  in  the  whole  to  two  thousand  men,  made 
liim  a  hostile  visit,  and  laid  siege  to  Fort  Meigs.  To  encourage  the 
luduuis,  he  had  promised  them  an  easy  conquest,  and  assured  them 
that  General  Harrison  should  be  delivered  up  to  Teeumseh.  On 
the  riOth  of  April,  the  British  columns  appeareil  on  the  other  bank 
of  the  river,  and  established  their  principal  batteries  on  a  command- 
iii"' oniinence  opposite  Fort  Meigs.  On  the  riUh  the  Indians  crossed 
the  river,  and  established  themselves  in  the  rear  of  the  American 
lines.  The  garrison  not  having  completed  their  wells,  had  no  water 
except  what  they  obtained  from  the  river,  under  a  constant  liring 
from  the  enemy. 

At  this  point  it  may  not  be  out  of  [)lace  to  turn  aside  from  the 
regular  narrative  and  introduce  the  following  characteristic  letter  of 
the  irallant  Major  Oliver,  which  wnll  exhibit  the  condition  of  aifairs 
in  the  neighborhood : 

FoHT  FiNDL.VY,  April  riO,  bS18, 


To  Ilis  Excellency  Goverjior  Meigs: 

>'/?•.•  Y'ou  will  observe  the  seal  of  the  letter  from  Ilis  Excellency 
General  Ilari'ison,  has  been  broken.  This  I  tlid  to  take  a  copy  and 
transmit  Governor  Shelby,  pursuant  to  directions  from  General 
Harrison  on  that  subject  at  the  moment  I  was  setting  off. 

(TtMieral  Harrison  has  not  written  vou  at  such  length  as  he  would, 
could  he  have  confidently  calculated  on  my  getting  through  safe. 

Yesterday  the  British  let  loose  a  part  of  their  savage  allies  upon 
the  fort  from  the  opposite  shore,  whilst  the  former  were  concerting 
plans  helow.  There  is  little  doubt  the  enemy  intends  erecting  bat- 
lorios  on  the  opposite  shore.  No  force  can  reduce  the  fort.  All 
are  in  fine  spirits,  anxiously  waiting  a  shai'c  of  the  glory  to  be  ac- 
i  tjuived  over  the  British  and  their  sa\age  allies  ;  though  one  thing 
is  certain,  whilst  their  forces  are  so  far  superior,  they  caTuu>t  be 
ilrivcn  from  their  position  on  the  opposite  shore.  C-aptain  Hamil- 
ton, who  was  detached  with  a  discovering  party,  estimated  their 
forces  at  three  thousand—  independent  of  the  Indians  lurking  in  the 
neighhorhood. 

I  am  now  in  pursuit  of  General  Clay,  and  expect  to  come  up  with 

liim  to-day. 

Yestcrdiiy's  mail  had  been  opened  befoi'e  it  arrived  at  the  rapids 
—from  what  cause  to  the  General  unknown ;  in  consecjuencc  of 
which  he  directed  that  the  earliest  possible  inquiry  be  made   to 


160  The  First  Seige  of  Fort  Meigs  Opened. 


ascertain  the  source  ;  that,  if  treason  be  on  foot,  it  may  be  suppressed 
in  the  bud 

You  will  be  pleased  to  have  all  express  mails  stopped  beyond 
Franklinton  towards  the  rapids  until  General  Harrison  directs  their 
resumption. 

With  sentiments  of  highest  respect,  1  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

William  Oliver. 


On  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  of  May,  the  British  kept  up  an  inco.'isant 
shower  of  balls  and  shells  upon  the  fort.     On  the  night  of  the  third 
the  enemy  erected  a  gun  and  mortar  battery  upon  the  left  (or  Mau 
mee  City  bank)  of  the  river,  within  two  hundi-ed  and  fifty  yards  of 
the  American  lines.     The  Indians  climbed  the  trees  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  fort,  and  poured  in  a  galling  fire  upon  the  garrison.    In 
this  situation,  General  Harrison  received  a  summons  from  Proctor 
for  a  surrender  of  the  garrison,  greatly  magnifying  his  means  of 
annoyance.     This  was  answered  by  a  prompt  refusal,  assuring  tin 
British  General  that  if  he  obtained  possession  of  the  fort,  it  woiilJ 
not  be  by  capitulation,  and  that  the  post  Avould  not  be   surrendered 
upon   anij  terms ;  that  should   it  fall   into  his  (General   Proctor'si 
hands,  it  would  be  in  a  manner  calculated  to  do  him  more  honor 
and  'jive  him  higher  claims  upon  the  gratitude  of  his  government 
than  any  capitulation  could  possibly  do.     Anticipating,   as  befort 
stated,  this  attack.  General  Harrison  had  made  the   Governors  of 
Kentucky  and   Ohio  minutely    acquainted  with   his  situation,  and 
stated  to  them  the  necessity  of  reinforcements  for  the  relief  of  Fort 
Meigs.     His  requisitions  liad  been  zealously  anticipated,  and  Genera! 
Clay  was  at  this  moment  descending  the  ^M.aumee  with  twelve  biiu- 
dred  Kentuckians,  conveyed  on  Hat  boats  for  his  relief 

At  twelve  o'clock  in  the  night  of  the  fourth,  Captain  WilHain 
Oliver  arrived  from  General  Clay,  with  the  welcome  intelligence  of 
his  api)roach,  stating  that  he  was  just  above  the  rapids,  and  could 
reach  him  in  two  hours,  and  requesting  his  orders.  Harrison  ai 
once  determined  upon  a  general  sally,  and  directed  Clay  to  laiiJ 
eight  hundred  men  on  the  left  bank,  take  possession  of  the  Britifl: 
batteries  and  spike  their  cannon,  immediately  return  to  their  boat* 
and  cress  over  to  the  American  fort.  The  remainder  of  Clays  forcf 
were  ordered  to  land  on  the  right  bank  and  tight  their  way  to  tlit 
fort,  while  sorties  were  to  be  made  from  the  garrison  In  aid  of  the«i 


TJie  ("tifortiDiafe  Dudhtj. 


ii;i 


oueriitioHS.  Oiptiiin  II:iiuill.on  was  ordered  to  proceed  up  the  ri\ cr 
ill  !i  piroifiie,  land  a  siibaUerii  force  on  the  r'mlit  hank,  vvlio  should 
be  a  pilot  to  eondiict  (Jeneral  (May  to  the  Ibrt ;  ami  then  cross  over 
ami  station  his  pirotfue  at  the  place  designated  for  the  other  division 
to  land,  (rcneial  ('lay,  having  received  these  instructions,  descendetl 
llui  river  in  order  of  battle,  in  solid  .colunuis,  each  oHicer  taking 
position  according  to  rank. 

Colonel  Dudley,  being  senior  in  command,  led  the  van.  and  was 
ordcreil  to  take  the  men  in  the  twelves  Iront  boats,  and  execute  (ien- 
oral  Harrisons  oi-ders  on  the  left  bank,  lie  etfected  his  landing  at 
the  place  designated  without  ditHcnIty.  (General  Clay  kept  close 
along  the  right  bank  until  he  came  opposite  the  place  of  Dudleys 
landing,  but  not  finding  the  subaltern  there,  he  attempted  to  cross 
over  and  join  t)olonel  Dudley  ;  but  this  was  prevented  by  the 
violence  of  the  current  on  the  rapids,  and  he  again  attempted  to 
land  on  the  right  bank,  and  etfected  it  with  only  fifty  men  amid  a 
brisk  fire  from  the  enemy  on  shore,  and  made  his  way  to  the  fort, 
receiving  their  fire  until  within  jtrotection  of  its  guns.  The  other 
boats,  under  command  of  Colonel  J^oswell,  were  driven  further 
down  the  current,  and  Uinded  on  the  lelt  to  join  Colonel  Dudley. 
Here  they  were  ordered  to  re-embark,  land  on  the  right  bank  and 
proceed  to  the  foit. 

In  the  meantim-C,  two  sorties  were  made  from  the  garrison,  one 
on  the  loft  in  aid  of  Colonel  IJoswell,  by  which  the  Canadian  militia 
audbidians  were  defeated,  and  he  enabled  to  reach  the  fort  in  safety  ; 
and  one  on  the  right  against  the  Hritish  batteries,  which  was  also 
[successful.     The  troops  in  this  attack  on  the  British  battery  were 
I  commanded  by  Colonel  John  Millei-,  of  the  Nineteenth  United  States 
i  Regiment,  and  consisted  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  Seven- 
fteenthand  Nineteenth   Uegimcnts,  one  hundred  twelve  month  vol- 
unteers, and  Cai)tain  Seebres  company  of  Kentucky  militia.     They 
^w'le  drawn  u})  in  a  ravine  under  the  east  curtain  of  the  fort,  out  of 
reach  of  the  enemy's  fire  ;  but  to  approach  the  batteries  it  war  neces- 
s;ii'\ ,  after  having  ascended  from  the  lavine.  to  pass  a  plain  of  two  hun- 
dred yards  in  width,  into  the  woods,  beyond  which  were  the  l)atteric8 
protected  by  a  company  of  grenadiers  and  .another  of  light  infantry, 
upwards  of  two  hundred  strong.     These  troops  were  tlanked  on  the 
riilit  by  two   or  three  companies  of  Canadian  militia,  and  on  the 
hi  by  a  large  body  of  Indians,  under  Tecumseh,     After  passing 
aloug  the  ranks  and  encouraging  the  men  to  do  their  duty,  tlu3  Geu- 

18 


ir,2 


2 he  Siege  of  h\wi  Meigs. 


oral  ])laGed  liimHclf  upon  the  batU'ry  of  the  rear  right  angle  to  wit 
lu'HH  the  contest.      The  troops  advancctl   witli   h)a<le(l    hut    trailt'.l 
arms.     They  had  scarcely  reached  the  sunnnit  of  the  hill  when  tliev 
received  the  fire  of  the  British  infantry.     It  did  ihcni  little  harm: 
hut  the  Indians  being  placed  in  jiosition,  and  taking  sight  or  aim 
did  great  execution.     They  had  not  advanced  more  than   fifty  yanK 
on  the  plain,  before  it  became  necessary  to  halt  and  close  the  raiik> 
This  was  done  with  as  much  order  by  word  of  command  from  tin 
offi(!er8  as  if  they  had  been  on  parade.     The  charge  was  then  made, 
and  the  enemy  fled  with  so  much  precii)itation  tliat  altl.ough  mam 
were  killed  none  were  taken.     The  General,  from  his  position  on  tin 
battery,  seeing  the  direction  that  part  of  them  had  taken,  dispiitcliiJ 
Major  Todd  with  the  reserve  of  about  fifty  regulars,  who  qiiidh 
returned  with  two  officers  and  forty-three  uon-comraissioued  oHicer> 
;ind  iirivates.     In  this  action   the   volunteers  and  privates  suffeidi 
less  than  the    regulars,  because,  from  their  position,  the  latter  wen 
much  sooner  unmasked  by  the  hill,  and  received  the  first  fire  otali 
the  enemy.     It  was  impossible  that  troops  could  have  behaved  betltr 
than  they  did  upon  this  sortie. 

Colonel  Dudley,  on  the  left  bank,  with  -his  detachment  of  eight 
hundred    Kentucky    militia,   completely    succeeded   in  driving  tlit 
British  from  their   batteries,   :uul    spiking  their   cannon.      Ilavini: 
accomplished    this    object,  his  orders  Avere  peremptory  to   retum 
immediately  to  his  boats  and  cross  over  to  the  fort;    but  the  bliiiil 
confidence  which  generally  attends  militia  when  successful,  proved 
their  ruin.     Although  repeatedly  ordered  by  Colonel  Dudley,  imJ 
warned  of  their  danger  and  called  upon  irom  the  fort  to  leave  tlit 
ground,  and  although  there   was    abund.ant  time  for  that  pinpost 
before  the  British  reinforcements  Jirrived,   yet  they  commenced  J 
pursuit  of  the  Indians,  and  suffered  themselves  to  be  drawn  inw 
an  ambuscade  by  some  feint  skirmishing,  while  the  British  troop 
and  large  bodies  of  Indians  were  brought  up,  and  intercepted  tkr 
return  to  the  river.     Elated  with  their  first  success,  they  cousido;*' 
their  victory  as  already  gained,  and  pursued  the  enemy  nearly  t« 
miles    into    the    woods   and    swamps,   where  they  were    sudfU'i') 
caught  in  a  defile  and  surrounded  by  double  their  numbei's.    Fiiw 
ing  themselves  in  this  situation,  consternation  prevailed  ;  their  w 
be(!ame  broken  and  disordered,  and  huddled  together  in  unresistin.' 
crowds,  they    were    obliged    to    yield   to   the    fury  of  fhe  saviigt" 
Fortunately  for  these  unhappy  victims  of  their  own  rashness,  <'* 


Tcciimsoli 

,       liiN  appoi 

After  the 

iii.U'  <iv(.  1,1, 

<'re  Willi  , 

•'""'  l>urie( 
'■('filled  ot 
"i.'imier  of 
iiii;i(hvd  m 
were  .slain 
wounded  ill 

Proctor, 
hidians  fa.st 
'''tiinied  wit 
'''<J  J'ortion  ( 
'eft  it  in  dis] 
'iijht  hank,  ii 
'''•^\!,^e.   ilu>  Ai 
.   '"id  eighty  W( 
^       ^Vhoji  the 
uliich    killed 
'  However," 
~-«(^  them  off  ( 
,  '"0''«j  tranquil. 
'  something  ni,), 
'burteen  days, 
I  picture  of  the 
!  <^'-»wal  of  the  , 
f  ■'*Ppt'-''i-ance. 
I  ''ands  and  face 
Iiad  scarcely  ai 
'^egrimmed  a,,,} 

[that  we  present 
.     ffenry  W^^^^^ 

pi'e  chiefly  i,„i,,, 

pege  of  Fort, 

[^'"'•'■"g  the  .sie.v- 

l''""Jred  wei-e  B 

J0"e  thousand  eig 

V^  the  ti-oops  wl 


MiUjiiatmnity  (ff  'Jeciimseh. 


\{V,\ 


'Pi'oiiinscli  (!omiii!iii(l('tl  at  tliin  .unhuscule.  ami   liad   iinl)ili(Ml,  sinoo 
IiJH  a|)|)(>IiitiiH'iit,  more  luimaiio  feelings  than  his  Ih'oIIut   Proctor. 
After  tilt'  smrciitU'r,  aiid  all  ri'sistance  had  ceasiMl,  tlu'  Indians,  llnd 
iiiij;  live  hundred  prisoners  at  their  nierey,  betj^an  the  work  of  massa- 
cre with  the  most  sava_<;'e  deliglit.      Teeiiniseh  sternly  forbade  it, 
and   buried    his    tomahawk    in   the  head    ol'  one  of  his  chiefs   who 
refused    oln-dience.      This    order    accompanied    with    this    decrisive 
manner  ot    enforcinti    it,  put    an   end    to    the   massacre.     Of  eight 
hundred  men,  only  one  liundred  and  lifty   escaped.      The   resitlue 
were   slain    or    made    pris<jners.      Colonel     Dudley    was    severely 
woiniiled  in  the  action,   and  afterwards  tomahawked  and  scalped. 
Proctor,  seeing  no  prospect  of  taking  the  fort,  :ind  linding  his 
Indians  fast  leaving  him.  raised  the  siege  on  the  9th  of  May,  and 
returned  with  precipitation  to  Maiden.     Tecnmseh  and  a  considerti- 
ble  portion  of  the  Indians  remained  in  service  ;  but  large  numbers 
left  it  in  disgust,  and   were  ready  to  join  the  Americans.     On   the 
right  bank,  in  the  several  sorties  of  the  Txh  of  May,  and  during  the 
siege,  ihe  American  loss  was  eighty-one  killed   and  one  hundred 
and  eighty  wounded. 

When  the  enemy  raised  the  siege,  they  gave  a  parting  salute, 
which  killed  ten  or  twelve  and  wounded  double  that  number. 
"However,"  says  one  who  was  present,  "'we  were  glad  enough  to 
see  them  ott"  on  any  terms.  The  next  morning  found  us  something 
more  tran(piil.  We  could  leave  the  ditches  and  walk  about  with 
something  more  of  an  air  of  freedom  than  we  had  done  for  the  last 
t'ourleiii  days;  and  here  I  wish  I  (rould  present  to  the  reader  a 
|jicture  ot  the  condition  we  found  ourselves  in,  when  the  with- 
drawal of  the  enemy  gave  us  time  to  look  at  each  others'  outward 
appearance.  The  scarcity  of  w.atcr  had  put  the  washing  of  our 
hands  and  faces,  much  less  our  linen,  out  of  the  question.  Many 
[had  scarcely  any  clothing  left,  and  that  which  they  wore  w'as  so 
ibegrimmed  and  torn  by  our  ix'sidence  in  the  dituh,  and  other  means, 
[that  we  presented  the  appearance  of  so  many  scarecrows." 

Henry  Howe,  in  his  Ohio  Historical  Collections,  (to  whom  we 

,1111'  chiefly  indebted  for  the  material  relating  to  this  and  the  second 

;isiege  of   Port  Meigs. j  estimates  the    British  force  under  Proctor, 

*fluiingthe  siege,  at  three  thousand  two  hundred  men,  of  whom  six 

liaiidred  were  British  regulars,  eight  hundred  Canadian  militia,  and 

oin'  thousand  eight  hundred  Indiana.     Tliose  under  Harrison  includ- 

tl  the  troops  who  arrived  on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  under  Ceueral 


\C4 


Fort  Mngfi  and  its  J^MvironR. 


Clay,  wore  about  one  thouHand  two  hmidrod.     TIk^  iinniber  of  Ms 
men  fit  for  duty,  was,  perhai)s,  U'Sh  than  uwv  thouHUiid  one  liuiidriMl. 


i'liit  Meigs  and  ili>  Environs.  ' 

KxpldiKitionx : — rr,  irraiul  ImttcM-y,  c'omiiiaiuloil  by  ('aptiiiii   Diinicl  Ciisliing; 
h,  mortar  battery  ;  e,  i,  o,  minor  batteries;  ,v,  battery  eommaiuled  at  the  scconJ 
siege  by  Colonel  Gaines;  <;,  magazines.     The  black  squares  on  the  lines ol tlie 
fori  represent  the  ))().siti()n  of  the  bloelc  houses.     Tlie  dotted  lines  show  (!« 
traverses,  or  walls  of  earth  thrown  uii.     Tiie  longest,  the  grand  traverse,  to!  i 
base  of  twenty  feet,  was  twelve  in  height,  and  about  nine  hundred  in  leni;!! 
The   traverses  running  lengtiiwise  of  the  fori,   were  raised   as  a   i)rotcclio!  ] 
against  the  batteries  on  tlie  opposite  side  ol  the  river,  and  those  running  cws.- 
wise   were  to  defend  tliem  from  the  Dritisii  liatteries  on  this  side.     The  Briti?!:  | 
batteries  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  were  named  as  follows :    «  Queen's; 
Sailors';  (f,  King's;  and  c,  INfortar.     The  fort  fttood  upon  high  ground,  on  ll»j 
uiargin  ol' the  liank,  elevated  al)out  sixty  (eet  aboyi;  the  Maumee.     Tliosiirlin' 
is  nearly  level,  and  is  eovcred  by  a  green  sward.     'I'Ih;  outline  of  the  fort  isno«| 
well  delined,  and  the  grand  traverse  yet  rises  six  or  eight  feel  from  tbi'SUfj 
rouudiug  ground. 


In  an  (i.\ 

.hiiie,  1870 

with  icgar 

"On  to-i 
There  you 

lllllKJ  4)j     til 

ignciilturc 

original  |)i( 

rimrkod  by 

I'iulcs,  I  here 

ancient  wai 

llie  old  /on, 

history  Cioi; 

lelies  of   tli 

t'vidcnees  of 

The  woi'k 

the  two  seiu 

Ifirgo  iuind)e 

;;roiind.    Tlu 

!;isl  of  whom 

li'i'l.    The  fir 

is  encioseil  by 

fUfc  to  the  Ijr 

"f'liiM  illiistra 

Below  is  ; 
>y  liev.  A.  : 
'<"yfbr  31;u 
"One  nth 
'I'ltrjule,''  ru 
wnlvof  the  } 
•""ii'vey  of  oil 
that  wild  Co 
r hey  proved  t 
cleared  forti 
tore  up  thv  , 
t'liit  bull  ha.i 
vented ;  for  „ 
^^■•^^I'e  Proctoi 
ployed  in  ci 
'^■nts  and  j)r( 
'""uvs  iindMr 
-?miid  travcr.s, 
"»<ler  the  om 
fe"f*'-    Those 
"^''-^nt  of  a  shel 


li\ 


lit 


leeirmseh  and  Proctor  m  Peril. 


165 


1 

\isliiiig'. 

>  seconi! 

.s  nt  llif 

\off  l'* 

e.liadi 

,  leiiitt' 

otccliw 

ig  cr(l^■■ 

ecu'?; 

,  1,11  '!.■ 

k3 

!■  •iiirl'i' 

■1  is  1!"' 

llic  sa 

In  iin  (i.M'iirsidii  of  Hit'  vcloraiis  oltho  war  of  lMtS-18,  miuU'  to  Kort  Moi^w,  in 
June  1870,  Mayi)r  'r.vlt'r,  in  hiw  luUliisH  of  wclconu'  to  Ilic  soltlicrs  iTmaiUeil. 
witli  i('>;iir(l  to  the  pirscnt  coiulilioii  of  lliis  ruiiscrnitt'd  groiiiul : 

"On  to-nionnw  you  will  be  escorted  to  tlio  old  fortilicnlioiis  of  Fort  Meij^s. 
riiiTi'  you  will  liud  its  ciirtliwoiks  faiihfidly  prt'scrvcd,  Hiifc,  only  as  far  as  the 
liantl  ♦>!  time  lias  marred  its  former  war-iVowninir  front.  No  instnnnont  of 
ijrrienlture  lias  torn  down  or  jdowed  up  any  part  of  the  old  Fort.  Two  of  the 
oripnal  pickets,  placed  there  in  18 1'},  are  then;  yet.  Then  you  will  tind, 
marked  hy  stones  loni:  sinc^e  placed  over  lliem,  the  graves  of  your  fallen  com- 
liules,  tliere  the  trenehes,  there  the  magazine,  there  all  the  outlines  of  thu 
iuuicni  warfare.  Mr.  .Michael  Hayes  and  his  brothers,  who  own  the  soil  of 
the  old  fori,  have  faithfully  performed  tludr  duty  in  guarding  this  landmark  of 
lii.>*lorv  from  destruction  or  desolation.  They  have  preserved  many  of  the 
relics 'of  the  battle-lield — grivpc-shot,  canister,  bayonets,  and  many  other 
evidences  of  the  conflict." 

The  work  originally  c;ovored  about  ten  acres,  but  was  reduced  In  area  between 
the  two  seiges,  to  accommodate  a  smaller  nund)er  uK  troop.'^.  Just  above,  a 
liu'ge  number  of  sunken  grav(.'s  indicate!  the  locality  of  the  swldiers'  burying 
ground.  The  graves  of  Lieutenant  Walker  and  Lieutenant  JlcCuUougU — the 
last  of  whom  was  shot  whihi  conversing  with  (Jencral  llarristm — are  within  the 
lort.  The  first  is  surmounted  by  a  small  stone,  with  an  inscription — the  last 
is  enclosed  by  a  fence.  To  understand  the  position  of  Fort  Meigs,  with  refer- 
ence to  the  IJritish  fort  and  surrounding  country,  sec  map  in  this  volurao  of  the 
"Plan  illustrating  the  battles  of  Ihe  Mauniee." 

Below  is  an  extriict  from  an  articlo  on  tho  siege  of  Fort  Meigs, 
by  licv.  A.  M.  Lorraine,  originally  publisiied  in  the  Ladies'  Reposi- 
tory for  ^larch,  1845  : 

"One  afternoon,  as  mimbcrs  wore  gathered  together  on  the 
"' parade,'''  two  strangers,  linely  mounted,  appeared  on  the  western 
twnk  of  tho  river,  and  seemed  to  t)e  taking  a  very  calm  and  deliberate 
survey  of  our  works.  It  was  a  strange  thing  to  see  travellers  in 
that  wild  country,  and  we  commonly  held  such  to  be  enemies,  until 
they  proved  themselves  to  be  friends.  So  one  of  our  batteries  was 
cleared  forthwith,  and  the  gentlemen  were  saluted  with  a  shot  that 
tore  lip  the  earth  about  them,  and  put  them  to  a  hasty  flight.  If 
that  ball  had  struck  its  mark,  tnuch  bloodshed  might  have  been  pre- 
vented;  for  we  learned  subse([uently  that  our  illustrious  visitors 
were  Proctor  and  Tecumsoh.  The  garrison  was  immediately  em- 
ployed in  cutting  deep  traverses  through  the  ibrt,  taking  down  the 
lents  and  preparing  lor  a.siege.  The  work  accomplished  in  a  few 
ln»iir,s,  under  the  excitement  of  the  occasion,  was  prodigious.  The 
;-'raud  traverse  l)eing  completed,  each  mess  was  ordered  to  excavate, 
under  the  embankment,  suitable  lodgings,  as  substitutes  for  our 
tents.  Those  rooms  were  shot  ])roof  and  bomb  proof,  except  in  the 
:  event  of  a  shell  falling  in  the  traverse  and  at  the  mouth  of  a  cave. 


166     Th£  Jhitiish  Erect  Batteries  on  the  Ijeft  Banh. 


"  The  above  works  were  Hciiroely  completed  before  it  was  discovered 
that  the  enemy,  under  rover  of  ni^ht,  had  eonstrneted  batteries  on 
a  eomnuiiidin<f  hill   north  of"  tlu^  river.     'I'liere  their  artillery  mun 
were  posted  ;  but  the  principal  part  of  their  army  ocenpied  the  old 
KnL'lish  fort  below.     Their  Indian  allies  appi'ared  to  have  a  roving 
commission,  for  they  beset  us  on  every  side.     The  cannotiading  com- 
menced   in    pood  earnest   on    both   sides.     Tt   was,  however,  more 
constant  on  the  British  side,  bccanse  they  had  a  inon- extensive  murk 
to  batter.     We  had  notliinp  to  lire  at  but  their  l)atteries,  but  they 
were  coolly  and  deiilierately  attended  to;  and  it  was  believed  that 
more  than  one  of  their  gn\\»  were  dismounted  durinsf  the  siege. 
On(>  of  our  militia  men  took  his  station  on  the  embankment,  and 
gratuitously  forewarned   us  of  every  sh()t.     Fn  this  ho  became  so 
skillful,  that  he  could,  in  almost  every  case,  predict  the  destination 
of  the  ball.     As  soon  as  the  smoke  issued   from  the  muzzle  of  the 
gun,  he  would  cry- out  "shot,"  or  "bomb,"  as  the  (!ase  might  lie, 
Sometimes  he  would  ^'xclaim,  ''  Block-hoij.se  No.  1,'*  or  "  Look  out, 
main  battery;''   "  K    .,  for  the  meat-house;''  "Crood-by,  if  you  will 
jiass."     In  spite  of  all  the  e\]»ostulations  of  his  friends,  he  main- 
ta.ned  his  jio.^^t.     One  day  there  came  a  shot  that  seemed  to  defy  jill 
his  calculations.     He  .stood  silent — motionless — perplexed.     In  the 
same  instant   he   was  swept  into  eternity.     Poor  man  I    he  should 
have  considered,  that  when  there  was  no  olili(|uity  in  the  issue  of 
the  smoke,  either  to  the  right  or  left,  al)ove  or  below,  the  fatal  ma- 
senger  would  travel  in   the  direct  line  of  his  vision,     lie  reminded 
me  ot  the  peasant,  in  the  siege  of  .leru.salem,  who  cried  out,  "Woe 
to  the  city!    woe  to  myself!"      On   the   most   nctive   day  of  the 
investment,  there  were  as  many  as  live   hundred  cannon   balls  mid 
bombs*  thrown  at  our  fort.     Meantime,  the   Indians,  climbing  up 

♦"  A  large  numbnr  of  cannon  ha.\U  were  tlirovvii  into  the  fort,  from  the  bill loriei' on  ite 
oppof  Ite  Hide  of  the  river.  Ucini,'  nhort  of  ii  supply,  Ilarris>oii  offerud  ii  jjill  of  whinlcy  for  every 
cnnnon  ball  delivered  to  the  nia^'a/.ine  keeper.  Mr.  Thonms  L.  Hawliiiis,  wince  ref ident  o! 
Fremont.    Over  l,(l(K(Killt>  of  whinky  \v('re  thus  earned  by  the  s(ddieri>. 

'•For  fafety  au'aiiist  bombs,  eaeli  nmn  had  a  liole  duL'  under  },''""iiii<l  i"  '<""'■  of  the  \in\,t 
traverse,  which,  bein;;  covered  over  with  i)laMk,  and  (^irlh  on  top,  fully  protected  them.  Whrt 
the  cry  hornli  wi.s  liiiard.  the  soldiers  either  threw  ihenisi'lves  iipdn  the  ;;i(>und,  or  ran  tn  it' 
holes  for  safely.  A  bomb  is  mosi  di^structive  when  it  bursis  in  llu'  air,  but  it  rarely  o.xpli'i^' 
in  that  way:  it  usually  falls  with  so  much  force  as  to  jjenelrale  tlie  <'artli,  and  when  It  "■ 
plodes,  (lies  upward  and  in  an  aiii,'Lilar  direction,  in  consequence  of  Uie  pressure  of  the  earlli 
beneath  and  at  its  sid<!s;  consequently,  a  person  lyin;;  on  the  jrronnd  is  comparatively  siifo- 

"A  heavy  rain  at  last  tilled  up  the  holes,  renderintf  them  uninhabitable,  and  the  men  »er( 
oblii,'ed  to  tompin-arily  sleej)  in  their  tents.  Then  every  once  in  a  while,  the  BtJirllins  n.'i 
■'bomb  :"■  aroused  litem  from  their  slumbers.  Rushini;  from  their  tents,  they  watched  ill* 
course  of  the  rtery  messenger  of  death,  as  it  winu'cd  its  way  throui,'h  the  midnight  sky,  aBi"' 


Fort  Mdys  Narnnrlij  fCsaipes  f>cslructwn.       \i\l 

into  (lie  tri'oa,  liivd  inoi'M.siinlly  iipun  \\s.  SikiIi  whs  their  (listiini'r, 
tli;il  inaiiy  ol"  tlu-ir  Imlls  luiroly  iviutlu'il  iia,  uiul  lell  ImniiK'Ss  to  iIk! 
fMMiiml.  Occiisioiiiillv  tlioy  iullictA'd  diiii^'m'tms  luul  evi'ii  iiUul 
woiiiids.  Tlic  miiiil)or  killed  in  the  tort,  was  stnall,  considt'i'iiii.'  tlic 
prufiisioii  of  piiwdiT  iiiul  Inill  cxitt'iided  on  tis.  About  SO  were  sliiiii, 
maiiv  wuiiiidfd,  and  several  had  to  sutler  the  ani[)utation  of  linihs. 
Tiu'  most  dHUj,'ert)US  duty  which  we  perl'ornied  within  the  precincts 
of  the  fort,  was  in  covering  the  maj^a/ine.  Previous  to  this,  tlie 
powder  had  l)een  deiiosited  in  wa«,'ons,  and  these  stationed  in  the 
tiiiv(M-se.  Here  there  was  no  security  aj^'ainst  .honihs;  it  was  tliere- 
t'ore  thought  to  be  prudent  to  remove  tiie  powder  into  a  snnill  block- 
house, and  cover  it  witii  earth.  Tiie  enemy,  Judging  our  designs 
from  our  movements,  now  dire(;ted  all  their  shot  to  this  point. 
Many  of  their  balls  were  red-liot.  Wherever  tliey  struck,  they  raised 
ueloiid  of  smoke,  and  made  a  frightful  hissing.  An  officer,  passing 
our  (|uartors,.siiid,  **  Boys,  who  wilj  volunteer  to  cover  the  magazine?" 
Kool-like,  away  several  of  us  went.  As  soon  as  we  reacdied  the  spot, 
there  came  a  ball  and  took  olf  one  man's  liead.  The  spades  and 
dirt  Hew  faster  than  any  of  us  had  before  witnessed.  In  the  midst 
of  our  job,  a  Ijombshcll  fell  on  the  I'ojf,  and  lodging  on  one  of  the 
bnues  ii  spun  round  for  a  moment.  Kvery  soldier  fell  Hat  on  his 
fuoi,  and  with  i)reathless  horror  a>vaited  the  vast  explosion  which 
we  expected  would  crown  all  our  earthly  su fieri ng-i.  Only  one  of 
ill!  the  gang  presumi'd  to  reason  on  the  case.  He  silently  argued 
ihiit,  as  the  shell  had  not  I)ursted  as  (luickly  as  usual,  there  might  be 
soiiictliing  wrong  in  its  arrangement.  If  it  bursted  where  it  was, 
;iu(l  ihe  magazine  e\i)loded,  there  could  be  no  escape :  it  was  death 
anyhow;  so  he  s[)rung  to  his  feet,  seized  a  boat-hook,  and  pulling 
the  hissing  missile  to  the  ground,  and  jerking  the  smoking  match 
from  its  socket,  discovered  that  the  shell  was  tilled  with  inllammable 
matter,  which,  if  once  ignited,  would  have  wrapped  the  whole 
buildiug  in  a  sheet  of  ilame.  This  circumstance  added  wings  to  our 
shovels,  and  we  were  right  glad  when  the  otHcer  said,  '  That  will 
ilo;  go  to  your  lines."' 

The  following  particulars  of  the  defeat  of  Colonel  Dudley,  were 
luihlishod  in  a  public  print  many  years  since,  by  Joseph  R.  Under- 

itli'll  iK'iir,  fell  Hul  ii|)oii  ttic  j:r<p|iii(l :  othcnvUc,  ri>turii  tii  Ihoir  tfiits,  only  to  l)o  aroused  iii;aiii 
:ii:il  aL'iiiii  by  tlif  stiinliiii,'  cry.  So  liarrassiiii;  was  tliis,  so  accustomed  liad  llic  moii  become  to 
!lir  danger,  and  so  ovcrpowcrin'.' the  desire  for  sleep,  that  many  of  the  soldiers  remained  in 
thi'ir  tents  locked  in  the  embrace  of  sleep,  determined,  as  one  said,  not  to  he  disturbed  in  their 
slumbers 'if  ten  thousand  bombs  burst  all  around  them.'  "— H.  Howe. 


168  Movements  of  General  Clai/.s  Brigade. 


wood,  who  was  present  on  the  occasion,  in  the  capacity  of  lieutenant 
in  a  vohinteer  company  of  Kentuckians,  comnianded  by  Captain 
John  C.  Morri  .on. 

"After  a  fai.^r.ii  i^  rnia-ch  of  more  than  a  month,  General  Clay's 
brigade  found  .tse'.f,  on  the  night  of  the  -ttii  of  May,  on  board  of 
open  boats,  lashed  to  the  left  bank  of  tlie  Miami  of  the  Lakes,  near  the 
head  of  the  rapids,  and  within  hea,ring  of  the  cannon  at  Fort  Meigs, 
which  was  then  besieged  by  the  British  and  Indians.     Very  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  .5th,  we  set  off',  and  soon  began   to  pass  the 
rapids.     Wo  were  liailed  by  a  man  from  the  right  bank,  who  pi-f^vod 
to  be  Captain  Hamilton,  of  the  Ohid  troops,  with  orders  from  Gen. 
Harrison,  then  commanding  at  the  fort.     He  was  taken  to  the  boat 
of  General  Clay,  and  from  that  to  Colonel  Dudley's,  this  last  beiiii; 
in  advance  of  the  whole  line.     Captain  Morrison's  company  occupied 
the   boat   m    which   the   Colonel    descended.      It   being   a   damp, 
unpleasant  morning,  I  was  lying  in  the  stern,  wrapped  in  my  blanket, 
not  having  entirely  recovered  from  a  severe  attack  of  the  measle>. 
I  learned  that  we  were  to  land  on   the  left  bank,  storm  the  Britisii 
batteries  erected  for  the  purpose  of  annoying  the  fort;  but  wli:ii 
further  orders  were  given,  I  did  not  ascertain.     Hearing  that  hv 
were  certainly  to  light,  T  began  to  look  upon  all  surrounding  objects 
as  things  which  to  mv.  might  soon  disfippear  forever,  and  »ny  mini! 
reverted  to  my  frieiuls  at  home,  to  bid  them  a  IWial  farewell.    Then 
reflections  ])rodnced  a  calm  melancholy,  but  nothing  like  trepidation 
or  alarm.     My  reveries  v/ere  dissipated  by  the  laruling  of  the  boat, 
about  a  mile  or  two  above  the  point  of  attack.     Mhortly  before  wt 
landed,  we  were  tired  upon  by  some  Irulians  Iron'  the  right  bank  ot 
the  river,  and  I  understood  that  Captain  ('larke  was  wonnded  in  the 
head.     The  lire  was  returned  from  our  l)oats,  and  tae  Indians  tied. 
as   if  to  give  intelligtMicc  of  our    appfach.     Cat)tain    Price  anil 
Lieutenant  Sander',  of  tlie  regular  army,  landed  with  us  and  partook 
in  .he  engagement,  having  under  command  a  few  regular  soldier-:. 
but  I  think  not  a  full  company.     The  whole  number  of  troops  tii:i! 
lauded  amo .t n I  ed  prol>!i,bly  to  7(»0  men.     We*  were  formed  on  the  shorv 
in  rhr^e  [larallel  lines,  and  ordered  to  mandi  for  :!ie  battery  at  riglr 
angles  with  the  riv?r:  r,nd  so  far  as  I  understood  th(j  plan  of  attack. 
one  line  was  to  form  the  line  of  battle  in  the  re-ir  of  the  battery, 
parallel  with  the  river ;  the  other  two  lines  to  for...  one  above  anil 
one  below  the  battery,  at  r  ght  angles  to  the  river.     The  lines  tliii; 
formed  were  ordered  to  advance,  and  did  so,  making  as  little  noia 


■   .a 


as  poi 
Befon 
,«ti-agg 
I 'leasee 
no  Ion 
This   ^ 
apjiroa 
uitlion 
Ciptait 
tlie  bati 
liver,  ii 
l.'ist  tiiUi 
my  men 
sitnutiot 
tliat  it  w 
fhe  river 
of  our  Ji, 
troops, 
tiiis  sitiia 
tleterniiiK 
W'e  (\\(\  s( 
"lioje  ree 
Indians  ei 
tween  one 
l^eliind  tn 
]|  <iestrneti\( 
M  orders  uvr 

tiu-ongh  tl: 

'lie  optic  II 

made  the 

'••iptain  th: 

•md  con  an 

'li'ove  the 

"I'ders  WQi-e 

"I'ii  retrea 

--  ''i''ian.><  \V(. 

■'i"st  horrid 

''  tL'mpo);i,._v 

•'■'fW'tntcoi 


Dudley^ s  Command  Pursue  the  Indians.         169 


tenant 
aptain 

Clay's 
iiird  of 
icar  the 
Meigs, 
'iirly  on 
ass  thf 
I  proved 
)m  Gen. 
the  boat 
3t  being 
5ccupied 
I   damp, 
blanket, 
measles. 
B  Britisli 
put  wh;U 
that  wi' 
T  object:- 
inv  miiiii 


lis  possible — the  object  being  to  surprise  tho  enemy  at  their  battery. 
Melbre  we  re-iohed  the  battery,  however,  we  wi're  discovered  by  some 
.strangling  Indians,  who  fired  upon  us  and  then  retreated.  Our  men, 
pleased  at  seeing  them  run,  and  perceiving  that  we  wer?  discovered, 
no  longer  deemed  silence  necessary,  and  raised  a  tremendous  shout. 
This  was  the  tirst  intimation  that  the  enemy  received  of  our 
apjn'oacii,  and  it  so  alarmed  them  that  th.ey  abandoned  the  Inittery 
without  making  any  resistance.  In  effectuating  the  plan  of  attack, 
Ciiptain  J  ').  Morrison's  company  were  thrown  upon  the  river,  above 
tiie  battery.  While  passing  through  a  thicket  of  hazel,  toward  the 
river,  in  forming  the  line  of  battle,  1  saw  Colonel  Dudley  for  the 
last  time.  He  was  greatly  excited  ;  he  railed  at  me  for  not  keeping 
my  men  better  dressed.  I  replied,  that  he  must  perceive  from  the 
situation  of  the  ground,  and  the  obstacles  that  we  had  to  encounter, 
that  it  was  impossible.  When  we  came  within  a  small  distance  of 
the  river,  we  halted.  The  enemy  at  this  })lace  had  gotten  in  the  rear 
(if  our  line,  formed  paralb'l  with  the  river,  and  were  tiring  upon  our 
troops.  Captain  .J.  C.  Morrison's  coin[tany  did  not  long  renuiin  in 
this  situation.  Having  nothing  to  do,  and  being  without  orders,  we 
determined  to  march  our  company  out  and  join  the  combatants. 
We  did  so  accordingly.  In  passing  out,  we  fell  upon  the  left  of  the 
whole  regiment,  and  were  soon  engaged  in  a  severe  contlict.  'flic 
Iiulians  endeavored  to  Hank  and  surround  us.  We  drove  tlieni  be- 
tween one  and  two  miles,  directly  back  from  tlie  river.  They  hiil 
behind  trees  aud  logs,  and  poured  upon  us,  as  we  advanced,  a  most 
destructive  tire.  We  were  fnnn  time  to  tin\e  ordered  to  charge.  The 
orders  were  passed  along  the  lines,  our  lield  othcers   being  on  foot. 

Shortly  after  thi.s,  v'ai)tai!i   J.  ('.  Morrison   was  shot 

tiu'ough  the  temples.     The  ball  [)a.ssing  behind  the  eyes  and  cutting 

the  optic  nerve,  deprived  him  of  his  sight Having 

made  the  best  arrangement  for  the  safety  of  my  much  esteemed 
Captain  that  circumstances  allowed,  I  took  charge  of  the  company 
mid  connnued  the  battle.     We  made  several  charges  afterwards,  and 

drove  the  enemy  a  eoiisiderable  distance At  leiigtii 

orders  were  passed  along  the  line  din'ctiug  us  t(»  full  back  and  keep 
lip  a  retreating  lire.  As  .soon  as  this  movi'inent  wns  niadt',  the 
hidian.s  were  greatly  encouraged,  and  advanced  upon  us  with  tho 
'iiixt  !;orrid  yells.  Once  or  twice  the  oilicers  succeeded  in  producing 
;'  iL'iiipoi.a-y  .halt  and  a  tire  on  the  indiaus;  but  the  .soldiers  of  the 
dilKrent  companies  soon  became  mixed — confusion  ensued — aud  a 


1*70         Diidl€y\'<  Ooinniand  Sllain  or  Prisoners. 


gi'iienil  rout  took  place.  The  retreating  army  made  its  way  toward; 
the  batteries,  where  I  supposed  we  should  be  able  to  form  and  repil 
the  pursuiiii;;  Indians.  They  were  now  so  close  in  the  rear,  as  te  fiv- 
quently  shoot  down  those  who  were  before  me.  About  this  timu  1 
received  a  ball  in  my  back,  which  yet  remains  in  my  body.  It  struck 
nic  with  a  stunning,  deadening  force,  and  I  fell  on  my  liands  anii 
knees.  I  ros'  and  threw  my  waistcoat  open  to  see  whether  it  liad 
I)assed  through  me  ;  linding  it  had  not,  I  ran  on,  and  had  not  pi'u- 
cet'ded  nu)re  tlian  a  hundred  or  two  yards  before  I  was  made  prisoner, 
In  emerging  from  the  wo(tds  into  an  open  piece  of  ground,  near  tlii 
battery  we  had  taken,  and  before  I  knew  what  had  happened,  n 
soldier  seized  my  sword  and  said  to  me,  "  Sir  I  you  are  my  prisoner!' 
I  looked  before  me  .md  saw,  with  astonishment,  the  ground  covered 
with  muskets.  The  soldier,  observing  juy  astonishment,  said: 
"  Your  army  lias  surrendered,"  and  received  my  sword.  He  orderiil 
me  to  go  forward  and  join  the  prisoners.  I  did  so.  The  lirst  maa 
I  met  whom  I  recognized,  was  Daniel  Smith,  of  onr  company.  Witli 
eyes  full  of  tears,  he  exclaimed,  "Good  Lord,  Lieutenant,  what  does 
all  this  mean':'"'     I  told  him  we  were  prisoners  of  war.     .     .    . 

"  On  our  march  to  the  garrison,  the  Indians  began  to  strip  us  of 
our  valual)le  clothing  and  other  articles.  One  took  my  hat,  auotlur 
my  hunting  shirt,  and  a  tliird  my  waistcoat,  so  that  I  was  soon  left 
with  iu)thing  but  my  shirt  and  pantaloons.  I  saved  my  watch  by 
concealing  the  chain,  and  it,  proved  of  great  service  to  me  afterwank 
Having  read,  when  a  boy.  Smith's  narrative  of  his  residence  among 
tlu'  Indians,  ray  idea  of  their  character  was  that  they  treated  thos 
best  who  api)eared  the  most  fearless.  Under  this  impression,  as  we 
nnirched  down  to  the  old  garrison,  I  looked  at  those  whom  we  nut 
with  all  the  sternness  of  countenance  I  c(uild  conunand.  I  soon 
caught  tlif  eye  of  a  stout  warrior  painted  red.  He  gazed  at  ;ne  witli 
as  mucli  sternness  as  I  did  at  liim,  until  I  came  within  strikinf 
dist:ince,  wlien  he  gave  me  a  severe  blow  over  the  nose  and  cheek- 
bone with  his  wiping  stick.  I  abandoned  the  notion  acquired  from 
Smith,  and  went  on  afterwards  with  as  little  d. splay  of  hauteur  HDii 
di'tianci  as  pcjssible. 

"On  our  appro'ich  to  tiu'  old  garrison,  the  Indians   formed  a  lint 
t"  the  left  of  the   road,  there   being   a   })er))etKli('ular  bank  to  thei 
right,  tui  the  margin  of  wliie-h  the  road  passed.     I  |)erceived  tliattlin 
prisoners  were   running  the  gauntlet,  ar.i,!    that  the  Indians  werf 
whipping,  shooting  and  tonudiawking  the  men  a.s  they  ran  by  tlieir 


line.     Whei 
alile.  and  ra 
would  have 
pass,  for  to  1 
would  have  i 
In  this  way  . 
shoulders  wi 
"farrison,  the 
The  passage 
man  and  my; 
lell— pi-obabi 
was  among  ti 
ordered  to  sit 
Captain  Hen 
menced.    An 
and  shot  one  i 
a  secoiul,  the 
afterwards  die 
savage  then  la^ 
ho  killed  two 
;  down  amonsf 
leaping  over  t 
\  between  them.'' 
[  another,  and 
I  could  see  nothi 
this  moment  c; 
[nient  anions: 
Wakh  Ix^tokeiK 
jsaere  the  whole 
|interj)ose  to  pri 
was-''  Oh,  nif 
'''"'  Indian  wh> 
-''I'l'l't'd  his  vi( 
Ij'i'isoners  resun 
='  ':ill, stout  Inrl 
[i^iiife  from  his  I 
'wked  around  it 
(fnitillcition  of 
if  probable  that 


The  Prisoners  Run  the  Gavntlet. 


in 


la  liii'- 

jo  tilt  I 

lilt  tilt 

I  iheit 


line.    Wlion  I  roaohed  the  starting  plaoc,  T  dashed  olF  as  fas!  as  I  was 
ahlc,  and  ran  near  the  muzzles  of  tlieir  guns,  knowing   that   they 
uoiild  have  to  shoot  me  wliile  J  was  immediately  in  front,  or  let  me 
iiass,  for  to  have  turned  their  guns  up  or  down  the  lines  to  shoot  me, 
would  have  endangered  themselves,  as  there  was  a  curve  in  their  line, 
hi  this  wav  I  passed  without  injury  except  some  strokes  over  the 
shoulders  with  tiieir  gun-sticks.     As  I  entered  the  ditch  around  the 
^farrison,  the  man  before  me  was  shot  and  fell,  and  I  fell  over  him. 
The  passage  for  a  while  was  stopped  by  those  who  fell  over  the  dead 
man  and  myself.     How  many  lives  were  lost  at  this  place  I  cannot 
n.ll—probablv  between  twenty  and  f(^rty.     The  brave  Captain  Lewis 
was  among  the  number.     When  we  got  within   the  walls  we  were 
ordered  to  sit  down.     I  lay  in  the  lap  of  Mr.  Giljiin,  a  soldier  of 
Captain  Henry's  company,   from   Woodford.      A  new  scene  com- 
menced.   An  Indian,  painted  black,  mou'ted  the  dilapidated  wall, 
and  shot  one  of  the  prisoners  next  to  him.     He  re-loaded  and  shot 
a  second,  the  ball  passing  through  him  into  the  hip  of  another,  who 
.it'terwards  died,  I  was  ir''>rmed,  at  Cleveland,  of  the  wound.     The 
savage  then  lay  down  his  gun  and  drew  his  tomahawk,  with  which 
he  killed  two  others.     When   he  drew   liis  tomaliawk   and  jumped 
down  among  the  men,  they  endeavored   to   escape   from  him  by 
leaping  over  the  head.'  of  each  other,  and  thereby  to  place  others 
hetween  tliemselves  and  danger.     Thus  they  were  heaped  upon  one 
another,  and  as  1  did  not  rise,  they  tramitletl   u[)on  me   so  that   I 
[could  see  nothing  that  was  going  on.     The  confusion  and  uproar  at 
[this  moment  cannot  be  ade({uately  described.     There  was  an  excite- 
ment among  tlu'  Indians,  aiul  a  fierceness   in   their  conversation, 
hviach  betokenetl  on  tlic  part  ol"  some  a  strong  di-^position  to  mas- 
sacre the  whole  of  us.     The  liritisli  olViccrs  and  soldiers  seerm-d  to 
interpose  to  prevent  the  further  effusion  of  blood.     T'lieir  expression 
was— "  0//,  nichee,  ivnh!''  meaning,  '*  Oh  I  brother,  (piitl'"     After 
the  Indian  who  had  occasioned  mis  li"rril)le  scene,  had  scalped  and 
stripped  his  victims,  he  left  us.  and  a  coiw[)arativ('  calm  ensued.     'IMie 
[prisoners  resumed  their  seats  on  the  ground.     Whik-  thus  situatetl, 
la  tall,  stout  Indian  walked  iiito  ihr  midst  of  u.-',  drew  a  long  butcher- 
Jkiiife  from  his  belt  iuid  commenced  whetting  it.     As  he  did  so,  In; 
llooked  around  among  the  prisoners,  apparently  scdecting  one  for  the 
jgratifieation  of  his  vengeance.     I  viewed   Iur  conduct,  and  thought 
it  prohalile  that  he  was  to  give  the  signai   for  a  general   massacre- 


172 


EUioU  and  Tecitmseh. 


But  after  «xcitin}i[  our  foars  sufticiontly  for  his  satisfaction,  lie  gave 
a  contcinptiious  grunt  and  went  out  from  among  us. 

"  About  thin  time,  but  whether  before  or  after,  I  do  not  di.,dii('tly 
recollect,  Colonel  Elliott  and  Tecuraseh,  the  celebrated  Indian  chief. 
rode  into  the  garrison.  When  Elliott  came  to  where  Thos.  Moore, 
ol'  Clark  county,  stood,  the  latter  addressed  him,  and  inquired  "it 
it  was  compatible  with  the  honor  of  a  civilized  n:ition,  such  as  the 
British  claimed  to  be,  to  sutler  defenseless  pi-isoners  to  be  murdered 
by  savages'.-'"'  Elliott  desired  to  I'l.ow  who  lie  wan.  Moore  replied 
that  he  was  nothing  but  a  private  in  Captain  Morrison's  company- 

and  here  the  conversation  ended Elliott  was  an  old 

man  ;  his  hair  might  have  been  termed,  with  more  propriety,  white 
than  gray,  and  to  my  view  he  had  more  of  the  savage  in  his 
countenance  than  Tecumseh.  This  celebrated  chief  was  a  nohle, 
dignilied  personage.  He  wore  an  elegant  broadsword,  and  A\as 
dressed  in  the  Indian  costume.  His  face  was  linely  proportioned, 
his  n*ise  inclined  to  the  aquiline,  and  his  eye  displayed  none  of  that 
sage  and  ferocious  triumph  common  to  the  other  Indians  on  that 
occasion.  He  seemed  to  regard  us  with  unmoved  composure. 
and  I  thought  a  beam  of  mercy  shone  in  his  countenance,  teuiperin^ 
the  spirit  of  vengeance  mherent  in  his  race  against  the  American 
people.     I  saw  him  only  on  horseback. 

"  Shortly  after  the  massacre  in  the  old  garri.5on,  I  was  the  object 
of  a  generous  act.  A  soldier,  with  whom  I  had  no  ac(iuaintance, 
feeling  compassion  tor  my  situation,  stripped  otf  ray  clothes,  muddy 
and  bleeding,  and  ottered  me  his  hunting  shirt,  which  the  Indian> 
had  not  taken  from  him.  At  tirst  I  declined  receiving  it,  hut  k 
pressed  it  upon  me  with  an  earnestness  that  indicated  great  magna- 
nimity I  iiupiired  his  name  and  residence.  He  said  that  hiss  iiaim 
was  James  Boston,  and  that  \\is  lived  in  Clarke  (/ouuty,  and  beloniie'l 
to  Captain  Clarke's  company.  I  have  never  since  seen  him,  ani 
regret  that  I  should  never  be  able  to  recall  his  features,  if  I  were 
to  see  him. 

"  Upon  the  arrival  of  Elliott  and  '^recumsch,  we  wei'e  directed  tv 
stand  up  .and  forni  in  lines,  I  think  four  deep,  in  orderto  be  couiilod 
Atter  we  were  thus  arranged,  a  scene  transpired  scarcely  less  atftvt- 
ing  than  that  whicii  I  iuive  hefore  attempted  faintly  to  descriiie. 
The  Indians  began  to  s'lect  the  young  men  whom  they  intended  to 
take  with  them  to  their  towns.  Numbers  were  carried  oil.  I  ^i" 
Corporal  Smith,  of  our  company,  bidding  farewell  to  his  friends. 


The  Britifdi  Shipping  at  M(mt1i  of  Si  mm  Creeh.    1 7'i 


;ted  ti-' 

(k'd  to 
1  s;i« 


'-% 


and  pointing  to  the  Indian  with  whom  he  was  to  go.  I  never  heard 
of  Ills  return.  The  young  men,  learning  their  danger,  endeavored 
to  avoid  it  by  crowding  into  the  centre,  where  they  could  not  be  so 
rcadilv  rciiched.  I  was  tohl  that  a  quizzical  youth,  of  diminutive 
size  near  tlu'  outside,  seizing  wliat  was  going  on,  threw  himscil' 
upon  his  hands  and  knees,  and  rushed  through  the  legs  of  his  coni- 
raili'S,  (fxclainiing,  'Root,  little  hog.  or  die!"  Such  is  the  im|jidse 
of  sc'It -preservation,  and  sucli  the  levity  with  which  men  inured  to 
(laiii^cr  will  rygard  it.  An  Indian  came  up  to  me  and  gave  me  a 
picci'  of  meal.  I  took  this  for  jjroot'  that  he  intended  carrying  me  oil 
with  him.  Thinking  it  the  best  policy  to  act  with  conliden(re,  I 
made  a  sign  to  him  to  give  me  his  butcher  knife — which  he  did.  1 
divided  (he  meat  with  those  who  stood  near  me,  reserving  a  small 
piece  for  myself — more  as  a  show  of  politeness  to  the  savage,  than 
to  Ljiatify  any  apetitu  I  had  for  it.  Alter  I  had  eaten  it  and  returned 
tlie  kiufe.  he  turned  and  left  nie.  When  it  was  near  night,  we  were 
laken  in  open  boats  about  nine  miies  <l()wn  the  river,  [near  the 
mouth  of  Swan  creek, J  to  the  British  ship])ing.  On  the  day  after, 
ue  were  visited  by  the  Indians  in  theii'  bark  canoes,  in  order  to 
make  a  display  of  their  scidps.  These  they  strung  on  a  pole, 
perlui|)s  two  inches  in  diameter,  and  .about  eight  feet  high.  The 
pole  was  set  up  perpendicularly  in  the  bow^  of  their  canoes,  and 
near  the  top  the  scalps  were  fastened.  On  some  poles  ^  saw  four 
or  five,  Each  scalp  was  drawn  closely  over  a  hoop  about  four 
iuche.s  in  diameter;  and  the  Mesh  sides,  I  thought,  were  painted  red. 
Thus  tiieir  canoes  were  decorated  with  a  flag-staff  of  a  most  appro- 
priate character,  bearing  human  scalps,  the  horrid  ensigns  oi  savage 
warfare.  We  remained  six  days  on  board  the  vessel — those  of  us, 
I  mean,  who  »vere  sick  and  wounded.  The  whole  of  us  were 
digcl'.arged  on  parole.  The  of1i(^ers  signed  an  instrument  in  writ- 
ing, pledging  their  honors  not  to  serve  against  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  and  his  allies  during  the  war,  unless  regularly  exchanged. 
It  was  inquired  whether  the  Indians  were  included  in  the  term 
'  allies."  The  only  answer  was  '  that  his  Majestys  allies  were 
known."  The  wounded  and  sick  were  taken  in  a  vessel  commande<I 
by  Captain  Stewart,  at  the  mouth,  I  think  of  Vermillion  river,  and 
tliore  ))ut  on  sliore.  I  afterwards  met  Captain  Moore,  a  prisoner  of 
war<at  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  together  with  a  midshipman,  who 
played  Yankee  Doodle  on  a  ilute,  by  way  of  derision,  when  tm  were 
tirst  taken  ou  board  hi&  vessel.     Such  is  the  fortuue  of  war.     They 


174 


Second  Siege  of  Fort  Meigft. 


wero  c.ai»t.nro(l  by  Oomniorloro  Perry,  in  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie. 
1  visited  Oaptuiii  Slewart  to  requite  his  liiiuhiess  to  me  when,  like 
him,  I  was  a  priwouer.'' 

(ieneral  Harrison  iiaving  repaired  the  fort  from  the  damage  occa 
sioned  by  the  siege,  left  for  the  interior  ot  \\w  State,  to  organize 
new  levies,  and  entrusted  the  eoinniainl  to  (ireneral  Green  Olav, 
'I'he  enemy  returned  to  Maiden,  where  the  Canadian  militia  were 
disbanded.  Shortly  after  commenced  the  second  siege  of  Fori 
Meigs. 

On  the  2()th  of  July,  the  boats  of  the  enemy  were  discoveml 
ascending  the  Mauniee  to  Fort  Meigs,  and  the  following  moruing 
a  party  of  ten  men  were  surprised  by  the  Indians,  and  only  three 
escaped  death  or  capture.  The  force  which  the  enemy  had  uow 
before  the  post,  was  five  thousand  men  under  Proctor  and  Tecum- 
sell,  and  the  number  of  Indians  was  greater  than  any  ever  before 
assembled  on  any  occasion  during  the  war,  while  the  defenders  of 
the  fort  amounted  to  but  a  few  hundred. 

The  night  of  their  arrival,  General  Clay  dispatched  Captain 
McCune,  of  the  Ohio  militia,  to  General  Harrison,  at  Lower  San- 
dusky, to  notify  him  of  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  Captain 
McCune  was  ordered  to  return  and  inform  General  Clay  to  be 
particularly  cautious  against  surprise,  and  that  every  effort  woiiU 
be  mr.de  to  relieve  the  fort. 

It  was  General  Harrison's  intention,  should  the  enemy  lay  reguLv 
siege  to  the  fort,  to  select  four  hundred  men,  and  by  an  unfrequetti 
route  reach  there  in  the  night,  and  at  any  hazard  bi-eak  through  i^ 
lines  of  the  enemy.  The  subjoined  letter  conveys  its  own  expluua 
tiou : 


:    'i 


i 


Headquarters,  Lower  Sandusky,  ( 
July  2'2d,  1818        \ 

Dear  Sir : — The  enemy  have  again  attacked  P"'ort  Meigs.  Thty 
commenced  their  operations  against  it  yesterday.  Come  on  as  sooii 
as  possible,  and  bring  with  you  all  the  troops  you  can  colled 
Writer  to  the  Governor,  and  get  him  to  turn  out  as  many  militia  a.< 
possible.  My  force  will  not  be  sufficient  for  anything  but  defensive 
operations,  unless  I  gat  a  large  reinforcement  of  militia. 

Yours.  Wai.  Hkxry  Harrison. 

Brigadier  General  McArthur. 


V 


Fort  Meigfi  and  ita  TriaJi^. 


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Dfjia7}ce  llireatened. 


i\\\\\\\\\\  McCmio  was  sent-  oiil  a  sccoiul  time,  willi  llio  inU'lIineiice 
to  Harrison,  that,  about  ciglit  hun(li'(!*l  Indians  hail  been  seen 
IVoni  the  tort,  passini;'  up  the  Mamnec,  ili'signing,  it  was  supposcil, 
to  attacjk  Fort  Winchester,  at  Dcliance.  The  (4eneral,  liowevw, 
lieiii^ved  that  it  was  a  niso  of  the  cnenty  to  cover  tiieir  (U'siu;n  upon 
I'ppcr  Sandusky,  l^owcr  Sundusky.  or  Cleveland;  auil  aeoonhiiijlv 
kept  out  a  reeounoiterint^  parly  to  watch. 


On  the  aft( 


of  the  'Jnth,  Captain   \r«!( : 


deretl 


rnoon  ot  tlie  'JOtn,  uaptain   .vi<!t  une  was 
Harrison  to  return  to  tlie  fort  and  inform  Uencn-al  (May  of  his  siiiw 
tion  and  intentions,     lie  arriv(^d  near  llu^  fort   about  day  break  m, 
tlie  lollowing  morning,  having  lost    liis  way   in   the    night,  aocoiii- 
panied  by  James  Doolan,  .a  French  Canadian.     They  were  just  upon 
the  point  of  leaving  the  forest  and  entering  upon  the  cleared  groiiiil 
around  the  fort,  when  they  were  intercepted  by  a  jiarty  of  Indiaih 
They   immediately   took   to  the   high   bank    with  their  horses,  ami 
retreated  at  full  gallop  uj*  the  river  for  several  miles,  pursuoil  liy 
the  Indians,  also  mounted,  until  they  came  to  a  deep  ravine,  putting 
up  from  the  river  in  a  southerly  direction,  when  they  turned  upnii 
the  river  bottom  and  continued  a  short  distance,  until  they  foiiiil 
their  further  prugress  in  that  direction  stopped  by  an  irapassabli 
swamp.      The  Indians,  foreseeing  their  dilemma,  from  their  know- 
ledge of  the  country,  and  expecting  they  woidd  naturally  follow  up 
the   ravine,  galloptHi   thither   to  heatl   them  olf.     jVI(!(  'une  guessel 
their  intention,  and  he  and  his  companion  turned  back  njion  their 
own   track  for  the  fort,   gaining,  by    this   nianeuvre,  several  luiii 
dred   yards   upon    their   pursuers.      The    Indians    gave    a    yell  ot 
chagrin,  and  followed  at   their  utmost  speed.     J  ust  as  they  neavt'l 
the  fort,  McUune  dashiul  into  a  thicket  acro.ss  his  course,  on  tlv 
opposite  side  of  which  other  Indians  liad  huddled,  awaiting  thfif 
prey.     When  this  body  of  Indians  had  thought  them  all  but  in  their 
jiossession,  again  was  the  presence   of   mind  of  McCune   signally 
displayed.      He  wheeled  his  horse,  followed  by  Doolan,  made  Ite 
way  out  ot  the  thicket  by  the  passage  he  had  entered,  and  galloper 
a'*ound  into  the  open  apace  between  them  and  the  river,  where  tlif 
pursuers  were  checked  by  the  fire  from  the  blockdiouse  at  the  west 
ern  angle  of  the  fort.     In  a  few  minutes  after  their  arrival  their 
horses  dropped  from  fatigue.     The  Indians  probably  had  orders  ti' 
take  them  alive,  as  they  had  not  fired  until  just  as  they  entered  tin 
fort ;  but  iu  the  chase  McCune  had  great  difficulty  in  ptrsuadiu^i 


i 


Doolati  to 

fore  hroui 

Tlic  opi 

iiitelligoMf! 

iiigonioiislj 

execution  i 

'I  V)  wards 

Ih-Iuw  the 

*       Indians  we; 

t'roiu  I  III)  ,'() 

Itattle  arnoi 

tliat  .'I  Iialth 

I  lie  liirl,  in 

<'oinrades. 

instantly  fie 

with  the  ro; 

fli<!  oflicor.s, 

sonic  of  tliei 

'xuiieral  CJ;x 

■  believe   that 

ev pressed  to 

<o  Fort  Mci. 

Hiis  intc'liu', 

ilie  men,  wIk 

'-,'oing  t.>  slim- 

'^Dldio's;  and 

"-limver  of  rai 

'"iV.iit  iiave  1h 

"''  till'  troops 

'fl''  enemy 

•mtlic  ijsd,  '(., 

'•■'kf.  A  voliii 
l"''T'i'':^ti"iis  \ 
"iicceedod  in  ; 
'I'ipiid  and  foe 
•''■'Miicd  !,(.((,.,. 
'^"'ves  of  the 


Tlie  ti 


oops  w 


Fort  Mc'xjx  Hartulfroin  a  ii lu-ai  l\i'll. 


i  t 


A 
cr. 
jdii 
.'Iv 


liy 
Ilia 
t  on 
■ora- 
iipon 
omul 
liaiii- 
,  ami 
;(1  by 

upon 
tbiunl 

ablr 
.ntnv- 
w  ^ 
esseil 

tlifir 

liuu 
til  01 

I'aiv'l 

n  tb' 

tlU'it 

tlu'ir 
;iial!y 
le  to 
llopeil 
le  tk 
Iwesl- 
I  tlieit 

brs  to  1 
Id  llif  1 

anlin^  1 


-# 


|>()(»l:ui  to  itfscrvc  liiH  lire  until  the  last   extrciiiity,  ;iiiil  llirv  llicrt* 
tore  Itrounlil  in  their  |>le(^eH  lo.'uled. 

Tlic  opportuni'  arrival  ol  .McCun*'.  no  <U)iibt,,  savo(l  iho  iorl,  w^  llic 
iiitcliigeiuio  ho  hroiit^lit  was  \\\(\  means  of  preserving  them  irom  an 
iii<j;oni()iis!y  <levis(.'(l  stratagem  of  Teiiiimseli.  wiiich  was  put  into 
cxei'iitioii  that  <hiy,  and  whicih  we  here  relate. 

Towards  evening,  the  Britisli  infantry  were  secreted  in  the  ia\  ine 
IhIcW  the  fort,  and  tlie  eavalry  in  tlie  woods  aliovci,  wlnle  the 
iiKlians  were  stationed  in  the  forest,  on  the  Sandusky  road,  not  \\w 
I'roin  tlio  I'ort.  About  ;ui  hour  before  darl<.  they  eonimeneod  a  .-ham 
lijitlie  lunong  tliemselves.  to  deceive  the  Atnericuns  into  the  )»elief 
that  a  liattle  was  going  on  between  tJiem  and  a  reinforcemcnl  for 
llie  I'orl,  in  the  hopes  of  entielng  tlie  garrison  to  the  iiid  of  their 
romrades.  It  was  tuanaged  with  so  miieh  skill,  that  the  garrison 
inst.iiitly  tlow  to  arms,  impr(!ssed  by  tin'  Indian  yells,  intermiiiuhid 
with  the  roar  ol  musketry,  that  a  severe  battle  was  being  Ibiighl, 
file  ortlcers,  even  of  the  highest  grades,  were  of  that  opinion,  ;ind 
siiine  of  them  insisted  on  being  sutfeicd  to  march  out  to  the  res<'Ue, 
<TeiioraI  (-lay,  although  unable  to  accomU,  for  the  tiring,  could  not 
lii'lieve  that  the  (Teueral  had  so  soon  alteretl  his  intention,  as 
i.'X|iiessed  to  (/aptain  MoCime,  not  to  send  or  come  with  nny  tri>ops 
to  Fort  Meigs,  until  there  shouhl  .appear  further  necessity  for  it. 
i'iiis  iute'ligence  in  a  great,  mt^asure  satisfied  tlu^  officers,  l>ut  not, 
ilie  men,  who  were  extremely  indign;iiit  at  being  [trevented  from 
'j;oiiig  t  >  share  the  danger  of  their  Comniiuider-in-C^hicd' ami  brother 
^oldie's;  and  perhaps  had  it  not  becm  for  the  interposition  o!"  a 
sliewov  of  rain,  which  soon  put  an  end  to  the  battle,  the  General 
inii'iit  have  been  persuaded  to  march  out,  wIumi  a  t,(M-ril>le  massacre 
of  till'  troops  would  have  ensiuid. 

Till'  enemy  remained  around  the  fort,  but,  one  day  after  this,  and 
on  I'ln  :iS{:li  embarked  with  their  stor(\s  and  proceed(Ml  (h)WM  tlii' 
liikf,  A  vohmteer  ai(l  of  Genc^ral  Cl:iy  makes  the  statement  thai 
li)'t'|iarations  were  made  to  fire  the  m;iga/,ine,  in  case  the  eiijmy 
succeeded  in  an  .'ittempt  to  storm  the  fort,  and  thus  in\<)lve  .'Ui. 
Iiieiid  and  foe,  in  one  conimon  fate.  This  ten ibie  alternatives  w.as 
•loomed  liett(M-  than  to  perish   under   the  tomahawks  and  scalping 


kii 


ives  of  the  savatres. 


ilKNIItAI,  iiiu)i;ks. 


llKAmiUAHTKUS,    liOWKU    SANDUSKY,  ) 


The  I 


Mill  May,  l.Sia. 


f 


roops  which  now  form  the  garrison  of  Lower  Sandusky,  will 


13 


17S 


Ajl'mrs  (if  jditrcv  Sandufi/nj. 


l)c  relieved  lo-d.-iy  by  .'i  <lef Miliiiiciil  riii'iii>lie(l  liy  Imh  K\eelleiii\ 
(i!eiiei:il  Meiu,s,  to  tlie  senior  oH'icer  nlwliicli  ( 'nioiiel  Sleveiisoii  will 
ileliver  llie  jiost,  ami  tiu'   imlilie  |ii()|ieity  ill  Iii»  jiomsessiou. 

The  militia  l)el(iii«j;iiin-  to   (Teiieral    Watlswoi tli's  division,  now  al 

Inr 
own 

;icli 

wii! 


this    |ti:i('e.  will,  as   soon    as    relie-vcd.  coninM'nce    tlieii-    mareli 
Cleveland,  wliere  they  Avill  reuiain  lor  the  protection  of  that,  t 
( 'olonel  Stevenson   Avill   lurnisli   the  si'nior  oflieer  ol  tliis  det 
nient    with  a  ef)|>y  ot  this   order,  and    the  (.^i''"-''''""!'^''''  here 
provide  the  inenns  ol  a  transport  lor  I  hem.     liy  order 

11.  GllAliAM,  Aii/-(i('-('inii/K 


ti'fl 


FoitT  Stki'Iii:n.S()N,  May  'J-.',  lsi 

May  it  Please  Your  Kxcolkuuiy  : 

Sir:    Agreeably  t.^  your  orders,  sent  by  Mr.  l>islu)p,  I  have  I' 
wardeil   all  the  articles  specified   therein. 


Tl 


(ir 


le  carr:au<'s  on  whiil 


tliey 


arc 


to  1 


»c  moimti' 


a\e  iiol   vet  arrived 


bill 


are  daily  expi'do 


as  teams  have   been  sent  I'rom  this   place  under  an  escort    from  llio 


m 


d( 


i(iiii< 


g.irnson,     ii  you  <ieoi!i  il  m'cessary  tl,iat  on«^  ol  tlie  carriMu'cs  siioi 
l)(!  Ibrwardetl  on  to  (Ueveiand,  the  same  will  be  done  on  yotir  order 

Considerable  manual  hdior  has  liecn  doiu'  to  the  narrisou  siiin 
you  left  this,  and  impio\  cmenls  ari^  daily  maklni;. 

The  troops  in  general  in  tlu'  garrison  arc  .'ilHic.lecl  with  bad  cnld- 
No  epidemi<!  or  (U)ntauious  disorder  prtnails.  One  |)erson  has  hciii 
iMni(^d  since  you  let'l  this,  He  came  I'rom  Fort  Meigs  with  part  ii 
the  baggage  ol'  Major  Toild.  No  news,  or  any  apprehcMsiiui  dl 
danger.     l»y  order  of  the  Major  commanding. 

i;.  K.  Fo.vr,  Ail  ill  I  mil. 

K.  J.  Meigs,  Esq.. 

dnccniiir  Stale  (if  O/tio. 


|()i.NEi{.\i,  ounr.iis. ] 

llHAlxtlAltTKi;.-;,  Cb,K\  Kl.ANI',  / 

May  2-1,  I  si;;  S 

The  Govern<»r  of  Ohio  linds  that  tlu'  safely  of  the  frontier  of llic 
State  reipiires  capacity,  discretion  ami  vigilance  in  tlu;  ollicers  <miiii- 
manding  at  the  dilVerent  garrisons.  Major  Harper,  now  comuianiliii; 
at  liOwer  S.andusky,  will  surrender  the  cfowimand  of  that  ganisnii 
to  (^aptain  Nance. 

Cai»tain  Vance  will  immediately  repair  to  Lower  Sandusky,  aiil 
assume  command  of  that,  garrison,  lie  will  exercise  all  his  faciill;i- 
In  establishing  order  among  the  troo|)s.  Such  repairs  as  he  may 
think  necessary  for  tlie  security  and  convenience  of  his  comnwnil 
h<'  will  cause  to  be  made. 

(captain  Vatu-e  will  disch;irge  two  Captains  and  two  Ijieutciiiiiil> 
and  coniform  as  nearly  as  possible  to  tin*  War  OHice  lleguhuionsol 
March  19.  181. '5.  II.  .1.  Mkius. 

Governor  of  OlitL 


The  fol 
OrderH," 
tedium  ol 
li:uids   ()/ 
Ohio,  U)  V 


Tiie  IJniltu 

^'aplain 

lux  Siiuoiii 

sworn. 

'^djiii.ant 

Cliargc   I 

'"•inhsliell  ( 

■•"II  l>y  f  he  „ 

'i"i  giiill  y-  I 

'  CStlllion 

''woni,  ,|,.j„j 

'liat  dill  (I,,. 

'"'•Ilior  saitii 

ToKiim,,||^ 

■■"id  .Saitll    (ji; 

"'I  I  lie  11(1,  I 
""  'i  druinlu 
"';\t«'iit,  and 
lusliiiioiiy 
•'''l'"^ci||  a,„| 

'*'"''ll,  and   (Ji 

.111(1  furl  her  s 

''csl.irnonv 
iH-aring  \.\^^,  \ 

'li;U  .SaMuud  i 
"'■'%,  bsi; 
Attest;    .Su 
Approved. 
t'olun 


'■'"llliol  l];iyio.s. 

,  ^'o'l  .'U'e  con 

'"'■ti-ial  of  Jan 


Agreeable  t( 
'"'^"«'l  and  app. 


(Jmiip  Life  at  Fori  Me'ujH. 


17!> 


I'lSP'ii 


liiviv 


IliU- 


'I'lio  roll()wiii,n  0x1  r;i»'l.s  from  "Siiiiiik!!    Il.'iylcss'  Book  ol'  (ifiicnil 
Orders, "  will  cxIiiMt,  the  iiiaimcr   in  wliicli.  lollowiiij^  the  sioj^c,  the 
Uuliimi  ot  tlio  cainp  was  roliovcd.     Tiio  orii^iiuvl  in!iiiUH(!rij)l,  is  in  ili.' 
liainls  ot   Mi'f^.  Tliiiiupsoii,  \s\W  ol'  I  lit;  Slieriir  of  Friinkliii  county, 
Ohio,  to  whom  the  writer  would  exprcsis  liis  oldis^ations  lor  its  use 
I  iii',(U.MKNr.\r,  roruT  mauti  at,.] 

(.'ami-  MiiKis,  May  If..  ls|;;. 
Thc  IJitilvil  Slides  vs.  Saiiinr/  S/ctiu/rl: 

(!ii|»l,ain  I'atriek  Shaw,  Captain  Natlian  Ilattield,  ('aptain  'riit'o|ilii- 
liis  Sunonton  appeared  ;is  nieini)ers  ot  said  eoiirt  martial  and  wow. 
sworn. 

Adjutant  Saniucd  liayloss,  a(!tin<^  Judge  Advocate,  was  swtuii 

('liarL;c    l;iid   in    by   Alajor   Anthony    I'il/ 'i',  lor  putting   lire   ton 
liiiinhsliull  containing  powder.     'I'iic  charge!  lieing  read  to  the  dclcnd 
ant  hy  the  Judge  Advocate,  and  tlu^  (puvstion  do  you  plead  guilty  or 
iiol  guilty  put,  he  answers  not  guilty. 

Toslimony  on  iicliall' ot  tht(  United  Slates:  vVlexundei'  'I'uckei 
sworn,  (Ufposetli  and  saith  that  he  thought  Stewart  was  the  man 
that  did  liie  crime,  hut  did  not  sec  him  sel  lire  to  the  homlishcll.  and 
turlliur  saith  not,. 

TuKtiiuony  on  buhallol' the  del'endant :  .1.  lioggs,  sworn,  dcposeth 
ami  saith  that  lor  ton  hours  previous  to  the  rej»ort  of  the  honilisludl 
on  the  I  llh  inst.,  and  ii)v  somi'  two  alter,  sai<l  Sli^wai't  w.'is  wi'it-ing 
on  a  drundiead  in  the  tent  with  the  (Usponent,  and   was  not    o\il    ol 
the  lent,  and  further  saith  not 

Testimony  (U)ntinued  on   behalf  of  del'endant :    K.  Sprig,  sworn, 
deposelh  and  saith  that  he  stood  by  when  lire  was  set  to  tlu;  l»onil) 
slitill,  and  that  said  Stewart  was  nor  tin;   man  who  set  lire  thereof, 
ami  I'urtluu-  saith  not. 

'festimony  closed  :  The  court  martial,  after  seeing  the  charges  and 
iR'aiing  the  testimony  against  anil  for  tlu^  said  Stewart,  do  adjudgi' 
that  Samuel  Stewart  is  not  guilty,  (riven  mider  my  hand  this  l.">th 
ol'Alay,  iNl;;.  *  Pa'Pimuk  Shaw,  rrcsidviil. 

Attest:    Samuel  I  Jay  less,  .///.(/yr  Ailvocale. 

Approved:    James  Alills, 

Colonel  Fii'fif.  JiCz/unviU   Third  Depl.  Ditto  Mil  ilia. 


[UKOIMKNTAf,  OHDIiK.j 

Ca.mi'Mei(}s,  .May  -Jl,  I  si:!. 
Samuel  Uayless,  Adjutant: 

You  are  conim.andetl  to  summon  a  regimental  court  martial  for 
liu!  trial  of  James  Ivelley,  Corporal  in  Caj)lain  Simonton's  comp.any. 

Jamks  Mills,  Colo/tel. 

Agreeable  to  the  above  order  the  following  olticers   were  sum- 
moued  and  appeared  and  took  their  seats  : 


It 


^%* 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


A 


1,0 


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Z2 
12.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

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1.6 

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%- 

^0 


%%' 

C^/.  <.>!       ••>. 


/. 


c^^ 


J% 


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Photogmpliic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y    14580 

(716)  872-4503 


c<? 


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m 


^ 


180 


(kmii>  lAfe  at  Fort  Meigs. 


Major  J.  Loduick,  Captnin  P.  Sliauo,  Captain  N.  Ilatlield,  sworn, 

Samuel  I>ayless,  Acting  Judge  Advocate,  sworn. 

f'liargc  laid  against  sai<l  Kclluy  l>y  William  Oliver,  Assistant, 
Commissary,  with  having  suflercd  public  whisky  to  be  used  from  tin; 
barrel  under  his  charge  on  the  night  of  the  22d  inst. 

Testimony  on  behalf  ot  the  State  :  J.  Davis,  sworn,  deposelh  and 
saith  that  on  the  morning  of  the  SiJd  the  barrel,  which  wo  drew 
whisky  from,  had  had  whisky  drawn  from  it  during  the  night,  tlio 
spigot  being  about  an  inch  and  a  lialf  further  out  than  when  Iclt, 
and  the  bimg  a|)pean'd  to  have  been  out. 

(Question — Was  there  more  whisky  in  the  barrel  at  night  than  in 
the  morning?     He  believed  there  was,  and  further   saith  not. 

The  court  martial,  alter  seeing  the  charges  and  hearing  the  testi- 
mony against  said  Kelley,  do  adjudge  that  said  James  Kelley,  Cor- 
poral, was  not  guilty. 

iTriven  under  my  hand  this  '24th  of  May,  181  :>. 

John  Lodiick.  I'rc^ii/cn/. 

Attest:  Samuel  Bayless.  AcIIikj  .ludijv.  Adrocnlc. 

Approved:  James  ^I ills, 

Colonel  Fifth  Regiiimit  Tliiril  Dept.  O.  M. 

[OAIUUSON     OKDEK.] 

Camp  Mkios,  May  24,  ^81.^. 

The  commandants  of  the  different  corps  at  this  place  will  make 
out  and  deliver  to  Major  I'ondell,  Acting  Adjutant  Ccncial,  com 
plete  returns  of  their  resjiective  commands  on  the  ">th  day  of  June 
ensiling,  for  the  month  of  May,  instant. 

Fighting  is  es]»ecially  forbidden  alter  this  date  unless  authoiizoii 
Every  soldier  rfhall  be  entitled  to  one  gill  ot  whisky  i'or  e.vciv 
cannon  ball  or  bomb  he  may  find  and  deliver  to  Captain  ('ushingdr 
Lieutenant  Hawkins.  Joiix  MiMJ;ii. 

Cuhntl  Nineteenth  Ueijimcni  JiiJ'l.  CominiDiditiil. 


[UEGIMEXTAL  COUHT  MAirnAI..) 

Cami'  Meigs,  June  4,  ISl;!, 
United  Slates  of  America  vs.  Enoch  (lallouuiii : 

Captains  Patrick  Shaw,  N.athan  Holfield  and  Itobert  Irwin  wen' 
summoned,  and  ai)peared  at  two  o'clock  and  sworn. 

Adjutant  Samuel  Bayless  was  sworn  Judge  Advocate. 

The  charge  with  .^busing  and  threatening  his  First  Sergeant  w;i< 
read,  and  the  question  aske<l,  guilty  or  not  guilty.  Answer,  guilty 
and  ask  mercy  of  court. 

Evidence — John  Haines,  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith  that  befon 
that  time  said  Galloway  had  imitbrmiy  done  his  duty  when  alilc 
and  never  given  any  abusive  language. 

The  court  martial,  alter  hearing  the  prisoner's  confession  and  tin 
testimony  of  John  Haines,  do  adjudge  that  the  said  Gallow;\y  may 


(jcvmi)  Life  at  Fort  Meig.^- 


181 


letiirii  to  Ills  company,  and  parade  with  tlio  <j;eiK!ral  fatijfiie  on  tlic 
r)lli  ami  <)tli  inst.,  and  do  tliat  tluty  faitlilnlly  these  two  days. 

r.vTKKJiv  8haw,  I'rcsidcn/. 
Attst:  Samuel  IJayloss,  ./^^A/o  Advoai/c. 
Approvetl  :  .lames  Mills, 

i'uliuH  Firs/  Ueijintcnt  Third  Div.  0.  M. 


[ORNKItAI-   OU»EIl.| 

IIi:\D(}l  AHTKRS  KkANKMNTON,  } 

June  i;5,  IS|:5.  ^ 

The  commanding  General,  with  great  satisfaction,  communicates 
tlio  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  the  honoral)le  Secretary  of 
War,  viz.: 

"The  President  has  been  pleased  to  direct  that  I  should  commu- 
nicate to  you,  and  through  you  to  the  troops  composing  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Meigs,  his  thanks  for  the  valor  and  patriotism  they  displayeil 
ill  the  defense  of  that  post.  And  particularly  to  the  different  corps 
em|)Ioyed  in  sorties  made  on  the  oth  of  May." 

The  General  is  persuaded  that  the  gallant  troops  which  served  at 
Fort  Meigs  will  duly  appreciate  the  approbation  of  the  Chief  Magis- 
trate of  their  country,  and  that  it  will  prove  a  stimulus  to  future 
exertion. 

IloHEHT  BUTLKIl, 
Oiptain  Uih  Uerj.  Inft.,  A.  A.  A.  (}.  for  Z.  Bnilexj. 


[UEGIMENTAL  COURT  MAKTLVL.J 

Fort  Mkkjs,  June  'l^.  l.Sl;J. 

I  herewith  commit  Thomas  Gregory,  who  is  charged  with  abusing 
and  threatening  me  as  First  Sergeant  of  Captain  Hamilton's  com. 
[lauy.  JoiiN'  Hainm;s,  First  Senjeanl. 

Captains  Shane  and  Holtield,  and  F^nsigu  jMcMaken,  sworn. 

Saniiu?l  liayless,  Judge  Advocate,  sworn. 

(Question — Do  you  plead  guilty  or  not  guilty?  Answer — Not 
guilty. 

Ailain  Stoncbraker,  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith  that  the  evening 
said  Gregory  was  sent  to  provost  guard,  he  said  he  would  threaten 
and  abuse  said  Haines  until  he  sent  him  to  the  provost  guard,  and 
I'lutlier  saith  not. 

liohi'rt  Jordon.  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith  that  he  did  not  hear 
said  Gregory  threaten  or  abuse  said  Sergeant  Haines  on  the  ?i(3th  of 
■Inno,  and  further  saith  not.  On  being  re-summoned,  saith  that 
Itotbre  that  time  said  Gregory  had  threatened  saiil  Haines,  and 
^llook  his  list  at  him,  and  said  that  he  would  break  his  cabbage  liead. 

The  court  n\artial,  ai'ter  seeing  the  charge  and  hearing  the  testi- 
mony, do  adjudge  that  the  said  Thomas  Gregory  was  guilty  id"  the 
cliarge  ;igainst  him,  and  we  do  sentence  him  to  ac-knowledge  his 
luult  to  and  ask  lorgiveness  of  his  Orderly  Sergeant  in  presence  of 


182        The  Aniei'kan  Naval  Vessels  Threatened. 


tho  battalion,  or  be  compelled  to  go  on  fatigue  for  three  days,  and 
put  ill  the  guard  house  each  night,  at  his  o])tion;  and  that  this  sen- 
tence shall  be  read  on  butallion  parade  by  the  Adjutant  this  eveniii'i-. 

Pathk'k  Shaw,  Preaidvnl" 
Attest:    Samuel  JJayless,  .fin/t/r  Adrocafc. 
A])proved ;    James  Mills, 

Colonel  First  Ihij.  Thinl  Drpl.  <).  M. 


[gknkuai,  OUDF.K.J 

Ca.mi'  Mi:I(;s,  July  I,  I  si;!. 

The  General  commanding  announces  to  the  troops  under  his  com- 
maud  the  return  of  this  day,  which  gave  liberty  and  independence 
to  the  United  States  of  America;  and  orders  tliat  a  national  salute 
be  iired  under  the  superintendenci^  of  (Captains  Gratiot  and  ('iisliiii^ 
All  the  troops  reported  fit  for  duty  shall  receive  an  extra  gill  of 
whisky.  And  those  in  coniinemeiit  aiitl  those  under  sentence  attaclieil 
to  their  corps,  be  forthwith  released  and  ordered  to  join  their  re- 
spective corps. 

The  General  is  induced  to  use  this  lenience  alone  from  considera 
tion  of  the  ever  memorable  day,  and  flatters  Iiimseli'  that  in  future, 
the  soMiers  under  his  command  will  bettor  appreciate  thi'ir  liberty 
by  a  steady  adherence  to  fluty  and  prompt  (ioinitliaiice  with  the 
orders  of  their  officers,  l)y  which  alone  they  are  worthy  to  enjoy  tiie 
blessings  of  that  lilierty  and  i  nb  >endence,  the  (»nly  real  legjiey  left 
us  by  our  fathers. 

Ail  courts  martial  now  constituted  in  this  cam[»  are  herel>y  dis- 
solved.    There  will  be  fatigue  this  day 


RoitKHT  Ultlkji,  a.  AdjI.  < 


iCII. 


[genekal  ouuku.] 

Camp  Mi:i(is,  July  ,s,  1813. 

The  commanding  General  directs  that  the  old  guard,  on  being  re- 
leased, will  inarch  out  of  camp  and  discharge  their  arms  at  a  target 
placed  in  some  secure  position,  and  as  a  reward  tor  those  who  may 
excel  in  shooting,  eight  gills  of  whisky  will  be  given  to  the  nearest 
shot,  and  four  gills  to  the  second  Tlu!  officer  of  the  guard  will 
cause  a  return,  signed  for  that  [uirpose,  signifying  tlie  names  of  tlie 
men  entitled  to  the  reward. 

J>v  order  of  G.  Clay,  d'eii.  (Juni. 

Robert  Butler,  .1.  Adjl.  (Icn. 


The  ship  building  going  on  at  Eric  had  not,  meanwhile,  been 
unknown  to,  or  disregarded  by  the  Kiiglish,  who  proposed  all  in 
good  time  to  destr<iy  the  vessels  upon  which  so  much  depeiulel 
and  to  appropriate  the  stores  of  the  Americans.  '"The  ordiiiuicf 
and  naval  stores  you  require,''  said  Sir  George  Provost  to  General 


Captain  Bardaifs  A  n'an(/e7nents. 


183 


Proctoiv  "  must  l)c  taken  from  the  enemy,  whoso  resources  on  Lake 
Eric  must  Ix'come  yours.  I  am  much  mistaken,  il'  you  do  not  liml 
t'apliiiu  Barclay  disposed  to  phiy  tliat  ijame."  Captain  Harelay  was 
Mil  ovporieiiced,  hrave.  and  able  seaman,  and  was  waiting  anxiously 
lor  a  suHicient  hoily  of  troops  to  l»e  spared  lum.  in  order  to  attack 
Erie  with  success.  A  suHicienl  force  was  promised  him  on  the  IStli 
(if  July,  at  wliich  time  the  liritish  Hoet  went  down  the  lake  to 
viH'onnoitre,  and,  if  it  were  wise,  to  make  the  proposed  attempt 
upon  the  Amerie.ms  at  Erie.     None,  liowever,  was  made. 

Kiudiuu  no  proorr.ss  made,  Proctor  next  moved  to  Lower  San- 
ihisky,  i'.td  the  neiuhborhood  of  the  Commander-in-Chief.  The 
principal  stores  of  Harrison  were  at  Upjter  Sandusky,  while  lie 
himself  was  at  Seni'ea,  and  iMajor  (Jroghan  at  l^'ort  Stephenson  or 
Lower  8aii<lusky.  This  latter  post  being  deemed  indefensible 
against  heavy  cannon,  and  it  being  supposed  that  Proctor  would 
of  course  bring  heavy  cannon  if  he  attacked  it,  the  General,  and 
a  council  of  war  called  hy  him,  thought  it  wisest  to  abiindon  it  ;  but 
liefore  this  coidd  he  done,  after  the  linal  determination  of  the 
matter,  the  apjiearauce  of  the  enemy  u.pon  the  .'>lst  of  July,  made 
it  ini|iossihle.  The  garrison  of  tlie  little  fort  was  composed  of  ojie 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  under  a  commander  just  past  his  tweniy- 
lirsl  year,  and  with  a  single  piece  of  cannon,  while  the  ijivesting 
force,  iiu'hidiiig  Tecumseh's  Indians,  was,  it  is  said,  three  thousand 
strong,  and  with  si.\  pieces  of  artillery,  all  of  them,  fortunately, 
light  ones. 

.Srvcrai  (liiy,<  Ip'/I'ore  the  lU'itish  liad  invested  Fort  Meigs,  General 
Ihurisiiii,  uilli  Mijor  ('roghau  and  some  other  ollicers,  had  examined 
tin.' heights  which  surround  Kort  Stephenson  ;  and  as  the  hill  on  the 
iippo.sil"  oi-  s  )ut.:iea8t  -«idc  of  the  river  was  found  to  be  the  most 
I'onunanding  c-minence,  the  General  had  some  thoughts  of  removing 
the  furt  to  that  place,  and  Major  Croghan  declared  Ills  readiness  to 
iiiulertak''  I  lie  work,  lint  the  General  diil  not  antliorize  him  to  do 
it,  as  lie  helieved  that  if  the  enemy  intended  to  invade  our  territory 
again,  they  would  do  it  hefore  the  removal  could  bo  completed.  It 
^vas  then  liiially  concluded  that  the  lort,  which  was  calculated  for  a 
garrison  of  only  200  men,  could  not  he  defended  against  the  heavy 
iirtillerv  n|'  (he  enemy,  and  that  if  tlic  British  should  approach  it 
I'V  water,  which  would  cause  a  pivsumption  that  they  had  lirought 
their  heavy  arlillery,  the  fort  must  be'  abaiuhmed  and  burnt,  provided 
:i  ivtreat  could  he  cH'ccted  with  safetv.     In  the  orders  left  with  Major 


184         Military  InqyedUm  oj  Fort  Stepheiis<)7i. 


Ill 

.1 


CrojTluii),  it  WHS  stated — ''Should  tlu'  l?i"iti«li  ^troops  iijiiJi-oach 
you  in  force  with  cannon,  and  you  can  discover  them  in  tiini'  to 
ciFcct  a  retreat,  you  will  do  so  immediately,  dostroyin*,'  all  the  public 
stores. 

'•  "^'ou  must  be  a-tvare  tluvt  the  attempt  to  retreat  in  the  fnce  of  an 
Indian  force,  would  be  in  vara.  Aj^ainst  such  an  enemy  your  garri- 
son would  be  safe,  however  ^reat  the  number," 

On  the  evening  of  the  2!ith,(Jeneral  Harrison  received  intelligciicv 
by  e.\prcs.s,  from  General  Clay,  that  the  enemy  had  abandontMl  thu 
siege  of  Fort  Meigs:  and  ns  the  Indians  on  that  day  hail  swanntd 
ill  the  wooils  rountl  his  camp,  he  entertained  iu»  doubt  but  that  an 
immediate  attack  was  intended  cither  on  Sandusky  or  Seneca,    ile 
therefore  immediately  called  a  council  of  war,  consisting  of  M'Artluir, 
Cass,  Ball,   !'aul.  Wood,  llukill,  Holmes  and  Graham,   who  wcrj 
unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  Fort  Stephenson  was  untenable 
against  heavy  artillery,  and  that  as  the  enemy   could  bring  with 
facility  any  ipumtity  of  battering  cannon  against  it,  by  which  it 
must  inevilal)ly  fall,  and  as  it  was  an  unimportant  jiost,  containiiii; 
ni)thing  the  loss  of  which   would   be  felt   by   us,  thai,  the  garrison 
should  therefore  not  be  rein Ibrced,  but  withdrawn,  and  the  place  dus- 
Iroycd.     In  pursuance  of   this  decision,  the  Geiu'ral   itnmcdiatelv 
ilis[>atclr^'il  the  order  to  Major  (Jroghan,  directing  him  inimcdiati'lv 
to  al)aiul(m  h'ort  Stephenson,  to  set  it  on  lire  and  ivpair  with  liis 
command  to  lu'ad(|uarters— -cross  the  river  ami  come  up  on  theu]iiMi- 
site  side, and  if  lie  should  find  it  imi»racticable  to  reach  the  GeiieniFs 
quarters,  to  take  the  road  to  Huron,  and  pursue  it  W'th  the  utmost 
eircuins])ection  and  dispatch.     This  order  was  sent  by  Mr.  C'oniitr 
and  two  Indians,  who  lost  their  way  in  the  dark,  and  did  iu)t  ri'iich 
Fort  Stephenson  till  11  o'clock  the  next  day.     AVhen  Major  (hogliaii 
received  it,  he  was  of  opinion  that  he  could  not  then  retreat  witli 
safety,  as  the  Indians  wore  hovering  around  the  fort  in  considonilA 
force.     He  called  a  council  of  his  oilicers,  a  majority  of  whom  coin- 
cided Avith  him  in  ojunion  that  a  retreat  would  be  unsiife,  and  tii;it 
the  i)ost  could  be  maintained  against  the  enemy,  at  least  till  I'lirtlKi' 
instructi(uis  could  be  received  from  head((uarters.     The  Major  thciv- 
fore  immediately  returned   the  following  answer : 

"  SiK — ,  1  have  just  received  yours  of  yesterday,  10  o'clock  P.  v.. 
ordering  nie  to  destroy  this  place  and  make  good  mv  retreat«  wliiili 
w;is  received  too  late  to  ite  carried  into  execution.  We  havi.'  delt'i- 
iiiiued  to  maintain  this  place,  and  Ity  heavens  we  can." 


IJei'oic  Defence  of  Fori  Steph  nwn. 


185 


[Erfmmres  to  (he  Environs. — a — British  gun-boat«  at  their  place  nt'  Ininlinr;.     b — Can 

'     "         ■  "  "'■     I.  Col.  Short  nnd Lieut 


Jer.     r — Mortar,     d — Batteries,     e — (Graves  of  I 


poi!,n  ;-i.\-pnnni 
iid.in,  who  fell  in  the  ditch.    / — Road  to  Upper  y.'iiulii.-ky.     fs — Ailvancr  of  the  einniy 


to  the  fatal  dlK-h. 


-ll'-ail  (itiinvicaiioii. 


References  In  the  Fort. — Line  I — l'ii'kci.-J. 
Line  2 — IviiliaiiluiieiH  from  the  diirh  to  and 
agaiiijit  the  picket.  Line  'i — Dry  liiii'li,  nine 
feet  wide  by  -six  deep.  Line  -i — Oiiiward 
enibanknieiit  or  si'ic'S"  -^ — IVock-liouse 
first    attacked    i)y 


eannon. 


/,        H— l?asti 
roni   which   the  ditch   was   raked  bv  Cro 


lian  s 
the  \> 


ariillcry. 
wer   lei't 


C — (luaid 


liouse,  in 


I) — Ibisi.itiil  du 


F'l)  I  Sandusky- 


urinn 
the  attack.  V.  V.  V. — .\lii;a;v  siore-hou>e8. 
F — Coniinis.-ary's  sIoil  in  n  i-  (i — Maga- 
zine. II — Fort  uaic  K  K  K — Wicker 
gates.     L— I'nrtiiion  naie. 

Ill  writi,!^'  this  noto,  Major  Croghtin  hiiil  a  view  to  the  proljubility 
'f  its  falling-  into  tlio  litinds  ol'  the  enemy,  and  on  that  acconnt  made 
ii:?(.'  of  sti'ongor  langnaoe  than  would  otherwise  have  been  consistent 

Iwith  jintjirirly.     Jt  reached  the  (ieiieral  t)i)  the  same  day,  whc  did  not 

I'.iiHy  mulersland  the  cireunistaneis  and  niotivfs  under  which  it  had 
ilnriuliotuted.     The  following  ordi'r  was  therefore  immediately  i)re- 

jliaiiil,  iiiitl  ,<ent  with   Colonel   Wells  in  the  morning,  escorted  by 

iCiiliiiicI  Hall,  with  his  corps  of  dragoons: 

''Jtdji  y(»,  i8i;>. 

■'^in  Tlir  (u'ncral  litis  jnst  received  your  letter  ol  this  dtde, 
liilui'iiiiii!;  hini  that  you  hud  thought  ]>ro[)er  to  disobey  the  ordtn- 


186  ^Satisf actor [/  Explanations  of  Oroglian. 


1h 


is.sued  from  this  otlici.',  hikI  'TcMvitocI  to  you  this  inorniii^f.  It.  uppers 
tlitiL  till!  iuroriiiiitioii  wliioli  (liclatod  tiu'  urdcr  was  iiioorivct ;  iiii(lii.< 
you  did  not  receive  it  in  the  night,  us  wjis  expected,  it  might  iiavu 
heen  jji-oper  that  you  should  have  reported  the  circiintsitanoo  iind 
your  sitiuitioii,  before  you  proceeded  to  its  exocutitui.  'L'his  luigln 
have  been  passed  over;  but  I  am  directed  to  say  to  you,  tliiit  an 
ollicer  who  presumes  to  aver  that  he  has  made  his  resolution,  ain] 
that  lie  will  act  in  direct  opposition  to  I  he  orders  of  his  p,.Mieral,  can 
no  lunger  be  eiilriisteil  with  a  sei)arate  command,  (.'oloiiel  Wells' is 
sent  to  relieve  Vtiu.  Vou  will  deliver  the  command  to  him,  and 
repair  with  Colonel  JJall's  scpiadron  (o  this  place.     By  commaiul,  iVc, 

"A.  II.  lIoLMKS,  Asfil.  Adft.  General" 

Colonel  Wells  l»ciiig  luft  in  the  command  ol'  Fort  iStephciisun, 
Major  Croghan  returneil  with  tlie  S([uadron  to  liead(puirters.  \h 
there  explained  his  nuitives  for  writing  such  a  note,  which  wtrt 
deemed  satisfactory  ;  and  having  remained  all  night  with  the  (Joiimi, 
wlio  treated  him  politely,  he  was  permitted  lo  return  to  his  comiiiaml 
in  the  morning,  with  written  orders  similar  to  thos''  he  had  recuivcJ 
before. 

A  reconnoiteriiig  i»arty  wliieh  had  been  sent  from  head<|uart(.'rslu 
the  shore  of  the  lake,  about  twenty  miles  distant  from  Fort  .SLeplKii- 
son,  discovered  the  ap|)roach  of  the  enemy,  by  water,  on  theeveniDg 
of  the  ;]lst  of  July.  They  returmil  by  the  fort  after  12  o'clock  tlii' 
next  day,  and  had  jiassed  it  bnt  a  few  hours,  when  the  enemy  iiiaik' 
their  appearance  before  it.  The  Jiidians  showed  ihemselves  lirst  on 
the  hill  over  the  river,  and  were  saluted  liy  a  six-pounder,  the  unlj 
piece  of  artillery  in  the  fort,  which  soon  caused  them  to  retire.  In 
half  an  hour  the  Uritish  gun-boats  came  in  sight,  and  the  hidiiiii 
forces  displayed  themselves  in  every  direction,  with  a  view  to  interctf 
the  garrison,  should  a  retreat  be  attemiited.  The  six-pounder  was 
lired  a  few  times  at  the  gnu-boats,  which  was  returned  by  theartilkn 
of  the  enemy.  A  landing  of  their  troops  with  a  llve-and-a-halt'incii 
howitzer,  was  effected  about  a  mile  below  the  fort ;  and  Major  Cliain- 
bers,  accomiianied  by  Dixon,  was  dispatched  towards  the  fort  with  a 
Hag,  and  was  met  on  the  part  of  Major  Croghan  by  Ensign  Sliijt 
of  the  17th  Kegiment.  After  the  usual  ceremonies.  Major  ClKimlier; 
observed  to  Ensign  Sliii)p,  that  he  was  instriioted  by  (leiieral  I'mctor 
to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  as  he  was  anxious  to  sinirotli^j 
(3tfusion  of  human  blood,  which  he  could  not  do,  should  he  by  ituJt' 


hjUHUjn  Shipp — RemtvvlaMe  Intei'mew.         18T 


till-  ne 


rciriiliirs  iiiu 


cessity   of  reilucincr  it"-  by  tho   powerful   force  of   iirtillory, 
1  Iiidiiius  uiul(!r  his  comniaml.     Sliipp  repliiul  (hat  the 


(diiiiiiiinil:iiit  of  the  fort  iuul  its  garrison  wcro  determiiied  to  (hjfeiid 
it  to  the  last  extremity;  that  no  force,  however  ^reat,  could  induce 
tliein  to  surrender,  us  they  were  resolved  to  maintain  their  post,  or  to 
l)iirv  tlii'insclvcs  in  its  ruins.  Hielxson  then  said  !!iat  their  immense 
IIjihIv  i»r  liidiaii.-i  could  not  bo  restrained  from  murdering  tlie  whole 


L'arrisDii  in  eas 


of  success,  of  which   we   have  no  doubt,  rejoined 


(i|iiinb(n-s,  as  wo  are  am|)ly  prei)ared.     Dickson  then  proceeded  to 
[U'k,  that  it  was  a  great  pity  so  line  a  young  man  siiould  fall  into 


Irom 

h' 


haiiiH  o 


f  tl 


11)  savi! 


iges — *' Sir,   for    God's  sake,  surrender,  and 


iii'>\eiit  the  dre  idful  massacn-  tinit  will  be  caused  l)y  your  resistance." 

blr.  Shipp  replied,  that   wiuni    tlie   fort  was   taken,  there  woukl   be 

Inane  tomivsiero.    It  will  not  be  given   u[»  while  a  man   is  able   to 

jrosisf.    All  In  lian  at  this  moment  came  out  of  an  adjoining  ravine, 

I  iilvaiieing  to  the  Ensign,  rook  hokl  of  his  swonl  anil  attempted 

w  wrest  it  from  him.     Dickson  interfered,  and  having  restrained  the 

(mliiUi,  alfected  great  anxiety  to  get  him  safe  into  the  fort. 

The  etieni"  now  opened  their   lire  from  their  six-])ounders  in  the 
;iii!-l)>;iis  :iirl  the  howitzer  on  shore,  which  they  continued  through 


ih  but  littk 


itei 


and  with 


little  etfect. 


Mission, 

lie  forces  of  the  enemy  consisted  of  500  regulars,  and  about  800 
[iiiliiiiis  commanded  l)y  Dickson,   the   whole  being  commanded  by 

■II  r.il  Proctor  in  person.  Tecumseh  was  stationed  on  the  road  to 
S'uil  Meigs  with  a  body  of  2,000  Indians,  expecting  to  intercept  a 
iiiiloreeineiil  on  that  rout.e. 

M;ijor  Croghan  through  the  evening  occasionally  fired  his  six- 
Miiu  ler,  at  th  '  same  time  changing  its  place  occasionally  to  induce 

lielief  th;it  li'j  had  more  than  one  i)iecc.     As  it  produced  very  little 

ocutiou  on  the  enemy,  and  he  was  desirous  of  saving  his  ainiau- 
jitioii,  he  soon  discontinued  his  lire.  The  enemy  had  directed  their 
]iv  ;igiiii.«t  the  northwest  angle  of  the  fort,  which  induced  the  coni- 

iui4er  to  l)elieve  that  an  attempt,  to  storm  his  works  would  i)e  made 
at  point.     In  the  night,  Captain  Hunter  was  ilirected  to  remove 

If  six-pouuder  to  a  block-house,  from  which  it  would  rake  that 
By  giv  it  industry  and  personal  exertion,  Captain  Hunter 
|i'iii  iiccoinplished   this   oltject   in   secrecy.      The   embras'ire   was 

liiskid,  and  the  iiiece  loaded  with  a  half  (diarge  of  powder,  and 
Id'MiMe  eluirge  of  slugs  and  grape-shot.     Karly  in  the  morning  of 

1*^^  M,  the  eueiny  opened  their  lire  from  their  jjowitzer  uud  thret.; 


18S 


J  Nhjhfs   Work     S,r if t  Justice. 


six-poiitulcrs,  which  thoy  hiid  laiuh'd  in  tlui  nif,'iit,  iind  plaiiU'tl  in  a 
])oiiit  of  woods  about  '250  yivnU  iVoin  tiu'  fori.  In  thoevt'iiin^', iilmnt 
4  o'clock,  tiicy  coiKH'iitnifcd  flic  lire  oC  idl  Ihcir  ^nmsoii  tiiciriiuiili. 
wcsL  iiii,i,'l(',  which  convinced  Mujor  C'n)<,diiin  that  tiicy  would  n- 
dcsivor  to  iniii<(!  a  brcacii  and  .st<}nii  the  \vorl\.s  at  tiiat  [)oiiit;|ie 
therefore  inuiUHliately  iuid  that  i)lace  ,stren<;tliencd  as  much  as  possi- 
ble with  bags  of  Hour  and  sand,  whicli  were  so  ellectual  tliui  tlic 
picketing  iu  that  |ilace  sustained  no  material  injury.  Sc'r;,'i'aiii 
Weaver,  with  live  or  six  gcntlenieu  of  the  IVtersburgh  Voluiitm; 
and  I'ittsburgh  HIuoh,  who  ha[)])en('d  to  b?  in  the  fort,  was  eiitnuki' 
with  the  management  of  the  six-pounder. 

Jjate  in  the  evening,  when  the  smoke  of  the  liring  had  compktth 
enveli)ped  the  fort,  tlie  enemy  proceeded  to  make  the  assault.   Tw 
feints  were  made  towards  the  southern  angle,  where  Captain  lluiitcr'! 
lines  were  formed;  aiul  at  the  same  time  a  column  of  IJ")0  iiu'ii  was 
discovered  advancing  through  the  smoke,  withiu   twenty  |);i(;l'jii!' 
the  northwestern  angle.     A  heavy,  galling  lire  of  musketry  wiisiwn 
opened  upon  them  from  the  fort,  which  threw  them  into  some  cod- I 
fusion.     Colouel  Short,  who  headed   the    princi])al  column,  suui 
rallied  his  men,  and  led  them  with  great  bravery  to  the  brink  nftiit 
ditch.     After  a  uiojneutary  pause  he  leaiied  into  the  ditch,  culling  to  | 
Ilia  men  to  follow  him,  and  iu  a  few  minutes  it   was   full.   Tiit 
masked   port-holo  was  now   opened,  and   the  six-pouiuler,  at  (h 
distance  of  thirty  feet,  poured  such  destruction  among  themtJis 
but  few  who  had  entered  the  ditch  were  fortunate  enough  toescaitt.! 
A  i)recii)itate  and  confused  retreat  was  the  immediate  conscqiicncr.j 
although  some  of  the  olUcers  attempted  to  rally  their  men.  Tl 
other  coiumii,  which  was  led   by   Colonel  Warlnirton  and  Majij 
Chambers,  was  also  routed  iu  confusion  by  a  destructive  fire  froml 
the  line  commanded  by  Captain   Hunter.     The  whole  of  them  U\ 
into  the  adjoining  wood,  l)eyond  the  reach  of  our  tire-arms.    Diiri"?! 
the  assault,  which  lasted  half  an  hour,  the  enemy  kejjt  up  aii  iih" 
sant  lire  from  their  howitzer  and  five  six-pounders.     TheylelU'*! 
Short,*  a  lieutenant  and  twenty-'ive  privates  dead  in  the  ditch:  ;nl 
the  total  number  of  prismiers  taken   was  twenty-six,  mostoftiunj 
badly  wounded.     Major  ^[uir  was  knocked  down  in  the  ditoli,:iii| 

*Coliiiiel  Short,  wlio  cuiuinnuil>.Hl  Uic  n!;;iilarH  coinpostn!j;  Uio  Forlorn  Hopn,  was  orJW 
bis  moil  to  Icai)  tlicMliU-li,  ciil,  down  t.lic  piclccts,  iiii  I  trivo  tli-  .VmiTicaii^  no  (|u;irli;rs,*| 
III!  t'l'll  morl.'illy  woiiuib'il  iiilo  tlu'.  (litcli,  ImiHtcd  hit  wliilo  li;in(lk(i(:liiol  on  tliceiiduf" 
swoni,  iiuil  l»ci,'i,'od  lor  thai,  iiu'rcy  which  ho  liiul  ii  nioiiionl  hoforo  ordored  to  l>o  (IcuMW'' 
cuomy. 


Tilt  Aiixrirdii    I'icfor//  ( 'owp/rfc. 


1S{» 


liiv  iimoM.i,' 


lluMlcad.  till  tlio  (larkiH'SK  of  llic  iii,<f|it  ciiiiblcd  Imju  to 


Iclv.     'I'lic  loss  (»r  till' ff.'irri.soii  Wiis  one  killed  luid  seven 


ise;i|K'  111  f<;l 

sJiiriitJy  wounded.    Tlie  total   loss  of  (lie  oneiny  oouUl  not-  be  less 

tliuii  ITiO  kilK'd  and  wounded. 

When  night  oiime  on,  which  was  soon  after  the  as.sault,tlu'  woundod 
ill  (lie  ditch  were  in  a  desperate  situation.  Complete  relief  could 
not  1)0  lirought  to  rlieni  by  either  side  with  any  degree  of  safety. 
Miijor  Oi'oglian,  however,  relieved  them  as  niiicli  as  possible — hecon- 
H'IvimUo  convey  Ihein  water  over  the  picki.'ting  in  Ituokets.  and  a 
ilitch  \vii8  opened  under  the  pickets,  through  which  those  who  were 
iililt"  and  willing,  were  encouraged  to  crawl  into  the  fort.  All  who 
iltle,  preferred,  of  I'ourse,  to  follow  tlioir  defeated  comrades, 


were 

mid  many  others  were  carried  from  the  vicinity  of  the  ffU't  by  tlie 
Indians,  particularly  their  own  killed  and  wounded;  and  in  the 
ni!i;lit,  aliont  '•)  o'clock,  the  whole  Jiritish  and  Indian  force  coni- 
iiicnced  a  disorderly  retreat.  So  great  was  their  ])recipitatioii  thai 
thoy  left  a  sail-boat;  containing  .some  clothing  and  a  considerable 
(|ii;uitity  of  military  stores,  and  on  the  next  day,  seventy  stand  of 
iirnis  and  some  braces  of  ])istols  were  picked  up  around  the  fort. 
Tln'ir  hurry  and  confusion  were  caused  by  the  a])pridiension  of  an 
hittiick  from  General  Harrison,  of  whose  position  and  force  they  had 
[pr(ii)al)ly  received  an  exaggerated  account. 

It  was  the  intention  of  (ieneral  Harrison,  should  the  enemy  snc- 

\(m\  against  Port  Stephenson,  or  should  they  endeavor  to  turn  his 

IVt't  iuul  fall  on  Upper  Sandusky,  to  leave  his  camp  at  Seneca  and 

ill!  hack  lor  the  i)rotection  of  that  place.     But  he  discovered  by  the 

iriug  on  the  evening  of  the  Ist,  that  the  enemy  had  nothing  but 

|li<;lit  artillory,  which  could  make  no  impression  on  the  fort;  and  he 

viuiw  that  an  attempt  to  storm  it  without  making  a  breach,  could 

be  successfully  rejielled  by  tlie  garrison,     lie  therefore  determined 

iiMvait  for  the  arrival  of  2o()  mounted    volunteers   under   Colonel 

iteiiiiick,  Ix'ing  the  advance  of  TOO  who  were  apiiroaching  by  the 

iiyof  Upper  Sandusky,  and  then  to  march  against  the  enemy  and 

^iiia'  the  siege,  if  their  force  was  not  still  too  great  for  his.     On  the 

Uio  sent  several  scouts  to  ascertain  their  situation  and  force;  bnt 

iiii' woods  were  so  infested  with  Indians,  that  none  of  them  could 

|i'oca'd  siitticiently  near  the  fort  to  make  the  necessary  discoveries. 

|ii  the  night  the  messenger  arrived  at  headcinarters  with  intelligence 

lilt  the  enemy  were  preparing  to  retreat.    About  9  o'clock,  Major 


l'.)() 


''  Oeiicral  Proctor  ><  Mortijiratioiis!" 


C'rofrliHii  liivl  iiHCcrttiinLMl  from  llu'ircollccliiijriihoiit.  Ilnir  Itoats.  lliai 
Micy  wcro  prcpariii*;  (o  t'ml)iirk,uii(l  Imd  iiniiicdiiilvly'^ciii  :iii  fxnr^i 
to  Mio  (!onimiiii(l('r-iii-(!liiol'  with    tliis  iiirormiitioii.      'i"hu  General 
now  (IctonniiR'd  to  wait  no  Ioniser  lor  the  rciMroircnit'iits, and  inini. 
diiitcdy  set  out  ivilli   tlic  ilrii^^'oona,  willi   wliicli   lie   ivucliod   liio  tur; 
cjiriy  in  tlio  niorninf,',  having  onli  tcmI  (Icncnils  McAitliur  und  (';u., 
who  had  arrivod  at  Sonoca  several  duyn  hcl'oiv,  to  lollow  him  witlull 
till'  dispusaldo  infantry  at  that  phicf,  and  which  at  this  time  u\ 
aiioiit  i(Mi  men,  after  the  nnmcron.s  .si(d<,  and  the  force  necfssurv to 
maintain  the  position,  were  left  hi'hind.     I-'indin^  tliat  tlie  ciii'iiii 
had  Ih'il  entirely  from  tlie  fort,  m  a.s  not  to  \n\  reached  liy  him.  iiiii 
leariiin,i(  liiat   'IVcumsoh  wa.s  Homowliore  in   the  direction  of  |'»r 
Meii^rt,  witii  ri,O0()  warriors,  he  immediately  ortU'red  Die  inliniti'v 
fall  hack  io  iSeneoa,  lest  Tecuinseli  shonid   make  an   attack  en  tli;i;| 
phuie,  (ir  inlercopt  the  small  reinfoi'cement.-  advancing  from  Ohio. 

in  his  ollicial  report  of  this  •i.^'air,  (ienoral  lIarri.son  olt.servcsib 
"It  will  not  he  amon^  the  loa.4t  of  (Jenoral  I'roctor'.s  niortilie;iti(iii-,i 
that  he  has  been  halUed  by  a  yonth,  who  has  just  i)aH,st'd  his  twciiirl 
first  year,     lie  is,    however,   a  hero  worthy  of  his  f^alhiMl   iim!. 
(leneral  (leor[i;e  U.  (Marke." 

('a))tain  IFunter,  of  the  I7lh  lie^Mnienl,  the  .second  in  (;onnii;iiiii,| 
conducted  himself  with  ,i,nvat  propriety  ;  and  never  was  tlicicivj 
of  llnor  young  fellows  than  the  subalterns,  vi/.:  Lieiitonanis  .luiiih 
and  I?ayl  ir  (d"  the  I7lh,  Meeks  of  the  7th.  and   Knsigns  Slii|))i  ;wj 
Duncan  of  the  17th. 

Li(!utenant  Andi'rson  of  the  24th,  was  also  noted  U^v  his  i''«| 
conduct.  Hi'ing  without  a  coinmand,  he  .solicited  MajiU'  t!i'(i:;kl 
for  a  musket  iind  a  post  to  (iyht  at,  which  ho  did  with  the  j,'ri«:| 
biMvery. 

"Too  much  praise,"  says  Major  Croghan,  "cannot  he  hi'sti)Heil"i| 
the  oHicers,  non-(!ommissioued  ollicers  aiul  privates  under  my  ivii.[ 
mand,  for  Iheir  [gallantry  and  good  conduct  during  the  siege." 

'IMio  brevet  rank  of  liieutenant  Oolontd  was  immediately  coiiffrKj 
on  Major  Croghan,  by  the  Pi'esident  of  the  United  >States,  tirii| 
galliintry  on  tliis  occasion.     The  ladies  of  CJhillicotho  also  preseii 
him  an  elegant  sword,  accompanied  by  a  suitable  address. 

We  take  the  above  from   Daw,son's  Life  of  Harrison,  wiieic ' 
([uoted  from  some  other  source.     In  defending  General  Ihini:'! 
from  the  charges  of  cowardice  and  incompetency  in  not  mai'chiiii''j 
the  aid  of  the  garrison  previous  to  the  attack,  Dawson  says: 


Jysf/'cf  h>  (Jrnnuil   J/ifrrt'sinn. 


101 


The  coikIiicI  of  tlio  jralliinf  Crofrlmti  iiiid  hif?  pfiirrisoii  roorivod 
iViiii.  even  i|iuirler  tlie  plaiidils  ol'  Iheir  roiinti'vnu'ii.  'I'liis  was 
wliiil  tliey  most  rifilily  deserveil.     Then'  was,  however,  some  joiilous 


iK 


ll   I 


iito  llieii'  lioiuls  to  lie  (liHsulislied  with  the  rourso 


spirits  who  l<t( 

inirsiieil  hy  the  (•ominiiinliiij,' ;,'eiu'riih     The  onUfr  wliieii   wiis  iflven 

to  (iiihmel  Cro;,'h;in  to  I'Viietiiile  iiml  destroy  tlie  ;^iirriHoii  itrevioiisly 

to  the  iittiieU,  Wii.s  loudly  coiideiniu'd,  iirf  well  as  the  decision  u\'  IJie 

('oiincil  •»!'  war,  to  liill   hack   with   the   tr<)0|)s  then  ut  Honocii,  to  ii 

])iisiti<tii  twelve  miles  in  the  rear.     I'oth  these  niciisurea,  it  has  been 

siiid,  were  determined  on  hy  the  unanimous  advice  of  tlie  council  oj 

w;ir.     It  is  n<tt  to  he   presumed   that    such  men  as  ('oin|Mtsed  that 

Imanl,  wnidd  hav<^  i,MVeu  ailvi(te  which  was  in  any  way  derogatory  to 

til'  lidMor  of  the  American  arms,     Kvery  individual  aniou^i;  them 

lillier  had,  hel'm-e  (U-  al'ti-rward.-,  distinjfuished  himseir  hy  acts  of 

il;iriii;f  coiu'a;;e  ami  intic|»i(llty.     We  do   not  jirofess  to   he  much 

•ir(|iiaiiiteil  with  military  nuitters.  But  tJie   suliject    appears   to  uii  so 

liliiiii  MS  onlv  to  re(|nire  a  small  portion  ot  common  sense  jHYt'ectly 

ii)iiiin]»reli('Mtl  it.     At  the  time  that  the  detei-miruition  was  made  lo 

;  williilnuv  the  jjarri.soM   Irom  Sandusky,  it  must   he  recollected  that 

jtlii' (Jcneral  had  only  with  him  at  S.'neca.  al)out4(M)  infantry  and  !.'{(> 

nr  I  to  dra<,'onns.     The  enemy,  as  he  was  informed  hy  (Jem'ral  (Jlay 

Jill  the  letter  hrouf^ht  l»v  ("a]ttaiii  .M'Ciiiiic,  amounted  to  at  h^ast  r>,()()0' 

IWitli  such  a  disparity  of  force,  would  it  have  heen   proper  to  have 

jriskt'd  !in  action  to  preserve  the  post  of  Fjower  Sandusky,  which  of 

litsi'ir  was  of  little  or  no  importance,  and   which,  the  irarrison  heiui;' 

witlidrawn,  contained   uothinu:  of  any  value?     The  pwsts  of   h'oi't 

M(.'ii,'s  and  I'lJper  Sandusky  were  of    llu^  ulnmst  importance;    the 

rdriiicr  was  amply  provided  with   the  means  of  defencji',  and  was  in 

Milliliter;  hut  the  latter,  weak  in   its  defeu(;es,  and   with   ;i  feehic 

brrisiai,  eontaininj,'  many  thou.sands  of   harrels  of  Hour  ami  other 

provisions^  the  sole  resource  of  the  army  for  the  comin<;-  campaii,Mi, 

V:is  to  he  preserved  at  any  I'isk.    'I'he  [losition  at  Seneca  was  not  in 

ilii'iliivct  line  from   IA)rt  Meigs  to   llpjier  Sandusky.     The  enemy, 

)}■  taking  the  direct  route,  would  certainly  reach  it   hehire  (Jeneral 

laiTison,  as  .several  hours  must  have  elapsed  before  he  could  have 

crn  informed  of  their  movement,  even  if  it  had  been  di.scovcred  the 

i'nuont  it  had  heen  commenced,  a  circumstance  not  very  likely  to 

liippeii.    It  therefore   ht'caine  necessary  for  the  .security  of  LTpper 

jiiiidusky,  that  a  [tosition  better  adai)ted  to  that  purjicsc  should  be 

]B;unk'd.    There  was  another  and  most  important  reason  ibr  this 


102 


Jnd'we  to  (feneral  1  In  it  i  son. 


lunvi'iiiciit ;  twelve  miles  in  Uio  rear  of  Scnooii,  lowanls  ITppor  Saii- j 
•lusky,  (lie  itniirie  or  open  country  commcMices.     Tho  iiil'i'il  ry,w]iioli 
tlio  (Joiiimaiuler-in-ehiet"  liiul  with  luju  wore  raw  recruil.s;  on  tin 
contrary,  tlic  .si[nailron  ol"  ilra,<>;oons  wen;  well  disciplined,  and  liaill 
soon  \\\\w\\  service.      In  the  country  uhout  Seneca,  this  iniportmi; 
corps  could  have  been  of  little  sei'viee  ;   in  the  open  country  to  i: 
rear,  they  would  have  defeated  live  limes  their  nuuilnn-  of  liuli.i:. 
It  was  for  these  reasons  that  it  was  determined  by  the  c.)iuicil 
war  to  change  tlu- position  of  the  ,tro()i)3  at  Seneca.     II   thisni'V 
ment  did  take  place,  the  propriety  of  withdrawing  the  garrison 
liowor  Sandusky  was  obvious.     The  place  was  extremely  wciik,  i 
in  a  l»ad  position.     It  was  not  intended  originally  for  a  fort.     IVi 
the  war  it  was  used  as  the  United  States  Indian  factory,  and  luul  ii 
small  stockade  around   it,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  ( 
drunken   liulians.     It  was,  nu)re()ver,  commanded  by  a  iiill,  witiiinj 
point-blank  shot,  on  the  o[)posit(»  side  of  the  river.    To  those  wfef 
suppose  that  (ieneral   Harrison    should    have  advanced   iqnn  tk 
enemy,  the  moment  he  discovered  that  Sandusky  was  attacked, wl 
must,  in   the  language  of  the  general   aiul    tield  ollicers  wlio  wvt- 
present  on  the  occasion,  ''leave  them  In  correct  their  ojiinions  in'iii'l 
school  of  experience."     (ietu'ral  Harrison  had  be(!n  reinforced  iiil;i;| 
tu'  two  l)efore  the  siege  of  Sandusky,  l)y  the  2Sth  liegimcnl.r,ii>i'I  :j 
Iventucky.      After   having  ri'ceived  this  corps,  ho  couM   noi  lui 
marcluil  mon-  than  800  ell'ective  men  without  risking  his  stiirej,;ii! 
what  was  of  still  mon'  conse(| nonce,  150  sick  at  Seuec.i,  to  be  talvj 
l»y  tiu>  sinal/est  i)arty  of  Indians,     The  scouts  of  the  ar.iiy  liroii: 
information  that  the  Indians  were  very  numerous  in  the  dii-vtidiii 
Fort  Afeigs.     The  Gerieral  conjectured  that  a  larg.^  portion  of  tit 
Indians  were  then  ready  to  fall  on  his  Hank  or  rear,  or  tli'  d  •!;;• 
less  cam)>  at  Seiu'ca,  should  he  advance.     The  information  he  xmm 
from  the  Mritish  iirisoners  coulirmed  this  ojiinion  ;  a  b(»(lyor~i"| 
being  there  uiuler  the  command  of  Tecumseh.     At  the  momoiiti 
wliicii   we  are  s[)eaking,    the  volunteers    of  Ohio  were   rapidly  S;! 
proaching.     Now,  under  these  circumstances,  tloes  any  rMviii- 
man  i)elieve  that  (Ieneral  Harrison  should  have  advanceil  with : 
Sim)  raw  recruits,  against  a  force  in  front  which  he  knew  l;o  1)^4 
much  su[)erior  in  numbers,  and  with  the  [)rol)ability  of  hiiviit!:''! 
equally  large   hanging   on   his   Hank  ?      What    would    Inive 
thought  of  his  abilities  as  a  general,  even  if  he  had  been  8iieei'--i| 
against  Ceneral  Proctor,  (id'  which,  with  his  small  force.  ilieie>M 


The  X((r((I  Victorij  on  Krie. 


\  O.S 


littk'  i)n)l>iil)ilitV')  if  i"  ''•'^  iil)scii('f  'I'ccmiis.'h,  with  his  'i.OOO 
warriors,  had  nishinl  upon  Caiiii)  Si'iirc-v.  dcstroyt'il  his  slurcs.  idiiia- 
lia\vi<f(l  his  sick  soiilirrs,  aiul  pui'.suiii^'  his  roulc  towards  l'|»|u'r 
Saiiiiiisl<y.  dt'loatc'd  the  Oiiio  vohintccrs,  sctiititTcd  as  ihcy  wcrf  in 
siiialMMulii's,  and  tinaiiy  dulinif  iiis  caivri  with  the  destruction  ol' 
the  "rand  uia,i,Mzin(' of  his  army,  ui)on  thi'  prt'scrvat  ion  ol  whicli  all 
his  liopes  of  t'ntnr;'  sncoess  depended  ^  In  all  luiman  ])i-ol)alMniy 
this  would  have  heon  the  ivsiilt,  had  (lenoral  Harrison  advanci  d  to 
the  relief  ol'  Kort- Stephenson  sooner  than  he  did.  It  was  dTlainly 
liet'cr  to  risk  for  a  while  the  defeiu  e  ot"  that  fort  to  the  talents  a,nd 
valor  of  Oroghan,  and  the  gallant  spirits  wlio  were  with  him,  than 
I  to  joopiirdise  the  whole  jirosjiects  of  tlie  eanipaign. 

The  next  event  in  the  history  ot  tliis  war  whieh.  (dainis  attention, 
is  the  naval  victory  upon  L.ako  Erie,  ac^liieved  by  Coiiunodore  I'erry, 
a  de-ioription  of  whieh  is  annexed  from  Perkins'  Late  War: 

At  Jlrie,  Commodore  Perry  was  direeted   1o  repair  and   super. 
lintend  a  naval  establishment,  the  oV)jeet  of  whieh   was  to  create  a 
jsuperior  force  on  the  lake.     The  ditKculties  ot  huilding  a  navy  iu 
[the  wilderness  can  oidy  be  conceived  by  tl\(>se  wlio  have  experienced 
llheiu.    Therci   was  nothin>>-  at  this   spot   out  of  which   it   could  be 
|l)uilt,  but  the  timber  of  the  forest.     Ship   builders,   sailors,  naval 
stores*  guns  and  ammunition,  were  to  be  transported  by  land,  over 
bad  roads,  a  distance  of  four  hundro<I   miles,  either  from  Albany  by 
the  Avay  of  Butialo,  or  from  Philadelphia  by  the  way  of  P  ittsburuh 
Under  ;ill  these  embarrassments,  by  the  tirst  of  August,  Isl.'J,  Com- 
oiodore  Perry  had  provided  a  tlotilla,  consisting  of  the  ships  Ijav- 
^ence  and  Niagara,  of  twenty  guns  each,  and  seven  smaller  vessels. 
jto  wit,  one  of  four  guns,  one  of  three,  two  of  two,  and  three  of  one ;  in 
pie  whole  tifty-four  guns.     While  the  ships  were  building,  the  enemy 
riH}uoutly  appeared    otl"   tlu'  harbor  and  threatened   their   destruc- 
tion; but  tlie  shallowness  of  the  w:iter  on  the  bar— there  being  but 
Sve  feet — prevented  their  app  oach.     The  same  cause  which  insured 
Ihe  safety  of  the  ships  while  building,  seemed  to  prevent  their  being 
pf  any  service.     The  two  largest  drew  several  feet  more  water  than 
|here    w.as   on    the    bar.      The    inventive^    genius    of    Commodore 
^'^'y.  however,  soon  surmounted  the  difliculty.     ll(>  placed   Large 
cows  on  each  side  of  the  twt  largest  ships,  tilled  them  so  as  to  sink 
the  water's  edge,  then  attached   them  to  the  shijis   by  strong 
pieces  of  timber,  and    pumped   out    the   water.      The   scows   then 

buoyed  up  the  ships  so  as  to  pass  the  bar  in  safety.     This  operation 

14 


194 


The  JSaval  I  'ictory  on  Erie. 


was  perlbriiRMl  on  botli  the  large  ships  in  the  presence  of  a  superior 
enemy.  Having  gotten  his  Heet  in  readiness,  (commodore  Pern 
proceeded  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  and  auchored  in  Putin  Bav, 
opi»oHile  to,  and  distant  thirty  miles  from  Mahlen,  where  the  Briiisli 
Heet  lay  under  the  guns  of  the  fort.  He  lay  at  anchor  here  sevenil 
days  watching  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  determined  to  give  liim 
battle  the  tirst  liivorable  opportunity.  On  the  lOth  of  Septeniki, 
at  sunrise,  the  British  fleet.  «'onsistiug  of  one  ship  of  nineteen  giiiiji 
one  of  seventeen,  one  of  thirteen,  one  often,  one  of  three,  and  oneol 
one,  amounting  to  si\ty-four,  and  exceeding  the  Americans  by  teu 
guns,  under  command  ot  Commixhjre  Barclay,  appeared  ott'  Put  iu 
Bay.  distant  about  teu  miles.  (.1omrao(h)re  Periy  immediately  got 
under  weigh,  with  a  light  breeze  at  southwest.  At  l<>  o'clock  tlif 
wind  hiiuled  to  the  southeast,  which  brought  the  American  sijuad- 
ron  to  the  windward  and  gave  them  the  weathergage.  Connnodon 
Perry,  on  board  the  Lawrence,  then  hoisted  his  union  Jack,  liaviui' 
for  a  motto  the  dying  words  of  Captain  Lawrence,  '*  l>oi('l  (/iri  iv,' 
the  .-t/ii/),"'  which  was  received  with  repeated  cheers  by  the  crew. 

IJe  then  formed  the  line  of  battle  and  bore  up  for  the  enemy,  who 
at  the  saiue  time  hauled  his  courses  and  prepared  for  action.  Tlit 
lightness  ol  the  wind  occasioned  the  hostile  scpiadrons  to  approacl: 
each  other  but  sU)wly,  and  prolonged  I'or  two  hours  the  solemn  in 
terval  of  suspense  anil  anxiety  which  precedes  a  battle.  The  onler 
and  regularity  of  naval  tliscipline  heightened  the  dreadful  quiei  ol 
the  moment.  No  noise,  no  bustle  [trevailed  to  distract  the  iniuii 
except  at  intervals  the  shrill  pipings  ol  the  boatswains  whistle  ora 
murmuring  whisper  among  the  men,  who  stood  around  their  gifts 
with  lighted  matches  narrowly  watching  the  movements  ol  tliel'oe, 
and  sometimes  stealing  a  glance  at  the  counteJiances  of  their  com- 
laanders.  In  this  manner  the  hostile  lleets  neareil  each  other  in 
awful  silence.  At  fifteen  minutes  after  eleven  a  bugle  was  soumW 
on  board  the  enemy's  headmost  ship,  iJetroit.  loud  cheers  burst 
from  all  her  crews,  and  a  tremendous  fire  opened  upon  the  Lawrence 
from  the  British  long  guns,  which,  from  the  shortness  of  the  Law- 
rences, she  was  obliged  to  sustain  for  forty  minutes  without  being 
able  to  return  a  shot. 

C/ommodore  Perry,  witliout  waiting  for  the  other  ships,  kept  od  | 
his   course    in  such    gallant   aiul   determined   style,  that  the  eueui) 
supposed  he  meant  immediately  to  board.     At  five  minutes  betbrt 
twelve,  having  gained  a  nearer  position,  the  Lawrence  opeued  Ler 


fire,  but  tl 

advantage, 

able  to  do 

xides  in  all 

.steerage,  \v 

Dearly  prod 

knocked  tlii 

yuiiiiei-  saw 


peared  to  hi 
do  re's  ship;  i 
blazed  iucesi! 
''"ding  the  Lj 
le.ssels  to  foj 

tremendous  < 

•'^«'"y  '"•'lee 

I'lmageable. 

'iisa.stroii8  siti 

''"'  iij)\vard.s  o 

-iderable  part 

'■"iild  be  brou.i 

K'gulai-ity  pre 

'liegun.sj  ^Y^,^.^, 

'"to  their  p|;u 

Jietioii.     ,\t,  ( 

Th'3  Lawrence 

I  '"g  with  blood 

plaiu;  nearly  (, 

'"-'1'  guns  wcr, 

p'elped  to  work 
pin  Elliot  was 
pliip  into  clo.sc 
pely  determin 
|o«"  ill  charge 
tPd,  and  takin 
jl'oard  the  Ni;i. 
povfm-  of  muj 
pl't^and  hoiste, 
Phe  Xiagara.     C 
jraediately  put 
P«"  kept  back 


lag 


(J 


The  Naval  Victory  on  Erie. 


195 


lire,  but  the  long  guns  of  the    British  still  gave  tliem  greatly  the 
;iil\iint;i<;e,  and  the  Lawrence  was  exceedingly  cut  uj*  without  being 
able  to  do  but  very  little  danuige  in  reiiirn.     Their  shot  jjiereed  her 
sides  in  all  directions,    killing  the  wounded  in   the  berth-deck   and 
steera'Te,  where  they  had  been  carried  to  be  dressed.     One  shot  had 
nearly  produced  a  fatal  explosion  ;  passing  through  the  light  room  it 
knocked  the  snutf  of  a   candle    into  the  magazine;   lortunately,  the 
I'uuner  saw  it  and  had  the  coolness  to  instantly  extinguish  it.      it  ap- 
peared to  be  the  enemy  s  plan  at  all  events  to  destroy  the  Commo- 
dore's ship;  their  heaviest  tire  was  directed  against  the  Lawrence,  and 
blazed  incessantly  from  all  their  largest  vessels.     Commodore  Perry, 
tiniliiig  the  hazard  of  his  situation,  made  all  sail  and  directed  the  other 
vessels  to  follow,  for  the  purpose  of  closing  with  the  enemy.     The 
tremendous  lire,  however,  to  which  he  was  exposed,  soon  cut  away 
every  brace  and   bowline  of  the   Lawrence,  and   she   became  un- 
nrmageable.     The  other  vessels  were  unable  to  get  up ;  and  in  this 
disastrous  situation  she  sustained  the  main  force  of  the  enemy's  fire 
lor  upwards  of  two  hours,  within  cannister  distance,  though  a  con- 
siderable part  of  the  time  not  more  than  two  or  three  of  her  guns 
could  be  brought  to  bear  on  her  antagonist.     The  utmost  order  and 
legularity  prevailed  during  this  scene  of  horror;  as  fast,  as  the  men  at 
the  guns  were  wounded  they  were  carried  below,  and  others  stepped 
into  their  places ;  the  dead  lemained  where  they  lell  until  after  the 
action.     At  this  Juiu;ture   the  enemy  believed  the  battle  to  be  won. 
Th'3  Lawrence  was  reduced  to  a  mere  wreck ;  her  deck  was  stream- 
ing with  blood  and  covered  with  mangled  limbs  and  bodies  of  the 
slain;  nearly  the  whole  of  her  crew  were  either  killed  or  wounded; 
lier  guns  were  dismounted,  and   the  Commodore    and  his  officers 
[lielped  to  work  the  last  that  was  capable  ot  service.     At  two,  Cap- 
jtain  Elliot  was  enabled  by   the  aid  ot  a  fresh  V>reeze,  to  bring  his 
[ship  into  close  action  in  gallant  style;  and  the  Commodore  immedi- 
iately  determined  to  shift  his  dag  on  board  that  ship;  and  giving  his 
[own  in  charge  to  Lieutenant   Yarnell,  he   hauled   down  his  union 
jjaok,  and  taking   it   under   his  arm,  ordered  a  boat   to   j)Ut  him  on 
Iboard  the  Niagara.     Broadsides  were  levelled  at  his  boat,  and    a 
Ishower  of  musketry  from  three  of  the  enemy's  ships.     He  arrived 
jsate  and  hoisted  his  union  jack,  with  its  animating  motto,  on  board 
[the  Niagara.     Captain  Elliott,  by  direction  of  the  Commodore,  im- 
Imedialely  put  otf  in  a  boat  to  bring  up  the  schooners,  which  had 
■ken  kept  back  by  the  lightness  ot  the  wimL     At  this  moment  the 


VM\ 


The  JS/'ardl  I  'Ictorij  on.  Erin. 


Hag   of  the    I.invrcnco    was   hauled    (lo\\  ii.      She  had  siistainod  the 
priiu^ipal  f'oi-co  oi"  the  enemy's  tire  tor  two  horns,  and  was  rendere'l 
ineapa!»h'  of  defenee.     Any  farther  show  of  resistance  wouhl  have 
been  a  useless  sacritioe  of  the  relies  of  her  brave  and  mangled  crew, 
The  enemy  were  at  th(>  sa>ne  tim(^  so  cripided  that  they  were  un- 
able to  take  possession  of  her,  and   circnimstanees  soon  euahlcd  htr 
crew   to  again   hoist   her    llag.     ( 'ommodore   T'erry    now    gave  tlif 
signal  to  all  the  vessels  for  close  action.     The  small  vessels  under 
the  direction  of  Oaplain  Klliott,  got  o\it  their  sweeps  and  made  all 
sail.     Finding  the  Niagara  V»ut  little  injnred,  the  Commodore  deter- 
mined   upon    the   bold    and    deajterate    expedient    of  breakint;  ttie 
enemy's  line;  he  accordingly  I)ore   up  and  passed  the  head  of  the 
two  ships  an<lbrig,  giving  them  a  raking  tire  from  his  starboard  giiiij. 
and  also  a  raking  Hre  upon  a  large  schooner  and  sloop  from  his  lar 
board  (piarter,  at  hall  pistol  shot.      Having  gotten  the  whole  squad- 
ron  into   action,  he   liilVed    and   lai<l    his  ship   alongside  the  Britisti 
Commodore.    The  small  vessels  having  now  got  up  within  good  grape 
and   caimister   distance  on    the   other  (piarter,  enclosed   the  eneniT 
between  them  and  the  Niagara,  and  in  this  position  kept  up  a  most 
destructive   lire   on   both    (piarters    of  the    British,  until   every  shi(M 
struck  her  colors.  | 

The  engagement  lasted  about  three  hours,  and  never  was  victon 
more  decisive  and  complete.  More  prisonei-s  were  taken  than  there  I 
were  men  on  board  the  American  S(iuadron  at  the  close  of  the  actioc. 
The  [irincipal  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  onboard  the  Lw- 
rence,  before  the  other  vessels  were  brought  into  action.  Other 
crew,  twenty-two  were  killed  and  sixty  wounded.  When  heiHad 
was  struck,  but  twenty  men  remained  on  deck  tit  for  duty.  Tie 
loss  onboard  of  all  the  other  vessels,  was  only  five  killed  and  ttiirtj 
six  wounded.  The  Hritish  loss  must  have  been  much  more  consiJ' 
erable.  C'ommodore  Barclay  was  dangerously  wounded.  He 
lost  oiu'  arm  at  the  battle  of  Trafalgar.  The  other  Avas  imw  iw 
dered  useless  by  the  loss  of  a  part  of  his  shoulder  blade;  he  receive 
also  a  severe  wound  in  the  hip. 

Commodore  I'erry.  in  his  othcial  dispatch,  speaks  in  the  liii'hf"'! 
terms  of  respect    and  conuuisscratiou   for  his  woundeil  auta>.'t"ii"' 
and  asks   leave    to   grant   liiui    an    immediate   parole.      Of  Capwj 
Elliott,  his  secoiul  in  command,  lie  says,  "that  he  is  already  «"  ^"'' 

wn  t  ^  the  government   that  it   would  be  almost  superflin" 
-    eak.     Ill    this  action  he   evinced  his  characteristic   bravery  an^j 


The  Naval  Victory  on  Erie. 


197 


jnfi'^ment,  and  since  the  cloHe  of  it  has  given  me  the  most  able  and 
eHsenlial  assistance."'  The  bold  and  desperate  measure  of  pressing 
forward  into  action  with  tlie  Lawrence  alone,  and  exposing  her  to 
the  whole  tire  of  the  enemy's  Heet  for  two  hours,  before  the  other 
ships  could  be  got  up,  has  been  censured  us  rash  and  not  warranted 
l»y  the  rules  of  naval  war ;  but  thei-e  are  seasons  when  the  com- 
mander must  rely  more  on  the  daring  promptness  of  his  measures 
than  on  nice  calculations  of  comparative  strength.  Neither  Bona- 
parte nor  Nelson  ever  stop[)ed  to  measure  accurately  the  strength 
ot  the  respective  combatants.  The  result  is  the  acknowledged  and 
•generally  the  best  criterion  of  merit ;  and  it  sliould  not  detract  from 
the  eclat  of  the  successful  commander,  that  his  measures  were  bold 
and  decisive. 

Two  days  after  the  battle,  two  Iiuiian  chiefs,  who  had  been  selected 
tor  their  skill  as  mai'ksmen,  and  stationed  in  the  tops  ot  the  Detroit 
for  the  purpose  of  picking  off  the  Atuerican  officers,  were  found 
snugly  stowed  away  in  the  hold  of  the  Detroit.  These  savages, 
who  had  been  accustomed  to  ships  of  no  greater  magnitude  than 
what  tliey  could  sling  on  their  backs,  when  the  action  became  warm 
were  so  panic-struck  ai;  the  terrors  of  the  scene  and  the  strange 
perils  that  surrounded  them,  that,  looking  at  each  other  with  amaze- 
ment, they  vociferated  their  significant  ''  (/uon/i,"  and  precipitately 
descended  to  the  hold.  In  their  British  uniforms  hanging  in  bags 
upon  their  famished  bodies,  they  were  brought  before  Commodore 
Perry,  fed.  and  discharged ,  no  further  parole  being  necessai'y  to 
prevent  their  afterwards  engaging  in  the  contest.  The  slain  of  the 
crews  both  of  squadrons  were  committed  to  the  lake  immediately  after 
the  action.  The  next  day  the  funeral  obse((uies  of  the  American 
and  British  othcers  who  had  fallen,  were  performed  at  an  opening 
on  the  margin  of  the  bay,  in  .'in  a|)propriate  and  affecting  manner. 
The  crews  of  both  fleets  united  in  the  ceremony.  The  stillness  of 
the  weather — the  procession  o!'  boats — the  music — the  slow  and 
regular  motion  of  the  oars,  striking  in  exact  time  with  the  notes  of 
the  solemn  dirge — the  mournful  waving  of  the  flags — the  sound  of 
ilie  minute-guns  from  all  the  ship.s — the  wild  and  solitary  aspect  of 
the  |)l;ic(. — gave  to  these  funeral  rites  a  most  impressive  influence, 
:iii'l  forming  an  affcictiug  contrast  with  the  terrible  conflict  of  th«' 
preceding  Jay.  Th.-n  the  people  of  the  two  S(|uadrons  were  en- 
;'a<ied  iu  the  deadly  strife  of  arms  ;  now  they  were  associated  as 
^mherti  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  slain  of  both  nations. 


1 1    ^.i 


108 


Arrangements  f 07'  Immdimj  Canada. 


Two  Amorican  officers,  Lietitenant  Brooks  and  MirlshipmanLaub, 
of  the  Lawrence;  and  three  British,  Captiiin  P"'innis  and  Lieutenant 
Stoke,  of  the  Charh)l  te,  and  Lieutenant  Garland,  of  the  Detroit,  lie 
interred  by  the  side  of  each  other  in  this  lonely  place  on  the  margin 
of  the  lake,  a  few  paces  from  the  beach. 

This  interesting  battle  was  fought  midway  of  the  lake,  between 
the  two  hostile  armies,  who  lay  on  the  opposite  shores,  waiting  in 
anxious  expectation  its  result.  The  allied  British  and  Indian  forces 
to  the  amount  of  four  thousand  five  hundred,  under  Proctor  and 
Tecumseh,  were  at  Maiden,  ready,  in  case  of  successful  issue,  to 
renew  their  ravages  on  the  American  borders. 

Meanwhile,  the  American  army  had  received  its  reinfoi'ceraents, 
and  was  only  waiting  the  expected  victory  of  the  fleet  to  embark. 
On  the  27th  of  September,  it  set  sail  for  the  shore  of  Canada,  and 
in  a  few  hours  stood  aroimd  the  ruins  of  the  deserted  and  wasted 
Maiden,  from  which  Proctor  had  retreated  to  Sandwich,  intpndingto 
make  his  way  to  the  heart  of  Canada,  by  the  valley  of  the  Thames, 
Previous  to  his  departure,  however,  General  Harrison  addressed 
Governor  Meigs  as  follows  : 

FuAXKr^iN'TON",  September  2ad,  lbl3. 

Be  pleased  to  send  a  company  of  one  hundred  men  to  Fort  Meigs, 
Thirty  or  forty  will  do  for  Lower  Sandusky. 

I  am  informed  that  the  term  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Findlay  will 
expire  on  the  22d  instant.  Will  you  be  pleased  to  order  there 
twenty  or  thirty  men  ? 

Yours  respectfully, 

W.\i,  Henry  Harrisoj^. 
To  His  Bxceilency  Governor  R.  J.  Meigs. 


On  the  li9th,  Harrison  was  at  Sandwich,  and  McArthur  took 
possession  of  Detroit  and  the  territory  of  Michigan.  At  this  point 
Colonel  Johnson's  mounted  rifle  regiment,  which  had  gone  up  the 
Avest  side  of  the  river,  rejoined  the  main  army.  On  the  2d  of  Octoher, 
the  Americans  began  their  march  in  pur.^uit  of  Proctor,  whom  tliey 
overtook  upon  the  5th.  He  had  posted  his  army  with  its  left  rest- 
ing upon  the  river,  while  the  right  flank  was  defended  by  a  marsh; 
the  ground  between  the  river  and  the  marsh  was  divided  lengthwise 
by  a  smaller  swamp,  so  as  to  make  two  distinct  fields  in  which  the 
troops  were  to  oparate.  The  British  were  in  two  lines,  occupying 
the  field  between  the  river  and  small  swamp  ;  the  Indians  extended 


m 


American.':^  Folloiv  vp  their  Victor tj. 


199 


from  the  small  to  the  large  morass,  the  grouml  being  suitable  to 

their  mode  of  warfare,  finrl  unfavorable   for  cavalry.     Harrison  at 

first  nrflered  the  mounter!  Kentuekians  to  the  left  of  the  American 

army,  that  is,  to  the  field  larthest  from  the  river,  in  order  to   act 

amiinst  the  Indians,  while  with  his  infantry  formed  in  three  lines, 

and  strongly  protected   on  the  left  flank  to  secure  it  against  the 

savi^^es,  he  proposed  to  meet  the  British  troops  themselves.     Before 

the  b.-ittle  commenced,  however,  ho  learned  two  facts,  which  induced 

liim  to  change  his  plans ;  one  was  tlie  bad  nature  of  the  ground  on 

iiis  left  for  the  operations  of  horse;  the  other  was  the  open  order 

of  the  English  regulars,  which  made  them  liable  to  a  fatal  attack  by 

cavalry.      Learning   these  things,  Harrison,  but  whether  upon  his 

own  suggestion  or  not,  we  cannot  say,   ordered  Colonel  Johnson 

with  his  mounted  men   to  cliarge,  and   try  to    break  the  regular 

troo]»s,  l»y  passing  through  their  ranks  and  forming  in  their  rear.     In 

arranging  to  do  this,  Johnson  found  his  space  l)etween  the  river  and 

small  swamp  too  narrow  for  all  his  men  to  act  in  with  effect ;  so, 

dividing  them,  he  gave  the  right  hand  body  opposite  the  regulars  in 

charge  to  liis  brother  James,   while  crossing  the  swamp  with  the 

remainder,  he  himself  led  the  way  against  Tecutnsi'h  and  his  savage 

followers,     'i'lie  charge  of  James  Johnson  was  perfectly  successful ; 

the  Kentuekians   received  the   fire  of  the  British,  broke  through 

their  ranks,  and  forming  beyond   them,  produced  such  a  panic  by 

the  novelty  of  the  attack,  that  the  whole  body  of  troops  yielded 

at  once.     On  the  left  the  Indians  fought  more  obstinately,  and  the 

horsemen  were  forced  to  dismount,  but  in  ten  minutes  Tecumseh 

was  dead,  and  his   followers,  who    had  learned    the  fate  of  their 

allies,  soon  gave  up  the    contest.      In  half   an  hour  all  was  over, 

except  the  pursuit  of  Proctor,  who  had  fied  at  the   onset.     The 

whole  iiumbi'r  in  both  armies  was  about  five  thousand ;  the  whole 

number  killed,  less  than  forty,  so  entirely  w^as  the  affair  decided  by 

panic.    We  have  thus,  says  Mr.  Perkins  in  his  Western  Annals,  given 

an  outline  of  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  which  practically  closed  the 

war  in  the  Northwest ;  and  to  our  own  we  add  part  of  Harrison's 

official  statement. 

"Tlu'  tr()o])s  at  my  disposal  consisted  of  about  one  hundred  and 
twonty  regulars  of  the  -iTth  regiment,  five  brigades  of  Kentucky 
volunteer  militia  infantry,  uiuh'r  his  excellency  Governor  Shelby, 
averaging  less  than  five  hundred  men,  and  Colonel  Johnson's  regi- 
ment of  mounted  infantry,  making  in  the  Avhole  an  aggregate  some- 


200 


Battle  of  flu  Tliames. 


iWwv^  abovt,"  tlirct!  thouf^iiml.f  No  (lis))<)sitioii  of  an  iirniy,  oi)j)ose(l 
to  nil  I  ndifiii  lorw,  can  he  Hale  uiile.<H  it  is  sccvircd  on  llic  llaniv.'s  and 
in  tin-  ivar.  1  liad,  tlu'relore,  no  difficulty  in  arranjijing  the  inliintrv 
conrornial)ly  to  my  general  order  of  battle.  General  TrottiT'* 
brigade  of  live  liundred  men,  formed  the  front  line,  his  right  upon 
the  road,  and  his  left  upon  the  swam]).  General  King's  brigade  a> 
a  secoiid  line,  one  hundred  and  lifty  yanls  in  the  rear  of  Trotter'^ 
and  Chiles's  brigades,  as  a  cori)s  of  reserve  in  the  rear  of  it.  Thest 
three  brigades  formed  the  command  of  Major  General  Henry;  tlu 
whole  of  General  Desha's  division,  consisting  of  t^vo  brigades,  \V(i\ 
formed  on  pole  nee  \\\)on  the  left  of  Trotter. 

"Whilst  I  was  engaged  in   forming  the  infantry.  F  had  directi'd 
Colonel  Johnson's  regiment,  which  was  still  in  front,  to  be  foniuil 
in  two  lines  opposite  to  the  enemy,  and  upon   the  advance  of  tlu 
infantry,  to  take  grounil  to  the  left,  anil  forming  upon  that  Hank 
to  endeavor  to  turn  the  right  of  the  Indians.     A  moment's  reflec- 
tion, however,  convinced  me  that  from  the  thickness  of  the  wood? 
and  swampiness  of  the  ground,  they  wotild  be  unable  to  do  anything' 
on  horseback,  and  there  was  no  time  to  dismount  them  and  pluot 
their  horses  in  security;  I  therefore  determined  to  refuse  my  lei'ttn 
the  Indians,  and  to  break  the  IJritish  lines  at  once,  by  a  charge  of 
the  mounted  infantry;  the  measure  was  not  sanctioned  by  anythiii!; 
that  I  had  seen  or  heard  of.  but  I  was  fully  convinced  that  it  wouli! 
succeed.     The  Americiin  backwoodsmen  ride  better  in  the  woods 
than  any  other  ])eople.     A  musket  or  rille  is  no  impediniont  to 
them,  being  accustomed  to  carry  them  on  horseback  from  their 
earliest  youth.     I  was  persuaded,  too,  that  the  enemy  would  be  quite 
unprepared  for  the  shock,  and  that  they  could  not  resist  it.    Con- 
formably to  this  idea,  I  directed  the  regiment  to  be  drawn  ii]tiii 
close  column,  with  its  right  at  the  distance  of  tifty  yards  from  tlic 
road,  (that  it  might  be  in  some  measure  protected  by  the  trees  from 
the  artillery,)  its  left  upon  the  swamp,  and  to  charge  at  full  sp«l 
as  soon  as  the  enemy  delivered  their  tire.    The  few  regular  troops 
of  the  27th    regiment,  under   their  Colonel   (Paul),  occupied,  in 
column  of  sections  of  four,  Uie  small  space  between  the  road  .aiil 
the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  the  enemy's  artillery,  and  souit 
ten  or  twelve  friendly  Indians  were  directed   to  move  under  the 
bank.     The  crotchet  formed  by  the  fi'ont  line,  and  General  Desliii's 


t  Thi8  estimate  was  too  high,  there  were  not  more  than  3,500. 
uuraerous.    See  McAfee,  Dawson,  &c. 


The  British  were  nearly  ae 


Jemimseh  Killed  hy  Johnson. 


201 


(livisi>)ii  WikS  an  iinportiuit  point.  At  that  phice,  the  venerable  Gov- 
ernor of  Kentucky  was  'posted,  who  at  the  age  of  (!6  preserves  all 
the  vigor  of  youth,  the  ardent  zeal  which  distinguished  him  in  the 
Ui'volutionary  War,  and  the  undaunted  bravery  which  he  manifested 
lit  Kiii/^'s  Mountain.  With  my  aids-de-camp,  the  Acting  Assistant 
Adjutant  (roneral.  Captain  liutler,  my  gallant  friend  Commodore 
Perrv,  who  did  me  the  honor  to  serve  as  my  volunteer  aid-de-cami), 
iiiul  lirigadier  (Jeneral  Cass,  who,  having  no  command,  tendered  me 
his  assistance,  I  placed  myself  at  the  head  of  the  front  line  of 
infantry,  to  direct  the  movements  of  the  cavalry,  and  give  them  the 
necessary  snpjiort.  The  army  had  moved  on  in  this  order  but  a 
slwrt  distance,  wlien  the  mounted  men  received  the  fire  of  the 
British  line,  and  were  ordered  to  charge  ;  the  horses  in  the  front  of 
the  column  recoiled  from  the  fire  ;  another  was  given  by  the  enemy, 
and  our  column  at  length  getting  in  motion,  broke  through  the 
enemy  with  irresistible  force.  In  one  minute  the  contest  in  front 
was  over.  The  British  officers  seeing  no  hopes  of  reducing  their 
disordered  ranks  to  order,  and  our  mounted  men  wheeling  upon 
them,  and  pouring  in  a  destructive  fire,  immediately  surrendered. 
It  is  certain  that  three  only  of  our  troops  were  wounded  in  this 
eliai'se.  Upon  the  left,  however,  the  contest  was  more  severe  with 
the  riulians.  Colonel  Johnson,  who  commanded  on  that  fiank  of 
his  reifiment,  received  a  most  galling  lire  from  them,  which  was 
returned  wath  great  effect.  The  Indians  still  further  to  the  right 
advanced  and  fell  in  with  our  front  line  of  infantry,  near  its  junc- 
tion with  Desha's  division,  and  for  a  moment  made  an  impression 
upon  it.  His  Excellency  trovernor  Shelby,  however,  brought  up  a 
regiment  to  its  support,  and  the  enemy  receiving  a  severe  fire  in 
front,  and  a  part  of  Johnson's  regiment  having  gained  their  rear, 
retreated  with  precipitation.  Their  loss  was  very  considerable  in 
the  action,  and  manv  were  killed  in  their  retreat." 

The  question  relative  to  the  death  of  Tecumseh  having  been 
mooteu,  B.  F.  H.  Witherell,  Esq.,  of  Detroit,  on  the  2Sth  of  Sep- 
tember, I8.5;),  addressed  a  letter  to  General  Lewis  Cass,  which  was 
iniblished  in  Volume  o  of  the  collections  of  the  State  Historical 
Society  of  Wisconsin,  extracts  from  which  are  here  given  : 

The  affidavit  of  Captain  James  Knaggs,  with  whom,  as  witli 
uearly  all  our  old  citizens,  I  believe,  you  are  ac<piainted,  will,  T 
think,  set  the  question  at  rest. 

Being  at  the  river  Raisin  a  few  day  since,  I  called  on  Captain 


202 


Tecitmseh  Killed  by  Johnmn. 


I 


Knaggs,  who  was  a  brave  and  intrepid  soldier,  in  the  Ranger  sorvicc. 

He  stated  to  me  all  the  circumstances  of  the  battle  on  theTlianu's, 
so  far  as  they  came  within  his  knowledge,  and  at  my  request,  he 
made  an  affidavit,  (a  copy  of  which  I  herewith  send  you,)  narriitini; 
HO  much  of  the  action  as  is  connected  with  the  death  of  the  great 
chief. 

Colonel  Johnson  stated  at  the  time,  uikI  afterwards  often  reiti  liUod 
it,  that  he  killed  an  Indian  with  his  pistol,  who  was  advancing  upon 
him  at  the  time  his  horse  fell  under  him.  The  testimony  of  Captain 
Knaggs  shows  conclusively,  that  it  could  have  been  no  other  than 
Tecumseh. 

Colonel  Johnson,  when  last  here,  saw  and  recognized  Captain 
Knaggs  and  Mr.  Labadie  as  the  men  who  bore  him  from  the  tield 
in  his  blanket. 

The  transaction  is  of  some  little  importance  in  history,  as  the  ball 
that  bore  with  it  the  fate  of  the  great  warrior,  dissolved  at  once  the 
last  great  Indian  Confederacy,  and  gave  peace  to  our  frontier. 
I  am,  respectfully  yours,  &c., 

B.  F.  H.  WiTIlKRKLL, 

State  of  MiniinA'N", 
donnty  of  Monroe, 


ss. 


James  Knaggs  deposeth  and  saith,  as  follows  : 

I  was  attached  to  a  company  of  mounted  men  called  Rangers,  at 
the  battle  of  the  Thames  in  Upper  Canada,  in  the  year  1818.  During 
the  battle  we  charged  into  tlie  swamp,  where  several  of  our  horses 
mired  down,  and  an  order  was  given  to  retire  to  the  hard  groiiiid 
in  our  rear,  which  we  did.  The  Indians  in  front,  believing  that 
we  were  retreating,  immediately  advanced  upon  us,  with  Tecumseli 
at  their  head.  I  distinctly  heard  his  voice,  with  which  I  was  per- 
fectly tamiliar.  He  yelled  like  a  tiger,  and  urged  on  his  braves  to 
the  attack.  We  were  then  but  a  few  yards  apart.  We  halted  on  the 
hard  ground,  and  continued  our  tire.  After  a  few  minutes  of  very 
severe  lighting,  I  discovered  Colonel  Johnson  lying  near,  ou  the 
ground,  with  one  leg  confined  by  the  bedy  of  his  white  mare,  which 
had  been  killed,  and  had  fallen  upon  him.  My  friend  Medard 
Labadie  was  with  me.  We  went  up  to  the  Colonel,  with  whom  we 
were  previously  acquainted,  and  found  him  badly  wounded,  lying  on 
his  side,  with  one  of  his  pistols  lying  in  his  hand.  I  saw  Tecumseh 
at  the  same  time,  lying  on  his  face,  dead,  and  about  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet  from  the  Colonel.  He  was  stretched  at  full  length,  and  was 
shot  through  the  body,  I  think  near  the  heart.  The  ball  went  out 
through  his  back.  He  held  his  tomahawk  in  his  right  hand,  (it  had 
a  brass  pipe  on  the  head  of  it,)  his  arm  was  extended  as  if  strikinir, 
and  the  edge  of  the  tomahawk  was  stuck  in  the  ground.  Tecumseli 
was  dressed  in  red  speckled  leggings,  and  a  fringed  hunting  shirt: 
he  lay  stretched  directly  towards  Colonel  Johnson.  When  «e 
went  up  to  the  Colonel  we  offered  to  help  him.     He  replied  with 


Tecumseh  Killed  by  Johnmn. 


203 


with  jjreat  animation,  "  Knaggs.  lot  me  lay  here,  and  i)ush  on  and 
tiike  Proctor."  However,  we  liberated  him  from  his  dead  horse, 
tooiv  his  blanket  from  his  saddle,  jdaccid  him  in  it,  and  bore  him  off 
the  field.  I  had  known  Tecumseh  Irom  m/  boyhood;  we  were 
lutVH  together.  There  was  no  other  Indian  killed  immediately 
aiouiid  where  Colonel  Johnson  or  Tecumseh  lay,  though  there  were 
manv  near  the  creek,  a  few  rods  back  of  where  Teoumseh  fell 

1  had  no  doubt  then,  and  have  none  now,  that  Tecumseh  fell  by 
the  hand  of  Colonel  Johnson. 

Jamks  Knaggs. 

.Sworn  to,  before  me,  this  'X'lA  day  of  September,  185;J. 

B.  F.  H.  WiTHERBLL,  Notary  Public 


'8,  ai 
ivin'^ 

■ 

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B 

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HI 

tlr.U 

B 

useli 

H' 

per- 

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to 
111  tlie 
Ivcry 

the 
rhicli 


The  Secretary  of  the  State  Historical  Society  ot  Wisconsin,  Mr. 
Draper,  adds  the  following  to  the  deposition  of  Mr.  Knaggs : 

"  Colonel  Johnson  was  invaribly  modest  about  claiming  the  honor 
of  having  slain  Tecumseh.  When  I  paid  Ivim  a  visit,  at  his  residence 
at  the  Great  Crossings,  in  Kentucky,  in  1844,  while  collecting  facts 
and  materials  illustrative  of  the  career  of  Clark,  Boone,  Kenton  and 
other  Western  pioneers,  he  exhibited  to  me  the  horse  pistols  he 
used  in  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  and  modestly  remarked,  '  that 
with  them  he  shot  the  chief  who  had  confronted  and  wounded  liim  in 
the  engagement.' " 

Alluding  to  (Japtain  Knaggs'  statement,  the  honisville  Journal 
remarked:  ''A  new  witness  has  appeared  in  the  newspapers  testi- 
fying to  facts  which  tend  to  show  that  CoJonel  R  M.  Johnson 
killed  Tecumseh.  The  Colonel  was  certainly  brave  enough  to  meet 
and  kill  a  dozen  Indians,  and  if  he  didn't  kill  Tecumseh,  he  no  doubt 
would  have  done  it  if  he  had  ha<l  a  chance.  He  himself  was  often 
interrogated  upon  the  subject,  and  his  reply  upon  at  least  one  occa- 
sion was  capital :  '  They  say  I  killed  him  ;  how  could  I  tell  'f  I  was 
in  too  much  of  a  hurry,  when  he  was  advancing  upon  me,  to  ask 
him  his  name,  or  inquire  after  the  health  of  his  family.  I  tired  as 
4uick  as  convenient,  and  he  fell.  If  it  had  been  Tecumseh  or  the 
Prophet,  it  would  have  been  all  the  same.'  " 

>^liortly  after  the  fore>,'oing  pultiicatioii,  Mr.  Witherell  commu- 
uieated  tlie  following  to  a  J3etroit  journal : 

'"Captain  Knaggs,  who  is  spoken  ol"  in  that  communication,  is  a 
liishly  respectable  citizen  of  Monroe,  and  was  one  of  the  most  active 
and  useful  partisans  in  service  during  the  war  of  1813.    Almost  iu- 


ii^i 


204 


Nohh  Qualities  in  Tec^irnseh. 


niiriioniblo  and  miraculous  wor-  liis  "hairbreadth  'sca|)08"  IVoni  the 

"Ho  rehiU'd  to  nic,  when  I  last  saw  him.  sevi^ral  anecdotes  ^r 
Tecumseh,  which  will  illustrate  his  character.  Am()n<;st  others,  \w 
states  that  while  tho  enemy  was  in  full  possession  of  tlm  country, 
Tecumseh,  with  a  large  band  of  his  warriors,  visited  the  Kaisin.  The 
inhabitants  along  that  river  liad  been  stripped  of  nearly  every  wwim 
of  subsistence.  Old  Mr.  llivard,  who  was  lame,  and  unable  to  liilMir 
to  procure  a  living  for  himscll  and  family,  liad  contrived  to  k(r|i 
out  of  sight  of  the  wandering  bands  of  savages,  a  ])air  of  oxen,  willi 
which  his  son  was  able  to  procure  a  scanty  support  for  tin?  family. 
It  80  happened  that,  while  at  labor  with  the  oxen,  Tecumseh,  who 
had  ome  over  from  Maiden,  met  him  in  the  roatl,  and  \valkiii<jf  up 
to  him,  said,  'My  friend,  I  must  have  those  oxen.  My  young  iikii 
are  very  hungry;  they  have  had  nothing  to  eat.  We  muni  have  tin 
oxen.' 

''  Young  llivard  remonstrated.  He  told  the  chief  that  if  he  took 
the  oxen  his  father  would  starve  to  death. 

*'  •  Well,'  said  Tecumseh,  '  we  are  the  conquerors,  and  every  thiiiL 
we  want  is  ours.  I  /nuf>t  have  the  oxen  ;  my  people  must  not  stiirvi': 
but  I  will  not  be  so  mean  as  to  rob  you  of  them.  I  will  pay  yoii 
one  hundred  dollars  for  them,  and  that  is  far  more  than  they  arc 
worth  :  but  we  must  have  them.' 

**  Tecumseh  got  a  white  man  to  write  an  order  on  the  Britisli 
Indian  Agent,  (Jolonel  Klliot,  who  was  on  the  river  some  distiincr 
lielow,  for  the  money.  '^IMie  oxen  were  killed,  largt,*  tires  built,  anil 
and  the  forest  warriors  were  soon  feasting  on  their  flesh.  Yoiiii;; 
Itivard  took  the  order  to  Colonel  Elliott,  who  promptly  refused  to  pay 
it,  saying.  •  We  are  entitled  to  our  support  from  the  country  Ave  have 
con<|Uered.  I  will  not  pay  it.'  'i'he  young  man,  with  a  sorrowful 
heart,  returned  with  the  answer  to  Tecimiseh,  who  said,  "  lie  won't 
})ay  it,  will  he?  .Stay  all  night,  and  to-morrow  we  will  go  and  see,' 
On  the  next  morning,  he  took  young  liivard,  and  went  down  to  see 
the  Colonel.  On  meeting  him,  he  said,  '  Do  you  refuse  to  puvfor 
the  oxen  I  bought?'  '  Yes,' said  the  (J(j|onel,  and  lu;  reiterated tlit 
reason  iV)r  refusal.  •  I  baiiglit  them,"  said  the  chief,  *  for  my  youii: 
men  were  very  hungry.  F  promised  to  ]»ay  for  tliem,  and  tliey,vW 
be  paid  for.  I  have  always  heard  that  white  nations  went  to  war 
with  eitcit  other,  and  not  with  peaceful  individuals;  tiuit  they  did  ii»i 
rob  and  plunder  poor  people.     /  vvill  not.'     '  Well,'  said  the  Colonel. 


J^'ohle  (^'ualities  in  lecumaeh. 


205 


•  I  will  not  piiy  I'lir  tlu'in."  '  )'ofi  vmw  dons  you  piciise,'  said  the  cliiof; 
'liiit  Ih'Ioi'o  'IVciimHch  uiul  his  warriorH  cuuio  to  lip;ht  the  battles  of 
tilt'  f^roat  Kin^'  they  had  enough  to  eat,  for  which  they  had  only  to 
tliank  the  Master  of  Mfe  aud  their  good  rilles.  Their  hunting 
. 'rounds  su|»|)lio(l  tlictn  with  food  cnougli ;  to  them  they  can  return.' 
This  tiircut  iirotluecd  a  (^Imngc  in  the  ("olonel's  mind.  The  det'er- 
tioii  ol' the  great chier,  h(^  well  knew,  would  imnifdiately  withdraw 
ill!  the  nations  of  the  Red  Men  from  the  British  service ;  and  with- 
out them  they  were  nearly  powerless  on  the  frontier.  'Well,'  saitl 
the  Colonel,  'if  \  must  jiay,  I  will.'  'Dive  me  hard  money,' .said 
Tt'cumseh,  '  not  rag  money,'  (army  hills.)  The  (!oloiud  then  counted 
out  a  hundred  dollais,  in  coin,  and  gave  them  to  him.  The  chief 
handed  tlie  money  to  young  Ilivard,  and  then  said  to  the  Colonel, 
'Give  me  one  (hdiar  more.'  It  was  given  ;  and  haiuling  that  also  to 
Rivurd,  lie  said,  '  Take  that ;  it  will  pay  for  the  time  you  have  lost 
in  i^etting  your  money.' 

"  How  many  whito.  warriors  have  such  notions  of  justice  ? 

'•  Before  tho  oomniencement  of  the  war,  when  his  hunting  parties 
iipproaelied  the\>hite  settlements,  horses  and  cattle  were  occasion- 
ally stolen  ;  but  notice  to  the  chief  failed  not  to  produce  instant 
redress. 

"The  character  of  Tecnmseh  was  that  of  a  gallant  and  intrepid 
warrior,  an  honest  and  honorable  man  ;  and  his  memory  is  res])ected 
by  all  our  old  citizens  who  personally  knew  him." 

The  following  letter  from  the  venerable  General  Combs,  of  Ken- 
lucky,  who  bore  so  gallant  a  part  in  the  defen.se  of  the  Ohio  and  the 
Maumee  Valley,  has  t)oth  local  and  general  interest: 

Editor  Historical  Record : 

You  ask  me  for  a  description  of  the  celebrated  Indian  warrior, 
Tecuii.seh,  from  my  personal  observation.  I  answer  that  I  never 
saw  the  great  chief  but  ouee,  and  then  under  rather  exciting  circum- 
stuucos,  hut  1  haye  a  vivid  recolUH3tion  of  from  his  appearance,  and 
intercourse  with  his  personal  friends,  I  am  po8Si.sseil  of  accurate 
knowledge  of  his  character. 

I  WHS,  as  you  know,  one  of  the  jirisoners  taken  at  what  is  known 
us  Dudley's  defeat  on  the  banks  of  the  Maumee  River,  opposite  Fort 
Mt'igs,  early  in  May,  IHIIJ.  Tecumseh  had  fallen  upon  our  rear, 
and  we  were  com])elled  to  snrrcmder.  We  were  marched  down  to 
the  old  Fort  Miami  or  Maumee,  in  squads,  where  a  terrible  scene 
awaited  us. 


206  General  CortiM  Eatimate  of  Tecumseh. 


The  Indians,  fully  armed  with  guns,  war  chibs  and  tomahawks— 
to  say  nothing  of  scalping  knives,  had  formed  themselves  into  two 
lines  in  front  of  the  gateway  between  which  all  of  us  were  houiul  tu 
pass.  Many  were  killed  or  wounded  in  running  the  gaiintlci. 
Shortly  after  the  prisoners  had  entered,  the  Indians  rushed  over  tlu 
walls  and  again  surrounded  us,  and  raised  the  war-whooj),  at  the  .siinif 
time  nuiking  unmistakable  demouhtrations  of  violence.  We  all  ex- 
pected to  be  massacri'd,  and  the  small  liritish  guard  around  us  were 
utterly  uinible  to  afford  protection.  Tlu'y  called  loudly  for  General 
Proctor  and  Colonel  Elliot  to  come  to  our  relief.  At  this  critical 
moment  '^I'ecumseh  came  rushing  iu,  deeply  excited,  and  denoiucd 
the  murderers  of  prixfmers.  as  cowanh.  Thus  our  livetj  were  spiiml 
and  wu  were  sent  down  to  theHeetat  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  (now 
Toledo)  and  from  that  place  jku'oss  the  end  of  the  lake  to  lliudii 
and  paroled. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  noble  countenance,  gallant  bearing  iiml 
sonorous  voice  of  that  remarkable  man,  whiK'  adilressing  his  warriors 
in  our  behalf. 

He  was  then  between  forty  and  forty-live  years  of  age.  His  fraiiif 
was  vigorous  and  robust,  l»ut  he  was  not  fat,  weighing  about  nik 
hundred  and  seveuty  pounds.  Five  feet  ten  inches  was  his  lieinlit. 
He  had  a  liigh,  projecting  forehead,  and  broad,  oiien  countenance ;  ami 
there  was  something  noble  and  commanding  in  all  his  actions.  Hf 
was  brave,  humane  and  generous,  and  never  allowed  a  prisoner  to 
be  massacred  if  he  cou.d  j)re\ent  i.  At  Fort  Miami  he  saved  tlii' 
lives  of  all  of  us  who  had  survived  running  the  gauntlet.  He  after- 
wards released  seven  Shawanese  belonging  to  my  conunand,  andsiiit 
them  home  on  i)arole.  Tecumseh  was  a  Shawanese,  His  name  sjiriii 
fled  in  their  language,  Shooting  Star.  At  the  time  when  I  saw  luiii 
he  held  the  commission  of  a  Brigadier  General  in  the  British  Ann}. 
I  am  satisfied  that  he  deserved  all  that  was  said  of  him  by  General 
Cass  and  Governor  Harrison,  previous  to  his  death. 

Leslie  Combs. 

Lexington,  Ky.,  October,  1871. 


In  the  foregoing  is  presented  all  that  is  deemed  proper  in  a  history 
of  the  Maumee  Valley  relating  to  events  connected  with  the  warol 
1812-15.  The  chapter  is  concluded  by  a  publication,  for  the  lirst 
time,  of  the  following  communications,  some  of  vvhicii  possess  inori 
than  a  local  interest : 

Cami>  Mekjs,  June  20th,  1813. 

Dear  Sir  : — Two  men,  one  a  Frenchman  and  the  other  a  prinu 
in  the  late  Colonel  Dudley's  regiment,  have  just  arrived  from  Detroit. 
and  from  whom  we  have  the  important  intelligence  that  the  eiieui) 
contemplate  another  attack  upon  this  gari'ison. 


General  Clay  to  General  Harrison. 


207 


Tlu'  Frel^^lm^!ln  states  that  tlu^  fndians  had  for  some  time  been 
iiwiii"  (roiu'iiil  l*roctor  to  renew  the  attack.  A  council  of  war  was 
held  a  f<'W  days  since,  in  wliich  it  was  determined  to  renew  the 
uttiiclc  on  Fort  Meifj:s,  and  tiie  coml)ined  forces  were  to  set  out  on  this 
(lav,  or  to-morrow  at  farthest,  with  tluit  vit'W. 

Krotn  every  information,  the  Indians  would  he  about  four  thou- 
■;:inil  strong,  with  the  exjurtation  of  additional  reinforcements  of 
lierlmps  as  many  more. 

Tilt'  Hriti^'h  regulars  trom  Fort  (ieorge  ami  Erie  had  been  sent  for, 
and  were  ex])ocr.e(l  at  iVlalden,  about,  one  thousilud  six  hundred  strong. 
Till' C'unadian  jnilitia  had  been  paraded  on  the  4th  of  June,  (the 
King's  birthday,)  and  after  a  siieech  by  the  General  had  been  t»rdered 
to  yield   u|)  Iheii-  arms,  being  deemed   unworthy  of  his  ^lajesty's 

SIM'viOf. 

'IVeumseh  was  encamped  at  the  river  Songe,  near  its  mouth. 

The  prisoner,  Thomas  Lowe,  of  Captain  Kerr's  comjjany  Kentucky 

militia,  states  that,  "  on   the  5th  of  May,  he  was  taken   prisoner  by 

the  Indians  and  carried  about  one    hundred   and   lifly  miles  above 

Dotnut.  to   the  Sagaua  tribe,  where   he    remaii\ed   with  two  other 

lirisoners   until    a    W'w   days   jKist,  when  all  three  attempted  their 

escape.    They  were  discovered  by  the  Indians,  tired  on  and  scattered, 

Iput  neitlu'r  of  them   killed.     He  made  his  way  good  to  the  neigh- 

iKuiinod  of  Detroit,  where  he    fell   in    with   the  Frenchman,  whose 

srutement  precedes,  and  who  agreed  to  accompany  him  to  this  place. 

That  a  small  distance  from   Detroit  he  was  met  or  overtak<n  by  a 

large,  portly  man  of  fair  complexion,  who  told  him  to  hurry  on  to 

this  place  with  all  posf^ible  speed,  and  inform  the  commanding  oliicer 

here  thai    this  place  would   l)e  again   besieged.     The  I'uemy  would 

consist  of  abdur  four  thousaiul  Indians,  one  thousand  five  hundred 

oror.e  thousand  six  hundred  regulars,  (a  reinforcement  just  arrived 

at  Maiden,)  and  the  whole  of  the  regular  force  from  that  post  ;  and 

tliat  the  enemy  would  set  out  for  this  i)lace  by  to-morrow,  or  Monday 

at  tiirtlu'St.     He  also  states  that  previmis  to  his  leaving  the  Indians, 

luaiiy  all  the   women  of  the  Sagana  tribe  had  left  their  towns  for 

Detroit;  tluit  the  person  who  gave  him  this  information  states,  as 

his  opinion,  that  the  enemy  intended  an  attack  on  the  posts  in  the 

ivar  of  this,  and   that  his   opinion    was   founded   on    information 

received  from  a  squaw. 

The  officers  of  the  garrison  have  been  generally  consulted,  and 
they  give  the  fullest  conlidcnce  to  the  belief  that  the  enemy  contem- 
plate another  attack  on  this  fort;  nor  do  I  hesitate  to  join  in  the 
belief. 

The  importance  of  this  communication  to  you  needs  no  comment 
IVeiii  me. 

We  .shall  be  prejiared  to  give  our  enemy  a  warm  reception,  come 
when  they  will. 

1  have  every  confidence  in  your  exertions,  and  feel  that  it  is 
I  tl'ioiigh  you  this  army  looks  for  triumph  over  our  enemies. 


208 


J.  Van  Home  to  Governor  Meigs. 


I  have  sent  expresses  in  different  routes  and  to  different  posts,  tn 
meet  you,  and  enclosed  copies  of  this  communication  to  Governors 
Meigs  and  Shelby,  and  have  taken  the  liberty  to  order  Cojoin'l 
Johnston's  regiment  of  mounted  men  from  Foit  Winchester  to  this 
])lace  immediately. 

By  dilferent  detachments  sent  from  this  place,  we  have  receivtd 
from  Fort  Winchester  about  one  thousand  two  hundred  barrels  Hour, 
including  that  escorted  from  Anninda  by  Ensign  Gray. 

I  am,  with  high  consideration  and  resjiect, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

Gkkkx  (Jlav. 
To  Major  General  Harrison. 


Zanesvili.k,  7th  Augusf,  ISin. 

Sir: — The  communication  of  Mr.  Beard,  of  the  3l!^t  of  July. 
announcing  the  marching  and  arrival  of  so  many  troops  for  tlic 
relief  of  Fort  Meigs,  has  been  duly  received. 

I  forwarded  to  General  McCounell,  and  also  tu  General  Paiil's 
brigade,  the  orders  for  two  hundred  men  each. 

Captain  Buell,  the  bearer  hereof,  is  on  his  way  with  a  large  com- 
pany of  mounted  men  Irom  Marietta.  I  furnished  him  witli  a  ft« 
cartridges.  Having  sent  nearly  all  the  lead  on  hand  to  the  order 
of  Colonel  Enos,  some  time  ago,  I  shall  have  to  purchase  load  \» 
work  up  the  jiowder. 

News  from  head(iuarters  has  been  so  various  and  contradictorv 
these  few  days  past,  that  we  have  been  in  great  anxi(!ty.  At  longtli, 
however,  it  seems  to  have  gained  belief  that  the  enemy  have  been 
repulsed  at  Lower  Sandusky,  with  the  loss  of  some  two  liiuidrjHl 
men,  and  fled. 

Calculations  are  making  here,  that  with  so  large  a  body  of  niiii. 
they  will,  when  concentrated,  move  on,  vithout  waiting  to  be  trail- 
ported  by  Commodore  Perry,  perhaps  to  Detroit  and  Maiden,  iiml 
restore  Michigan  to  its  rightful  st)vereiguty. 

Mav  your  progress  be  such  as  to  raise  the  siege  of  Fort  Mei?;. 
and  put  to  rout  the  hordes  of  red  and  white  savages  who  infest  th- 
frontiers. 

It  would  be  very  gratitying  to  be  informed,  from  time  to  time,  of 
the  real  state  of  things  in  eamft,  and  what  progress  (if  any)  tli' 
Northwestern  army  is  making.  The  various  and  eontriHlif't<iiT 
reports  afloat  here  (perhaps  designed  to  sport  with  and  harass  oiif 
feelings)  leaves  the  mind  in  a  perpetual  state  of  anxiety  and  pain. 

r  am,  sir,  your  Kxcellency's  ol)edient  and  humble  servant, 

J.  Va^  Horne. 
To  Governor  ii.  J.  Meigs. 


Cwrespondence,  1813. 


209 


Upper  Sandusky,  22d  July,  1813,  \ 
10  o'clock,  p.  M.     j 

Dear  Sir: — Mv.  Oliver  this  moment  arrived  from  Fort  Meifjs 
with  a  verbal  message  from  General  Clay  to  Major  General  Harri- 
son, informing  him  that  the  British  and  Indians  have  again  besieged 
tliat  place.  They  were  discovered  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river 
yesterday  morning,  21st  instant,  after  reveille.  The  Indians  had 
crossed  over  in  the  night,  and  had  succeeded  in  killing  and  taking 
off  seven  of  the  picket  guard.  The  force  landed  from  the  gunboats, 
iind  in  view  of  the  fort,  was  estimated  at  one  thousand  five  hundred 
British  troops,  besides  those  that  had  taken  their  position  in  the 
night.  Early  last  night  the  enemy  took  possession  of  the  ])oint  on 
this  side  of  the  river,  two  hundred  yards  below  the  fort,  where  they 
were  erecting  batteries.  Our  batteries  opened  yesterday  morning, 
and  we  lieard  several  guns  this  evening.  Ten  or  twelve  boats,  four 
of  them  rigged,  Avere  in  view  of  the  fort  vvlien  Mr.  Oliver  left  there. 
I  left  General  Harrison  this  morning,  at  Lower  Sandusky.  He  has 
five  thousand  regulars  and  one  hundred  militia  with  him,  and  Colo- 
nel Paul  is  within  twenty-two  miles  of  headquarters,  with  five 
hundred  regulars;  and  there  are  one  huiulred  of  the  twenty-fourth 
regiment  at  Fort  Ball. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  Bartlett,  Q.  M.  G. 
To  Brigadier  General  Lewis  Cass. 


To  His  Excellency  R.  J.  Meigs,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Ohio  : 

May  it  jilease  your  Excellency : — The  undersigned  inhabitants  and 
settlers  on  the  plains  of  Lower  Sandusky,  on  the  reservation  made 
by  the  official  agents  of  the  United  States,  sanctioned  by  govern- 
ment, beg  leave  to  humbly  represent  their  present  situation,  and 
their  future  hopes. 

In  the  first  instance,  B.  F.  Stickney,  Esq.,  as  Indian  Agent,  has 
denied  us  the  right  or  p;  ivilege  of  settling  on  this  ground,  and  he 
has  even  proceeded  so  far  that  he  has  actually  instructed  General 
Uano,  our  present  commandant,  to  dispossess  us  of  our  present 
inheritance. 

Many  of  us  whose  signatures  are  annexed  to  this,  have  been 
severe  sufferers  since  the  commencement  of  the  present  war,  and 
even  prior  to  the  declaration  thereof. 

Without  reflection  on  the  past,  and  willing  to  undergo  and 
encounter  any  difficulty  which  may  ensue,  we  humbly  beg  leave 
to  remain  as  we  now  do,  in  the  peaceable  possession  of  our  cabins, 
luimolested  by  the  interference  of  any  man  save  him  who  at  present 
eomniands  us,  and  to  whose  orders  we  pledge  ourselves  at  all  times, 
and  in  any  emergency,  to  be  subservient.     The  advantages  resulting 

15 


210 


Cwvesjpondence^  1813. 


from  a  settlement  of  this  kind,  iind  nt  ii  time,  too,  when  tlie  fruits 
of  our  labor  cannot  be  wanting,  need  not  be  recited  for  yonr  Excol- 
lency's  information. 

We  do  not,  neither  can  we,  attempt  to  claim  any  legal  right  lo  tlu 
ground  or  s])ot  of  earth  on  which  we  have  each  and  individually 
settled.  But  the  improvements  "which  we  have  made,  and  tlii' 
buildings  which  avc  have  erected,  we  trust  will  not  be  taken  from  ns 
without  the  interference  of  legal  authority. 

To  you,  sir,  as  our  friend,  our  benefactor^  and  our  Governor^  w( 
have  made  this  appeal  in  the  hope  and  expectatio]i  that  it  may  merit 
your  Excellency's  attention,  by  a  set  of  subjects  whose  hearts  im 
warmed  towards  you,  and  whose  breasts  will  be  unbared  for  youiit 
our  country's  call. 

Pennission  to  build  has  been  granted  by  CJeneral  (lano  to  thott 
who  have  erected  cabins  since  Iiis  arrival,  and  with  pride  ami 
pleasure  we  acknowledge  his  favor  i;nd  friendship.  We  renniin  your 
Excellency's  mo.st  ol)edi('nt  and  very  hnniblc  servants, 

(rEOJu^E  Bean, 
Geo.  Eii.MAriiN(jTON, 
Ji.  E.  Post, 
Asi^  Stoddaud, 

ISKAKl,    HaIIKINOTOX, 

M  OK  HIS  A.  Nkwman-. 

\l.   LOOMIS, 

Jesse  8KiN>fEH, 
W1LLIA.M  Leach, 
Walter  BuAiuiooK, 
Louis  Moshei.le, 
Wm.  Hamilton, 
Leaves  Geaneau, 
Pat  KICK  Chess. 
Loaver  Sandusky,  December  '.'1st,  1813. 


Headquarters  Ohio  Militia, 
Loaver  Sandusky,  January  IGth,  1814. 

Hear  Sir  : — I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  after  repeatail 
soli(!itations,  and  much    delay,   the   paymaster    has  succeeded 
obtaining  two  months'  pay  for  the  troops  under  my  comniaiul. 
have  sent  him  on  to  Detroit,  ai?  the  men  there  are  in  great  war;: | 
of  money  to  i)urcliase  necessaries,  etc. 

Yesterday  the  Lieutenant  and  Surgeon  of  the  Navy,  Champlai:: 
and  Eastman,  left  tliis  post  for  J:*ut-in-Bay.     They  arrived  the  eva- 
ing  before,  and  report  they  have  everything  arranged  to  give  tbi 
enemy  a  warm  reception,  should  they  visit  them.     About  forty  pi*'( 
of  cannon  can  be  l)rought  to  play  u])ou  them  at  any  i)oint.    Hi 
hoAvevcr,  tliey  want  men.    I  shall  send  in  the  regulars  from  Semftj 


as  soon 
from  tl] 

(lofailed 

jllSf,  ill'l 

fiat  (j  11; 
.U;ijor  V 
Niiiilcy, 
iiiiru'ill. 
''egiiiiiio 
fnfigiie  a 
'"g,  and 
s't'eiigtl). 
ninety  lo< 
iii'e  nselesi 
1  wrote  in 
to  the  Qi 
con  Id  Jiuv 
IC  tlirec  h 
'i"ve  savec 
liiive  nsed  ( 
'^«  I  belbre 
f'n>ir  term 
montl].    Xg 
'^'ecretai-y  oi 
of  the  pub] 
"1  Ji  toJerub 
^^''lich,  voii 
must  rely 
"'i'»ense'd( 

*'CilI'Ce   lit   ;i 

'Jiizzard  "- 
"s  is  nsnal,  1 
^^■^  'Jt'st  info 
"■'"'in  spriiio- 
"itervie;v.    " 
^'^'wl,  and  !)i;, 
lH)ssible.    it 
''qiial  to  th^. 

I  hav( 


'^0  Ills  Exeul 

.  P-  a^,six 
J"st  arrive(( 
"t'L'onnt  of  th" 

7'f  ''"uonnt 


Corre^ondence,  1813. 


211 


as  soon  as  possible,  to  reinforce  them,  which  is  absolutely  necessary 

from  the  Lieutenant's  representations  to  me.     We  have  not  had  the 

(letiiiied  account  iVoni  liuffalo,  etc.     Majors  N'ance  aiul  Meek  have 

just  arrived   I'roni    Detroit,  and  give  me  a  favorable  account  from 

that  quarter  as  to  tlie  exertions  of  Colonel  Butler,  to  whom  1  sent 

Major  Vance  as  an  express.     There  is  a  detachment  under  Mnjor 

Smiley,  up  the  river  Thames,  who  will,  I   hope,  fare  better  ilian 

liarwill.    Tiie  militia  are  very  tired  of  tiie  service  there,  and  all  aiv 

heginning  to   count  days.     They  have  had  an    immense  deal  of 

fatigue  aud  severe  duty  to  perform.     The  fort  at  Portage  is  i)rogress- 

iiig,  and  is  the  best  piece  of  work   in   the  Western  country  as  to 

strength.     The   men   draw    the   timber   to   admiration — eighty  or 

iiinetv  logs  a  day  without  a  murmur.     The  teams  have  been,  and 

are  useless  for  want  of  forage.    The  greatest  part  have  actually  died. 

I  wrote  in  November  to  Quartermaster  (iardiner  lor  funds  to  be  sent 

to  the  Quartermaster's  assistant  here   to  i)urchase    forage,   which 

could  have  been  obtained  two  or  three  hundred  miles  from  hore. 

If  three  hundred  dollars  could  have  been  sent  on,  I  think  it  would 

have  saved  the  United  States  three  thousand  ;  and  I  assure  you  I 

have  used  every  exertion  to  preserve  and  protect  the  public  ])roperty. 

As  I  before  observed,  nothing  will  induce  the  militia  to  remain  after 

their  term  of    service   expires,    which    will    be   the    hist   of    next 

month.    Is  there  any  information   from  (Jeneral  Harrison    or  the 

Secretary  of  War  on  this  subject?     I  am  only  anxious  on  account 

of  the  j)ublic  i)roperty  that  may  be  left  exposed.     I  have  this  post 

ill  a  tolerable  state  of  defence,  as  well  as  all  the  posts  1  command, 

which,  you  know,  are  scattered  from  Dan  to  Beersheba;  and  oacli 

must  rely  on    its  own   strength    for  its   defence.     I   have  had  an 

immense  detail   business   in   communication,  etc.     Flour   is   very 

scarce  at  all  the  frontier  posts.    1  have  been  between  "  hawk  ifud 

buzzard" — the  commissary  and  contractor;  and  between  the  two, 

us  is  usual,  must  fail.     What  a  wretched  system  of  warfare  !     From 

tl:e  best  information  I  can  collect,  it  is  my  opinion  we  shall  have  a 

warm  spring.      I  have  in  reserve  much   to  say  when    we  have  an 

interview.    1  have  had  some  severe  chills  and  fevers,  but  have  recoy- 

errtl,  and  make  it  a  point  to  have  the  men  attended  to  as  well  as 

possible.    It  is  allowed  that  the  troops  here  exercise  and  maneuvre 

w[ual  to  the  regulars,  and  are  very  orderly. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

John  S.  Gano. 
To  llis  E.\cellency  R.  J.  Meigs. 

P.  S. — Six  o'clock,  ]'.  M. — An  exi)ress  by  a  naval  officer  has 
just  arrived  from  Erie.  Lieutenant  Packet  has  given  me  a  full 
iim)unt  of  the  loss  of  the  posts  below,  at  Niagara.  The  enemy 
possessed  themselves  of  the  artillery,  military  stores,  etc.,  etc.,  to  a 
liuge  amount;  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  an  attem[)t  to  take  or 
iWstroy  the  vessels  at  Put-in-Bay  will   be  attempted,  and  Captain 


212 


Correspondence^  1814. 


Elliott  has  requested  a  reinforcement  of  two  hundred  men  to  send 
to  the  Island,  which  I  have  not  the  power  to  furnish.  I  havp 
ordered  about  thirty  regulars  from  Seneca,  aud  will  send  a  few 
militia.  My  troops  are  so  scattered,  I  have  no  disposable  force 
without  evacuating  some  of  the  posts  that  contain  considerable 
military  stores.  I  wrote  some  time  since  to  General  Harrison, 
recommending  him  to  send  on  the  recruits.  They  certainly  will 
be  wanted  as  soon  as  the  British  can  move  on  the  ice  or  by  water  to 
Detroit  or  the  Islands.  I  foar  we  shall  lose  all  that  has  been  gained, 
unless  great  exertions  are  used  to  reinforce;  and  supply  of  provi- 
sions is  much  wanted.  Joiix  S.  Gang. 


[Confidential.] 
Chillicothe,  December  13th,  1H14. 

Sir : — With  serious  concern  for  the  safety  of  the  Northwestern 
frontier,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  your  consideration,  and  that 
of  the  Legislature  of  Ohio,  a  statement  in  relation  to  the  situation 
of  atfairs  in  this  district. 

The  contractor  failed  in  November  to  supply  the  troops  at  Detroit 
with  the  ilour  part  of  the  ration,  and  they  are  now  subsisting  upon 
the  immediate  resources  of  the  adjacent  country.  The  advanced 
state  of  the  season  precludes  the  hope  that  any  flour  can  bo 
forwarded  by  lake  transportation,  should  it  have  been  collected  at 
Erie,  of  which  there  is  no  authentic  account.  A  considerable 
supply  is  reported  by  tlus  contractor  to  be  in  readiness,  to  be  taken 
down  the  St.  Mary's  and  Miami  of  the  lake  as  soon  as  practicable, 
of  which  there  can  be  no  certainty  until  April. 

/rhree  or  four  thousand  hogs  are  reported  by  the  contractor  to  be 
in  readiness  to  proceed  to  Detroit  by  the  route  of  the  Auglaize,  ami 
Hull's  road.  Subsequent  information  as  to  the  number  collected, 
and  the  price  allowed  to  sub-contractors,  induces  a  belief  that  net 
more  than  one  thousand  will  reach  that  place.  These  facts  have 
been  communicated  to  the  government,  with  a  request  that  funds 
might  be  transmitted  to  this  place  to  enable  a  special  commissary  to 
endeavor  to  supply  the  troops  of  the  frontier.  There  is  reason  to 
presume  that  a  delay  for  an  arrangement  of  this  kind  would  be  fatal; 
more  especially  as  it  is  the  intention  of  the  government  to  increase 
the  military  force  of  the  Northwestern  frontier.  I  have,  therefore,  to 
request  of  your  Excellency  to  solicit  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  toaiJ 
the  LTnited  States  in  effecting  this  important  object  in  such  a  man 
ner  as  they,  in  their  wisdom,  may  deem  most  expedient. 

The  loan  of  thirty  thousand  dollars  would  probably  enable  a  per- 
son duly  authorized  to  forward  to  Detroit,  by  the  way  of  Sandusky, 
Ave  hundred  barrels  of  flour,  and  fifteen  hundred  hogs. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Duncan  McAkthuk, 

Bi^.  Gen.  V.  JS.  Army  Coma§. 
His  Excellency  Thomas  Worthington,  Governor  of  Ohio. 


c'ouini 
comm 


Gfenera 


Qentleme: 

r  send 

(n'liera/  ' 

from  wh 

-Vorthwet 

these  ])os 

'iinst  inev 

of  the  ne.\ 

frontier  oi 

view  of  till 

htin-b  to  t 

fhese  posts 

treasure  of 

J  cannot 
WiWiest  oj)j 
'oi'  the  con 


^«  a  /i(ti 

fo  again  iut 

^■<^gai-ding  tl 

'^f'c  Kentuc 

"  )>ioiieer  eel 

/"  eoninic 

'.'•'^y'alettei 
">^  him  to  at 
'"'aress  befori 

™"'>tO'fora| 
"isoharge 
'"•y^'-s  ami  til 

from  -     •  ^  •' 


servino- 


Correspondence^  1814. 


213 


CiiiLLiccTiiB,  December  13tli,  1814. 

,v,^ji>; — I  hiul  the  honor  to  receive  this  evening  your  conticlentiiil 
coniMinniciition  of  even  date  herewith,  and  will  to-morrow  mornin«f 
communicate  copies  of  it  to  both  branches  of  the  Legislature. 

Very  respectfully, 

T.    WORTHINGTON. 

General  McArthur,  commanding  8th  Military  District. 


[Confidential.] 

OiiiLLiooTHE,  14th  December,  1814. 
Gentlemeu  of  the  House  of  Reprcsenfatives : 

I  send  you  copies  of  a  contidential  communication  of  Hrigadier 
General  Duncan  McArthur,  commanding  the  8th  Military  District, 
from  which  you  will  perceive  the  situation  of  the  posts  on  the 
Xorthwestern  frontier.  Should  the  United  States  fail  to  supply 
these  posts,  and  no  other  provision  be  made  to  support  them,  they 
must  inevitably  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  before  the  opening 
of  the  next  campaign.  Such  a  state  of  things  would  lay  the  whole 
frontier  of  Ohio  open  to  the  incursions  of  the  enemy.  With  this 
view  of  the  subject,  I  cannot  hesitate  to  recommend  to  the  Legis- 
lature to  furnish,  with  the  least  possible  delay,  the  means  to  supply 
these  posts,  believing  they  will  in  this  way  save  both  the  blood  and 
treasure  of  the  State. 

I  cannot  hesitate  in  believing  the  General  Government  will  take  the 
earliest  opportunity  to  refund  the  amount  which  may  be  advanced 
for  the  contemplated  object. 

Very  respectfully, 

T.    WORTHINGTON. 


As  a  titting  close  of  this  chapter,  it  is  not  deemed  inappropriate 
to  again  introduce,  by  way  of  most  i)leasant  corroborative  testimony 
regarding  the  sieges  of  Fort  Meigs,  the  name  of  the  brave  and  patri- 
otic Kentuckian,  General  Leslie  Coombs,  who,  in  a  speech  made  at 
a  pioneer  celebration  at  Cincinnati,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1871,  said  : 

In  commencing  his  address,  the  speaker  referred  to  having  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Pioneer  Association,  request- 
ing him  to  attend  their  meeting  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  and  deliver  an 
address  before  them.  In  ancient  Rome,  when  a  man  has  seryed  his 
country  for  a  term  of  twenty  years,  he  was  adjudged  a  veteran,  and 
discharged  from  further  service,  but  here  he  had  been  serving  his 
liearers  and  the  public,  as  a  man  and  boy,  for  fifty-eight  years,  with- 
out either  pay  or  promotion,  and  yet  he  could  not  obtain  a  discharge 
from  serving  them  still,  but  had  been  asked  to  speak  to-day  before 


214 


Speech  of  General  Leslie  Coombs. 


tlieso  young  Indies  and  gentlenien,  avIio  cull  themselves  Pioneer!?,  und 
liave  organized  themselves  into  a  society  for  reminiscences.  |Liiuo;h. 
tcr.  I 

And  some  of  ns  have  already  Ijcgun  to  show  marks  of  time  upon 
us.  Even  this  boy  (turniii;;  to  the  venerahle  Major  CJano)  lias 
grown  up  to  a  man  and  has  become  slightly  gray  since  I  knew  him, 
now  iifty  years  ago,  [laughter],  while  J  retain  without  dye  the  black 
hair  I  had  in  my  youth,  and  still  eat  my  food  with  a  good  ajipetite. 
using  the  set  of  teeth  unimpaired  with  which  f  was  endowed  In 
nature. 

The  speaker  then  said  that  he  would  refer  in  tlu'  course  of  his 
address  to  occurrences  which  took  place  lifty-eight  years  ago,  at  the 
time  the  war  of  1812-1.")  was  in  i)rogress  between  this  country  and 
Great  Britain.     In  its  cause,  we  })eople  of  the  West  had  but  little 
interest      It  was  a  war  waged  for    free  trade   and    sailors'   rights, 
and  we  people  here  had  little  or  no  interest  in  either.     The  matter 
of  free  trade  or  high  tariff  affected  tlu-  cost  of  our  merchandise  hy 
the  time  it  got  here,  after  l)eing  packed  across  the  Alleghcuios  on 
the  backs  of  mules  and  pack-horses,  while  as  to  sailors'  rights,  here, 
on  our  inland  river,  we  never  saw  a  sailor,  iind  scarce  knew  what, 
one  looked  like.     However,  when  the  tocsin  of  war  was  sounded,  the 
West  responded  prom])tly  and  nobly.     War  was  declared  on  the  18tli 
of  June,  1812,     At  that  time  our  northern  frontier  was  defended 
by  three  regiments  of  Ohio  volunteers,  serving  under  Generals  Mc- 
Arthur,  Findlay  and  Cass,   while  a  fourth  one  of  auxiliary  forces 
was  under  the  command  of  General   Tupper.     Kentucky  speedilv 
raised  five  thousand  live  hundred  volunteers,  part  of  whom  had  their 
rendezvous  at  Georgetown.     On  the  1 6th  of  August,  the  very  day  that 
Hull  made  his  disgraceful  surrender  of  Detroit,  they  were  addressed 
by  Governor  Scott  and  Henry  Clay  and  set  out  from  Georgetown  on 
their  road  to  Canada,  stopping  first  at  Cincinnati.     Here  the  news 
reached  them  of  Hull's  surrender.    They  then  at  once  set  ont  for 
the  Northwest,  making  Detroit  their  first  point  for  an  attack.    The 
Ohio  troops  had  but  a  line  of  small  forts  along  the  route  they  had 
traversed,  and  it  was  the  intention  of  the  ofiicers  to  make  them 
stopping  points  on  the  journey  northward.    We  then  had  a  small 
garrison  at    Mackinac,  another  at  Detroit,  and  still   another  at  :i 
point  on  Lake  Michigan,  where  the  s|)eaker  had  been  told  that  a  tol- 
erably-sized village,  called  Chicago,  had  since  been  bnilt.     Since  its 
occupation  at  that  time  the  place  had  grown  somewhat  famous  as  a 
])oint  whence  considerable  wheat  is  shijjped. 

Besides  this,  we  had  Forts  Wayne  and  Harrison,  both  of  them 
feebly  protected  only  by  small  garrisons.  Piqua  was  then  on  the 
frontier  of  the  Northwest,  while  the  most  northeasterly  point  was 
Mansfield.  Beyond  there  the  country  was  an  unbroken  wilderness. 
The  Shawanee  Indians  had  a  town  wheie  Waupaughkonnetta  now 
stands.  That  was  the  town  of  Tecumseh  and  of  Logan.  It  was 
while  General  Harrison  was  encamped  here  that  a  young  mau  ot 


Speech  of  General  hedie  Coombs. 


215 


this  city,  who  Imd  u  store  in  Fort  Wayne,  came  to  Iilni.  It  appears 
lie  luiil  hoard  of  TIiill's  surrender,  and  asked  Harrison  to  notify  the 
Fort  AVayne  <,'arrison  of  tlie  oocnrrence  and  send  it  reinforcements, 
freneral  Harrison  urged  tlnit  no  one  could  bo  got  to  undertake  a 
inurney  so  hazardous.  "I'll  go,"  said  the  man,  "if  any  one  man 
will  go  witli  me."'  Logan,  the  Indian  chief,  went  with  him  through 
tlmt  one  hundred  miles  of  trackless  wilderness,  and  when  they  got 
there  they  found  "K  Pluribus  T^iunn"  still  floating  from  the  tlag- 
stiiff.  Ilarrison  sjieedily  came  to  their  relief.  That  nnvn  who  went 
through  the  trackless  forest  Avith  liOgan  was  Major  William  Oliver, 
of  Cincinnati. 

But  all  this  was  before  tlie  speaker  had  taken  an  active  ])art  in 
the  war.  He  was  the  baby  boy  at  home,  and  his  mother  was  reluct- 
nut  to  let  him  go,  as  he  had  already  two  br()l:hers  in  the  service. 
And  it  was  not  until  Hull's  surrender  had  taken  place  that,  he  llually 
(ibtiiiiii'd  her  consent  ;ind  started  out.  When  he  reached  Piijua  he 
found  a  small  detachment  of  Kentucky  militia.  In  company  with 
four  companies  he  started  for  Fort  Wayne.  This  was  at  a  time 
when  there  were  lu)  railroads,  and  the  roads  over  which  ourpack- 
lioiws  had  to  transport  our  supplies  were  so  bad  that  the  next  spring 
you  could  trace  them  by  the  turkey-buzzards  feeding  on  the  horses 
which  had  died  from  exhaustion.  Once  we  went  foi'  tifteen  days 
witliout  a  morsel  of  bread.  We  had  meat-pork  that  was  not  so  fat 
;i3  it  grows  now — and  beef  from  cattle  that  were  so  delicate  in  body 
ihatit  was  a  standing  joke  with  »)ur  butcher  to  ask  the  boys  to  come 
;uul  hold  up  a  steer  while  he  shot  him.  [Laughter.]  When  he  got 
tht'i'o  he  was  appointed  as  a  cadi^t  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Scott,  and  as  such  served  during  the  first  campaign. 

It  was  after  this,  while  we  were  encamped  below  l'\)rt  Defiance, 
that  Logan  cauu-  into  camp  one  morning  with  two  other  Indians. 
Some  one  had  told  him  that  the  white  men  doubted  him  and  thought 
he  was  the  friend  of  the  British.  He  said :  "  You  shall  doubt  me 
110  more.  I  will  go  to  the  Kapids  to-morrow,  and  bring  back  with 
me  eitlier  a  prisoner  or  a  scalp,  or  else  I  shall  lose  my  own."  They 
Iheii  passed  out  between  the  speaker  and  his  fellow-guardsmen. 
The  next  night  about  midnight  they  returned,  and  Logan  was 
wounded  by  a  ball.  Tliey  had  been  toward  the  Rapids  and  re- 
turned. We  sent  Logan  up  to  the  ((uarters,  Avhere  the  ball  was 
extracted  from  his  body,  but  he  shortly  died.  We  had  but  one  horse 
in  the  entire  eami)  at  that  time,  so  we  fixed  up  a  rude  sled,  and  lay- 
ing Logan's  body  on  it,  six  officers  dragged  it  over  the  snow  up  to 
I'ort  Defiance,  where  they  buried  him,  to  keep  him  from  being  dug 
up  and  scalped  by  the  hostile  Indians. 

On  the  20th  of  December  our  troops  were  without  their  winter 
(lolhing.  lint  lew  of  them  had  shoes  of  any  kind,  and  the  only  kind 
liny  of  them  had  were  moccasins  made  from  the  skins  of  animals 
with  the  hair  left  inside.  General  AVinchester  had  decided  to  move 
over  to  the  Kapids,  where  Fort  Meigs  was  afterwards  situated,  and 


216 


Speech  of  0(m.eral  Leslie  Coombs. 


wanted  to  notify  General  Harrison  of  liis  departure  to  enable  him  to 
send  trooi)s  and  supplies  to  him  at  his  new  head-cpuirters.  This 
information  it  was  necessary  should  be  borne  to  General  Harrison, 
and  a  young  man  who  was  with  (ieneral  Winchester  volunteered  to 
bear  it.  That  young  man  now  stands  before  yon,  and  tells  the  story. 
[Cheers.]  It  was  a  terrible  trip.  Accompanied  by  a  guide,  weweie 
nine  days  on  the  road,  plodding  through  the  rough  snow  two  fed 
deep,  and  for  three  of  those  days  we  were  without  a  mouthful  of 
food.  General  Winchester  had  given  a  verbal  message  to  your 
speaker,  fearing  that  he  might  be  taken  prisoner  or  killed,  and  if 
written  messages  were  found  upon  him  their  plans  be  revealed, 
That  message  was  to  the  effect  that  General  Winchester  had  on  that 
very  day  started  down  to  the  Rapids,  where  he  would  fortify  him- 
self and  remain  until  reinforced.  The  speaker  then  recounted  at 
some  length  his  return  to  the  Rapids,  and  the  reception  of  the  news 
of  the  first  and  second  battles  of  the  Raisin — the  former  a  vietorv, 
the  latter  a  defeat,  and  his  subset^uent  visit  to  his  home  for  tlie  pur- 
pose, as  he  told  his  mother,  of  procuring  a  clean  shirt!  His  return 
and  the  interview  with  General  Clay  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  were  next 
referred  to. 

While  they  were  at  Old  Defiance,  on  the  Auglaize,  an  express 
reached  them  that  General  Harrison  was  at  Fort  Meigs,  and  daily 
expecting  an  attack.  General  Clay  at  once  called  a  council  of  offi- 
cers, and  it  was  decided  that  some  one  should  set  out  at  once  to 
inform  Harrison  that  they  were  on  the  road  to  relieve  him.  Tlk 
speaker  was  captain  of  the  spies  by  appointment,  and  he  thought  it 
was  his  duty  to  go  on  this  errand.  80  he  said  if  they  would  give 
him  a  good  canoe  he  would  undertake  to  go.  He  had  four  whito 
men — two  men  named  Walker,  and  Paxton  and  Johnson— and  a 
young  Shawanee  Indian  named  Black  Fish,  as  his  companions  in  the 
undertaking.  As  they  started  off.  Major  Shelby  said  :  *'  Remember, 
Captain  Coombs,  if  we  ever  meet  again,  that  it  was  just  six  o'clocli 
when  you  left."  The  progress  down  the  Rapids  they  found  by  no 
means  difficult.  "  It  was,"  said  the  s[)eakei',  "  rather  like  catchiiit; 
a  man  by  the  heels  and  pulling  him  down  stairs."  Black  Fish  \si> 
in  the  stern  with  a  steering  oar,  he  was  in  the  bow  looking  out  for 
the  course  of  the  stream  and  watching  for  any  surprise,  while  the 
other  four  took  turns  of  two  each  with  the  side  oars.  They  had  gone 
down  the  stream  some  fifty  miles,  part  of  the  way  in  imminent 
danger  of  being  swallowed  in  the  rapids,  and  were  apin-oaching 
Roche  Debffiuf,  a  small  fall  about  seven  or  eight  miles  from  the 
fort,  when  Jo.  Pa"' ton  said,  "Captain,  let  us  land  and  take  it  afoot. 
I  would  rather  be  scalped  by  the  Indians  than  drowned  in  this  d-d 
river."  They  did  not  take  this  advice,  however,  but  kept  on  in  the 
canoe. 

It  was  morning  before  they  reached  the  last  bend  of  the  river; 
and  when  it  had  been  passed,  and  they  saw  the  fort  before  tlienii 
and  floating  from  its  mast,  not  the  white  rag  of  disgrace,  but"! 


Speech  of  General  Leslie  Coornhn. 


217 


riiiribus  ITiiion,"  with  the  seventeen  stars,  they  jufiivo  a  grand  cheer. 
I  Apitlaiise. I  At  first  they  saw  only  a  solitary  Indian  on  our  side 
1)1'  ilio  river,  l)iit  a  moment  later  the  woods' seemed  to  swarm  with 
Ihciii.  At  once  they  commenced  to  fire  upon  him,  and  Johnson 
was  shot  through  the  body,  mortally  wounded,  and  Jo.  I'axton 
WDiinded.  At  last  the  Indians  cut  olf  all  hope  of  their  reaching 
lliurison,  and  they  turned  the  canoe  to  the  British  shore.  Here  Pax- 
tiiu  was  taken  prisoner,  and  the  speaker  set  ont  on  foot  and  reached 
I'ort  Deliuiice  on  the  .'Ul  of  May.  Afterward  when  he  met  Paxton, 
and  wa>  talking  the  event  over  with  him,  Jo.  Paxton  said  it  would 
liave  taken  a  peck  of  bullets  to  kill  him  when  he  saw  the  ihig  Hying 
(ivcr  Fort  Meigs  that  morning 

When  (Ji'iieral  Clay  arrived  at  the  head  of  the  rapids,  he  found 
OHver,  the  Cincinnati  man  he  had  spoken  of,  now  a  Captain,  ready 
M  start  out  on  tbo  same  errand  from  which  he  had  just  returned. 
Ill' (11(1  tliK«,  and  brought  back  orders  from  General  Harrison  to  land 
DM  the  Hiitish  side,  spike  their  guns,  run  the  gun  carringes  down 
tht-'  Inuik.  and  when  this  was  accomplished,  make  a  general  assault. 
The  speaker,  with  his  company  of  spies,  was  sent  out  as  soon  as  they 
landed,  and  the  first  music  he  heard  was  th(!  whistling  of  bullets 
lioiii  the  Indians,  when,  forming  into  line,  they  charged  U])on  their 
dusky  foes  and  soon  put  them  to  rout.  Following  them  some  distance, 
thfv  were  reinforced,  and  the  company  was  i'orced  to  retire,  with 
orders  to  lorm  again  at  the  batteries.  But  the  batteries  had  been 
taken  by  the  British,  and  they  soon  found  themselves  prisoners. 

On  their  making  a  surrender,  they  were  marched  off  to  Old  Fort 
Maiimee,  in  front  of  which  the  Indians  were  ranged,  and  where  the 
ciiptives  were  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet  to  reach  their  place  of 
imprisonment.  Here  it  was  that  he  first  saw  the  gallant  Tecumseh, 
who  came  at  their  hour  of  peril  and  saved  them  all  from  massacre. 
Aftor  being  released  on  parole  by  the  British,  he  returned  home  by 
the  Scioto  to  the  Ohio  river. 


(J  H  A  I'  T  K  II     III. 

INDIAN  TItKATIES. 

It  is  tk'onu'il  11  nmllor  of  iiiiiKirluuct!  to  iMiibudy  such  provisions 
of  the  Indiiin  ti'c'iiti(>,s  iis  cmhriicc  IuiuIh  within  the  Viillcy  of  tlii 
Miiimioc  jiiul  ivgioiis  im  modi  at  fly  iuljacciil.  Thuy  (ion.stituto  siicli 
viihiablo  liiudinarks  in  Western  iii.siury, and  bcai-  hu(']i  ch)SL'  rcliitioib 
to  tho  Indian  wars,  and  the  ellbrts  of  Knropean  races  to  establish 
their  religion  and  civilization  among  the  aborigimil  tril)cs,  that  tlk'v 
lind  a  proper  place  in  a  work  of  this  cliaracter. 

Among  these  ti'eaties,  Ihe  (ine  made  at  (ireonville  in  17!)r>will 
alt''act  marked  altenUcin.  In  tliis  negotiation,  (ienenil  Wiiyiic 
exhibited  tliat  iie  possessed  ti'aits  of  di[)lomacy  and  ,statesiuiiiislii|i 
whicii  slione  as  conspicuously  as  his  acliievements  at  the  lieiul  nf 
armies — brilliant  as  those  acdiievements  were.  His  sagacity  icil  liiiii 
to  include  within  the  sixteen  cession?,  loc-ated  from  each  othor  ai 
immense  distances,  and  distriltuted  ovei'  an  extensive  area  of  wildu- 
ness  country,  the  lands  upon  whicrh  are  now  establislnd  thoso  givai 
centres  of  commerce,  Chicago,  h-Lroit,  'i'oledo  and  Fort  Wiiyiii'. 
llis  foresiglit  was  also  manifest  in  securing  a  free  passage,  by  laml 
and  by  water,  througli  the  Indian  country,  that  eommuiiiciitioii 
might  not  be  interrupted. 

By  the  articles  of  ti  treaty  concluded  at  Fort  Mcintosh, 'ilsl  nl' 
January,  ITSo,  between  Ignited  States  "Commissioners  I'lenipotoii- 
tiary,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Wimi- 
dot,  Delaware,  Chippewa  and  Ottawa  Nations  of  the  other,"'  tin 
United  States  granted  peace  to  said  tribes  on  certain  conditions; 
among  which  were  those  mentioned  in  the  following: 


SIX    MILES  SytiARK    AT  TllK    MOUTH   01'    THK    MAUXIKE,    AND  SAX- 

DU.SKY    HKSKIiVATIONS. 

'•  Article  IV.  The  United  States  allot  all  the  lands  contained 
within  the  said  lines  to  the  Wiandot  and  Delaware  nations,  to  livi' 
and  to  hunt  ou,  and  to  such  of  the  Ottawa  nation  as  uow  live 


'Ireaty  at  Fort  Mr hitoiOi,  1785. 


21J> 


:licivoii;  tiiiviiig  iviul  reserving  lor  the  ('Htiil>li>*liim'iil,  of  Irmliii};' 
[Kists,  six  miles  8(|uare  ut  the  mouth  of  Miami  or  Omoe  rivor,  and 
ilicsiiine  at  the  jjortage  on  that  branch  of  the  Mig  Miami,  which 
riiiia  into  the  Ohio,  and  the  same  on  the  hike  of  Sandnske.  where 
tho  (ort  furini'riy  stood,  and  also  two  miles  S(|U:iro  on  each  side  of 
ilic  lower  I'jiiiids  of  Sanduske  riv(;r,  which  posts  and  the  lands 
;iiinc\i'(l  1(1  them,  shall  he  to  the  use  and  undi'r  the  government  of 
the  United  States." 

DKTUorr    DISTKKT    UKSKllVKD. 

AuT.  \ll.  The  I'nst  ol  Detroit,  with  a  district  beginning  at  lh(f 
mmith  of  I  lie  river  Kosine,  on  the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie,  and 
:iintiin<j  wi.st  six  miles  up  the  southern  hank  of  the  said  river; 
I'lnicc  iKirtherly,  ami  always  six  miles  west  of  the  strait,  till  it 
>t likes  the  Lake  St.  Clair,  shall  he  also  reserved  to  the  sole  use  of 
llie  rniteil  States." 

A  treaty  was  made  at  Fort  llarmar,  January  Utli,  1780,  between 
Arthur  St.  Clair,  (Jovernor  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
iiortlnvesl  of  the  river  Ohio,  and  the  Saclu'nis  and  Warriors  of 
ihc  Wyandot.  Delaware,  Ottawa,  (Jhijipewa,  Pottawatima  and  Sac 
Niition.s  en  the  other  itart. 

Hy  the  terms  of  this  treaty,  the  boundary  line  between  the  L''nited 
States  and  said  nations  was  bounded  as  follows  :  "  Beginning  at  the 
jmouth  of  the  Cuyahoga  river,  and  running  thence  \\\\  the  said  river 
;t!  1 1  the  ]H)rtiige  between  that  and  the  Tuscarawa  branch  of  the  Mus- 
|kiiii:inn:  tlicti  down  the  said  braiu'h  to  the  forks  at  the  crossing  place 
liDvi'  Fdil  Lawrence:  thence  westerly  to  the  portage  on  thai  branch 
liif  the  Bij^-  Miami  river  which  runs  into  the  Ohio,  at  the  mouth  of 
jwhich  branch  the  fort  stood,  which  was  taken  by  the  French  in  the 
Ivoar  A.  D.  1753  ;  thence  along  the  said  portage  to  the  Great  Miami  (u* 
ICmeo  river,  and  down  the  southeast  side  of  the  same  to  its  mouth  ; 
|tliriicc  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Erie  to  the  mouth  of  Cuya- 
!lii'<ra,  where  it  began." 

Am.  X  renewed  the  reservations  "  heretolbre  made  in  the  before- 
tiuntioned  treiity  of  Fort  Mcintosh,  for  the  establishment  of  trading 
i"|^t.-j,  in  manner  and  form  following;  that  is  to  say:  Six  miles 
hiiiiio  at  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  or  Omee  river  ;  six  miles  square 
^t  thr  portage  upon  that  branch  of  the  Miami  which  runs  into  the 

liio;  six  miles  square  upon  the  Lake  Sandusky,  where  the  fort 
lormerly  stood ;  and  two  miles  square  upon  each  side  of  the  lower 


220 


Treaty  at  Fort  Havmar^  1*789. 


|i!! 


rapids  on  Sandusky  river;  wliich  posts,  and  tlic  lands  annexed  to 
them,  shall  be  for  the  use  and  under  the  government  of  the  Uiiitei! 
States." 

Art.  XI  reaffirmed  the  provisions  of  the  seventh  article  of  tk 
treaty  of  Fort  Mcintosh,  which  reserved  the  district  of  Detroii, 
beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  "T}osine,"at  the  west  end  of 
Lake  Erie,  etc. 

Appended  to  this  treaty  is  the  following  declaration: 

"  Be  it  remembered,  that  the  Wyandots  liave  laid  claim  to  tlit 
lands  that  were  granted  to  the  Shawanese,  at  the  treaty  held  attk 
Miami,  and  have  declared  that  as  the  Shawanese  have  been  so  rest- 
less, and  caused  so  much  trouble,  lioth  to  them  and  the  United 
States,  if  they  will  not  now  be  at  peace,  they  will  dispossess  them, 
and  take  the  country  into  their  own  hands  ;  for  that  the  country i: 
theirs  of  right,  and  the  Shawanese  are  only  living  upon  it  by  tLeir 
jiermission.  They  further  lay  claim  to  all  the  country  west  of  tin 
Miami  boundary,  from  the  village  to  Lake  Erie,  and  declare  tliatii 
is  now  under  their  management  and  direction." 

And  a  "  separate  article  "  in  the  same  treaty  is  in  the  following 
words : 

•'Whereas,  the  Wyandots  have  represented,  that  within  tiie  reser- 
vation from  the  river  Rosine  along  the  strait,  they  have  two  village;, 
from  which  they  cannot  with  any  convenience  remove  ;  it  is  agreei! 
that  they  shall  remain  in  possession  of  the  same,  and  shall  notbeiii 
any  manner  disturbed  therein." 


A  Treaty  of  Peace  Between  the  United  States  of  America,  and  tlie  Tribes  of 
Indians  called  tho  Wyandots,  Delawares,  Sliawanoes,  Ottawa^,  Chippf 
was,  Putawatinics,  Mianiis.  Ed  River,  Weeas,  Kickapoos,  Pianliasliaif;. 
and  Kasltasliias. 

To  put  an  end  to  a  destructive  war,  to  settle  all  controversies,  iiniil 
to  restore  harmony  and  friendly  intercourse  between  the  said  Uuiwl 
States  and  Indian  tribes ;— Anthony  Wayne,  Major  General  com] 
manding  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  sole  commissioner f'J 
the  good  purposes  above-mentioned,  and  the  said  tribes  of  Indiaiiij 
by  their  Sa(;liems,  Chiefs  and  Warriors,  met  together  at  Grecnvi 
the  head([uarters  of  the  said  army,  have  agreed  on  the  followirl 
articles,  which,  wheu  ratilied  by  the  President,  with  the  advice  aiii!| 


11:  •■ 


Treaty  at  Fort  Greenville^  1795. 


221 


consent  of  the  Semite  of  the  United  States,  si  ull  be  binding  on 
them  and  the  said  Indian  tribes. 

AuTicLE  I.  Henceforth  Jill  hostilities  shall  cease;  jieace  is  hereby 
established,  and  shall  be  perpetual ;  luid  a  friendly  intercourse  shall 
take  place  between  the  said  United  States  and  Indian  tribes. 

Art.  II.  All  prisoners  shall  on  both  sides  be  restored.  The 
Indians,  prisoners  to  the  United  States,  shall  immediately  be  set  at 
lilierty.  The  people  of  the  United  States,  still  remaining  prisoners 
among  the  Indians,  shall  be  delivered  up  in  ninety  days  from  the 
date  hereof,  to  the  general  or  commanding  officer  at  Greenville,  Fort 
Wayne  or  Fort  Defiance;  and  ten  chiefs  of  the  said  tribes  shall 
remain  at  Greenville  as  hostages  until  the  delivery  of  the  prisoners 
siiall  be  effected. 

Art.  III.  The  general  Ijoundary  line  l)etween  the  lands  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  lands  of  said  Indian  tribes,  shall  begin  at 
the  mouth  of  Cuyahoga  river,  and  run  thence  up  the  same  to  the 
portage  between  that  and  the  Tuscarawas  branch  of  the  Mus- 
kingum ;  thence  down  that  branch  to  the  crossing  place  above  Fort 
Lawrence;  thence  westerly  to  a  fork  of  that  branch  of  the  Great 
Miami  river  running  into  the  Ohio,  at  or  near  wliich  fork  stood 
Loromie's  store,  and  where  commences  the  portage  between  the 
I  Miami  of  the  Ohio  and  St.  Mary's  river,  which  is  a  branch  of  the 
I  Miami  which  rnns  into  Lake  Fr'e;  thence  a  westerly  course  to  Y'?xt 
Recovery,  which  stands  on  a  branch  of  the  AVabash  ;  thence  south- 
hvesterly  in  a  direct  line  to  the  Ohio,  so  as  to  intersect  that  river  oppo- 
Isite  the  mouth  of  Kentucke  or  Cuttawa  river.  And  in  consideration 
J  of  the  peace  now  established ;  of  the  goods  formerly  received  from  the 
Bruited  states:  of  those  now  to  be  delivered,  and  of  the  yearly 
|delivery  of  goods  now  stipulated  to  be  made  hereafter;  and  to  indem- 
inify  the  United  States  for  the  injuries  and  expenses  they  have 
Isustained  during  the  war ;  tiie  said  Indian  tribes  do  hereby  cede 
land  relin(|uish  forever,  all  their  claims  to  the  lands  lying  eastwardly 
land  southwardly  of  the  general  boundary  line  now  described  ;  and 
itbese  lands,  or  any  part  of  them,  shall  never  hereafter  be  made  a 
|caiise  or  pretence,  on  the  part  of  the  said  tribes  or  any  of  them,  of 
war  or  injury  to  the  United  States,  or  any  of  the  people  thereof. 

And  for  the  same  considerations,  and  as  an  evidence  of  the 
jrcturning  friendship  of  the  said  Indian  tribes,  of  their  confidence  in 
^1k  United  States,  and  desire  to  provide  for  their  accommodation, 


ii     I 


222 


Treaty  at  Fort  Greenville^  1795. 


and  for  that  convenient  intercourse,  which  will  be  beneficial  to  boil: 
parties,  the  said  Indian  tribes  do  also  cede  to  the  United  States tlii 
Ibllowing  pieces  of  land,  to-wit:     1.  One  piece  of  land  «ix  miks 
square  at  or  near  Loromie's  store  before-mentioned.     'Z.  OnepietH 
two  miles  8(|nare  at  the  head  of  the  navigable  water  or  lantlint'oii 
the  St.  Mary's  river,  near  G'rty's  town.    3.  One  piece  six  iiiIIh 
square  at  the  head  of  the  navigable  water  of  the  Au-Glaize  river,  j, 
One  piece  six  miles  square  at  the  con^uence  of  the  Au-Ghiize  itii'i 
Miami  rivers,  where  Fort  Defiance  now  stands.     5.  One  piece  sis 
miles  square  at  or  near  tl  o  conliuence  of  the  rivers  St,  Mary's  ami 
St.  Joseph's,  where  Fort  Wayne  now  stands,  or  near  it.    (!.  On 
piece  two  miles  .S(|Uare  on  the  Wabash  river,  at  the  end  of  tiir 
jiortage  from  the  Miami  of  the  Lake,  and  about  eight  miles  wo;t- 
ward  from   Fort  Wayne.    7.    One  piece  six    miles   scjuarc  at  tl; 
Ouatanon  or  old  Weea  towns,  on  the  Wabash  river.     S.  One  pioce 
twelve  miles  s<|uar.'  at  the  British  fort  on  the  Miami  of  the  Lake, 
at  the  foot  of  the  rapids.     9.  One  piece  six   miles  square  at  tk 
mouth  of  said  river,  where  it  empties  into  the  lake.     10.  Uiiepiec; 
six  miles  square  uj)on  Sandusky  Lake,  where  a  fort  formerly  stow. 
IL  One  piece   (wo  miles  square  at  the  lower  rapids  of  Sandiijkn 
river.     12.  The  post  of  Detroit,  and  all  the  land  to  the  north,  tiiv 
west  and  the  south  of  it,  of  which  the  Indian  title  has  been  extiii] 
guished  by  gills  or  grants  to  the  French  or  English  goveninnnt-: 
and  so  much  mon-  land  to  be  annexed  to  the  district  of  Dotroita- 
shall  be  comprehended  between  the  river  Kosine  on  the  sDutli,  Lai; 
St.  Olair  on  the  north,  and  a  line,  the  general  course  whereof  sliaii 
be  six  miles  distant  from  the  west  end  of  Lake  Fa'ie  aiul  Detm: 
river.      13.   The  of  post  Michilliinackinac,  and  all  the  liuid  oii '!i 
island  on  which  that  post  stands,  and  the  main  land  adjaceut.i'; 
which  the  English  title  has  been  extinguished  by  gifts  orgniiitst'' 
the  French  or  English  governments;    and  a  piece  of  laud  on  tii 
main   to  the  north  of   the  island,  to  measure   six  miles  on  hi< 
Huron,  or  the  strait  between    Lakes  Huron  and  Mich ii^ an,  and t 
extend  three  miles  back  from  the  water  of  the  lake  or  strait,  an: 
also  the  island  of  De  Bois  Blanc,  being  an  extra  or  voluntary  gift « 
the  Chippewa  luition.     14.  One  piece  of  land  six  miles  square  at  tlitj 
mouth  of  (Jhikago  river,  emptying  into  the  southwest  end  of  L 
Michigan,  where  a  fort  formerly  stood,     lo.  One  piece  twelve  mi!' | 
sijuare  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  emptying  intii 
Mississippi.     IG.  One  piece  six  miles  scjuare  at  the  old  PioriaiS  l^f  I 


Treaty  at  Fort  Greenville^  1795. 


223 


¥i 


I « 


and  village,  near  the  south  end  of  the  Illinois  Luke  on  Euid  Illinois 
river:  And  whenever  the  United  States  shall  think  proper  to  survey 
and  mark  the  houndaries  of  the  lands  hereby  ceded  to  them,  they 
shall  "ive  timely  notice  thereof  to  the  said  tribes  of  Indians,  that 
thi'V  may  appoint  some  of  their  wise  chiefs  to  attend  and  see  that 
the  lines  are  run  according  to  the  terms  of  this  treaty. 

And  the  said  Indian  tribes  will  allow  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States  a  free  passage  by  land  and  by  water,  as  one  and  the  other 
shall  be  found  convenient,  through  their  country,  along  the  chain 
of  posts  hereinbefore  mentioned;  that  is  to  say,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  portage  aforesaid  at  or  near  lioromie's  store,  thence 
along  said  portage  to  the  St.  Mary's,  and  down  the  same  to  Fort 
Wayne,  and  then  down  the  Miami  to  Lake  Erie:  again  from  the 
conimoneement  of  the  portage  at  or  near  Loromie's  store  along  the 
portage  from  thence  to  the  river  Au-Glaize,  and  down  the  same  to  its 
jnnction  with  the  Miami  at  Fort  Detuince:  again  from  the  com- 
uicnccnient  of  the  portage  aforesaid,  to  Sandusky  river,  and  down 
tiie  same  to  Sandusky  Bay  and  Lake  Fa-it.',  and  from  Sandusky  to  tiif 
Lhopost  which  shall  be  taken  at  or  near  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the 
Miami  of  the  Lake  :  ;md  from  thence  to  I.)etr()it.  Again,  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Chikago  to  the  commencement  of  the  portage  between 
that  river  and  the  Illinois,  and  down  the  Illinois  river  to  the  Missis- 
sippi; also  from  Fort  Wayne  along  the  portage  aforesaid,  which 
leads  to  the  Wabash,  and  then  down  the  Wabash  to  the  Ohio.  And 
the  said  Indian  tribes  will  also  allow  to  the  people  of  the  L^nited 
States  the  free  use  of  the  harbors  and  mouths  of  rivers  along  the 
lakes  adjoining  the  Indian  lands,  for  sheltering  vessels  and  boats, 
and  liberty  to  land  their  cargoes  where  necessary  for  their  safety. 

Art.  IV.  In  consideration  ol"  the  peace  now  established,  and  of 
the  cessions  and  relin([uishments  of  lands  made  in  the  preceding 
article  by  the  said  tribes  of  Indians,  and  to  manifest  the  liberality 
of  the  United  States,  as  the  great  means  of  rendering  this  peace 
strong  and  perpetual;  the  Llnited  States  relin(iuish  their  claims  to 
all  other  Indian  lands  northward  of  the  river  Ohio,  eastward  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  westward  and  southward  ol  the  great  lakes  and  the 
waters  uniting  them,  according  to  the  boundary  line  agreed  upon 
hy  the  United  States  atid  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  in  the  treaty 
<'!'  peace  made  between  them  in  the  year  1783.  But  from  this  relin- 
'luishment  by  the  United  States,  the  following  tracts  of  land  are 
explicitly  excepted :     1st.  The  tract  of  one  hundred  and  lity  thou- 


224 


Treaty  at  Fwt  Greenville^  1795. 


sand  acres  near  the  rapids  of  the  Ohio  river,  which  has  been 
assigned  to  General  Chirk,  for  the  use  of  himself  and  his  warriors. 
2d.  The  post  of  St.  Vincennes,  on  the  river  Wabash,  jmd  1  he  lands 
a'^.jacent,  of  which  the  Indian  title  has  been  extinguished.  3d.  The 
lands  at  all  other  places  in  possession  of  the  French  people  and 
other  white  settlers  among  them,  of  which  the  Indian  title  has  been 
extinguished,  us  mentioned  in  the  third  article;  and  4th.  The  post 
of  Fort  Massac  towards  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio.  To  which  several 
parcels  of  land  so  accepted,  the  said  tribes  relinquish  all  the  title 
and  claim  which  they  or  any  of  them  may  have. 

And  for  the  same  considerations,  and  with  the  same  views  as 
above  mentioned,  the  United  States  now  deliver  to  the  said  Indian 
tribes  a  quantity  of  goods  to  the  value  of  !!!20,000,  the  receipt 
whereof  they  do  hereby  acknowledge;  and  henceforward  every  year 
forever  the  United  States  will  deliver  at  some  convenient  pliice 
northward  of  the  river  Ohio,  like  useful  goods,  suited  to  the  circiira- 
stances  of  the  Indians,  of  the  value  of  i|9,.500;  reckoning  tli at  value 
at  the  first  cost  of  tlie  goods  in  the  city  or  place  in  the  United 
States  where  they  sluiU  be  procured.  The  tribes  to  which  those 
goods  are  to  be  annually  delivered,  and  the  proportions  in  which 
they  are  to  be  delivered,  are  the  following :  [This  clause,  not  deemed 
essential  liere,  i.s  omitted.]  Provided,  that  if  either  of  the  said  tribes 
shall  hereafter,  at  an  annual  delivery  of  their  share  of  tlie  jrood- 
aforesaid,  desire  that  a  part  of  their  annuity  should  be  furnisl.'din 
domestic  animals,  implements  of  husbandry,  and  otlier  uteusi!^ 
convenient  for  them,  and  in  compensation  to  useful  artilicerswl)' 
may  reside  with  or  near  them,  and  be  employed  for  their  heiietit,  tli' 
same  shall,  at  the  subse([uent  annual  deliveries,  be  furnislRvl  acojrJ 

iiigly- 
Art.  V.    To  prevent  any  misunderstanding  about  the  Indian  la'Kl> 

relinquished  by  the  United  States,  in  the  fourth  article,  it  isexplif 

itly  declared,  that  the  meaning  of  that  relinquishment  is  this:  TIk 

Indian  tribes  who  have  a  right  to  those  lands,  are  quietly  to  eujov 

them,  hunting,  planting,  and  dwelling   thereon   so  long  as  thf> 

please,  without  any  molestation  from  the  United  States ;  but  whm 

those  tribes,  or  any  of  them,  shall  be  disposed  to  sell  their  lands,  ur 

any  part  of  them,  they  are  to  be  sold  only  to  the  United  States;  and 

until  such  sale,  the  United  States  will  protect  all  the  said  Indian 

tribes  in  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  their  lands  against  all  citizen.'^i'' 

the  United  States,  and  against  all  other  white  persons  who  iutnid' 


Treaty  at  Fort  Greenmlle,  1795. 


00  r: 


And   the   suid  liuliau  tribes  iiijiuu  ackn()wltHl<'e 


upon  ilu'  siiiiio. 

ilifinsolvos  lo  1)0  under  the  protection  of  tlie  said  United  Statea,  and 

no  other  power  whatever. 

AitT.  VI.  It"  any  citizen  of  the  United  States,  or  any  other  white 
person  or  persons,  shall  presume  to  settle  ui)on  the  lands  now  rclin- 
(luished  by  the  United  States,  such  citizen  or  other  person  shall  bo 
out  of  the  protection  of  the  United  .States  ;  and  the  Indian  tribe, 
on  whose  land  the  settlement  shall  lie  made,  may  drive  olf  the  settler, 
ur  punish  him  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  think  lit ;  ami  because 
such  settlement  made  without  the  consent  of  the  United  States, 
will  bo  injurious  to  them,  as  well  as  to  the  Indians,  the  United 
States  shall  be  at  liberty  to  break  them  up,  and  remove  and  punish 
the  settlers  as  they  shall  think  projier,  and  so  ellect  that  i)rotection 
of  the  Indian  lands  hereinbefore  stj[)ulated. 

AuT.  VII.  The  said  tribes  of  Indians,  parties  to  this  treaty,  shall 
be  lit  liberty  to  hunt  witiiin  the  territory  and  lands  which  they  have 
now  ceded  to  the  United  Status,  without  hindrance  or  molestation, 
so  long  as  they  demean  themselves  peaceably,  and  oiler  no  injury  lo 
the  people  of  the  United  States. 

Art.  V^III.  Trade  siiall  be  opened  with  the  said  Indian  tribes;  and 
they  do  hereby  respectively  enga<^'e  to  atford  protection  to  such 
persons,  with  their  [iroperty,  as  shall  be  duly  licensed  to  reside 
among  them  for  the  purpose  of  trade,  and  to  their  agents  and 
servants;  but  no  person  shall  be  permitted  to  reside  at  any  of  their 
towns  or  hunting  cam[)S  as  a  I  rader,  who  is  not  furnished  with  a 
license  for  that  purpose,  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  department  northwest  of  the  Ohio,  or  such  other 
person  as  the  President  of  the  United  States  shall  authorize  to  grant 
such  licenses  ;  to  the  end,  that  the  saiil  Indians  may  not  be  imposed 
i>u  in  their  trade.  And  if  any  licensed  trader  shall  abuse  his  priv- 
ilege by  nntUir  dealin^g,  upon  complaint  and  i)roof  thereof,  his  license 
.^liall  be  takon  from  him,  and  he  shall  be  further  punished  acconliiig 
to  the  laws  of  the  United  States.  And  if  any  person  shall  intrude 
liiinseU  as  a  trailer,  without  such  license,  the  said  Indians  shall  take 
;uul  bring  him  before  the  superintendent  or  his  deputy,  to  be  dealt 
with  aeconling  to  law.  And  to  prt^veut  imposition  by  forged 
licenses,  the  said  Indians  shall,  at  least  onc6  a  year,  give  informa- 
tiun  to  the  su])erintendent  or  his  deputies,  of  the  names  of  the 
traders  residing  among  them. 

16 


226  Treaty  at  Fort  Greenville,  1795. 


Art.  IX.     Lest  the   firm   [>eace  and  tVioii(l.sliii»  now  t'sfablisliPil 
should  be   intorrnpted  by  the  misconduct  of  individuals,  the  rnited 
States,  and  tho  said   Indian  tribes,  a^ree  that,  for  injnries  done  bv 
individuals  on  either  side,  no  private  revenue  or  retaliation   siiull 
take  place;  but  instead  tliereof,  complaint  shall   be  nuule  by  the 
party  injured,  to  the  other:    By  the  said  Indian  tribes,  or  anyol 
them,  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  the  superintendeni 
by  him  appointed:    and    by  the  superintendent  or   other   person 
appointed  by  the  President,  to  the  principal  (ihiefs  of  tiie  said  Indian 
tribes,  or  of  the  tribe  to  which  tlu'  offender  belonj^s;  and  sneli  inn- 
dent  measures  shall  then  be  ])nrsued  as  .shall  be  nect  ssary  lo  prej-ciw 
the  said  peace  and  friendship  unbroken,  until  the   Ijcf^i.slatnrc  (or 
Great  C'onncil)  of  the  United   States  shall    make   other  equitalil-' 
provision  in  the  case,  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties.     ShoiiM 
any  Indian  tril)es  meditate  a  war  against  the  United  States,  or  eitliur 
of  them,  and  the  same  shall  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  beforemcD- 
tioned  tribes,  or  either  of   them,  they  do   hereby  engage   to  givf 
immediate   notice   thereof   to    the  general  cr   oflicer   commandinL' 
the  troops  of  the  IFnited  States,  at  the  nearest  post.     And  shoiikl 
any   tribe,  with   hostile   intentions  against   tlie  United   States,  uf 
either  of  them,  attempt  to  pass  through  their  country,  they  will 
endeavor  to  prevent  the  same,  and  in    like  manner  give  infoniiii- 
tion  of  such  attempt  to  the  general  or  officer  commanding,  as  soon 
as  possible,  that  all  causes  of  distrust  or  suspicion  nuiy  be  avoided 
between  them  and  the  United  States.    In  like  manner  the  ITnittil 
States  shall  give  notice  to  the  said  Indian  tribes  of  any  harm  that 
may  be  meditated  against  them,  or  either  of  them,  that  shall  couk- 
to  their  knowledge :  and  do  all  in  their  j)Ower  to  hinder  and  prevenl 
the  same,  that  the  friendship  between  them  may  be  uninterrupted, 

Art.  X.  All  other  treaties  heretofore  made  between  the 
United  States  and  the  said  Indian  tribes,  or  any  of  them,  since 
the  treaty  of  178.%  between  the  United  States  and  (Jreat  Britain. 
that  come  within  the  pnrview  of  this  treaty,  shall  henceforth  cease 
and  become  void. 
In  testimony  whereof,  the  said  Anthony  Wayne,  and  the  Sacheui! 

and  War-Chiefs  of   the  before-mentioned  Nations  and  Tribes  of 

Indians,  have   hereunto  set  their  hands  and  affixed  their  seals. 

Done  at  Greenville,  in  the  Territory  of  the  United  States,  uortii- 

west  of  the  river  Ohio,  on  the  3d  day  of  Augst,  one  thousaud 

seven  hundred  and  ninety-five. 


lii 


Treaty  at  Fort  Indus^-tj. 


"  A  treat)'  between  the  United  Stnf «        7~,  ~ 

warriors  of  the  Wyandot,  Ottawa  Th  .  ^^<^^^rn,,  chiefs  and 

.;^awanee  and  PoLwatima  raro^^rT'lT' ^"°^^^'  ^«^— 
Miami  of  the  Lake,  on  the  mTyVjZvf,^  ''  ^'''  ^"^"^^^7 

111  Article  II.  of  this  tmn,     l  ■    .         ^  ^'  ^^■>  ^««5.'' 

l»  a  meridian  li„„  ,,,.„„  No,.  ,  an  Sn,M"T"'' "'"'"""■«•"■'■■ 
to  be  erected  on  the  south  sho,  „T  1  „.""*'' "  ''"""'•"•y 
I'venty  miles  duo  west  of  the  wo«,   1         ,       "'•  °""  >»»'>lred  and 

ol  Ill's  irnitod  .States,  and  oUen  ?"™'"  "'"  ''"'""''"■y  line 

'.^.-etofore  „„ai,li,,l,od  l,y    1,"    ^   ':'?,,7,""'  """'  "  tate,.,eot«  f      e 

AllT.  III.     ..Tr,„  T.,  ]•  '^  °'  •''■ee'iviilo,'  ' 

o;.fH™dshi„  totho'SdTtZ:  ::rtT'''' '»■• "-  -"-'e.-.tion 

■"  ""™  "'"'  ''"'••"v.uo  nations,  have  Lkd  ,*^^r"'°'-  ^'^wanee, 
'■:'i'7;"»  '  '"  ™"l  Ifmtod  Stat  »  tWove  1  ;i' '"  '^''^  »'!<'  ani 
»»«i  '^'"tcd  States  lyi,,,, east  „Crl,,  "'o  lands  holonjrinir  to 

»"••  ™.e,.,y  h,  th/  lino ::.  :  "ir " «-.  -o..nded  soS; 

a...  northerly  ,,y  ,,0  norther os    '«„?";;    T"^  "''  «'•"<"-'"«. 

"Ortli  latitude. ■'  ''•'"  "'  tlie  lorty-drst  .lesjreo  of 

%  this  tre.-uy  .Sy(i,()oo  wore  i,.,i,l  .,„  , 
™  guaranteed  to  the  .lilVere /t    ,•"  ''"'"'f ''«' -""ity  of»|,oo„ 
H<W"  >v.,s  .secured  to  the  IVosidenl  h,,"^       ?  '"  "•     '""^  »um  of 
'«t.«ut  I.and  Company  and  tl,  "'  *'"'  """o.  ''J  the  Con 

««ona„d,  called  Snfti.:;,'!  Z^T"''  °''  ""=  '-'^  '"fc. 
l«e.ors  secured  to  the  Preside      «.  ,elT'  ?°'"P""^  -"  P™ 
"lApartof  said  annuity  of  SI  000     *n  "''""'  "-  »™'.ity  of 

0"thel7thofNovemher   ;^. 
Ween  « William  Hull  c  '      "'"'"y  '>''«  made  at  D.,    •. 

;-P™tende„t  0?^^!^ l" 2"" '^""'""'^  "'  »:  ig^  ^ 
■    'lie  «he.„s,  chiefs  and  wartl  'of  T  n'  ""^  U^'^'  «ta 
>V,»Kiolteand  Pottawa.amie  na  oTs  of  I  d       '°™y'  CWppeway 
"  *■•  th,,  treaty  the  following        ^   '""  '"'  "■"  <"!«■•  part  ■■ 
"«  United  States:    "bJI        ^  described  lands  were  ceded    ' 


22S 


Treattj  at  Detroit,  1807. 


Huron,  wlilcli  forms  tlio  Kivcr  Slnolair;  ilicnco  ruimiiiL^  nortlioast- 
tlio  coiirso  tliiit  may  Ix'  loiiiid  \\\\\  Ic.-nl  in  a  (lircct  line  to  Wliitc 
llot'k,  in  I;ake  Huron;  llii'iicc  <1u<'  t-ast,  until  it,  int.crscots  the 
boundary  lino  between  the  lliiiUul  States  and  Upper  Canada,  in 
said  lake;  tlience  southerly,  lollowiiiuc  the  said  bouii(biry  lint!  down 
said  lake,  through  Kiver  Sinclair,  Lake  St.  Clair  and  the  Kivi'v 
Detroit,  into  Lake  l^'rie  to  a  ])oint  due  east  of  the  aforesaid  ]\linini 
L'iver;  thence  west  to  the  ])lace  of  beginning."  The  Indians  also 
reserved  in  this  treaty,  "one  tract  of  land  six  miles  square,  on  the 
Miami  of  Lake  Erie  above  Iloche  de  l^oeut',  to  include  the  village 
where  Tondanie  (or  the  l^og)  now  lives.  Also  three  miles  stjuaiv 
on  the  said  river  (above  tluMwelve  miles  gtiuare  ceded  to  the  I'nitcd 
States  by  the  treaty  of  (Treenville),  including  what  is  called  Pros(|Ui' 
isle;  also  lour  miles  square  on  the  JVJiami  Bay,  including  the  vil- 
lages where  Meslikeinau  and  Wau-gau  now  live.'' 


Articles  of  m  irciily  iiiado  iuid  coiu'ludcd  nl    IlrowiistoSvii,  in  tlw^  Tcri'llorvoi 
Mi('liij;iui,l»i'l\v('('n  William  Hull,  OovoriiDr  ol  Hie  said  Territory  and  Super 
iiitendi'UtoC  Indian  Allhirsand  ConuuissioiierPlcnipotcnliaryof  the  I'nitni 
States  (trAMicricii,  lor  conchidint!,'  any  treaty  or  treaties  wliicli  ina^yhi'  riiiiiui 
necessary  witli  any  ol'  tlic  Indian  trilics  NorlliwesI,  of  the  Kivcr'Oliid,  nl 
the  one  part,  and  llic  sachems,  chiel's  and  warriors  ol    the  ('iiipp(;\va,  Ot- 
tawa, Pottawalami(!,  Wyandot  and  Sliawanesc  nations  of  Indians  el' tin' 
other  i>iirt,  concluded  November  ^5,  ISdS. 
AimcLli;  L    Whereas,  by  a  treaty  concluded  at  Detroit  on  the  lilli 
day  of  November,  A.  1).,  I  SOT,  a  tract  of  land  lying  to  tlie  west  ami 
north  oi  the  Miami  of  Tiake  Erie,  and  ))rincipally  within  the  Territory 
of  ]\lichigan,  was  ceiled  by  the  Indian  nations  to  the  United  States: 
and,  whereas,  the  lands  lying  on  the  southeastern  side  of  the  said  Itivcr 
Miami,  and  between  said  river  and  the  boimdary  line  established  in 
the  treaties  of  Greenville  and  Fort  Industry,  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  small  reservations  to  the  United  States,  still  belong  to  tin 
Indian  nations,  so  that  the  United  States  cainiot,  of  right,  open  ami 
maintain  a  convenient  road  from  the  settlements   in  the  State  ol 
Ohio  to  the  settlements  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  nor  exlHul 
those  settlements  so  far  as  to  connect   them ;  iu  order,  thercioii'! 
to  promote  this  object  8o  desirable  and  evidently  benelicial  to  the 
Indian  nations,  as  weli  as  to  the  United  States,  the  parties  have 
agreed  to  the  following  articles,  which,  when  ratified  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  oi 
the  Senate  thereof,  shall  be  recii)rocally  binding. 


Treaty  at  Bro'irnsfo}im\  ISOS. 


220 


ORKIIN   01'    I'lll';    WESTKRK   HESKRVK  AND  MAl'MRK  ROAD. 

Art.  II.  'I'I'<J  Hovenil  nations  of  lufliaus  Jitorosaid,  in  order  to 
promolo  tin;  ol>it't!t  mcntioiUMl  in  tho  procedint^  article,  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  t'riondsliip  tliey  bear  towar<ls  the  I'nited  States  tor 
the  liberal  and  l>ene\oleiit  policy  which  has  been  |»raetiec)d  towards 
tlieni  hy  tlie  {government  thereof,  do  hereby  give,  grant  and  cede 
unto  the  said  United  States,  ii  tract  of  land  tor  a  road  of  one  hnn- 
(ircd  and  twenty  feet  in  widtli,  from  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the 
Kiver  Miami  of  Lake  Krie  to  tlu^  western  line  of  the  (Jonnecticnt 
reserve,  and  all  tlii;  land  within  one  mile  of  tlie  said  road,  on  cdc/i  side 
thereof,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  settlements  along  the  sjime ; 
ilso  a  tract  of  land,  for  a  rond  onli/,  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet 
ill  width,  to  run  southwardly  from  what  is  called  Lower  Sandusky 
lo  the  l)oundary  line  established  by  the  treaty  oi  (ireenville,  witli 
llie  privilege  of  taking,  at  all  times,  such  timber  and  (.»th(!r  materials 
IVoin  the  a<ljacent  lands  as  may  be  necessary  iur  making  and  keep- 
ing in  repair  the  said  road,  with  the  bi'idges  that  may  be  required 
along  the  same. 

Articles  of  a  Treaty,  made  and  eoiichidcd  at  tlie  foot  of  the  llapids  of  the 
Miami  of  Lake  Eric,  on  tln'  2\M\  Hepteinlii'i-,  1817,  between  IjEwis  Cass 
and  DiN'cAX  McAurnfK,  ComnrH.-iioners  of  the  United  States,  with  full 
power  and  authority  to  holtl  eoiirereiiees,  and  conehidt!  and  sign  a  treaty 
or  treaties  with  all  or  any  of  the  tribiis  or  nalioiis  of  Indians  within  the 
lionndaries  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  of  and  coneerniiig  all  matters  interestiiif!; 
to  tlie  Unite<l  States  and  llii!  said  nations  of  Indians,  on  the  one  i)art  ; 
and  the  satdiems,  chiefs  and  warnois  of  tin;  Wyandot.  Seneca,  l)(dawan', 
Sliawancse,  Pottawatoinees,  Oltawas,   and  Chippeway  tribes  of   Indians. 

Uy  the  stipulations  of  this  treaty  C()ntaiue,l  in  the  Wvst.  article, 
the  Wyaii(h)ts  ceded  to  tlie  fruited  States  the  lauds  comprehended 
witliiii  the  following  lionndaries:  "Ijeginning  at  a  point  on  the 
siiiithern  shore  of  fjakc  Erie,  where  the  i)resent  Indian  boundary 
line  intersects  the  same,  between  the  mouth  of  Sandusky  bay  and 
the  mouth  of  Portage  river;  thence  running  s)uth  with  said  line,  to 
the  line  established  in  the  year  1795,  by  the  treaty  of  (Jrecnville, 
which  runs  from  the  crossing  idace  above  Kort  Lawi'euce  to 
Lonunie's  store;  thence  westerly,  with  the  last  mentioned  line  to 
the  eastern  line  of  the  Reserve  at  Ijoraniie's  store;  thence,  with  tln^ 
lines  of  said  reserve,  north  and  west,  to  th  >  north  western  corner 
thereof;  thence  to  the  north-western  corner  of  the  reserve  on  the 
river  St.  Mary's,  at  the  head  of  the  navigable  waters  thereof;  thence 


230  Treaty  at  the  foot  of  the  lia/pida^  1817. 


east  to  the  western  bunk  of  the  St.  Mary's  river  aforesaid  ;  tliciicc 
down  on  the  western  bank  of  tl)e  said  river  to  the  reserve  at  Fort 
Wayne;  thence  with  the  lines  of  the  last  mentioned  reserve,  easterly 
and  northerly,  to  the  north  bank  of  the  river  Miami  of  Lake  Krie; 
thence  down  on  the  north  bank  of  the  said  river,  to  the  western  line 
of  the  land  ceded  to  tiie  United  States  by  the  treaty  of  J)etr()it,  in 
the  year  1807;  thence,  with  the  said  lino  sonth,  to  the  middle  of 
said  Miami  river,  o})posite  the  month  of  the  Great  An^lai/,o  river; 
thence  down  the  middle  of  said  Miami  river,  and  easterly  with  the 
lines  of  the  tract  ceded  to  the  United  States  by  the  treaty  of  Detroit 
aforesaid  so  far  that  a  sonth  line  will  strike  the  place  of  beginning." 

In  Art.  2,  "the  Potowatamy,  Ottawas  and  Ohippeway  tril)es  of 
Indians,  in  consideration  of  the  stipnlations  herein  made  on  the  pari 
the  United  States,''  ceded  the  land  described  within  the  followin;.' 
bonndaries:  "Beginning  where  the  western  line  of  the  State  of 
Ohio  crosses  the  river  Miami  of  Fiake  Erie,  which  is  abont  twenty- 
one  miles  above  the  month  of  tlie  Great  Auglaize  river  ;  thence  down 
the  middle  of  the  said  Miami  river,  to  a  point  north  of  the  nioutli 
of  the  Great  Auglaize  river ;  thence,  with  the  western  line  of  the 
land  ceded  to  the  United  States  by  the  treaty  of  Detroit,  in  ISOT. 
north  forty-five  miles;  then  west  so  far  that  a  line  south  will  strike 
the  place  of  beginning;  thence  south  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

By  Art. ;{,  "  the  Wyandot,  Seneca,  Delaware,  Shawanese.  Potawii- 
tomy,  Ottawas  and  Ohippeway  tribos  of  Indians,"  accede  to  the  ces- 
sions mentioned  in  the  two  preceding  articles. 

Art.  4  requires  that  the   United   States   ])ay  annually,   forever, 

"  certain  sums  in  specie  to  the  several  tribes  above  mentioned,  to 

wit:  to  the  Wyandots  at  Upper  Sandusky ;  to  the  Senecas  at  Lower 

Sandusky  ;  to  the  Shawanese  and  Delaware  tribes  at  Wai)aughkon- 

netta;  and  to  the  Pottawatomie,  Ottawas  and  (^'hippewa  tribes  ai 

Detroit. 

TtRANTS  at  wapaughkonxetta. 

A  clause  in  Art.  6  re((uires  the  United  States  to  grant  by  patent. 
in  fee  simple,  to  Catewekesa  or  Black  Hoof,  Byaseka  or  Wolf, 
Pomthe  or  Walker,  Shemonetoo  or  Big  Snake,  Othawakeseka  or 
Yellow  Feather,  Chakalowah  or  Tail's  End,  Pemlhala  or  .loliii 
Perry,  Wabepee  of  White  Color,  chiefs  of  the  Sbawaui'sc  triln 
residing  at  Wapaughkonnetta,  and  their  successors  in  oHice,  chiefs 
of  the  said  tribe  residing  there,  for  the  use  of  the  persons  mentioned 


Treat  11  at  th\  foot  of  the  Bapuh,  1 S1 7.  281 


in  the  annexed  schocliile,  ii  (ruct  of  Iiind  ten  inilos  siiuarc,  the  centre 
of  which  shall  ln'  tlu'  founcil  house  at  Wapaughkonnetta. 

IMM'KK    SANDirSKV    (iHANT. 

The  lJnit(  (1  States,  in  Art.  (J,  al«o  grant,  by  patent,  in  feu  simple, 
to  I)oan<|iiod,  llowoner,  Roiitondee,  Tauyau,  Kontayau,  Dawatont, 
Manaciie,  Tauyaudantauson  and  llandaunwaugli,  chief's  of  the 
Wyandot  tribe,  anil  their  snccessors  in  utiiee,  chiefs  of  the  said  tribe, 
for  the  nse  of  the  persons  and  for  the  pnr[)oses  mentioned  in  the 
annexed  schedule,  a  tract  of  land  twelw-"  miles  s(|uare,  at  Upper 
Sandusky,  the  centre  of  which  shall  be  tlu'  i)lacc  where  Fort  Perree 
stands;  and  also  a  tract  of  one  mile  square,  to  be  located  where  the 
chiefs  direct,  on  a  cranberry  swamp,  on  Broken  Sword  Creek,  and  to 
he  held  for  the  use  of  the  tribe. 

(iRANTS   ox    nO(i    CHKKK. 

In  another  clause  of  the  same  article,  the  United  States  further 
t^rantod.  by  patent,  in  fee  simple,  to  Peeththa  <jr  Falling  Tree,  and 
to  Oonwaskemo  or  the  Uesolute  Man.  chiefs  of  the  Shawanese 
tribes,  residing  on  Hog  Creek,  and  tiieir  successors  in  ofTice,  chiefs 
of  the  said  tribe,  residing  there,  for  the  use  nf  the  persons  mentioned 
in  the  annexed  schedule,  a  tract  of  land  containing  twenty-five 
>f(nin'emih'S,  which  is  to  join  the  tract  granted  at  VVapaughkonnetta, 
and  to  include  the  Shawan(\se  settlement  on  Hog  Creek,  and  to  be 
liiidotras  nearly  as  possible  in  a.  s((uare  form. 

RI.AVCHAUD'S    roKK     AM)    MI'TLK    AlM;|yAI/l';   (iUAN'TS. 

Till'  last  clause  in  Art.  H  .sti|)ulales  that  "there  shall  also  be 
reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Ottawas  Indiiins,  but  not  granted  to  them, 
a  tract  of  land  on  Hlancliard's  Fork  of  the  Great  Auglaize  river,  to 
contain  live  miles  scpuire,  the  centre  of  which  tract  is  to  be  where 
the  old  trace  crosses  the  said  fork,  and  one  other  tract  to  contain 
tliroi' miles  square,  on  the  Little  Auglaize  river,  to  include  Oquanoxa's 
viliaajo."' 

In  Art.  !<,  the  United  States,  "at  the  s'pecial  retjuest  of  the  said 
Indians,  agree  to  grant,  by  patent,  in  fee  simple,  to  the  i[)ersons 
lieroinal'ter  mentioned,  all  of  whom  are  connected  with  the  said 
Indians,  by  blood  or  adoptitui,''  the  tracts  of  land  herein  described  : 

GRANT    NEAR   CROOHANISVILLK. 

To  Elizabeth  Whitaker,  who  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Wyandots, 
and  lias  ever  since  lived  among  them,  12R0  acres  of  land,  on  the  west 


282 


Trmfif  at  thi  foot  of  the  Rapith,  1817. 


side  of  (ho  Sandusky  river,  near  r!ro<TliunsvilIe,  fo  be  laid  off  in  a 
8f|iuu'e  lorni,  as  nearly  as  I  lie  meanders  ol"  I  he  said  river  will  hiIiiiiI 
iiiul  to  run  an  e(|ual  disfanco  abovo  and  bcdow  the  lionse  in  which 
the  said  Klizabeth  Wlutaker  now  lives. 

(;ami'  ou  loirr  iiai,I;  (IRAn'I'. 

To  Kobt'Vt  Arnislron^',  wlio  was  taken  i)risoner  by  the  IiKliaiu, 
and  luiH  ever  since  lived  anionf^  iliein,  and  married  a  Wyaiiddt 
woman,  one  section  to  contain  MO  acres  of  land  on  the  west  side  nl 
llie  Sandnsky  river,  to  begin  at  the  jjlace  called  Camp  Mall,  iiiid  to 
rnn  npthe  river,  with  the  meanders  thereof.  100  poles,  and,  from  tin 
beginning,  down  the  river,  with  the  meanders  thereof,  ino  poles,  iiml 
from  Ihe  extremity  of  these  liiies  west  for  qnantity. 

(MIANT   NKAU   MAUUAl'OOX. 

To  the  children  of  the  lale  William  M'Collock,  who  was  killed  in 
August,  181:2,  near  Mangaugon,  and  who  are  ([uarter  blood  Wyandot 
Indians,  one  section,  to  contain  010  acres  of  land,  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Sandnsky  river,  adjoining  the  lower  line  of  the  tract  htnby 
granted  to  Robert  Armstrong,  and  extending  in  the  samo  niiiniiti 
with  and  from  the  said  river. 

(iRANT   NEAK   CROnHANRVILLE. 

To  Sarah  Williams,  Jose])h  Williams  and  Kachel  Nngeiit,  liitf 
Rachel  Williams,  tlu^  said  Sjirah  having  been  taken  prisoner  by  tlic 
Indians,  and  ever  since  lived  among  them,  and  being  tiie  widow, 
and  the  siiid  Joseph  and  Rachel  being  the  children,  of  the  late  Isiiai 
Williams,  a  half-blood  Wyandot,  one  ((narter  section  of  huul,  to 
contain  100  acres,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Sandnsky  river,  below 
(Jroghansville,  and  to  inclnde  their  im])rovements  at  a  ])lace  calW 
Negro  Point. 

ORAXT   AD.TOINTNO    WA  I'AUfillKONNETTA, 

To  the  children  of  the  late  Shawanese  Chief,  Captain  ijogiin, or 
Spamagelabe,  who  fell  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  duriiii 
the  late  war,  one  section  of  land,  to  contain  OU)  acres,  on  thooiu<t 
side  of  the  Great  Auglaize  river,  adjoining  the  lower  line  of  the  grant 
of  ten  miles  at  Wapaughkonnetta  and  the  said  ri  ,er. 

GRANT   TO   ANTHONY    SHANE. 

To  Anthony  Shane,  a  half-blood  Oltawas  Indian,  one  sectioiu't 
land,  io  contain  Oto  acres,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Kiver  Si.  Miirv-'. 
and  to  begin  opposite  the  house  m  which  the  said  Shane  now  lives: 


J^ea^y  at  the  foot  of  fho  Hapids,  1  si 7.  2.'i.S 


ill,. lice,  lip  tlu'  riviT,  will)  llio  nu'Uiulrrrt  llit'j'i'i>r,  l(iO  iioIoh,  iiiid  from 
\\\v  \)v)(\\\\\\\\\!,  down  the  river,  with  tlio  miiindcr.s  tlK'n'of,  100  [tules, 
and  iVoiii  llii' cxln^mity  ol"  said  lim'rf  ciisl  lor  <iiiiintity. 

AN'OTirKIl   (illANT  ON  Til  H   SANDl'SKV. 

To  Iforoini,  or  tlio  Olierokoi-  Hoy,  ii  Wyaiulot  Cliier,  a  section  of 
liitui,  lo  contain  Otfl  acres,  on  the  S;indiislvy  river,  to  he  laid  oil"  in  a 


SdM 


iU'c  Ibrni,  and  to  inelnde  his  iinitrovonieiits. 


(llt.VN'l'   TO  Tin-;   (lODI'KOVS. 


To  Alexander  D.  (iodlroy  and  Ikiclnird  (lodfroy,  adopted  cliildren 
111' the  Potawatoniy  tribe,  and  at  tlieir  ,s|»e(;ial  re(|iiost,  one  section  (d' 
l.iiul,  to  contain  (»40  acres,  in  tli.  tract  of  country  herein  ceded  to 
tilt'  raited  States  by  the  Pottawatomy,  Ottawas  and  Ciiippewu, 
liilu'S,  to  he  located  by  then),  the  said  Alexander  and  liichard,  after 
llie  .siiiil  tract  shall  have  been  surveyed.  [Tliis  i^rant  was  located 
williiii  the  jiresent  townslii]>  of  Dublin,  in  ^fercer  county. | 

OltANT   TO    I'RTEU   MIXOU.    |\IAN(>lt.  | 

To  Sawendebaus,  or  the  Yellow  Hair,  or  J'eter  Minor,  an  adopted 
son  ol  Tondaganiit',  or  the  Dog,  and  at  the  special  request  uf  the 
Oltawas,  out  of  the  tract  reserved  l)y  the  treaty  of  Detroit,  in  1807, 
III'  Iioclio  de  Boeuf,  at  the  village  of  the  said  Dog.  a  section  of 
^  )ntuin  G40  acres,  to  bo  located  in  a  square  I  >rm,  on  the 
iiu,  .ule  of  the  ^riami,  at  the  Wtdf  liajMil.  [This  grai  "mbraced 
tlio  town  of  Providence,  Lucas  county,] 

IKr)IAN    AOEXCIES    ESTA  liMSTI  KD. 

In  Article  IX,  the  United  States  agree  to  ai)point  an  agent,  to 
ivside  among  or  n(>ar  the  Wyandots,  to  aid  them  in  the  i)rotection  of 
llit'ir  iiersDiis  and  property,  to  manage  their  intercourse  with  the 
.1,'ovennnont  and  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  to  discharge  the 
duties  which  commonly  appertain  to  the  ollice  of   Indian  agent: 

I  :ind  the  same  agent  is  to  execute  the  same  duties  for  theSenecas  and 
Deliiwares  on  the  Sandusky  river.  And  an  agent  for  similar  i)ur- 
puses,  and  ve.-ted  with  similar  powers,  shall  Iti-  appointed,  to  reside 
among  or  near   the   Shawanese,  whose  agency   shall    include  the 

[  ivsL'rvations  at  Wai)aughkonnetta,  at  Lewistown,  at  Hog  Creek,  and 

I  :il  Blaiiehard's  Creek. 

And  the  agent  for  the  Wyandots  and  Senecas  shall  occupy  such 
land  in  the  grant  at  Uj)per  Saiulusky  as  nuiy  be  necessary  for  him 
and  the  persons  attached  to  the  agency. 


234 


Treaties  at  St.  Mar  if  s,  1818. 


The  United  States,  in  Article  X,  engage  to  erect  saw  and  grist 
mills,  and  also  to  maintain  a  hlacksniitli,  lor  the  use  of  the  Wyandot! 
and  Senecas  upon  the  reservation  ot"  the  Wyanilots,  and  also  for  Ihe 
use  ol'  the  Indians  at  Wapauglikonnetta,  Hog  Creek  and  Lewistown. 

(iJlANT  TO   THK   OTTAWAS. 

By  Article  XX,  the  United  States  also  agree  to  grant,  i)y  pateiil, 
to  the  chief's  of  I  he  Ottawas  tribe  ol'  Indians,  for  the  use  of  o,ai(l 
tribe,  a  tra(!t  of  land  t'>  contain  thirty-four  s'[nare  miles,  to  belaid 
out  as  nearly  in  a  S(|uaro  form  as  i)ractical)le,  not  interferinf:^  witli 
the  lines  of  the  tracts  reserved  l)y  the  treaty  of  Gnsenville.  on  (ho 
south  side  of  the  Miami  river  of  Lake  Krie,  and  to  include  Tush- 
quegan,  or  M'Carty's  village;  which  tract,  thus  granted,  .sliall  Ivj 
held  by  the  said  tribe  upon  the  usual  condition  of  Iniliau  reserva 
tions,  as  though  no  patent  were  issued. 


On  the  ITth  of  September,  IS  IS,  a  treaty  was  made  and  oon 
eluded  at  St.  Mary's,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  between  Lewis  Cass  mil 
Dimcan  Mc Arthur,  commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  United  Statp* 
and  the  sachems,  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Wyandot,  Seneca,  iShaw 
anese  and  Ottawas ;  being  sui^plementary  to  the,  treaty  niado  atui 
concluded  with  the  said  tribes,  and  the  Delaware,  Pottawatamie  niii 
iMiippewa  tribes  of  Indians,  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the  J\Iiam 
of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  '29th  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1817. 

By  the  terms  of  Article  I.  of  this  treaty,  it  is  stipulated  that  tlif 
grants  in  the  treaty  of  the  iJOth  of  September,  1817,  are  to  be  con- 
sidered only  as  reservations  for  the  use  of  the  Indians  named  in  tlni 
schedule  to  the  said  treaty,  and  held  by  them  and  their  heirs  tor 
ever,  unless  ceded  to  the  United  States. 

AnuirioxAi;  iji;si;rvati(>xs  for  tuk  wyam)ots. 

In  ArticK^  II.  it  is  also  agreed  that  there  shall  bi^  reserved  fdrtf^i 
use  of  the  Wyandots,  in  addition  to  the  reservations  hotore  imI' 
tit\y-five  thousand  six  hundred  and  "ighty  acres  of  land,  tobolai 
oif  in  two  tracts,  the  first  to  adjoin  the  south  line  of  the  sectionoll 
six  hundred  and  forty  acres  ot  land  heretofore  reserved  fortlifl 
Wyandot  chief,  the  Cherokee  i>oy,  .and  to  extend  south  to  the  nnrt!:! 
hue  of  the  rt-serve  of  twelve  miles  S(juare,  at  Upper  Sandusky,  an'l 
the  other  to  adjoin  the  east  bne  of  the  reserve  of  twelve  mile9!"j*[ 
at  L^pper  Sainlusky,  and  to  extend  cast  for  «piantity. 


HKSBRVATK 

It  is  also 

Wyandots 

I  in  addition  i 

'  of  land,  to  Ij 

Fork,  the  c( 

I  leading  from 

and  sixty  ac 

[side  of  the  ,*> 

line  of  two  s 

[siij)pleraentai 

AIMiITrON'AL 

There  shall 
•h'tion  to  the  r 
'''■'■d  acres  of 
,.  i'i'>('rve  of  ten 
|of  the  Shawaii 
|si\ly  acres  of 
h»erve  of  for 
Reserve  llorel)^ 
piall  he  equal 
I'li'oiigh  the  sn 
Nserved  tbr  fh 
p'Cfortho  use 
'■'iit'i-e  shall  a 
p"i  to  the  res( 
!»•'  laid  oft  on  tli 
Pne  of  their  rese 
f"  the  Saiidaskv 
pill  excluding  t 
^  treaty  ^vas 
^''  18I«,  betwec 
^  "le  Phiefs  ai 
Ns  of  uhicl, 
{"'I  in  (he  'JV,-, 
r^wiistowii,  ;,„ 


TnaticR  at  St.  Mary's,  1818. 


235 


KKSERVATIONS   /VT  THE    HKAD  01-'   BLANCHAUD'S  FORK    AND  ON  SAN- 
DUSKY  RIVER. 

Il  is  also  proviiled  that  there  shall  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the 
Wvandots  residing  at  Solomoirs  Town  and  on  Blanchard's  Fork, 
in  aihlition  to  the  reservations  before  made,  sixteen  thousand  acres 
of  land,  to  he  laid  olf  in  a  square  form  on  the  head  of  Blanchard's 
Fork,  the  centre  of  which  shall  be  at  the  Big  Spring  on  the  tra(!e 
leading  from  Upper  Sandusky  to  Fort.Findlay ;  and  one  hundred 
I  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  for  the  use  of  the  Wyandots,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Sandusky  river,  adjoining  the  said  river  and  the  lower 
lino  of  two  sections  of  land,  agreed,  by  the  treaty  to  which  this  is 
supplementary,  to  be  granted  to  Elizabeth  Whittaker. 

[additional   IlKSKRVATLONS   AT   WAl'AUGIIKONHETTA   AND  ON  SAN- 
DUSKY   RIVER. 

There  shall  also  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Shawanese,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  reservations  before  named,  twelve  thousand  eight  hun- 
idrcd  acres  of  land,  to  be   laid   off'  adjoining  the  east  line  of  their 
ircsorvo  of  ten  miles  square  at  Wapaughkonnetta ;  and  tor  the  use 
lol  tiio  Shawanese  and  Senecas,  eight  thousand   nine   hundred  and 
pixty  acres  of  land,  to  bo  laid   off  adjoining  the  west  line  of  the 
-if-crve  of  forty-eight  square  miles   at  Lewistowu.      And  the  last 
ipsfivo  lioreby  made,  and   the    former   reserve  at  the  same  place, 
pliall  I)e  equally  divided  by  an  east   and    west  line,  to  be   drawn 
tlinmgh  the  same.     And  the  north  half  of  the  said  tract  shall  be 
reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Senecas  who  reside  there,  and  the  south 
^alt'for  the  use  of  the  Shawanese  who  reside  there. 

There  shall  also  be  reserved  for  tlie  use  of  the  Senecas,  in  addi- 
lion  to  the  reservations  before  made,  ten  thousand  acres  of  land,  to 
be  laid  ott  on  the  east  side  of  the  Sandusky  river,  adjoining  the  south 
Ine  of  their  reservation  of  thirty  thousand  acres  of  land,  which  begins 
In  the  Sandusky  river  at  the  lower  corner  of  William  Spicer's  section, 
Bid  exckuling  therefrom  the  said  William  Spicer's  section. 

A  treaty  was  also  made  and  concluded  at  St.  Mary's,  September 
p,  ]81f^,  between  Lewis  Cass,  commissioner  of  the  United  Slates, 
1  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Wy;xndot  tribe  of  Indians,  l)y  the 
tims  (if  which  the  latter  (lede  to  (he  United  States  two  (ra<'ts  of 
Jiid  ill  the  Territory  ol  Michigan  ;  one  including  the  village  called 
Irownstown,  aiul  the  other  the  village  called  Maguagiui,  formerly 


286 


Treaties  at  St.  Mar  if  s^  1818. 


in  possession  ^^i  tlio  Wyandot  tribo  ol'  Indians,  containinj^  in  dn 
wliolii  not  more  than  tivo  thonsand  acres  of  land,  wliicli  two  iiaot- 
of  land  were  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  said  Wyandot  tiiliiof 
Indians  and  their  descendants  fof  the  term  of  fifty  years,  ayroealihin 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  Congress,  passed  February  "JH,  18(1!),  iml 
entitled,  "An  act  for  the  relief  of  <rertain  Alabama  and  Wyiimliii 
Indians;"  in  consideration  of  Avhieh  the  United  States  cede  ciTiiiin 
lands  to  the  Wyandots  on  the  south  side  of  the  Ivivcr  Huron,  iiitk 
Territory  of  Michij^an,  containing  four  thousand  nine  hundred  auJ  I 
ninety-six  acres. 

l)i:i;A WAKES  CEDETITKIR  LANDS  IX  INDIANA. 

A  treaty  was  concluded  with  the  Delaware  tril  e  of  Intlians,  OcloWr  i 
)>,  iHls,  Jonathan  Jennings,  Lewis  Cass  and  Benjamin  I'arkc,  <m\ 
missioners  on  the  i)art  of  the   ITnited  States,  by  the  terms  of  whir. 
the  tril»o  cede  to  the  United  States  all  their  lands  in  Indiana,  iiic* 
sideration  that  the  latter  agree  to  provide  for  them  a  coiiiitn  l 
reside  in  upon  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississi[)pi,  and  to  guarantcet.l 
them  the  peaceable  possession  of  the  same. 

CKSSIOX  01'  LANDS  HY  TIIH  MIAMIKS. 

A  treaty  was  also  made  at  St.  Mary's  between  the  conunissidiii- 
above  named  and  the  Miami  nation  of  Indians,  on  the  Ollnlav' | 
October,  1818,  by  which  that  nation  cede  to  the  United  Statesl 
f()llowing  tract  of  country  :  "  Beginning  at  the  Wabash  river,  wlierl 
the  ])resent  Indian  boundary  line  crosses  the  same,  near  the  moiffil 
of  Raccoon  creek;  thence  uj)  the  Wabash  river  to  the  rost'nci'l 
its  head  near  Fort  Wayne;  thence  to  the  reserve  at  Kort  W;iviit| 
thence  witii  the  lines  thereof  to  tlie  St.  Marys  Hiver  ;  thence  iipi 
St.  Mary's  river  to  the  reservation  at  the  portage;  thence  witlii!- 
line  of  the  cession  made  by  the  Wy.andot  nation  of  Imliaiis  tolii 
United  States,  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the  Miami  of  Lake  KrieiJ 
the  'iOth  day  of  Sei)tember,  A.  U.  is]  7,  to  the  reservation  atLonim 
store;  thence  with  the  present  Indian  boundary  line  to  I'^ort  1!« '■ 
cry;  and,  with  the  said  line,  following  the  courses  thereof  loll 
place  of  beginning." 

OTIFKII  CKSSIUXS  NLAIl  t'UUT  WAYNK. 

In  Article  III.  the  Unite<l  States  a  ;ree  to  grant,  by  patent  ml 
simple,  to  Jean  Bapt.   Uichardville,   principal  chief  of  the  i* 


ar 


Treaties  at  St.  Mary\%  1818. 


287 


nation  of  Tiiflians,  the  followiiiiz;  tracts  of  land  :  "  Three  sections  of 
1:111(1,  licniuiing  alioiit  twonty-livo  rods  below  hin  house,  on  the 
Kivci'  St.  Marys,  near  l^'ort  Wayne  ;  tluMice  at  right  anyhvs  with  the 
coiiiHc  of  the  river  one  mile;  and  from  this  line  and  the  said  river 
lilt  the  stream  thereof   for  quantity.     Two  sections  upon  the  cast 

i  side  of  the  St.  Mary's  river  near  Fort  Wayne,  running  east  one  mile 
with  the  military  rcserv.ition  ;  thence  from  that  line,  and  from  the 

I  river  tor  (juantity.     Two  sections  on  the  Twenty-seven  mile  creek 

'  where  the  road  from  St.  Mary's  to  Fort  Wayne  crosses  it,  being  one 

Ifiedion  on  each  side  of  said  creek.'" 

'Two  sections  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Wabash,  commencing  at 

lllie  forks  .ind  running  down  the  river."' 

OTiiKii  CtRANTS  to  persons  tiierktn  namkd. 

"The  Lhiited  States  also  agree  to  grant  to  each  of  the  following 
Dcrsons,  being  Miami  Indians  by  birth,  and  their  heirs,  the  tracts  of 

liiiiil  herein  described  : 

To  .Tosepli  Uichardville  and  .Foseph  Richardville,  Jr.,  two  sec- 
Itiniis  of  land,  being  one  on  each  side  of  tlie  St.  Mary's  Uivc^r,  and 
licliiw  the  reservation  made  on  that  river  by  the  treaty  of  Green- 
^•■IImii  I7!t.-)."" 

Til  Francis  (rodfroy  six  sections  of  land  on  the  Salamaiiie  river, 

fti  .1  [ilace  I  ailed  J^a  Petite  Praii'ie. 

•'To  Lewis  Grodfroy,  six  sections  of  land  upon  St.  Marys  River 

|hnve  the  reservation  of  Anthony  Shane. 
'To  Charley,  a  Miamie  chief,  one  setrtion  of  land  on  the  west 
le  of  Si.  Mary's  Iliver  below  the  section  granted  to  Pemetche,  or 

|u'  Crescent. 

"To  Francois  La  Fontaine  and  his  son,  two  sections  of  land  ad- 
^iiii;  and  above  the  two  sections  <;ranted  to  Je:in  Jiai)t.  Richard- 

li'  near  Fort  Wayne,  and  on  the  same  si(b'  of  the  St.  Mary's  River. 

'To  the  children  of  Antoine  Rivarre,  two  sections  of  land  at  tlie 
Iniilh  of  the  Twenty-seven  mile  creek  and  below  the  same. 

fo  Peter  liabadie,  one  section  ot  land  on  the  River  St.  Afary's, 
>«  the  suction  granted  to  Charley. 
T'lo  the  sou  of  Ueorge  Hunt,  one  section  of  land  on   the  west 

h  ot  St.  AEarys  River,  adjoining  the   two   sections   gr.anted  to 

pucois  La  Fontaine  and  his  son. 


238 


Saginaiv  Ireaty,  181V). 


"To  Josetto  Beaubien,  one  section  ol'  land  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
St.  Mary's,  above  antl  tuljoining  the  three  Heetions  {^ranted  tu.leaii 
Richard  villc. 

"To  William  Wayne  Wells,  Mary  Wells  and  Jane  Turner  Wtlls, 
halt-blooded  Miamies,  were  each  granted  a  section  of  land." 


SAUINAW  TllKATY. 

A  treaty  was  made  and  concluded  at  Saginaw,  Territory  oI'Miclii- 
gan,  between  the  United  States,  by  their  commissioner,  Lewis  Ca>i 
and  the  Chippewa  nation  of  Indians,  September  r24,    I  SI!),  by  tlir 
ttu'ms  of  which   that  nation   ceded  to  the    United  States  tlieiaiij) 
embraced  within  the  following  lines;  "  Beginning  at  a  j)oiiit  in  tlit 
present,  boundary  line,  which  runs  due  north  from  the  mouth  ol'tlit 
Great  Auglai/e  rivei'  six  miles  south  of  the  place  where  the  ba« 
line,  so  called,  intersects  the  same;  thence  west  sixty  miles;  theiuj 
in  a  direct  line  to  the  head  of  Tlunider  Jiay   river;  thence  dowiitiiti 
same,  following  the  courses  thereof,   to  the  mouth  ;   thence  iforti. 
east  to  the  boundary  lino  between  ihe  United  States  and  the  BritE 
Province  of  Upper  Cadana;  thence  with  the  same  to  the  line  estal- 
lished  by  the  treaty  ol' Detroit  in  the  year  A.  I).  1807;  thence  wte| 
the  said  line  to  tlK>  place  ot  beginning." 


[Act  or  May  -^(i,  ln-jl,  1>I  bcssiou  of  ISUi  CoiiLtix'sti,  p.  1-iH.J 

All  lU't,  leservinij'  to  the  Wyiiiulol  tribe  of  Iiulians  a  eei'luiii  Iriicl  of  laiil 
lieu  of  ii  reservation  iiiiule  lotliem  by  treaty. 

Sp:c:tion^  1.  That  there  be,  and  hereby  is,  reserved,  for  lln'  ii^ 
of  the  chiefs  and  tribe  of  the  Wyandot  Indians,  subject  to  the  it, 
ditions  and  limitations  of  the  former  reservation,  the  noi'tiit*, 
•  [uarter  of  section  numlier  two,  in  township  two,  and  range  si'vd 
teen,  south  of  the  base  line  of  lund  in  the  Delaware  Land  l)ijiri''| 
in  the  State  of  Ohio,  in  lien  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  W 
on  the  the  west  side  of,  and  adjoining  the  Sandusky  river:  :ii»j 
which  Avas  reserved  to  said  tribe  of  Indians,  by  a  suppleimiit:''" 
treaty  between  the  United  States  and  certain  tribes  of  Indians, li 
at  St.  Mary's,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  on  the  17th  day  of  Sejittiiil 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen;  on  condition  that 
chiefs  of  said  Wyandot  tribe  first  relin({uish  to  the  United  Stale-' 


Last  Treaty  made  with  Ohio  Indians.  2B9 


the  right,  titlf  iiiid  cliiiiu  ol'siiid  tribi',  (u  ilio  one  liiiiidrcil  mikI  sixty 
ucivs  of  land  reserved  by  said  siippli'iueiilary  treaty. 

The  suijse(|Ueiit  treaties  (hat  were  made  with  tlie  Indians,  pro- 
vided for  tlie  purchase  uf  their  hinds  hy  the  United  States,  ami 
their  removal  west  of  the  Mississi])pi,  Tlu^  last  Indian  title  extin- 
iruished  was  Ihat  of  the  Wyandots,  whose  lands  in  the  reservation 
at  Upper  Sandusky,  and  in  the  county  which  bears  their  name,  was 
iidVred  for  sale  by  the  United  States  in  the  autumn  of  184-'). 

''The  Delawares  ceded  their  reservations  to  the  United  States  in 
ls;>9.  The  Wyandots  ceded  theirs  by  a  treaty  made  at  Upper 
Sandusky,  March  17,  IS'42,  they  being  the  only  Indians  then  remain- 
ill!,'  in  the  State.  The  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  Tnited 
States  was  Colonel  John  Johnston,  who  had  then  the  honor  of  making' 
the  last  Indian  treaty  in  Ohio — a  State,  every  foot  of  whose  soil  has 
heen  fairly  purchased  by  treaties  from  its  original  possessors.  The 
Wyandots  h'fl  for  Kansas  in  July,  184;>,  and  numbered  at  tliat  time 
,al)oiit  seven  hundred  souls." — Henrii  JIowi: 


CHAl'TER    IV. 


THK    HOUNDARY    CONTKOVEU.SV 


"A  (li.spiili'il  jurisdiction,"  wrote  Lewis  Cass  to  Kdward  Tilliii, 
tlie  United  States  Surveyor  (Jeneral,  under  date  of  Novenilu'r  ijt, 
1817,  "is  one  of  tlie  greatest  evils  that  can  hap})en  to  a  couiitrv," 

'IMie  same  motives  and  i)assions  that  govern   cabinets,  aiiiiiiiiK- 
individuals  in  their  disputes  for  the  ^'iiallest  (juantity  of  groiiml, 
(!laims,  involving  vast   sums  of  money,  fail    to  provoke  strife!:  a> 
acrimonious  as  those  relating  to  contested    land  boundaries.    Tlir 
((uestion  of  boundary  between  Ohio  and  Miciiigau  was  co-cviil  witli 
the  admission  of  tlie  former  into  the  Union.     It  vexed  the  conven- 
tion that  framed  the   constitution  of   1<S0^.     It  was  owing  to  tk 
neglect  of  Congi'ess  that  it  had  not  (juieted  before  growing  settle- 
ments and  clashing  interests  had  attained  such  proportions  tliatili 
controversy  at  last  seriously  threatened  the  [)eace  of  the  coiiiiin. 
'rile  area  in  tlispute  embraced  about  live  miles  in  width  at  the  wrf 
end,  and   eight,    miles    in    width    at    the    east   end.      Writers  Ikiv 
generally  dwarfed  the  real  magnitude  of  the  ([uestion,  and  the  :ii;i;.- 
of  the  present  generation  know  it  only  as  the  "Toledo  War."   Tiir 
parties,  however,  at  issue,    were  not,   as   some   suppose,  (ioveiwi 
Mason  and  (lovernor  Lucas,  nor  were  they  the  State  of  Ohio  aiultlit 
Tecritory  of  Michigan;  but  the  real  contestants  engagi'd  \vjreiii!^j 
sovereign  State  of  Ohio  and  the  Oovernment  of  the  United  StaB 
The  latter  power  was  tlie  lawful  guardian  of  Michigan.     That 'IV:- 
vitory  was  its  own  oll'spring.     Uinler  the  Consliiution  and  Liivt's"! 
the    rnion,    the  hV'deral  CJovernnient  was  bouml  to  protect  evid 
just  claim  of  Micliigau.     Had  the  (iovernor  of  Ohio  occiiiued tfc 
disjiuted  tract  with  a  belligerent  force,  it  would  have  been  ineuiiilrfl 
ui)on  I'resident  .Jackson,  had  he  regarded  the  claims  of  MichigiUU| 
clear  and  indisi)utable,  to  have  adopted  measures  to  vindiciitetiij 
integrity  of  the  soil  of  that  Territoiy  by  all  the  military  and  iwva. 
resources  at  his  command.     Governor  Mason  entertained  this  vit'l 


of  (he  > 
I  ho  can 
jiinver  0 
(•o\ei-ecl 
hi  one 
"As  I  h 
with  tlie 
'■'■ffht.s  ji, 
aiithoritit 
As  befi 
the  State 
members 
Ohio.    Ju 
thus  expir 
Sec.  C,  oft 
"Theqn 
Convention 
li'st  view. 
maps  of  th( 
'  ^^~  was  pal 
tar  north  o 
oeciipy.    Qj 

f'le  Commit 
^^overnment 
"•a-s  laid   do 
latitude;  an. 
''end  of  tlie 
'"-'tween  the 
"lanitestly  i„t 
"oi'therii  Inm 
wints  of  eha, 
'""]'-  and  the 
(■'^■Jdence  of  ti 
°''t'ie  souther 
"^^'len  th( 
^;^''i"g  undcr.s 
''"'-''  as  define, 
"'« .strait,  th,., 

'""'*^'-  «l-.sr.„.s.si 
[^^"-''"■^.'in,  and 


Orighi  of  the  Constitutional  Provision.         241 


of  the  <|iu\stioii,  and  lie  roproscntod  tliat,  the  cause  oC  Michigan  was 
the  Ciiuse  of  the  Uniiod  States,  and  would  l)e  sustained  by  the  whole 
))i)\ver  of  the  Federal  (ioveriinient.  The  same  view,  as  will  be  dis- 
covered by  the  documents  appended,  was  held  by  (Jovernor  Lucas. 
Ill  one  of  his  commnnications  to  the  General  Assembly  he  said : 
"As  I  have  heretofore  stated  to  you,  we  can  have  no  controversy 
with  the  Territoiy  of  Michigan.  A  territory  can  have  no  sovereign 
riglit.^,  and  no  arrangement  that  could  be  made  with  the  'I^erritorial 
authorities  on  the  sul)ject  of  boundary  would  be  ol)ligatory." 

As  before  remarked,  the  (juestion  of  the  northern  boundary  of 
the  State  was  one  that  challenged  solicitude  on  the  i)art  of  the 
members  of  the  Convention  who  Iramed  the  first  Constitution  of 
Ohio.  Judge  Burnet,  in  his  Notes  on  the  North  Western  Territory, 
thus  explains  the  origin  of  the  proviso  contained  in  Article  VII, 
Sec.  6,  of  the  first  Constitution  : 

"  The  question  of  boundary,  though  not  expressly  referred  to  the 
Convention,  was  one  ot  greater  importance  than  would  appear  at 
first  view.  It  is  generally  known  to  those  who  have  consulted  the 
maps  of  the  western  coiintry  extant  at  the  time  the  Ordinance  of 
Ki^T  was  passed,  that  Lake  Michigan  Avas  represented  as  being  very 
tar  north  of  the  position  which  it  has  since  been  ascertained  to 
occupy.  On  a  map  in  the  Department  of  State,  which  was  before 
the  Committee  of  Congress  who  framed  the  Ordinance  for  the 
Government  of  the  Territory,  the  southern  boundary  of  that  lake 
was  laid  down  as  being  near  the  forty-second  degree  of  north 
latitude ;  and  there  w^as  a  pencil  line  passing  through  the  southern 
heud  of  the  lake  to  the  Canada  line,  which  intersected  the  strait, 
between  the  River  Raisin  and  the  town  of  Detroit.  That  line  was 
manifestly  intended  by  the  Committee,  and  by  Congress,  to  be  the 
northern  boundary  of  this  State ;  and,  on  the  principles  on  which 
courts  of  chancery  construe  contracts,  accompanied  with  plats,  that 
map,  and  the  line  marked  on  it,  should  have  been  taken  as  conclusive 
evidence  of  the  boundary,  without  reference  to  the  actual  position 
I  of  the  southern  extreme  of  the  lake. 

''  When  the  Convention  was  in  session  in  IHO:^,  it  was  the  pre- 

j vailing  understanding  that  the  old  maps  were  correct;  and  that  the 

line,  as  defined  in  the  Ordinance,  would  terminate  at  some  point  on 

tlie  strait,  far  above  the  Maumee  bay  ;  but,  while  that  subject  was 

junder  discussion,   a   man  who   had    hunted   many   years  on  Lake 

iMichigan,  and  was  well  acquainted  witli  its  position,  happened  to  be 

IG 


242 


Oi-'iijln  of  tJit   (hnxilinUonal  Provision. 


iti  Chillicothe.  atpl,  in  converHiitioii  with  soiiu'  of  llio  memhors, 
mentioned  to  them  that  the  lake  extcdKU^d  iniieh  tiirther  .soutii  than 
was  L^encfally  snpposeil  ;  and  that  a  riia|i  he;  had  sci-n  phi'.-ed  iis 
soiitliein  l»end  many  miles  north  ol' it.-^  true  |>oHition.  His  stateait'iit 
produced  some  apjjrehension  and  eveitement  on  the  sul)iect,  and 
in<luoed  the  Convention  to  cluuige  the  line  prescribed  in  I  he  act  of 
Congress,  so  far  as  to  provide  that,  if  it  duJuM  he  found  to  strike, 
Lake  Krie  l)eh)W  the  Maumee  river,  as  the  hunter  infornu'd  tliemil 
would,  then  the  boundary  ot  the  State  should  be  a  line  drawn  lium 
the  [loint  where  tho  prescribed  line  intersected  the  west  boiiinlaiy 
of  the  State  direct  to  the  most  northern  cape  of  the  Maunu^c  bay, 
That  provision  saved  to  the  Stale  olOhu)  the  valuable  ports  and 
harbors  on  the  Maumee  river  ami  bay,  whicli  were  the  prize  cou 
tended  for,  in  what  was  called  the  Mi(;hi<.;an  war  oi  Governor  Lucas 
Yet  some  of  the  members  were  so  intent  on  the  establishment  ot  a 
State  government,  in  the  shortest  j>ossihli'  period,  that  they  hesitatid 
in  making  the  provision  lest  it  might  cause  delay  ;  but  fortunately 
it  was  adopted,  and  its  object  is  now  secure.  Small  matters  some- 
times lea«l  to  great  results,  as  was  the  fact  in  this  case.'' 

A  little  more  than  nine  years  after  the  admission  of  Ohio  a.s,i 
State,  Amos  Spatford,  then  collet^tor  nl  the  poit  of  Miami,  at  tlit 
request  of  //////  /I'uiihCs.  then  composing  the  populatifui  of  the  Jis- 
puLed   tract,    adtlre.ssed   the   following    Icll.cr    lu    the   (Toveriior  ol 

Ohio  : 

Miami    Km'Ius,  .laniiary  "j:;,  JSli 

,SV/' ;  It  appears  to  be  the  geneial  wish  oi  l\\v.  people  in  llib 
settlement  (which  (ionsists  of  about  lil'ty  liimilies)  to  have  the  law> 
of  the  State  i,['  Ohio  cNlendiMl  over  them,  as  we  considei"  our.selvo 
cleai'ly  within  the  limits  of  said  State.  The  lew  who  ol)jcd  arc 
those  who  hold  oHices  under  the  CJovernor  ol  .Michigan,  and  aiv 
dtttermined  to  enforce;  their  laws.  This  is  considered  by  a  unwl 
majoriiy  of  the  inhaliitanls  a  usurpation  ol  power  which  tliey  arc 
under  no  obligation  to  adhere  to.  li'  no  adjustment  sh<iiil(l  takf 
plar'.e,  i  tear  the  contention  will  ire  long  become  serious.  Sir,  ymi 
havi'  the  goodness  to  inform  the  peoph;  hen-  whether  there  has  lictii 
any  imderstanding  Ix^tween  the  State  of  Ohio  .and  the  Governor  n! 
Michigan  <ui  the  subject  of  Jurisdiction,  together  w^ith  your  ath ire, 
1  aiu,  sir,  with  high  esteem,  your  obedient  servant. 

AmO.S    Sl'AKFOKD, 

''  hUccfor  of  the  pari  Miniiii- 
To  His  Kxcelleiicy.  lielui-n  Joii.athau  Meigs,  Ms((. 

\.  li.  Till'  foregoing  letter  is  written  at  tin;  riMjuest  ot  llit 
iuliabitants. 


Letter  of  J)r.  Coiiant. 


24n 


.11  -. 

^H 

ill  llll> 

1 

ic  lu\v> 

■ 

iihelvi'> 

■ 

fcl  mo 

■ 

iikI  an' 

■ 

;i  ill'*'''' 

■ 

This  letter  of  Mr.  Spafl'ord.  it  will  be  oltservi'd,  \v:ih  vvritti'ii  dur- 
iuK  .1  period  whoii  the  population  of  the  wcstoni  frontiers  were 
I'xciteil  liy  the  unfriendly  rehitions  existinu;  between  Kn^iiuid  and 
the  IJiiiti'd  States;  and  which  resulted  in  a  diu-.laratiou  of  war  made 
liv  the  hitter  in  June  of  the  same  year.  The  i^reat  issue  of  a  forei'j;n 
war,  threat eiiinn-  a  eoninion  tlanu'er,  united  all  tin-  people  of  the 
h'uiitier,  iiicludiuL!;  thoHc  of  tlu!  disputed  jurisdie.tion,  in  support  of 
the  Ljeneral  inlerestH,  and,  for  the  time,  postponed  the  l>oundary 
coiiliicl.  ^'el.  in  .luntt  ol"  the  s.'une  year,  (Jongress  passed  a  resolu- 
tion ilirectiny  the  (■•uumissiouer  of  tlif  < General  l.and  olliee  to 
cause  the  line  (,o  be  surveyed  ;  but  for  the  reason  stated,  tin-  resolu- 
tion was  not  earried  into  etfet^t  until  1XI7;  when  William  Harris, 
iiuder  the  instructions  of  the  Surveyor  fTeneral  of  the  ITnited 
States,  laid  oW  the  northern  boundary  on  the  line  defined  iu  the 
Ohio  Coustitution  ol  ImO".'.  'riirouu'li  tht^  inlluenee  ol'tieneral  Cass, 
then  Territorial  (Jovernor  of  Miehinan,  another  stirv(!y  was  made 
umler  the  authority  of  the  ITnited  States  (Jovernment,  by  John  A. 
Fultou,  known  as  '•  the  Fulton  line,''  whieh  touched  closer  to  con- 
fornuty  with  the  elaims  of  Mic^higan. 

The  anxiety  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  infant  settlement,  oootipying 

the  (hspiited  traet,  is  uttered   thronnh  the  followin<>'  letter  of  Dr. 

Uoralio  (!{»uant : 

Fort  Mkfgs,  30th   December,  lS-23. 

Dear  Sir:  The  iuliabitants  in  this  vicinity  have  lately  expressed 
con8i<lerahle  solicitude  respecting  the  northern  line  of  this  State, 
ami  several  of  them  have  requested  me  to  write  to  your  honor  upon 
the  subject.  It  seems  to  have  been  taken  for  granted,  more  from 
iuailverteuce,  possibly,  than  for  any  good  reason,  that  the  southern 
line  is  tlu^  i;orre(rt  one.  The  jurisdiction  of  the  Territory  of  Michi- 
gan is  extended  to  the  territory  bet.ween  the  two  lines  with  the 
ileciih'd  a))probatit)n  ot  the  iidiabitants  of  the  disputed  ground, 
nliicli  makes  it  impossible  for  the  State  officers  of  Ohio  to  interfere 
without  exciting  disturbance  We  are  anxious  to  have  some  meas- 
ures adopted  to  ascertain  the  limits  of  our  jurisdicticm.  What  those 
nniasiires  should  be,  Ol'  whether  we  can  aitect  anything  as  indivd- 
iials,  we  are  ignorant  Almost  any  line  that  could  be  rim  would  be 
pri'ferrod  to  the  present,  cutting  otf,  as  it  does,  the  bay  an<1  mouth 
ot  the  river.  The  line  to  the  north  <^ai)e  of  the  bay  is  probably  the 
only  one  that  coidd  be  expected,  otiter  than  the  one  now  established, 
ami  would  he  the  most  agreeable  to  us.  If  anything  can  be  eft'ected, 
we  (le[)end  upon  your  exertions  ami  those  ol"  the  other  members  of 
llie  Legislature  from  this  State. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,         HoRATIO  CoNANT. 

Hon.  Ethan  A.  Brown,  Senator  in  Congress. 


I  >; 


1 


244 


The  Agitation  Jienewed  in  1885. 


In  18.'»5  the  agitation  was  rciiewcMl  in  conHt'(|uonci!  of  an  anxioiH 
desire  on  the  part  of  a  majority  ot  the  inhabitants  near  the  inoiiili 
of  the  river  to  have  the  jnrisdiction  of  Ohio  establishctl  on  the 
Harris  Lino,  wilh  a  view  of  seeuring  to  their  locality  the  ailvnuta^es 
of  the  Wabash  anil  Erie  Canal.  W.  V.  Way,  P^sq.,  of  Perryslmri;, 
in  a  very  interesting  address  upon  this  subject,  made  in  Is(i8,  savs; 

"The  necessity  of  immediately  constructing  the  canal,  and  tlii' 
urgent  demands  of  the  citizens  of  Toledo,  induced  the  Governor  to 
bring  the  subject  before  the  Legislature  by  a  s])ecial  message.  On 
the  2.'5d  of  February,  IH;ir),  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  p.assed  an  act 
extending  the  northern  boundaries  of  the  counties  of  Wood,  Heiirv 
and  Williams,  to  the  Harris  Line. 

"  The  authorities  of  Michigan  had  previously  e.vercised  jurisdie 
tion  over  the  entire  territory  lying  between  the  Harris  Line  on  the 
north,  and  the  Fulton  Line  on  the  south,  as  a  part  of  jNTichigan, 

"It  ought,  however,  to  be  mentioned,  that  the  authorities  of 
Wood  county,  at  a  period  much  earlier  than  I8.'J."),  attempted  to 
extend  the  laws  of  Ohio  over  that  part  of  this  territory  claimed  to 
be  in  that  county,  by  levying  taxes,  but  the  people  did  not  recog 
nize  the  act  and  refused  to  pay  the  taxes. 

"An  act  ot  the  Legislature  of  Ohio,  passed  on  the  'I'M  of  Febru 
ary,  IH.-J;"),  provided  'that  such  part  of  the  territory  declared  by  thi« 
act  as  being  attached  to  the  county  of  Wood,  shall  be  erected  into 
townships  as  follows,  to  wit :  such  part,  of  ranges  five  and  six  is  lit« 
between  the  line  run  due  east  from  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake 
Michigan  and  the  line  run  from  the  said  southern  extremity  to  the 
most  northern  cape  of  the  Maumee  Bay,  bo  and  the  same  is  herebj 
erected  into  a  separate  and  distinct  township  by  the  name  ol 
Sylvania;  and  that  all  such  part  of  ranges  seven  and  eight,  togetter 
with  the  territory  east  of  the  Maumee  River,  as  lies  between  thf 
line  run  from  the  southerly  extremity  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  most 
northerly  cape  of  tlie  Maumee  Bay,  and  between  Lake  Erie  and  tk 
lino  run  due  east  from  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  Michigan  to 
Lake  Erie,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  erected  into  a  separate  anJ 
distinct  township,  by  the  name  of  Port  Lawrence ;'  and  fuitlier 
authorized  and  dire(;ted  those  townships  to  hold  elections  for  town 
ship  officers  on  the  first  Monday  in  April  next,  and  provided  tor 
their  complete  organization.  It  also  directed  the  Governor  to 
appoint  three  commissioners  to  run  and  re-mark  the  Harris  Line. 


Gorcrnoi'  Mason  to  Gcnernl  Jiroivn. 


245 


"Fri  Sccly,  of  (Teiiuu:;i.  Jonjitlwiu  Taylor,  of  Liokiiitj,  miuI  Jolin 
rultiTson,  of  Adams,  wcrti  appointed  coinmiKsionors  to  run  ami  rv- 
iiiiiik  tho  lin(^  Tlic  liist  ol"  Ai)ril  was  nanuMl  as  tho  time  to  com- 
mence the  Hiirvey.  Stovens  T.  Mason,  Secretary  and  actinj^  Gover- 
nor of  Michigan  Territory,  anticipatint;  tho  action  of  tho  Legislature 
(if  Ohio,  scut  a  special  message  to  the  Legislative  Council,  apprising 
it  of  the  special  message  of  Governor  Lucas,  and  advised  the  passage 
of  !in  act  to  counteract  the  proceedings  of  Ohio. 

"  Governor  INIason  wrote  to  General  Brown,  who  was  in  command 
of  the  third  division  of  tho  Michigan  militia,  as  follows  : 

ExEOUTiVK  Ot'I'Ioe,  DETROIT,  March  '.),  1835. 

Sir:  You  will  herewith  receive  tlie  copy  of  a  letter  Just  received 
tiom  Columbus.  You  now  perceive  that  a  collision  between  Ohio 
mill  Michigan  is  inevitable,  and  will  therefore  be  prejiared  to  meet 
tilt'  crisis.  The  Governor  of  Ohio  has  issued  a  ])roclamation,  but  I 
have  neither  received  it  nor  have  I  been  able  to  learn  its  tendency. 
Voii  will  use  every  exertion  to  obtain  the  earliest  information  of 
the  military  movements  of  owr  adversary,  as  I  shall  assume  the 
responsihility  of  sending  you  such  arms,  etc.,  as  may  bo  necessary 
tor  your  successful  operation,  without  waiting  for  an  order  from  the 
Secretiiry  of  War,  so  soon  as  Ohio  is  j)roperly  in  tho  field.  Till 
then  I  .am  compelled  to  await  tho  direction  of  the  War  Department. 
Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

IStkvkxs  T.  Masox. 

General  Jos.  W.  Brown. 


t'i! 


"On  tho  IiLst  of  M.arch  Governor  Lucas,  accomp.anied  by  his  stafT 
nnd  the  boundary  commissioners,  arrived  at  I'errysburg  on  their 
way  to  run  and  re-mark  the  Harris  Line,  in  compliance  with  tho  act 
of'iofl  of  February  previous. 

"General  .Tohn  Bell,  in  command  of  the  seventeenth  division  of 
Ohio  niilitin,  embracing  the  disputed  territory,  arrived  about  the 
same  time  with  his  staff,  and  mustered  into  service  a  volunteer  force 
of  about  si.x  hundred  men,  fully  armed  and  equipped.  The  force 
nnt  into  cam])  at  old  Fort  Miami,  and  awaited  tho  orders  of  the 
Oovernor.  The  force  consisted  of  live  companies  of  the  first  regi- 
iiK'iu,  second  brigade  of  the  neventeentli  division  of  militia,  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Mathias  Van  Fleet.  The  Captains  of  these 
[companies  were  J.  A.  Scott,  Stephen  S.  Gilbert,  John  Pettinger, 
ll't'lton  and  Granville  Jones,  of  the  Lucas  Guards,  an  independent 
'.ompauy  of  Toledo. 


346 


KffoTta  at  (J(mvpi'(ymUe, 


"TLcHf  coiiipiuiics  nuinlH'i'cil  iilxnil  lliifc  limnli<Ml  I'lVcctivo  men. 
There  wan  jiIno  :i  part  ol  a  rc^^'ifX'"'  'i'<»'m  SandtiHky  «'oiiiity.  com- 
ii):in<l('i|  l)y  Cdlonol  licwis  .Iciuiin^N,  and  a  pari  ol'  a  ri'fiimciil  iWnti 
St>iu>ca  ami  ilancot^k  <-<Minli<>s,  iiiidci-  cMiniiiaiHl  of  Ooloiicl  Hr'iHh,  of 
Tiffin.  TIh^s*'  niiniltcrcil  alioiit,  thrtu'  tunulrotl  nutrc,  making;  tlic  loial 
I'orcf  six  htuitlroil  lUc  ii. 

"  (Tovi'rnm-  Mason,  with  (Jcneral  Josuph  VV.  Hrowii,  airi\c(|  at 
Toledo  will)  a  tofcM!  under  the  imnuMliale  command  ot"  tho  latter, 
varionsly  estimated  iVom  eij^lil  hundred  to  twolve  Iinndred  men 
and  went  into  camp,  ready  to  riwist  any  advance  of  the  Ohio  author- 
ities upon  the  disputed  territory  to  run  the  boundary  line  or  (Idiii;; 
other  acts  inconsistent  with  Michigan's  rii^ht  ot'  jmisdictioii  over  it- 

"The  two  Governors,  havinj^  made  up  an  issiio  hy  lej^iHlative 
enactments,  found  themselvcH  (!onlronted  hy  a  military  force  that 
had  been  called  imt  to  enforce  tlicir  respective  Icjjfislative  pleadings. 
Governor  Mason  representing  tlu-  tenant  in  possession,  was  conlcrit 
to  rest  at  his  ease,  (iovernor  Lucas  ri'iiresentinu  the  plaintiff,  liiultu 
open  the  trial.  The  whole  itoimiry  in  the  meantime  hecaiiie  wild 
with  excitement. 

•'Governor  l.wcas  had  ilcti-rmined  in  his  mind  to  order  (ieiieral 
Bell  with  l\is  force  to  Tidedo  as  soon  as  hi'  could  make;  the  iieceHNiry 
preparations,  and  risk  the  consei|Ucnces  ;  hut  before  he  had  L;iit  % 
preparations  n\ade,  two  eminent  citizens,  lion,  liichard  Kusli.  of  Fliil 
adelphia,  and  Colonel  Howard  ol' Halt imore.  arrived  from  Wasliiii;.'- 
ton aH  commissioners  Irom  tho  President  of  the  United  Staton,  to  use 
their  personal  iiitluence  to  stop  ;ill  war-like  demonstration.-*.  Htm 
Elisha  Whittlesey,  ot  Ohio,  accom])anied  the  commissioners  as  a 
voluntary  peace-maker. 

"The  commissioners  and  Mr.  Whittlesey  h;id  several  coiiforc'iR'e> 
with  both  Governors,  and  Hnally  on  the  Tth  of  April  subniitled  the 
following  propositions  for  their  assent,  to-wit : 

'* '  1st.  That  the  Harris  Line  should  be  run  ;ind  re-markcil  pi'.r- 
suant  to  the  act  ot  the  l;ist  session  of  the  Le«.5isl.'itnre  of  Ohio  with- 
out interruption. 

'••2d.     The  <'ivil  elections  unih'r  the  l:nvs  ot  Ohio  haviiif:  i;il<f'' 
place  throU!j;hoMt  the  disputed  territory,  that   the  jicopic    ■  ^I'Ik 
upon  it  should  be  left  lo  their  own  government,  obeyii 
jurisdiction   or  the   other,  as  they   may    prefer,  without  'i^'" 

from  the  authorities  of  Ohio  or  .Vlichiijran  until  the  close  of  mf  next 


session 
"  Governo 


of  Contrress. 


r  Lucas,  on  the  uri/ent  r 


equ 


est  of  the  commissiontr> 


aiitl  .Vfr. 
lions  as  ,■ 

SCHsidll    () 

|iro[»o«iti( 

!,'«nliii<j;  tl 

siiltject  to 

niiLrfTiienl 

Howard  ;i.' 

IijkI  collec; 

confiniied  i 

"(Toveni 

Harris   Lin 

Arii'lii.y.'iii,  ;i 

".S.  Dodi 

surveyor  to 

The  resul 

oorrcHponde 

TdUdlicri  1,11, 

>^<i':    III   f 

'■'^>mmis,sioi), 

nori|i(.rn    h 

i-'iii^hc.l  as  I 

'f^l  of  Apri 

|irr)cp(.,|,.,|  I 

in  fimlin-;-  \\^ 

Harris,  ;',  ,., 

''I'.'il's  of!;,-,. 

^'r-nir  sai,|   I 
"larked  til,,  , 

"'  ''if   llis|;|,„ 

'lalfthr  lorio-( 
""'•iriir  oil  I 
""lioriiics  of 
['"•^•'ofwaich 
"ere  a|,„n^,  , 

u 
"•}■  ity 

't'd,,  .;o,|y 

specially  not 
"■'•lire  for  rlie 
'^velve  o'clock 


Govprvor  M<m>}i  liejtds  thr  Ptac<  Ofers.       247 


1111(1  Mr.  Wliiltlcscy,  ni,'i'»'('<l,  roliirtaiilly.  trt  iKKH^pt,  tlic  |»rn|Mi.si- 
lioiis  ;is  a  |)(>a<('Hl»lc  sett  It'iiu'iil,  until  afuir  '  (ho  <il()Mt' ol  (lie  iitixl, 
si'ssioii  of  Coiinri'ss."  (Jovc'riior  Mason  rct'uMt'il  to  ac<|ni('S('  in  tlu- 
piopoHitions.  Governor  LuctiiH  aHsentt'd  to  lliuni  in  the  liyiit  of  rc- 
"iinliiiL;  the  (-Jovernor  of  a  t(MTitory  in  tlie  condition  of  a  .siihalturn, 
subject  to  the  control  ol  thi*  President.  Fie  looked  npnn  the  ar- 
iiiiiixpnient,  iin  m:v<h'  with  the  Tresideiit,  throiiixh  MesHrs.  Knsli  and 
lldWiird  as  his  i-e|)resonl:Ui\ cs,  and  disbanded  the  tnilitary  forei^  he 
hiitl  colleoteil.  (Tovonior  Mason  partially  followed  snit ;  hut  Mtill 
,(iiitiiiiie<l  inakiii;^'  preparations  I'or  any  eni(M-e;i'ncy  that  Miijj;ht  arise. 

"(■lovenior  liUeas  now  thoiit;lH  he  could  run  ;md  remark  the 
lliufis  Line  withoiu  serious  nioleslalion  iVoin  the  authoritiis  ol 
MicliiLt'in.  and  directed  the  coinmlssioners  to  prot-eed  with  the  work, 

•  S.  |)oil'_ji'.  an  cuLjineer  on  tlic  Ohio  canal,  had  hecn  engaged  as 
•iiirvcvoi'  to  run  the  lino." 

Till' result  of  till' surveying  e\j>odition  is  shown  in  the  following 

corri's|i()ndcnco: 

ri;iunsiu  Kd,  May  1,  |s:55. 

TolioliiTl  hllr.'is,  I'^'i.,  (lovriMlitr  nl  llic  Slulr  ot'  <  >|iiii: 

Sir:  In  tlu;  discharge  of  the  duties  which  devolve  upon  uh  as 
tommissioners  appoint(>d  by  your  excellency  lor  re-marking  the 
niii'iln'rii  lnHuiilary  line  of  this  Siat.c,  which  is  known  ,'ind  <listin- 
;'iiislu.'il  as  Ihuris"  Line,  we  nu't  at  l'errysl>nrg  on  Wednesday,  the 
Isl  ol'  April  lasi,  ;ind  a'tcr  coinplcting  the  lUH^essary  iirrangemontfi, 
lirncpcilcil  |,o  the  Northwest  corner  ot' the  State,  and  there  succeeded 
ill  liii'ling  the  corner  as  (h-scrilted  in  the  iicld  notes  of  the  .Surveyor 
Harris,  ;i  copy  of  wliicli  we  had  pioeured  from  the  Surveyor  Gen- 
t-TJirs  otliiiv  Tlicu.M'  your  i-ommissioners  proeecilcil  eastwardly 
ilori'j;  said  line,  wliiiih  ihey  lound  with  little  difficulty,  and  ro- 
iiiarki(1  the  same  ass  diroctod  hy  law  in  a  plain  and  visible  manner. 
to  tlic  ilisiaiicc  of  thirty  eight,  miles  and  a  h.df,  being  more  than 
hall' till'  length  of  the  whole  line. 

Hiiring  our  progress  we  had  been  constantly  threatened  by  the 
mthoritics  of  .Michig.an,  and  spies  from  the  territory,  for  the  pur- 
po>iu  of  watching  oui'  mo\  emenis  and  asiicrtaining  our  actual  srengtht 
werPiilnuKi  daily  among  u«. 

lay   evening,    the  'iith    ult..    .after   having   pei formed   a 

ay's  scrvi<;c,    \our   commissioners,  together   with  their 

I'd  to  the  distance  of  .about  one  mil(>  south  of  the  line,  in 

I'T         :ty^  within  the  State  ol   Ohio,  where  we  thought  to  have 

e(i>,  .  ctly  and  peceably  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the  Sabbath-  and 

^pmally  not  being  engaged   on   the   line,   we   thought  (uirselves 

■'citre  for  the  day.      But    contrary    to   our    expectations,  at   about 

iwelve  0  clock  in  tic    lay,  an  armed  force  of  about  fifty  or  sixty  men 


BB^ 


248 


The  Snrv eying  Expedition. 


hove  in  sight,  within  musket  shot  of  us,  all  mounted  upon  liorsus, 
well  armed  with  muskets  and  under  the  eonimaud  of  General  Jirowii 
of  .Miehi<:;an.  Your  commissioners  obsi'rviusj,-  the  urciit  supcrioriiv 
of  foree,  having  but  five  armed  men  among  us,  who  had  liceii  I'lii- 
ployed  to  keep  a  lookout  and  as  hunters  for  the  party,  thought  it 
prudent  to  retire,  and  so  advised  our  men.  Your  eommissioiiors, 
wit',  sevei'al  of  their  party,  made  goo<l  their  retreat  to  this  place, 
But,  sir,  we  are  under  the  painful  necessity  of  relating  that  nine  of 
out  men,  who  did  not  leave  tlu' ground  in  time  after  being  tirci! 
upon  by  the  enemy,  from  thirty  to  hfty  shots,  wei'e  taken  j)risoiit'i's. 
and  carried  aAvay  into  the  interior  of  the  country.  Those  who  were 
taken  were  as  follows,  to  wit :  Colonels  Hawkins,  Scott  and  Gould, 
Major  Rice,  Captain  Biggerstatl  and  Messrs.  Elsworth,  Fletcher, 
Moalc  and  Rickets. 

We  are  happy  to  learn  that  our  i)arty  did  not  fire  a  gun  in  turn, 
and  that  no  one  Avas  wouTuled,  although  a  ball  from  the  eueiny 
passed  through  the  clothing  of  one  of  our  men. 

We  have  this  day  learned  by  some  of  the  men  who  were  .arrestci] 
and  have  just  returned,  tlvat  they  were*  taken  to  '•''ecumseh  uiidor 
the  escort  of  the  armed  force,  were  there  brought  before  a  magis- 
trate for  ex.amijiation,  that  they  denied  the  jurisdiction;  hut  tlifit 
six  entered  bail  tor  their  appear;ince;  two  were  released  as  not 
guilty,  and  one,  to  wit:  Mr.  Fletcher  refused  to  give  bail  and  is 
retu.ned  in  custody.  We  are  also  further  informed,  b/  unquostioii- 
able  authority,  that,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  an  armed  force  of  several 
Inmdred  men  were  stretched  along  the  line  to  the  east  of  us,  with  a 
view  to  intercept  us  on  our  way. 

Under  existing  circumstances  and  in  the  present  threatening 
attitude  of  affairs,  your  commissioners  have  thought  it  pnideut,  tor 
the  interest  of  the  State,  as  also  tor  the  safety  of  her  citizens  and  to 
prevent  the  threatened  effusion  of  blood,  to  withdraw  from  the  Hue 
at  present,  and  suspend  the  further  prosecution  of  the  work,  until 
some  efHcient  preparatory  measin-es  can  be  taken  whi(;h  will  insure 
the  completion  of  the  undertaking. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 


Jo>rATiiA>r 
J.  Pattkuso 

UUI    Si: ELY. 


rVYLOU,  i 


fommissionen. 


Lenawkh  Cotin'ty  Jail,         } 
Tkcumsku,  .May  T),  18:W.  i 

Sir:  Considering  it  my  duty  to  inform  the  authorities  of  Ohio 
of  my  present  situation,  relative  to  my  iiiiprisonment  in  Miehiir'ni.  1 
take  the  liberty  to  address  your  excellency,  I  am  at  present  incar 
cerated  in  jail — Avas  committed  yesterday.  The  SherilV  was  in 
iluenced  to  change  his  ceurse  of  treatment  towards  me,  by  Govcr- 


A  Michigan  Prif<(mer  Fixplaws 


249 


nor  Mason  and  General  Brown — chiefly,  I  l)elieve,  by  Brown.  \ 
iliiicil  with  General  Brown  yesterday.  Governor  Mason  was  there 
He  (Mason)  strongly  urged  me  to  give  bail;  he  observed  as  l)ail 
Imil  been  proffered  me,  tliis  fact  would  go  forth  to  the  public  and 
cxnnenite  Michigan  from  censure  in  case  that  I  was  committed. 
I'lif  same  consideration  has  been  repeatedly  advanced  to  induce 
me  to  enter  bail.  My  re])ly  has  been  that  the  right  to  demand  bail 
is  the  question  at  issue — that  m  the  case  I  gave  bail,  T  did  not  con- 
sider it  material  whether  the  responsibility  of  that  bail  was  assumed 
!)V  a  citizen  of  Ohio  or  a  citizen  of  Michigan.  Governor  Mason 
"xpressed  himself  as  being  very  anxious  that  the  difficulties  might 
he  settled  without  any  further  hostilities.  General  Brown  was  silent 
oil  this  subject.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  he  does  not  wish  to 
have  this  ([uestion  amicably  settled,  but  that  he  secretly  wishes 
tor  a  collision  between  the  State  and  Territory  tiiat  he  may  have  an 
opportunity  to  distinguish  himself;  and  that  ail  his  measures  are 
lake'i  with  a  view  to  effect  this.  In  eonveriation  at  General  Brown's 
yesterday  respecting  the  circumstances  attending  our  arrest,  the 
Sheriii'  expressed  regret  that  the  citizens  of  Ohio  were  lired  upon. 
General  Brown  replied  that  "  it  was  the  l)est  tiling  that  was  done  ; 
that  he  did  not  hesitate  to  say  he  gave  the  order  to  liie."  He  spoke 
of  i.nviH!;  directions  to  the  Sheriff  how  to  proceed  :  and  tiie  Sheriff 
admilteil  that  he  aeted  undi-r  his  (I'rowii'.s)  direrlioii.  I  mention 
these  circumstances  because,  in  my  view,  they  illustrate  the  ])rinci- 
ples  and  motives  which  have  deeply  proni|)ted  the  o]»))osition  which 
Oliiohas  met  in  her  attempts  to  re  mark  the  boundary  line  ;  and  that 
yon  may  be  better  able  to  anticipate  the  course  which  Michigan  will 
adopt  in  the  future. 

Governor  j\rason  ex])ressed  the  defennination  to  prevent  the  run- 
iiinn;or  the  line  at  all  hazards.  Said  that  the  Sheriff's  posse  would 
not  bo  called  out  again.  That  in  ease  of  an  emergencv,  he  relied  on 
IJie  (issislance  and  pru/tr/ion  of  '^>e  Exvr.Hlivc  of  the  United  Slalen. 
1  did  not  understand  him  to  say  that  this  reliance  was  grounded  on 
any  direct  assurance,  but  only  oii  inference.  On  Saturday  evening 
last.  I  received  a  communication  from  th;'  (/'oniniis'siDners.  by  Col. 
'ireen,  in  which  tlii'V  apjirove  of  the  })ositiou  which  I  had  taken: 
and  instructed  me  to  al)ide  by  it.  I  was  gratified  to  be  informed  by 
Colonel  (Ireen  that  your  Excelleiu\v  coincided  with  the  Commis- 
sioners in  opinion  respecting  the  course  I  had  adopted.  When 
l-'olonol  Green  left  he-  e,  the  understanding  with  the  Sheritf  wp.s, 
that  he  would  not  commit  nu'.  As  he  has  seen  lit  to  do  so,  I  have 
thought  proper  to  give  your  Excellency  infornuition  of  it.  1  will 
"idy  add,  that  I  shall  renuiin  as  I  am  until  further  instructions, 
which  I  doubt  not  will  be  forwarded  in  due  time. 

1  have  the  honor  t  )  be  your  obedient  servant, 

J.   E.   Ft.CTCIIEK. 

His Exoellencv  Kobcrt  T.ucas.  Governor  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 


tl 


250 


Major  Stichney  a  Prisoner. 


\\A 


In  adtlilioM  lo  tlicse  oiil  laj^vs  upon  Mic  «>l1ici;il  surveying  paitv 
were  numerous  lltigrant  assaults  upon  individuals,  as  the  folluwiiii; 
letters  evince : 

MoKKOK  Phisox,  May  Otli,  18:15. 

near  Sir: — Here  I  am,  peepiiiir  tlii'oui>ii  die  ;,M'a.tes  ol'  a  Idmii. 
some  ]>risou,  tor  tlie  iDUitslraus  crime  i)\'  having'  acteil  as  iJieJud"! 
of  an  election  within  the  State  of  Ohio. 

From  wliat  took  place  tlie  otiier  day.  at  Port  Miami,  al  a  ('(iiiriT- 
enec  l)et\vt'en  youi'seil'  iiiid  the  ( ■ommissioners  ol'  ihe  Hnited  Slaiis, 
wherein  we  hail  the  honor  of  heing  present,  we  wcjv  led  to 
beiievi'  tlnil  a  truee  at  least  would  l)e  tlie  result.  In  this  wc  wviv 
again  deceiveil.  1  left  my  residenee  in  Toledo  in  company  with  n 
lady  and  gentleman,  from  the  interioi'  of  Ohio,  to  visit  my  tVn'iid 
A.  v..  Wing,  of  Monroe,  and  others,  conceiving  that  ivsjieci  tor  I  he 
ordinary  visits  of  hosititality  would  iiuve  been  sulHi.'ieiit  for  mv 
protection  under  such  circumstances.  But  vindictiveness  is  carritil 
to  such  extremes,  llmt  all  the  better  feelings  of  nian  an'  buried  in 
the  common  rubbish.  The  otli'  ■!•  who  lirst  took  me,  treated  iiH' in 
a  very  uncivil  manner:  dragging  me  altout  as  a  criminal  tlirniii,'|i 
the  streets  o^!  Monroe,  not withslaiuling  there  are  a  nuuihrr  c! 
exceptions  to  this  virulent  mass. 

On  board  the  Ijoat  we  took  })assage  from  Toledo  to  Monroe,  uciv 
Messrs.  Jvusli  and  Howard,  on  their  way  lo  Wasliingt-oii.  Tliey  uill 
make  favorable  mention  of  the  extreme  forliearanee  of  (Miio.  At 
eight  o'clock  this  morviing.  we  saw  and  shook  Ininds  with  llii' tnn- 
ernor  ol  these  movements  (Mason),  and  his  (ieiu'ral  (Brown),  ni 
Monroe,  just,  leaving  for  Detroit.  It  is  presii)nalil<'  thai  thev 
directed   those  outrageous  transai-tions. 

Uh.  7  o'clock  A.  M. —  Have  been  here  i'oiirleeii  hours,  am!  iin 
relri'shinent  ol  any  kind  yet  furnisheil.  It  iippears  probalile  tlui'" 
isjntiMideil  to  soften  us  by  starvation. 

'J'hose  bands  of  rullianf  of  the  United  Stales,  iiangiiig  upon  tip 
northern  border  ol  Oliiii.  reipiire  chasti.senieiit.  Ii  is  h»  be  hoped  llm' 
the  United  Stiite^  will  lake  speedy  measures  !o  reduce  llieiii  to  siii) 
mission,  'i'liey  have  bei;onie  very  troublesome  to  the  Western  Slulet, 
as  you  are  fully  aware,  and  the  State  of  Ohio  partienlarly,  niakini' 
inroads  liv  night  ;uid  bv  dav  in  large  gangs,  and  eonimiitiiiLT  <!' I"'"- 
dations  upon  the  pea<'ealile  population — kidnapping  and  ahdiieiin;; 
individuals  who  have  become  otfeiisive  to  them.  Wiiellier  lli.' 
United  Stales  iiederlake  the  subduing  of  these  lawless  despera- 
does, or  K'ave  the  State  iiu!i\  idually  lo  di'l'eiid  themselves,  il  "il! 
require  a  large  force.  We  eaiinot  but  hope  ihal  the  United  Slad' 
or  the  State  to  which  1  beloiii!'.  wili  not  iH'rinit  our  individual  siilli: 
ings  to  iiig-e  tie'in  In  aiiv  measures  that  may  not  lie  (•(insistent  wit.i 
aii  enlarged  view  of  the  rights  iif  the  United  Mates,  or  the  itidivitln;i 
States.     1  have  the  honor  to  be,  .ir,  your  very  obedient  servant. 

B.  F.  Sticknev. 
His  E.vcellency  Robert  Lucas,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 


iV!  Goodsell  a  Priwner. 


251 


To  I,  K  DO,  May  '^^d,  J  835. 

,9f,.; — \\\  coiiipliiiiKr  with  your  r('i|iu's1.  tliui  1  should  forvvHrd  to 
viui.  at  ('ohiniliiis.  :iu  account  of  my  alHluction,  I  scud  you  the 
folluwin;,^: 

On  the  niorninf;'  ol'  the  Sth  of  Api'il.  at  ahout,  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  I 
WHS  iiwakriicd  by  a  heavy  knocking  at,  my  (h)or.  1  got  up,  raitsed  a 
window;  at  the  same  liinc  1  discovci'i'd  a  iiuml)i'r  ol'  |u'r.son.s  stand- 
ing iioar  tlu'  (h)oi".  1  dcma-mled  wliat  they  waiitcd.  'I'hcy  answered 
thc.v  wanted  to  come  into  t.lie  house.  I  (U'man(h'd  wliat  their  husi- 
was,  and    l)y  what-  autliority  tliey  appeared   there.     But,   they 


atle  no  reply  to  any  of  my  interrogatories  ;   hut  re])lied  it  I   did 
pen  the  door,  they  wouUl  l)reak  it.     J   replied  if  that  was  their 


ni 


nut  (» 


liusiness.  I  should   treat  them  accordingly — that  the  iU)or  was  last 
and  I  should  defend  it. 

I  drove  them  once  from  the  chtor.  when  many  of  them  went  to 
thf"  l»aek  part  of  the  house,  and  1  repaire(|  to  iliiil  })art,  for  (h'fence. 
While  there,  tliey  madi'  another  attempt  to  force  that  iloor,  in  which 
rliev  succeeded.  1  returned  to  the  front  and  found  the  inmates  so 
mixed  with  the  assailants,  that    1  could   i 


lot    di'fend    it  success 


fullv, 


williDiit  endan<;erin;;-  them,  as  it  was  too  dark  to  distiuguisli  one 
from  another,  only  liy  voice.  1  was  overcome  by  fori'i'  and  treated 
verv  roiiiflilv.  as  was  also  my  wife,  who  had  left  tlie  luuisi'  to  alarm 
the  neighhors  :  l)Ut.  was  overtaken  hy  the -kidnappers  and  treated 
with  violence  ami  insolence.  I  was  taken  l)a('k  into  the  woods, 
wlit'iv  there  were  many  horses  in  readiness,  and  ordered  upon  one 
of  them  and  hurried  off  in  ilu'  direction  of  Monroe. 

My  journey  was  rendered  unpleasant  by  the  insoKiice  of  some  of 
the  jiarty,  and  my  life  jeoi»arili/,etl  i)y  lie  in  g  obliged  to  ride  upon  a 
liorso  without   a   bridle:    which    horse    being    urued    Iroiu    behind., 


liecaine  Iriiihleiu'd  and   ran  with   hk    until 


urnvfd  a 
ivfiiscd 


t  .M 


onroe,  and  was  detained 


ther( 


jumped   Ironi  him. 


r 


mil 


lie\l 


av,  as 


thcv 


me  any  bail  excejH  from  day  to  day.     I  was  taken  Ik'I'cmv  the 
session,  and  (iiiestioiu'd  coiueriiiiiii' our  tuectintr 


Gniiid  -liiry.  then  in 

th'' ortieers,  etc..  etc.     Huring  tlu 

or 


sei(Mid  d;i\  a  large  military  force, 
jwssv.  was  raised,  armed  and  started  for  Toledo.     Al'ter  tht>v  had 


:zono 


nearly  long  enough  to  have  reached  Toledo.  1  was  admitted  ti 
iiail,  and  returned — passed  the  force  on  the  road — impiired  of  the 
Slieritl' whet  her  that  was  to  i)c  considered  an  armed  force  or  a  SluM'ilV's 
/'W.vf.  lie  answered  that  he  considered  il  a  /m»c  at  thiit  time,  but 
■.t  was  so  arranged  thai  it  might  be  either  as  rirciim>iaiice 
I't'ijuiro:  that  <!eneral  Brown  and  aid  wmv  alon: 
'"ISO  llu'V  assumed  a  military  force.  1  was  informed  that  they  had 
"lU' wagon  loaded  with  l' iiited  States  arms,  and  one  loatled  witJi  ain- 


honlU 


who  wiHild  ai't  m 


innnitioi).  ;iii(l  saw  tlu' waijons  wlii 


ell  were 


id  to  be  loaded.     When 


iilioui  half  way  from  this  |dace  to  Monroe,  on  the  morning  o|'  my 
HtKlucrion,  our  party  was  joined  by  the  one  having  Mr.  M(;Kay  in 
oiistody,  who  had   also  beoi    abducted,  or   made    prisoner  as  they 


Mr.  Wat/s  Sfateitieni  Hemmed. 


termed  it.  About  his  person  tliere  were  marks  of  violenci'.  He 
rode  with  liis  feet  tied  under  the  liorse  ;  and  one  of  tlie  party  told 
1110  he  volunteered  to  jfo  to  Toledo  that  lie  miglit  have  an  opportn. 
nity  of  gratifying  an  old  grudge  he  liad  against  Mr.  McKay. 

I  am.  sir,  yours  resjiectfuUy, 

N.  GounsEu. 
His  Excellency  Robert  Lucas, 

Governor  and  Commander-in-Vhief  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 


"The  Commissioners  had  commenced  their  work  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  State.  General  liruwn  had  sent  scouts  through 
the  woods,  to  watch  their  movements  and  to  report  when  they  found 
them  running  the  line.  "When  the  surveying  party  had  got  within 
the  county  of  Lenawee,  the  under-sheriff  of  that  county,  with  a 
warrant  and  posse,  made  hi.s  appearance  to  arrest  them.  He  arrested 
a  portion  of  the  i)art}' ;  but  the  Commissioners  and  Surveyor  Dodge 
made  a  timely  escape,  and  run  with  all  their  might  until  they  got 
off  the  disputed  territory.  '^I'hey  reached  Perrysburg  the  next  di'V 
with  clothes  badly  turn  ;  some  of  them  hatless,  with  terrible  looking 
heads,  and  all  with  stoniuciis  very  much  coUaitsed.  They  reported 
that  they  had  been  att;ieki>d  by  ii  large  Ibree  of  Michigan  militin 
under  General  lirown,  and  had  been  lired  upon  and  had  just  escaped 
with  their  lives  ;  and  that  they  expected  the  balance  of  their  party 
were  killed  or  prisoners.  IMiey  Ibrmally  reported  these  facts  to  Gov- 
ernor Lucas  and  he  reported  them  to  the  President. 

"The  President  sent  a  copy  of  the  report  to  Governor  Mason  and 
directed  him  to  send  him  a  statement  of  the  facts  in  regard  to  the 
treatment  of  the  boundary  Commissioners,  '/>?/  the  officers  engafjei 
in  the  transaction  complained  of.''  Governor  Mason  wrote  General 
Brown  informing  him  of  the  communication  fr  /m  the  President, 
and  requested  him  to  forward  a  report  from  the  ofl^ieers  engaged, 
containing  a  detailed  statrment  of  what  had  been  done,  that  lif 
could  forward  it  for  the  information  of  the  President.  General 
Brown  forwarded  .his  report  from  William  McNair,  undei'- 
sheriff  of  Lenawee  county,  with  his  indoisement  on  the  back  in 
these  words:  'In  consequence  of  reports  being  circulated  throiigli 
Ohio  that  the  Boundary  Com' ."ssioners  had  been  tired  upon 
by  the  Michigan  military  when  the  officers  made  the  arrest,  a 
statement  was  officially  made  by  the  under-sheriff  of  Lenawee 
county  who  made  the  arrests,  to  the  acting  Governor  of  Michigan 
Territory,  to  correct  such  false  reports.' 


Pullic  Sentiment  in  Ohio. 


25.S 


"The  breaking  u])  of  the  surveying  party  iind  the  report  they 

made  of  the  treutmeiit  they  Inul  received,  produced  great  excitement 

tliioiighout  Ohio.     Tiie  press  spread  the  news  with  such  comments 

as  corresponded  with  their  views.     Most  of  the  papers  advocated 

the  course  of  t^^e  Governor,  and  severely  condemned  the  conduct  of 

Michigan.    However,  some  few  of  the  Whig  or  anti-Democratic  in 

politics,  took  an  opposite  view,  and  condemned  severely  the  conduct 

of  Governor  Lucas  and  those  who  sided  with  him.     They  treated  the 

proceedings  on  the  part  of  the  authorities  of  Ohio  as  ridiculous  and 

ealcnhited  to  bring  the  State  into  disgrace.     But  the  number  of 

these  presses  that  spoke  freely  against  the  course  pursued  by  the 

State,  were  very  few.     Governor  Lucas,  finding  it  impracticable  to 

run  the  line  or  enforce  jurisdiction  over  the  disputed  territory,  as 

1,1'oposed  by  Messrs.  liush  and  Howard,  called  an  extra  session  of 

the  Legislature  to  meet  on  the  8th  of  June.     That  body  passed  an 

act '  to  prevent  the  forcible  abduction  of  the  citizens  of  Ohio.'    The 

act  had  reference  to  counteracting  the  previous  acts  of  the  Legisla" 

tive  Conncil  of  Michigan,  and  made  the  offense  punishable  in  the 

ptiiitentiary  not  less  tluui  three  nor  more  than  seven  years.     An  act 

was  also  passed  to  create  the  new  county  of  Lucas  out  of  the  north 

part  of  Wood  county,  and  embracing  tlie  disputed  territory  north 

of  it,  and  a  portion  of  the  northwest  corner  of  Sandusky  county. 

It  attached  the  county  to  the  Second  Judicial  Circuit,  made  Toledo 

the  temporary  seat  of  justice,  and  directed  the   C'ourt  of  Common 

Pleas  to  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  September  then  next,  at  any 

convenient  house,  in  Toledo. 

"An  act  was  also  passed,  making  api)ropriations  to  carry  into 
effect  all  laws  in  regard  to  the  northern  boundary.  Three  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  out  of  the  treasury,  and 
the  Governor  was  authorized  to  borrow  three  hundred  thousand 
more  on  the  credit  of  the  State,  A  resolution  was  adopted  inviting 
the  President  to  appoint  a  Commissioner  to  go  with  the  Ohio  Com- 
missioners, to  run  and  re-mark  the  Harris  Line. 

"These  proceedings  changed  the  issue.  The  proceedings  of  the 
previous  regular  session  of  the  Legislature,  made  llichard  Roe  or 
Michigan,  defendant,  but  now  the  United  States  became  defendant 
as  claimant  of  title  in  fee.  The  determined  attitude  of  Michigan  to 
prevent  Ohio  from  exercising  any  authority  over  the  disputed  terri- 
tory, aroused  a  feeling  of  State  pride  that  coald  not  well  brook  the 
idiii,  that  the  thinly  populated  Territory  of  Michigan,  with  her 


254     Toledo  Pwiished  far  Fidelity  to  0}do\  Causae. 


stripling  (iovenior,  sliould  sucoessrully  lU't'y  Old  (Jovenior  Luoiis. 
and  tln'  military  jtuwer  of  a  Stati;  of  a  '  million'  inlialjitants.  (inv- 
ernor  Lucas,  through  his  Adjntuut  {h'Mfi-al,  SajnucI  (!.  Andrews, 
called  upon  (hf  i)i\  ision  Cummandcrs  Id  r(!|»(trt  as  soon  ns  poHsihli-. 
the  numl)er  uf  men  in  each  Division  that  would  volunteer  to  sustiiiu 
him  in  enforcing  the  laws  over  the  disputed  territory.  Kiftei'ii  out 
of  seventeen  Oivisions  into  which  the  State  was  ilivideil,  re|)orteil 
over  ten  thousand  men  ready  to  volunteer.  About  two  thousand 
men  were  estimated  for  the  two  Divisions  that^  did  not  rf|iiiri. 
These  i)roceedings  on  the  part  of  ( Miio  e\asperate(|  the  authurities 
of  Michigan.  They  dared  the  ()hi<t  "  miili<m  '  to  enter  the  disputed 
ground;  and  '  weh'omed  them  to  hospital)le  graves.'  Prosecution; 
for  holding  office  under  the  laws  of  <)hio,  were  conducted  with 
greater  vigor  than  I'vcr.  Kor  a  time,  tin-  people  of  Monroe  eouiity 
were  kept  busy  in  acting  as  the  sherit1"'s  /)0.ssi\  to  make  arn\st:5  in 
Toledo.  Tile  comniencM'ment  of  one  suit  woultl  lay  the  fouiiilatiui 
for  many  othei\s.  Probably  there  is  no  town  in  the  West  (jilways 
excepting  Lawrence,  in  Kansas)  that  has  sulfered  more  for  its  alle- 
giance to  its  government  than  Toledo. 

"The  partisans  of  Ohio  were  continually  haras.sed  by  the  authori- 
ties of  Michigan  lor  the  greater  ])art  of  the  summer  (d'  1S35.  An 
attempt  was  made  by  the  authorities  of  Ohio  to  retaliate  in  kind: 
but  for  some  reason  or  other  the  accusecl  would  nuin age  to  escape 
into  Michigan  propei,  or  hid»;  at  home.  Whenever  the  sheritl' of 
Wood  county  attempted  to  make  an  arrest,  there  would  generally  tie 
spies  wat(diing  his  coming  and  (rommunicate  the  fact  to  the  accused 
persoris  in  tinu^  to  hide,  or  make  their  cscaju'  out  of  the  place.  The 
town  was  kept  in  a  great  ujtroar  much  of  the  tinu'  in  watching  the 
movements  of  the  Hailitfs  id'  Monroe  and  Wood  counties." 

The  following  letter,  and  proceedings  of  a  public  meeting,  though 
out  of  their  chronological  order,  are  given  to  exhibit  the  policy  auJ 
disposition  of  Michigan  : 

T()i,Ki)(),  Wood  (Joiintv,  Ohio,  March  1st,  1S35. 
His  Excelleiuy  liolieil  liUcas,  Ooveruor  of  Ohio: 

Sir: — At  tlu'  recpu'st  of  a  lai'ge  number  of  my  fellow-citizens.  1 
hastoii  'o  advise  )OUof  the  aspect  of  our  atfairs  in  this  (piarter  ofllit 
State,  that  your  Excellency  may  ;idopt,  .sucli  measures  to  jiiotiti 
their  rights  and  nuiintaiu  the  laws  of  the  State,  as  under  existing 
circunistance.s  nniy  be  deemed  necessary. 

A  notice   was  last  week   issued,  calling  a  meeting  at  Treuiaiii: 
ville,   of    "  tlie    citizens   of    that    portion   of    the   State  of  Ohio 


Andre ir  rainier  to  Govervor  LncaR. 


mJ  99  *9 


though 
licy  ami 

llS3o. 

li/.i'lU,  I 
\  of  tlu- 


Ohio 


lyin.r  north  of  :iii  cast  .uul  west  line  clriiwn   tliroiij^h  the  southern 
rxtiTino  or  bciul  <>r  I^aki-  Mi('hi<;aii,  aiul  wliich  liad  lu'retoforc  bci'ii 
III, del- the  t('ni|!iirarv  jiiri.siliction  of  the  Tcrrildrial  j^ovcriiim'iil  of 
MieliijfiUi.'*     The  oltjn't  of  this  uicetiiij;-  was  to  sprt-ad  intt'Iligeiice 
iiiiiuii"'  111''   pi'oplf,  aiul   lo   prepare   them    for  (lie   I'^tciisinii  of  the 
iui'isdictioii  of  the  State  to  its  eutir<'  eoii.stitutional    hmilf',  and  to 
muml  a;,Minst  any  chanee  ol'  ilivision   by  the  industrious  elforts  of 
cirtiiiii  emissaries,  who   iuid    l)eeM  sent  out  l)y  the  acting'  ({overnor 
iif  Aiiclii^an    to  ereale  an   interest  in   favor  of  the  Ten-itorv,  and  to 
nn  Vfiit  the  operation  of  the  hiws  of  Ohio.     'I'he  meeting  assembled 
Yosti^i'iliiv  afternoon,  to  tlie  nninlier  of  soun*  thn-e  hundred  persons. 
A  il»iiiitation    was  sent   out   from    Miehigan,  consistiiii^Mif  Ueneral 
Brnwii,  of  Lenawee  eonnty  ;  General    Humphrey,  of  Monroe;  Mr. 
Bacun.of  r.he  Legislative  (,'onm'il,  ami  a  number  of  the  judicial  and 
militury  ntticers  of  Monroe  county,  ostensihiy  to  confer  a;id  consult 
ith  our  citizens,  but  whose  real  objeer  was  to  overawe  and  divide 
uur  meeting.     As  the  nature  of  their  visit  was  understood,  m  resolu- 
tion was  unanimously  [)assed,  at  the  ctunniencement  of  the  meeting, 
uivitiiiii  all  strangers,  who  might  feel  any  interest  in  its  proceedings, 
to  atleiHJ  ;    but  declaring    it  *'  indecorous,   improper,    ami  out   of 
order"  for  any  i)ersons  to  take  part  in   its  deliberations  Avho  was 
not  interested  as  a  residval  of  <  Mh(j,  or  called  by  the  language  ol"  the 
iiulicr  mider  uliicli  we  bad  assembled. 

NiiLwillistanding  this  decisive  and  unanimous  resolution  of  our 
'ilizfiis,  n  [leat'-d  elforts  weri'  nniile  l)y  (ieneral  Brown,  through  his 
;isiooi;ites,  to  gel  a  hearing  from  our  audiences  and  to  procure  the 
iviiiliiii>' of  an  order  from  the  acting  (Jovernor  id"  Miciiigan.  It  at 
liiii;tli  raine  into  the  hands  of  a  citizen,  who  hap[)ened  lo  be  in  the 
Mioiiitfaii  interest,  and  who  hail  just  rciieived  a  commission  from 
'loMTiior  Mason,  and  the  ordci-  was  by  him  otiereil  to  the  nu'cting, 
ami  jici'iiiission  asked  to  reail  it  aloud  ;  but  as  soon  as  the  sif/udfuvp 
wiiKdi.scuvereil,  it  was  indignantly  rejected  by  the  nu-eting,  and  its 
iv;tiliii'^-  (leelared  out  of  order,  according  to  llie  s}»irit  of  oiii'  first 
n:-oliiii()ii.  'The  [jurport  of  this  oi'tler,  as  I  afterwards  learned,  was 
i:crl;iiii  instructions  from  acting  (lovernor  Mason,  to  General  Brown, 
:n  proofed  forthwith  lu  this  i»lace,  and  othi'r  t(jwns  in  tlu  north- 
«  <i(.iii  part  of  Ohio,  and  to  ascertain  what  public  otlicers  were  in 
'II''  interest  of  the  State,  for  the  [uirpose  of  having  them  renn)ve(l, 
tml  I'l'placeil  by  others  mori'  loyal  to  the  cause  of  Michigan.  And 
it.  alter  all  his  elforts,  he  could  not  create  a  division,  oi'  rai.se  a  party 
[aiiion^'  diu'  citizens,  sntliciently  strong  to  maintain  the  law.s  of 
Miihii^iiu,  then  to  raise  a  posse  and  proceed  forthwith  with  the 
I'uiilii'  autliorilies  of  the  adjacent  eminties,  ami  forcibly  support 
I'lii' jiivisiliction  of  Michigan,  and,  i)articularly,  to  [)iit  into  elf^ct 
lit' lute  uneonstitutiomil  and  unprei-edented  enactnu'urs  of  the  Leg- 
^lalivo  ('(iiiiieil  of  the  Territory,  subjecting  our  citizens  to  a  tine 
l"l  one  tliiiii.iand  dollars  and  imprisonment  at  hard  labor,  for  a 
jt^tm  of  live  years,  if   they  should  so  far  assert  their  rights  as  to 


25() 


Meeting  at  Toledo. 


receive  or  liold  a  onnimission  niuler  the  State,  from  whoso  consti- 
tution they  had  a  riglit  to  claim  protection,  JJut  notwitlistaiidiii" 
all  this,  aiid  in  the  very  presence  of  these  very  gentlenu-n  wholiad 
come  to  promulgate  these  mandates — to  put  into  execution  tlusf 
instructions,  and  to  overawe  the  populace — when  the  special  me<- 
sage  of  your  Excellency,  and  the  resolutions  and  enactments  of  i!; 
General  Assembly  of  Ohio,  extending  to  them  their  rights  ;i> 
citizens  of  the  State,  and  the  protection  of  its  laws,  were  km\. 
the  meeting  strongly  and  [irmly  resolved  to  supi)ort  the  laws  and 
constitution  of  Ohio.  'I'o  this  resolution  there  were  but  four  or 
live  voices  in  the  negative. 

After  the  meeting  had  adjourned.  General  Brown  read  his  order 
to  the  populace,  anil  assured  them  tliat  the  laws  of  Michigan  shoiikl 
be  enforced,  and  that  before  the  State?  of  Ohio  should  extend  her 
jurisdiction  over  this  part  of  her  constitutional  limits,  ,s/te  icouU 
have  to  nunrh  over  the  dead  bodies  of  that  portion  of  her  citizens  wh 
had  heretofore  been  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Michigan. 

Every  elfort  has  been  made  by  General  Brown  and  his  emissarit! 
to  create  divisions  and  intimidate  our  citizens.  For  this  purpost 
threats  were  used — the  aid  of  the  General  Government  was  freolv 
pledged  to  those  who  would  come  out  on  the  side  of  Michigan— ami 
where  intimidation  and  threats  failed  to  produce  the  eflect,  comnii!- 
sions  were  freely  oifered  and  granted. 

1  herewith  send  you  the  last  number  of  the  "  Michigan  8entiml,' 
from  which  your  Excellency  will  be  able  to  gather  the  feeliii;,': 
and  sentiments  of  the  citizens  of  that  part  of  the  Territory  up.iii 
the  subject,  which,  from  its  immediate  vicinity,  and  from  its  fonmr 
relations  to  us,  has  it  in  its  power  materially  to  harass  and  opprti; 
our  citizens. 

AVitli  sentiments  of  deepest  respect, 

I  um,  sir,  your  Excellency's  obedient  servant, 

AnDKEW   I'ALMEll. 


irEETING   AT  T01>  EDO. 

An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Toledo  was  held  in  tfe 
village,  at  the  house  of  J.  B.  Davis,  on  Friday,  April  lOth,  183"), w I 
take  into  consideration  Avhat  further  arrangements  were  proper w I 
protect  the  citizens  from  lawless  aggression  and  violence. 
After  a  few  remarks  from  several  gentlemen  present,  it  was 
Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  wait  upon  Govoniwj 
Lucas  and  ascertain  how  far  the  citizens  of  this  town  may  rely  wm 
the  protection  of  the  State  in  defending  their  rights  under  her  M 
and   constitution,  and  to   consult   and  concert    such   measures  :ii| 
may  be  proper  and  expedient;. 


(xovernor  Liwas  calls  an  Mctra  Sesskm.        257 


oiisti- 
udin;: 
10  bwi 

,1  nu'5- 

of  tlK 

hts  iis 
X  read, 
ws  and 
four  or 

lis  order 
r  should 
;eud  luT 
fie  xmuli 
'mm  !t'/lO 

■missavii'; 
s  pur\)0:^i' 
,vas  i'wdv 

IgilU— iUld 

;,  commii- 

SentiiH'i" 
ic  reeliu:;: 
tory  up>'» 
its  fornift 
lid  oppr«> 


'ALMKl'v 


h'esolvrd,  further,  That  said  committee  consist  of  such  ottluers 
as,  iiihIcm'  the  recent  penul  enactments  of  the  territorial  council  of 
Miclii"iin,  have  rendered  themselves  liable  to  the  laws  of  the  terri- 
tory ;  tiiat  by  personal  consultation  and  advice,  they  may  be  pre- 
piiroil  to  act  both  with  prudence  and  decision.     Adjourned. 

JOHN  HALT) WIN,  Chairman. 

MAXTKit  MoWMAN,  Scoretdri/. 


lieUiuti"-' 
|o  proii^'i"-" 

In  Goveviv'!] 
rely  iir"'1 
jerkrb« 


(ioveniur  liUcas  finding  it  impracticable  to  run  the  line  or  enforce 
jurisdiction  over  the  disputed  territory  called  an  extra  session  of 
till'  fjfgislature  on  the  8th  of  June,  and  issued  a  message,  from 
which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

"It  appears  to  me  the  honor  and  faith  of  the  State  is  pledged,  in 

the  most  solemn  manner,  to  protect  these  people  in  their  rights,  and 

todet'undthem  against  all  outrages.     They  claim  to  be  citizens  of 

Oiiio.    The  Legislature  by  a  solemn  act  has  declared  them  to  be  such, 

uud  has  required  them  to  obey  the  laws  of  Ohio,  which,  as  good 

jitizens,  they  have  done  ;  and  for  which  they  have  been  persecuted, 

prosecuted,  assaulted,  arrested,  abducted  and  imprisoned.     Some  of 

ilioni  have  been  driven  from  their  homes  in  dread  and  terror,  while 

others  are  menaced  by  the  authorities  of  Michigan.     These  things 

iiave  been  all  done  within  the  constitutional  boundaries  of  the  State 

uf  Ohio,  where  our  laws  have  been  directed  to  be  enforced.     Are  we 

luit  under  as  great  an  obligation  to  command  respect  and  obedience 

I  to  our  laws  adjoining  our  northern  boundary  as  in  any  other  part  of 

he  State?   Are  not  the  inhabitants  of  Port  Lawrence,  on  the  Maumee 

jHay, as  much  entitled  to  our  protection  as  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati, 

Ion  the  Ohio  river  ?     I  feel  convinced  they  are  eiiually  a^  much.    Our 

jooiuinissioners  appointed   in  obedience    to    the  act  of  the   23d  of 

|l'Vl)ruary,  while   in   discharge   of    the  duty  assigned   them,  were 

paulted  whik'    resting   on    the    Sabbath  day,  by  an  armed   force 

friiiu  Michigan.     Some  of  the  hands  were  fired  on,  others  arrested, 

IiihI  one  Colonel  Fletcher  is  now  incarcerated  in  Tecumseh,  (as  will 

p  seen  by  his  letter,)  and  for  what  ?    Is  it  for  crime  ?    No;  but  for 

laithfiilly  discharging  his  duty,  as  a  good  citizen  of  Ohio,  in  obedi- 

|uce  to  our  Jaws.    These  outrageous  transgressions  demand  your 

nost  serious  consideration,  and  1  earnestly  recommend,  and  confi- 

^'i>tly  liope,  that   such   measures   will   be  adopted  as  will   afford 

|rotoction  to  our  citizens ;  provide  for  the  relief  of  those  who  have 

*:vn  arrested,  and  bound  under  recognizances ;  and  for  the  liberation 

17 


258 


Governor  Laaas  Mexsdife. 


of  those  who  aro  iinpriaoncil ;  as  also  lui'  Ihc  iiidomiiilv  of  thn,v 
Avho  havt'  HiiHereil  loss  in  coiKseiiiU'iici'  nl"  their  nhcdicMct'  to  tlicjim. 
orOliio;  a'ul,  in  an  esjiecial  maiun'r,  lor  l.lic  nioi'c  prompt,  cxceiitioii 
ol"  our  laws,  and  the  punishinonl  of  Miosc  uli(»  iiavf  violated  thiin. 
Vou  may  I'ost  assured  that  whatever  oourse  yon  nniy  direct,  wiljii, 
])ronvplly  ])ur8ned  hy  the  I'Aecntive,  and  that  all  your  laws  slmll  !., 
faitlifnlly  e.xeentcd,  as  far  as  his  power  extends;  hut,  for  thciiclfn. 
tnal  enforcement, yon  have  to  furnish  him  with  tin-  necssary  iiuaii-, 

"In  tile  (hxinments  annc.vecl  fir  your  inspection  iind  eoiisidora- 
tion  will  l)e  found  all  the  correspondcMice  of  the  Hxeontive  rcjalivi 
to  carryin<i'  into  cllect  the  act  of  the  'V.VX  of  Kehruary;  wliiHi 
emhraces  the  correspondence  with  the  Department  of  Stiilc  ;i! 
Washington;  the  coniniunications  received  from  Mi'ssrs.  h'lisli  anil 
Howard,  United  States  (Jommissioners ;  tin'  opinion  <il'  the  Atici- 
ney  (leneral  of  the  United  States;  the  correspondeiHse  with  ih. 
Surveyor  (ieneral  of  the  United  States,  togethei-  wiih  sundry  (Iikn- 
meuts  relative  to  ruiinin<^  the  northern  houndary  (d"  Ohio  ;  the  liilil 
notes  of  the  survey  of  the  line  run  hy  iMr.  Harris,  under  the  dim- 
tion  of  the  Surveyor  Cieneral  of  the  United  States;  a  letter  Irmii 
Governor  Cass  objecting;  to  Harris"  line,  with  tin- Surveyor Genenirs 
reply,  coiitendinj^'  that  that  line  was  run  in  accordance  with  the  art 
of  Congress,  and  was  the  true  northern  l)oundary  of  Ohio,  toffftliir 
with  sundry  other  letl;ers  relative  to  the  suhject  of  our  hdiuulaiv, 
and  the  extension  of  our  jurisdiction,  all  worthy  of  ii,  miiiiUe  iiiwv 
tigation. 

."The  suhject  of  our  northern  l)oundary  has  excited  eoiKsiJoriibli' 
attention  throughout  the  nation,  and  ^is  far  as  can  he  learned  I'miii 
the  tone  of  the  papers,  great  exertions  are  miU\ing  to  raise  tkdiiu'j 
unfavorable  to  Ohio,  forestalling   public  o])inion   to  her  pvojiulicf. 
without  refercuce  to  the  merits  of  our  claim,  ami  all  priiicipallj 
upon  the  ground  that  Ohio  is  a  great,  powerful  State:  Michigaua 
weak  and  small  territory,  (while   in  fact  Michigan  has!igiv:iW| 
extent  of  territory  than  Ohio.)     This  ajijiears  to  be  the  siibistanei' 
of  every  argument  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  this  coiitiV' 
versy.     We  Iind  it  in  the  tirst  letter  of  Governor  Cass  to  the  Sur- 
veyor General,  so  early  as  1817.     We  also  iind  it  in  the  avgiimeii!' | 
of  the  ex-Presideiit  in  the  last  Congress,  as  well  as  in  all  theintei- 
mediate  arguments.     Hut  what  is  the  true  static  of  the  case?   Ohio 
has  oppressed   nobody — she  claims  no  territory  more  than  \vhiiti'| 
defiued  iu  her  constitution  \  while,  ou  the  other  hand,  wo  liud  tk 


OooeviMi'  Luvas'  Mei^mye. 


2r)0 


liTi'itory  of  Muihij^iiu  (who  cun  litive  no  li'gi(,iiimt(!  (^Iiiiiii  to  sover- 
eignty, us  her  ,i(()V(M'inn('iit,  at  iiiiy  tinuv,  may  be  dissolved  hy  (!oii- 
gress,  and   the   territory   north  of    Ohio   attached   to   (his   State) 
(■\('rtin<(  all  the  power  of  her  temporary  or  territorial  <<ovenimeut, 
III  (ippri'ss  the  small  villajjfe  of  'I'niedo,  piiiiishiii<?  its  inhabitants, 
not  tor  erinie,  bnt  lor  claiming  their  oonslilutional  rights.     In  this 
tniiisiietioii  we  see  the  great,  and  powerful  oity  of  Detroit,  aided  by 
ihc  iiiilliurities  of  the  territory  united  to  oppress  and   weaken  the 
snmll  village  of  Toledo,  on  tlu?  Maumee  Hay.     Hut  the  true  parties 
in  tlic  I'ontroversy  are  the  Ifnited  States  and  the  State  of  Ohio; 
aiid  let  nie  ask  which   is  the  weaker  i)arty  in   this  controversy? 
Surely  it  will  not  be  contended  that  tht;  great  and  gigantic  State  of 
Ohio  (as  she  has  been  tauntingly  called)  is  about  to  weaken  the 
Uniteil  States,  by  claiming  her  constitutional    rights;  or  that,  by 
I'litbrciiig  these,  her  Just  claims,  she  would  be  making  the   Aveak 
wakt  r,  and  the  strong  still  more  |)owerful,  according  to  the  argu- 
nionts  of  onr  opponents.     Arguments  of   this  kiiul  may  suit  those 
who  wish  to  avoid  the  truth,  to  shun  the  light,  and  carry  their  point, 
light  or  wrong,  by  their  diplomatic  management;  but  in  my  view 
lliLseiirgunients  ar<>  too  contracted  to  meet  the  apjn'obation  of  liberal- 
iniiidid  statcsnu'n.     Is  not  Ohio  a  member  of  tlu^   ITuion  ?     Does 
iiiil  fjjio  lorni  a  component  j)artof  the  United  States  V     Will  not  any 
measure  calculated  to  promote  the  i)rosperty  of  Ohio  also  promote 
tilt;  prosperity  of  the  United  States?     Why,  then,  should  jealousy 
lie  excited  against  Ohio  ?     Why  the  extreme  exertions  of  many 
editors  of  news])aj)(!rs,  ami  other  individuals,  in  some  of  the  States, 
to  Ibrestall  public  opinion,  and  make  imi)ressions  unfavorable  to 
Ohio,  without  examining  the  justice  of  our  cause  ?    Is  this  course 
liberal":'    Is  it  just?     We  think  not.    ' 

"  With  a  desire  to  ascertain  all  the  facts  connected  with  the  contro- 
versy relative  to  our  northern  boundary,  I  have  devoted  what  time 
1  eould  sjnu'e  from  other  duties,  to  a  minute  examination  of  the 
i^iilijecl.  Ill  doing  this,  I  collected  extracts  from  all  the  origimil 
charters  l)y  which  the  territory  northwest  of  the  river  Ohio  was  origi- 
uidly  claimed ;  also  from  the  several  deeds  of  cession,  resolutions  of 
Congress,  ordinances  and  acts  relative  to  the  territory  northwest  of 
I  the  river  Ohio,  the  organization  of  temporary  or  territorial  goveru- 
mciu, and  the  formation  of  States  therein;  all  Avhich  extracts  will 
he  submitted  to  your  consideration,  as  an  appendix  to  this  com- 
Imunication.    'I'hese  extracts  will  present  to  you  a  full  view  of  the 


200 


(rovernor  Litras  j]f/ss<(f/e. 


8ubj('ct,  iiiul  in\iHf.  Iiavo  »  U'luliiicy  to  (jotilirin  nil  who  cMimiiu'  tlicm 
(lispiisHioimtcly,  in  the  opinion  Ilinl   lUv  cltiini  nl'  (Miio  in  just  uinl 
incontrov<'i'til)Ir.     Wy  them   it  will   \h'  wen   1 1ml,  I  In-  Icrriiory  now 
(^liiiincil  l)y  Mi('lii;,'iiii   wiis  (»rii,nniilly  incIiKJcd   in  Mir  ;.MMnt   (o  Con- 
nocticnit,  and  lliaL  tlmt  StaU-  diil  not  cfdc  her  ri^dit  of  jurisdiction  In 
till!  United  Stiitcs  over  tlmt  portion  of  territory  borderin;;,'  on  tip 
hike,  and  known  an  the  "  WeHtern  lleserve,"  till  the  year  IHOO,  jnuin 
years  al'lir  the  Ordinance  of  ITH7  waH  ])asrie(l  ;    which   Mr.  Ailiim 
deolared.  in  his  ianiouH  .spee(di   in  tln'  last   Con^reHs,  ''to  l)e  as  mini- 
teral)le  as  the  laws  of  nature;''  yet  the  line  contended  for  !iv  Miclii- 
;(an,  agreeal)ly  to  said   Ordiimnee,   would    run  east    tliron;;li  tlmi 
district  of  country  to  which  Conffress  had  no  claim,  either  el' .snil 
or  jurisdiction,  at  the  time  this  Ordinance  was  passed.    Tl  c  iimir 
]  examine  the  subject,  the  iiu»re  coiiviueed  I  am  tlmt  our  eliiiiii  i> 
just  and  incontroverLlble;  that  it  is  a  settled  (|uestion  ;  and  that  wi 
are  under  as  solemn  iin  obligation  to  maintain  our  jurisilietioii  dvir 
*he  town  of  Port  Lawrence,  on  the  Maumee  Bay,  as  wo  are  to  maiii- 
LJn  it  over  any  township  on  the  Ohio  i-iver. 


"  Gentlemen,  the  whole  subject  is  now  before  you  for  coiisidcra 
tion.     The  cpiestion   necessarily  arises',  what  shall  be  done?    Shall 
we  abandon  our  just  (daim,  reliu((uish  our  Indisputable  riglilH  ami 
proclaim  to   the   world   that  the  acts  and  resolutions  of  the  Ia.<t 
session  of    tlie  General  Assembly  were  mere  empty  things  ?     Or, 
rather,  shidl  we  not  (as  was  declared  in  said  resolutions  to  be  our 
duty)  prejjare  to  carry  their  provisions  into  effect  ?     The  latter,  I 
doubt  not,  will  be  your  resolution  ;  aiul  I    trust  that    by  your  ati«, 
you  will  manifest    to  the  world  that  Ohio  knows  her  consliiiitioiial 
rights;  that  she  has  in(le])endence  eiu)ugh  to  assert  them  :  and  liiiit 
she  can  neither  be  seduced  by  Mattery,  ballled  by  diploniatie  man- 
agement, nor  driven  by  menaces  from  the  suj)port  of  those  riglit.>. 
And,  gentlemen,  you  nmy  rest  assured,  that  whatever  nieuHuros,  in 
your  wisdom,  you   nmy  direct,   will   be   faithfully  ))ursued  by  tlif 
Executive,  to  the  full  extent  of  his  constitutioiml  ]>o\ver,  and  llif 
means  tiiat  may  be  placed  under  his  control. 

"  Very  respecti'ully,  &c., 

"Robert  LucAt." 
"Columbus,  O.,  June  8th,  1835.'' 


*''<••  Jm,},  (.,„  , 


Atteni])/  to  Arrexf  Turn  St'ukiieij. 


261 


This  Hi's.sioii  of  tho  liCj^MsIahirc  piisscd  iin  net  "to  provout  the 
loivihlf  ;ilMliictiiiii  111"  (lie  cit  i/niH  ol'  Oil  in."  'I'lu' act  luul  roforonco  to 
coiiiiirriioliii;;  iti''  iHvvidiisiinlsortlic  Lci^i.sliitivt'coimciloI'Micliiffaii, 
lint!  iiiiulc  till'  ollV'iisc  |iiiiiiHlml>li'  in  llic  iicniti'iitiury  not  Ii-ss  timn 
iliri'c  nor  iikh'c  tliiin  si'vcii  yours.  An  :ict  wus  iiiso  piussod  to  (jrcuto 
ilic  ni'W  county  of  liiioas  out  of  the  north  ]mi't  oC  Wood  (!oiinty, 
1111(1  cinhnicinf,'  tlio  disputed  territory  north  of  it,  and  a  portion  of 
llu  northwest  eorner  oi"  Sandusky  county.  It.  attaciicd  tho  county 
Id  tile  .Second  .Indicia!  (Jircuit,  made  Toledo  tlie  temporary  seat  of 
juslitr,  and  directed  the  Court  of  (!onnnon  Pleas  to  he  iield  on  tho 
lir^t  Muiiday  ol'Septeniher  following,',  at  any  convenient  house. 

I''n'(|iieiit  arrests  and  imprisonments  in  tho  Monroe  jail  occurred. 
All  attempt  to  arrest  Two  Stick iicy,  and  to  ro-arnst  McKay,  ])rovod 
iiirtt'eetiial,  as  is  seen  hy  the  following  atlidavit: 


TkKKITOIIY    01<'   Ml(JIll(iAN  J 


Jfonroe  County, 


f 


ss. 


IVr.sonally  cauK!  hefore  Albert  Jicinietl,  a  Justice  of  tho  Poaco 
uilhin  ;iii(I  lor  the  cmiuty  aforesaid,  liyinaii  Iliird,  who  being  duly 
sworn,  fiaid  that  on  the  loth  day  of  .luly,  LSii."),  this  (U-poiieiit,  who 
is  a  coiiiilablo  within  tho  county  aforesaid,  wont  to 'I'olodo  in  said 


ci'iintv.  For  the  oiiriiosool'  exocutiu'r  a  warrant  aeainst  (ioo. 


Ill  Ik 


piiri 

hiilf  (»r  the  United  States. 


McK 


ay, 


This  defionout  was  aoco!n))aniod  by  Joseph  Wood,  deputy  sheriff 
itfsaid  eoiinty.  Said  Wood  had  in  his  hands  a  warrant  against  Two 
^tickiiey.  This  deponent  and  said  Wood  wi'ut  into  the  tavern  ot  J. 
K  Davii^,  in  the  vilhijjo  of  Toledo,  wlioro  they  found  said  Stickney 


McKay.     'I'his  de])onent  infornu'd  McKav  that  he  had  a  av 


ir- 


nnit  for  him,  and  there  attenij)ted  to  arrest  McKay.  Tho  latter 
llu'ii  spnuiy,'  and  caught  a  chair,  and  told  this  cioponont  that 
ihiIl'ss  he  desisted,  he  would  split  him  down.  This  d(>ponent  saw 
McKay  have  a  dirk  in  his  hand.  At  the  time  this  dei)onent  was 
atfi'inptlng  to  arrest  McKay,  Mr.  AV'ood  attempted  to  arrest  Stick- 
lU'V.  Wood  laid  his  hand  on  Sticknev's  shoulder,  and  took  him 
liy  his  collar;  and  after  Wood  and  Stickney  had  scuill(!d  for  a 
sjitiittime,  this  deponent  saw  Stickney  draw  a  dirk  out  of  the  loft 
."ill'.'  of  Wood,  iiud  exclaim,  "There,  damn  you,  you  have  got  it 
niHv.''    Thi.s  dcDonont  then  saw  AVocnl  let  ^o  from  Stickney,  and 


unur. 


Ills  hand  upon  his  side,  a|)iiarently  in  distress,  and  wont  to  the 
Thi,-!  deponent  asked  Wood  if  ho  was  stabbed.  Wood  said, 
'ly  faintly,  that  he  was.  'i'his  deimiient  then  went  with  Wood  to 
i'ii  ^^niitlrs  tavern.  A  ])hysioian*  was  then  called  in  on  tho  re((UOst 
I  WoDtl,    Tlir  physician  thought  it  doubtful  whether  Wood  recov- 


■  I>r,  Jacob  Clark,  yet  a  citizen  of  Toledo, 


262 


An  Ohio  Missuni  to  Waj^/dnf/ton. 


ored.  This  deponi''it  thinks  there  were  from  six  to  eight  person* 
present  at  the  tiuK'  this  deponent  and  Wood  were  attempting  U) 
arrest  McKay  iuid  Stiekney.  Kou"  of  them  interfered.  At  tlv; 
t'me  Wood  infoi-med  Stiekney  that  lie  had  a  [)rcee})t  against  hini, 
Stiekney  asked  Wood  whetlier  his  precept  was  issued  under  tlie 
authority  of  Oliio  or  Michigan.  When  Wood  nliowed  liiin  tlio  war- 
rant, Stiekney  said  he  should  not  be  taken  ;  but  if  it  was  niuler 
Ohio,  he  would  go. 

This  dej^onent  thinks  that  at  tlie  time  Wood  was  stabbed,  it  was 
between  three  and  lour  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  this  dcjiontiit 
remained  there  about  three  hours.  IJefore  this  depcuent  left,  th, 
inhabitants  of  Toledo,  to  the  number  of  forty  or  fifty,  collected  at 
Davis'  tavern.  Tliis  deponent  was  advised,  ibr  liis  own  si/ety,  to 
leave  the  jilace,  and  also  by  the  advice  of  Wood,  he  returned  to 
Monroe,  without  having  executed  his  precept.  And  further  tlii? 
dei>onent  saith  not. 

Lyman  Hurd. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  this  sixfeenth  day  of  Jiilv, 
one  thousand  eight  hunilred  and  thirty-live. 

ALnKRT    liUKXKTT,   ./.   /'. 

These  proceedings  were  reported  byCJovernor  Mason,  to  Presidi-iit 
Jackson,  who  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  inler|iH- 
ing  some  check  to  the  evident  tendency  towards  serious  troulilc 

Go'  ^rnor  Lucas,  perceiving  considerable  uneasiness  at  Wasljinj; 
ton,  for  the  peace  of  the  country,  had  sent  to  Washirigtoii,  N.  11. 
Swayne,  W.  Allen,  and  \j.'\\  Disney,  to  confer  with  the  PresidtMi! 
on  the  subject  of  the  boundary  ditliculties. 

The  result  of  this  mission  was  the  urgent  appeal  of  the  Presi- 
dent for  "the  mutual  suspension  until  after  the  next  session  uf 
Congress,  of  a'l  action  tliat  would  by  possibility  produce  colli- 
aion,  and  the  assu.ranoe  of  an  earnest  recommendation  would  k 
immediately  sent  to  the  acting  Governor  of  Michigan,  and  tin 
other  authorities  of  the  Territory,  whom  he  can  righlfully  iuIvIsimd 
the  performance  of  their  duty,  "that  no  obstruction  shall  be  iulcr- 
poood  tc  the  re-marking  of  'Harris  Line:'  that  all  proeecdiiigj 
already  begun  under  the  act  of  February,  shall  be  immedial.l}' 
discontinned ;  that  no  prosecution  shall  be  commenced  for  any 
8ubpeo:ient  violatior.s  of  tha*  act,  until  aft^'r  the  next  session  ol 
Congress,  and  that  all  (piestioiis  about  the  disputed  juristlietiou 
shall  b;>  carefully  iivoided,  and  if  oeeurrinir  inevitably,  their  discus- 
sion shall  be  postponed  until  the  same  period." 


Clom  of  the  Controvers^y. 


2fia 


"The  iirniiigoment  of  (lie  'M\  ol"  July,  made  with  Messrs.  Swaync, 
Allen,  Mild  Disney,  (Kliiicd  the  base,  of  operations  for  Ohio.  She 
now  had  the  direct  promise  ol'  the  President  that  lie  would  advise 
thiit'iio  obstruction  .sliall  be  interposed  to  the  re-niarking  of  the 
lliirris  Line,  etc."  Yet,  tlie  authorities  of  MicJii<ran  entindy  disre- 
i;;ird(.'d  these  arrangements,  and  the  linal  adjustment  of  the  ilitticulty 
was  not  clfected  until  the  next  session  of  Congress,  when,  on  the 
ir)lh  lit  June,  1 8.'>0,  Michigan  was  admitted  into  the  Union  with 
liermuthern  boundary  next  to  Ohio  limited  to  the  Harris  Line,  and 
•he  disinitcd  territory  was  given  to  Ohio,  ('ongress  giive  Michigan 
the  valuable  mineral  lanils  adjoining  Lake  ISuperiur,  to  make  up  the 
loss  of  the  territory  given  to  Ohio." 

Thus,  through  the  ascendency  of  conciliatory  and  stalesman-like 
counsids  prevailing  a(  Oolunibns  and  Washington,  tli is  angry  strife 
was  happily  settled,  and  (ran((uil  iuul  fraternal  relations  have  since 
jiivvailod  iu'tween  the  citizens  of  the  States  of  Ohio  and  Michigan. 

Tht;  Toledo  /)Vr/'/c,  of  June  ;^9th,  1836,  contains  the  ]>roceedings 
I  if  a  iiK'ctiug  ludd  on  the  Saturday  previous  ('Joth  of  .lune),  con- 
vhimI  ti»  eelebrat((  the  settlement  of  the  Ixumdary  (piestion.  As 
ilhistraliug  the  temper  of  the  jH'oide,  at  that  date,  the  report  states 
ihat,  a!,n'feably  to  previous  arrangenienls,  the  day  was  usht'red  in  at 
jiiiii'iso  by  the  liring  of  cannon  and  ringing  of  bells.  Ajiprojiriate 
lianiK'i's  were  waving  from  the  windows  of  the  different  hotels  and 
public  buildings.  'L'he  liring  was  kept  u|)  at  intervals  during  the 
morning.  At  three  o'clock,  r.  m.,  the  citizens  and  nniny  disfcin- 
i;iii>lK'(!  strangers  ])resent,  assembled  at  the  Mansion  House,  and 
liiivin;;  ror-ned  a,  i)r.)<'t'ssion,  proceeded  to  the  school  house,  wliere 
[a,*horthut  iippropriate  address  was  delivereil  by  Emery  D.  Potter, 
|.  Alter  the  address,  the  procession  returned  to  the  Mansion 
House,  and  partook  <d'  a  dinner  which  had  been  prejjared  for  the 
jwcarioii.in  Mr.  Segnr's  best  style.  L'he  cloth  having  been  removed, 
till  tVillowing  toasts  were  drank,  and  sentiments  given,  which  were 
j?rverally  received  and  cheered  in  the  most  enihusiastic  manner  by 
jiii'  conijtiuiy.  The  lirst  toast  was  the  following,  given  by  J.  B. 
[.Marev.  of  Bullalo: 

Thit(ii;\riisi)/  Toledo. — The  present  growth  of  thi>:  village  is  a 
jti'UL'  indication  <d'  their  enterprise  and  industry,  ^hiy  it  continue 
jiiiili!  To'.'do  shall  be  the  great  city  of  the  proud  State  Of  Ohio. 

Toast.x  wi-re  alio  given  by  W.  J.  Daniels,  Hon.  Joel  jVIcCullum,  of 
L'ckiwrt,  New  York;  Andr(nv  ralmer,  (leneral  McLaughlin,  of  the 


264 


Toledo  in  1816. 


Ohio  Senate;  E.  1).  Potter,  Rev.  Mr.  Bradburn,  of  Nantucket, 
Rhode  Island :  A.  J.  Underbill,  of  New  York  :  Dr.  George  1{.  IVr- 
kins,  S.  R.  Beardsley,  of  Otsego  county,  New  York  ;  Dr.  II.  H. 
Stillnian,  John  J.  Newcombe,  George  IT,  Rich,  Roswell  Cheiiev,  iiml 
others.  A])pro|)riate  addresses  Avere  made  })y  Messrs.  Beardsley  and 
Potter,  and  also  by  Judge  John  T.  Baldwin,  President  of  the  diiy. 

TOLEDO    IN    181(). 

Judge  Baldwin  said:  "Gentlemen,  I  have  long  looked  for  this 
day.  I  have  sometimes  thought  that  I  should  not  live  to  see  it;  but 
I  have  lived  to  see  justice,  although  tardy  in  her  movements,  at  last 
triumphant.  I  came  here  twenty  years  ago,  when  there  was  nobodv 
here  but  Indians,  except  Major  Stickney.  I  used  to  Avander  alon? 
down  through  the  bushes  to  meet  hii^,  when  we  would  tall-'  'is 
subject  over  as  a  matter,  of  diversion,  for  we  were  so  weak  that  we 
could  do  but  little  else,  as  nobody  seemed  t<>  pny  mu(;h  attention  f<> 
what  we  said,  there  being  but  two  of  us  living  on  tlu'  'disimti.d 
ground.'"" 


CHAPTER    V. 


TIIK    ''LOU-CABIN,"    OR   "  IfARD    OIDEH "    ('AMl'AKiN    OF    1 H-IO. 


ThtM-e  can  exist  no  reason  why  the  people  of  the  Maumce  Valley. 
wliose  impulses  inclined  them  to  hero  worship,  should  not  have  beeu 
ardently  attached  to  the  fortunes  of  General  Harrison,  whose  mili- 
tary capacity,  after  he  became  invested  with  the  command  of  the 
Northwestern  Army,  retrieved  former  disasters,  and  gave  security 
Id  the  exposed  frontier.  Their  support  of  him.  as  against  (onf  other 
party  or  candidate,  became  almost  a  duty.  At  this  distance  of 
time,  and  when  the  issues  involved  in  that  contest  have  perished, 
the  writer  of  this,  who  favored  the  election  of  Mr.  \'an  I>uren,  who 
was  a  statesman  and  not  a  soldier,  can  afford  to  say  this  without 
makincj  any  apology  for  the  choice  he  then  made. 

'iiie  election  of  1840  was  one  characterized  by  features  which 
had  no  precedent  in  popular  movements,  in  this  or  any  other 
ountry  recognizing  the  people  as  the  source  6f  power  in  the  State. 
William  Henry  Harrison,  of  Ohio,  and  John  Tyler,  of  Virginia, 
were  nominated  by  a  Whig  Convention,  which  assembled  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  for  ti."  Presidency  and  Vice  Presidency  of  the 
United  States,  December  4th.  lS;i!>.  The  candidntes  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  in  competition  with  ihis  ticket,  Avere  Martin  Van 
Hureu.  of  New  York,  and  Richard  M.  Johnson,  of  Kentucky. 

General  Harrison,  although  a  native  of  Virginia,  was  a  Westei'n 
man— had  been  conb^' cuously  identified  with  all  the  conilicts  with 
the  Indians,  commencing  when  but  twenty-ono  years  of  age  as  aid 
to  General  Anthony  Wayne,  in  I7U4,  and  closing  as  C^ommander-in- 
C'hief  of  the  Northwestern  Army,  with  the  brilliaiit  victory  over 
the  combined  r)ritish  and  Indian  IbrceH  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames, 
iiH'anada.  in  lsi;5. 

These  were  1  lie  candidates.  Alter  tli(^  ndiuiiiatitui  of  Harrison,  a 
Washington  correspondent  of  a  Baltimore  paper,  who  subsctpiently 


266 


The  PoUtical  Ccmipaign  of  1840. 


became  a  Harrison  man,  referred  to  tlie  candidate  of  the  Wliig 
party  as  one  whose  liabits  and  attainmentf  would  sccnire  him  flic 
lnu;hest  measure  of  happiness  in  a  log  cabin  with  an  abuiulanl 
supply  of  hard  cider,  This  ill-chosen  and  hapless  phrase  was  seized 
upon  by  the  crafty  politicians  of  the  other  side,  and  made  to  tbim 
the  key  note  of  the  campaign. 

Log  cabins,  constructed  after  the  frontier  style  of  riido  archi- 
tecture, their  waMf-  ornanuiited  with  cijoif-skins,  and  their  inleiior 
abundantly  supplied  with  cider,  which  was  generally  drank  jiom 
goui*ds,  constituted  the  "  wigwams  "  wht-re  all  the  in-door  gatherincs 
of  the  Whigs  were  held. 

The  space  on  State  street,  now  occupied  by  the  Atheneum,  opjio- 
site  the  State  1  louse  square,  embracing  an  area  of  one  hundred  and 
tifty  by  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  feet,  was  occupied  by  it  loj; 
cabin,  constructed  by  the  joint  personal  efforts  of  Alfred  Kelly, 
'I'homas  Ewing,  Nouh  1 1.  Swayne,  Dr,  Goodale,  .Michael  Sullivai!'. 
William  Neil,  and  others. 

On  the  eve  ol"  the  anniversary  of  Washington's  birthday,  ('.'Isi 
Kebniary.  LSK),)  tl)e  can;pMign,  on  ihe  |>art  ot"  Harrison's  irieiids, 
was  o|)ened  in  Ohio  by  an  illumination  ol  all  Whig  ilwi'Uings  in  the 
Capital.  (Jolumbus  then  had  a  )io])idatioii  of  six  thousand.  Tin' 
number  of  transient  visitors  who  participated  in  the  celebration 
ol'  the  following  <lay,  exceeded  in  number  more  than  three-i'olfl  tin 
then  residents  ol' the  city, — the  hirgest  number  that  had  ever  at  that 
time  been  massed  at  Columbus,  Every  hotel  and  boarding  house 
was  crowded  to  its  utmost,  and  the  hospitality  of  the  citizens,  and 
especially  of  the  Whig  I'aniilles,  had  no  limit.  The  weather  w;.> 
unusually  inclement.  Heavy  rains  had  swollen  the  streams,  and  llit 
principal  streets  between  the  sidewalks  were  covered  with  a  (U'|'tl; 
of  mud  th.'it  reacheil,  on  an  average,  near  to  ones  ankles  Hut  Hie 
ardor  ol'  the  enthu.siastic  processions  was  not,  d.ainpened  by  iheH' 
discomforts;  and  above  the  angry  voice  >d'  tin;  elements  rosetlif 
triumphant  peal  of  loiul  mouthed  cannon  and  exultant  strains  ul 
twenty  bands  of  music. 

The  Maumee  Valley  poure<l  out  its  h-gions  in  this  monster  meet 
iiig.  Kroni  the  description  of  the  procession  published  in  tl" 
(Columbus  (Ohio)  (hwfvdrfdlr  intil  Old  Sr/toid  A'(7;«/>//r,'/;/,  edited  I'V 
that  most  estimabU^  gentleman.  ntly  deceaseil,  John  (i.  Miller 

Esq..  is  extracted  the  fo'.lowing  .«...itingto  the  representation  trom 
Northwestern  Ohio: 


The  Political  Oampai(/n  of  1840. 


2«7 


•  ^ 


,1   in  tV' 
;(lite«m 

;.  Mill^V' 
tioii  t'r"W 


•  There  is  indeed  an  attractive  object.  That  is  Fort  Jfriz/s.  Tlic 
imitation  is  perfect.  How  frau,a;iit  is  it  witli  engrossing  and  inipres- 
viivo  liistory  I  IIow  much  does  it  tell  of  the  gallant  man  who  at 
this  moment  occupies  the  thoughts  .and  the  hopes  of  his  country- 
men!  It  was  no  common  zeal  which  stimulated  the  leelings  of 
those  who  constructed  that  fabric — and  well  have  they  perfected 
the  design,  Those  six  line  horses  which  draw  the  interesting  l)ur- 
ilen  have  imbibed  the  very  spirit  of  Fort  IVIeigs; — mark  the  dignity 
nf  their  motion,  and  the  military  precision  of  their  steps.  "The 
Ifiigth  of  the  fort  is  twenty-eigbt  feet — its  embankments  six  incnes 
hiHi,  .surmounted  by  piquets  of  ten  inches.'  Its  garrison  is  forty 
men.  The  block  houses,  seven  in  mimbor.  '  The  whole  structure 
is  a  beautiful  as  well  as  perfect  representation  of  the  spot  where 
Harrison  achieved  a  victory  wbicli  1ms  incorporated  his  name  and 
ihosu  of  the  brave  men  wiiom  he  commanded  with  the  ne\er-dying 

I  ','lory  of  his  country.  Observe  those  gims  -twelve  cannon,  '  with 
;i|ipropriate  mountings — are  properly  disposed  at  the  batteries/  and 

i  that  little  '  brass  spo/icsmcn,  cast  .at  the  Toledo  foundry,'  is  about  to 
loll  its  'iron  tale'  in  imitation  of  its  'illustrious  ))red('eessors,' 
whif'li  syjo/v;  to  fearful  and  destructive  purpose  in  May,  \x\',].  I^ook 
;\t  those  tiag-statfs,  thirty  feet  in  height.  See  floating  from  the  fore- 
miist  of  them,  that  .signal  of  virgin  wliilc,  ;  nil   reatl    the  inscription 

1  it  ilisplays : 

'  KOKT    J>[Kl(iS, 

'T"ll  (leneral    I'roctor  wheti  he  gets  possession  of  the  Fort,  be 
u ill  <4,'iiii  more  honor,  in  the  estimation  of  his  Iving  ami  country, 
'than  he  would  acquire  by  a  thous.and  capitulations.' 

And  on  the  streamer  of  the  otlier  ai'c  tln^  bi'^t  words  of  the  brave, 

|e\iMring  Lawrence — "  Don't  give  up  the  !s)ii|»  I  "     And  yet  another 

Ibanncr  flies  at  the  extremity  of  the  fort  which,  atblressing  the  leaders 

iac^tinn,  advises  them  that  they  are  'Mveighed  in  the  balance,  and 

Sf'iind  wanting."' 

Hut  det.ails  of  this  niemoralde  affair  can  not  here  be  giv(!n.  One 
^i^nlution  adopted  by  the  grt-.U  meeting  is,  in  coneiu  ion,  appended  : 

" /iW)/(vv/,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  young  men  of  the 
States  ut  Ohio.  Kentucky.  Indiana,  Illinois,  .Michigan, Western  .New 
ifrli,  Pennsylvania  aufl  \'irgini:i,  to  ccleltr.ite  the  ne\t  anniviTsary 

jl  the  raising  of  the  siege  of   Kort  iv|eigs,  in  June,  l>^|:'.  on   the 

l|''*'"U'l  occupied  by  that  iort," 


268 


The  Political  Oimpaigti  of  1 840. 


In  pursuance  of  this  recommeiidation  there  asscmblod  at  tin 
a|)i)oiiite<]  time  and  place,  a  concourse  of  people  variously  estiiimud 
at  from  thirty-five  to  forty  thf)U!-and,  and  embracing  represeutalive^ 
from  every  State  and  Territory  in  the  IJuion.  ]*robably  never 
before  or  since,  in  tlie  annals  of  the  country,  has  there  occurred  a 
mgre  enthusiastic  or  impressive  pageant.  All  classes  and  condi 
tions,  rich  and  poor,  aged  and  young,  "  fair  women  and  brave  men, 
lent  their  presence  and  ardor.  ( J  eneral  Harrison's  veterans  and  miinv 
of  the  country's  rare  statesmen,  orators  and  humorists  were  there  t" 
hOTior,  each  in  his  own  attractive  way,  tlie  hero  of  the  siege.  I'hcmci 
chant  lelt  his  counter,  the  farmer  his  fields,  the  mechanic  his  bench, 
to  join  in  the  shouts  of  applause  and  exultation,  while  cannon.  m\\<- 
ketr^,  church  bells  and  martial  music  rent  the  air  again  and  again! 
Nature,  too,  smiled  from  her  brightest  sky  upon  the  green  banks,  ilit 
glancing  waters,  the  beautiful  towns  of  Perrysburg  and  Maumir, 
the  gleaming  banners  waving  over  the  victory — honored  fort  anl 
British  batteries — all  combining  to  give  the  celebration  llie  |iriili 
and  glory,  if  not  manniticeiice,  ol  a  lioman  triumph. 

General  Harrisons  speech  on  this  occasion  was  more  tiian  usiiall}' 
elegant  and  scholarly.     Of  other  names  recorded  among  the  speakt'i* 
are  Colonels  Todd  and  Clarkson,  of  Kentucky,  former  ofHcors  under 
(ieneral  Harrison  during  the  siege;  Hon.  Thomas  Kwing;  (ienorai 
Woodbridge,  of  Micliigan ,   (ieneral  Ford;  dohn   R.  Osborn.  Esi|.. 
then  of  Nor  walk,  now  of  Toledo,  who,  on  this  occasion,  rcnderel 
himself  conspicuous  in  an  effort  which  challenged  the  cncomiiiiiis 
of  some  of  the  most  distinguished  persons  present  :  Hon.  ()livtr 
Johnson,   of    Miehigan;     Dr.   Smith,   of    iVIonroe,    Michigan;  Mr 
liobert  Schenck,  of  Dayton;  George   C.  J')ates,  P^sq.,  of  Detroit: 
Messrs.  Dawsoi\  and   Brooks,  of  Detroit ;  JVIr.  Saxton,  an  old  llev) 
lutionary  soldier,  from  Connecticut;  .lames  Fitch,  of  New  York: 
Hon.  E.  Cook,  of  Sandusky  City,  delivered  :i  brilliant  oration:  3lr' 
Chamberlain,  a  blacksmith,  from  Kinderhook,  gave  a  humorous  aiiJ  | 
witty    discourse.      Uev.    .Joseph    Badger,    the    Chaplain   in  I'^lil 
eighty-live  years  of  age  in  ls|(),  otfered  the  opening  prayer.   Mr, 
Titus,  of  Toledo,  was  called  ui)on  J'or  a  song,  and  responded  repoa 
ediy  to  the  loud  encore. 

Conspicuous  among  the  military  was  the  battalion  from  Bnflnl 
under  Major  Fay,  embracing  tlu^  I'.ullalo  Flying  Artillery,  Buffal'l 
City  (iuards,  La  Fayette  Guards,  W:isliington  (Guards,  and  Fri'doDlij 
Guards ;  the  Toledo  Guards,  under  the  command  of  Cai>tain  C'  "I 


IwidenU  relaihuj  fo  other  Politiral  Contei^ts.     200 


Hill,  tlien  oiu!  ortlio  best  drilled  and  cfiuipued  volunteer  companies 
in  the  West;  the  Cleveland  (ireys,  under  Captain  Ingraham  ;  the 
Summit  (4uards.  from  Akron.  A  i'omi)any  ol  J^og-Cabin  boys,  iu 
iiiimitive  unitbrni,  tVoni  Geauga  county,  and  an  Indian  company. 

The  steamboats  associated  with  this  memorable  day  were,  the 
"Coraiuodore  Perry,''  which  brought  the  delegation  from  Ibiftalo 
tlic  iiiijhl,  ])revious,  and  on  the  niornitg  made  a  trij)  to  Toledo, 
iTtiiiniiig  with  (leneral  Harrison,  ;ind  la(b'n  with  citizens;  '•(Jeiuiral 
Wiiync," '■  United  States."  'General  S(!Ott,"  •' J{f)chester,'"  ^tar,'' 
"Huron,"  '•  Macomb,"  "  Jellerson,'  "Sandusky,''  "Commerce," 
■•  Lady  of  the  Lake,"  '•  Vance,''  and  ''  Chesapeake." 

Ami  here  is  closed  a  brief  sketch  of  the  most  imposing  poi)ular 
ilcmonstration  that  at  that  time  had  occurred  in  tlie  United  States. 
Tlic  i,n'ouiid,  and  many  ol  tlu^  distinguished  actors,  were  associatect 
with  some  of  the  most  interesting  events  recorded  in  American 
iiistory. 


The  ioUowing  in(;idents  relating  to  other  i)olitical  campaigns  are 
ap])euded : 

During  the  Presidential  contest  of  185(5,  David  Tod,  (who  may 

be  (losignated  as '•  a  politician  at  large '' during  that  strjj,)  Alfred 

P.  Edgerton,  delegate  for  Congress,  and  F.  C.  Le  Blond,  who  had 

Ikcii  nominated  for  Common  Pleas  Judge,  met  at   Kalida  for  the 

liuipose  of  addressing  a  meeting  of  their  political  fricnids.    Mr.  Tod 

hud  l)een  so  unfortunate  as  to  have  had  his  satchel  stolen,  involving 

the  loss  not  only  of  documentary  matter,  which   formed  much  of 

llie  thunder,  which  he  fulminated  from  the  stump,  but  of  his  linen, 

and  it  so  happened  that  by  reason  of  considerable  travel  in  the  cars 

laud  over  dusty  roads,  his  only  linen   lett  him,  then  upon  his  person, 

I  was  in  a  condition  tiiat  would  embarrass  him  in  appearing  belbre  an 

auilii'Mce  composed  of  some  ladies  as  well  as  gentlemen.     In  this 

Nilemraa  his  friends  came  to  his  aid.     Edgerton  produced  from  his 

hagLjage  a  clean  shirt,  which,  though  fitting  his  own  person,  wanted 

pcvtral  inches  to  enable  one  of  the  more  capacious  form  of  Tod  to 

r'lowd  into.     A  knife,  however,  vigorously  handled,  soon  effected 

pii  opening  in  the  back,  and  a  collar  from  Le  Blond's  stock  of  lii;(;n 

pas  made  to  reach  something  more  than  half  the  circumference  of 

jlodsueck;  and  thus  appareled,  he  appeared  upon  the  stand,  and 

"•niailc  the  best  showiusj;  he    could    under  the    circumstances.      At 


270     TiicideiiU  rd(Uiu(j  to  other  PoUtiml  Coittests 


every  slij^hl  ])au8e  in  his  speech,  Le  Blond,  wlio  was  sittiiiL,'  upon 
the  pI.'U ionii  diieirtly  in  his  re:ir,  would  iiiquirc  iil"  him  ht)w  he  was 
gcttiiiL?  iiloiiL?  ill  tii.'il, HJiiil  y 


During  a  political  caiiviiss,  in  which  the  late  Governor,  Daviii 
Tod,  and  I  Foil.  William  Sawyer,  were  holdint^  forth  to  the  pcoiilc 
in  hehair  of  the  claims  nf  tin-  Dcinociat-ic  party  to  the  jjopiilar  siif 
JVai^e,  they  culled  at  the  tav<Mii  of  I'eter  Myi'rs,  in  Perry  to\vnslii|i, 
T'utnani  county,  tfH"  refreshments.  Jlt're  they  metr  a  crowil,  ami 
'■  the  drinks,""  after  they  alighted,  were  the  lirst  things  in  urder.  A 
jug  and  glasse."  were  soon  deposited  on  a  rough  tahle,  and  the 
vessels  first  passed  to  (lolonel  Sawyer,  who,  although  never  a 
habitual  drinker,  in  iiis  electioneering  tours  had  the  reputation  of 
possessing  more  tiiaii  ordinary  (capacity  for  hohling  beverages  con 
sidered  intoxicating.  Sawyer  poured  out  a  moderate  drink,  a.nl 
passed  the  vessel  to  Tod.  who  stood  beside  him,  and  who,  to  the 
dismay  and  astonishment  ot'  the  former,  poured  the  licjuor  into  his 
glass  until  it,  reached  the  veiv  l»rim  !  After  the  drinking  ceremouv 
closed,  and  tht;  crowd  had  all  partaken.  Sawyer  turned  to  Tod. 
and  gr.avely  remarked:  "  Tod,  that  s  the  meanest  trick  I  ever  liad 
played  upon  me.  Jlerc.  directly  befon;  my  eyes,  and  in  preseiur 
o(  my  own  constituents,  wln)  regard  me  as  one  of  the  best  ilrinktTs 
in  the  district,  you  have  illustrated  to  them  that  there  is  o«(!  man, 
at  least,  in  Ohio,  who  can  beat  him  in  the  ijuautity  of  his  drink.  It 
t,h(t  di.strict  could  be  considered  at  all  close,  this  villainous  trick  of 
yours,  Tod,  would  utterly  ruin  my  chances  for  re-election." 


Alfred  P.  Edgerton  first  api)eared  !>efore  the  people  as  a  oamii- 
date  for  oHice  in  IH|5,  lor  the  State  Senate.  Prior  to  thai  time,  lio 
had  not  been  cwnspicuous  in  politics,  though  a  staunch  Democnii 
Alter  his  iioininalioii,  his  friends  deemed  it  expedient  that  lie  can- 
vass the  district,  hold  meetings,  and  form  acquaintance  witli  llio 
people  A  meeting  was  advertised  for  him  to  be  holden  at  N. 
Mary's,  then  known  as  the  capital  of  '•  the  hoop-pole  region.'  11>' 
reached  the  town,  near  the  hour  named  for  the  meeting,  accom- 
panied by  two  or  three  friends,  all  on  horse-back  ;  and  a  little  group 
of  "  sovereigns,"  clad  mostly  in  lumting  shirts,  and  linsey  pants,  the 
bottoms  of  which  wei"e  crow^ded  into  the  tops  of  their  stoga  boots. 
were  standing  in  front  of  the  tavern  in  readiness  to  greet  and  make 


Incidents  relatiruj  i<>  othfr  Pollii'al  Contests.     271 


llic  jictiii.'vintaiKie  of  (hoir  tw.w  ciiiulidatc,  \vli(»  li.-id  siitVcrcil  Home  in 
re|)iit!ili<'ii  :uiioii^t^  iheiii  l>y  reports  tliiit  lit'  liiul  lieoii  guilty  ol"  tho 
liciuous  pnictice  of  paying  uiulm.  attcinion  to  tlio  color  iiiul  quality 
(it  his  liiuiii  aiitl  otlmr  ap[)ar('l.     It  ]\:i(l,  iiiik'Otl,  como  to  tlioir  ears 


tliiit  li(!  was 


a  wliitc-sliirtcd  aristocrat.      Wliat  was  their  joy,  then, 


wlii'ii  Kdgerldii  had  hi'eii  recognizeil  hy  some  one,  and  pointed  out 
l(t  tiiein,  to  diseovcr  that  he  was  lu'Spattered  with  a  liberal 
coating  ol'  the  same  swamp  iinid.  Inmi  head  t<»  I'otjt,,  that  adorned 
llicir  own  (clothing,  ami    that    he   was  iieai'lv  as  rough   l(»olving,  by 


Ins  reason. 


as  any  *'!   them. 


itin< 


trom  his  horse,  in  front  of 


lilt'  tavern,  and  following  with  the  party  into  the  bar-room,  tlie 
usual  introtluctory  '•drinks"  were  ealled  for.  One  of  the  veterans 
.il'  till'  bar,  who  .-ippearetl  ti>  lie  miislei-  of  ceremonies,  rangetl 
glasses  upon  the  coimtt'r,  and  proceetletl  to  pour  into  eae.li  about 
H(jiial  (|uaiitities  «d'  whiskey  ami  mol:isses  -nsing  one  of  his  long, 
iliick.  unwashed  lingers,  lor  the  donbh?  pnrpost;  of  commingling  tiit; 
sUiti,  and  also  us  a  gnage,  st>  that  an  eipial  tpiantity  of  the  villainous 
liii^rt'dients  slioidtl   be  the  portion  ol   euch.      Kdgerton  regartletl  the 


|ji'ot^etHlings  very  much  wilh 


th 


leermu's  of  a  criminal   witnessiiiir 


lilt'  iirt'parations  ior  his  own  exeeutit^n.  It  was  an  ttrdeal  he  had  not. 
uiilit^ipaled ;  but  when  the  time  came,  he  summoned  .all  his  physical 
iiiuntal  Ibrces,  antl  "  by  a  powerful  elfort, "  swalloweil  the  done 
man. 


aiR 


•lik 


This  submissive  resignation  to  his   fate,  was  highly 


salistiictory  to  the  assembled  voters,  anil  ]»repared  their  minds  to 
ti;^'lit  il  through  for  him  vigorously  on  that,  line.  It  is  said,  however, 
ilial  tin;  compound  so  di  gusted  him,  that  lu;  forswore  whiskey  and 
molasses,  and  has  since  romaine<l  an  inexorable  total  abstinence 
iiiau. 


Kdgerton  subse([uently  became  a  candidate  lor  the  ( 'ougressioual 
iiuniiiiation  of  his  party;  and  had  been  advised,  through  friends 
at  hinia,  that  Michael  Leatherman,  who  had  been  the  {»revious 
villi',  a  llepresontative  in  tht!  Ohio  Ijcgislature  from  the  county 
III  Allen,  was  opposing  hii.i  in  his  aspirations.  Urgcil  by  those 
liiiiiils  to  visit  the  county,  and  settle,  if  pos.siblc,  the  business  with 
I'is  only  inrtuential  and  active  opponent,  Edgerton,  soon  appeared 
'A  Lima,  ,ind,  a(;companied  by  his  friend,  the  late  Hon.  Jf.  II. 
Nichols,  proceeded  to  the  resideut'O  of  Leatherman,  a  few  miles 
tlistaut;  but  on  their  way,  they  met  the  gentleman  they  sought  en 
I'oute  to  Lima.    After   the   u-nial    salutations,  Nichols   observed : 


i  I 


272      Incidents  relating  to  otlx r  Political  Contest!^. 

"  Loiitheniiiin,  Kdgerton  luul  mysiiH'  were  on  our  wiiy  to  your 
liouHH,  with  the  |)iu'pone  of  hiiviiii;'  you  toi^cllicr,  und  scut  if  you 
wouhl  not  be  euahled  to  settle  the  matters  of  ditfereuce  hotwccu 
you,  and  reeoiicile  you  to  his  support  for  (Jonj^resH.  Now,  yen  ciiii 
state  the  trouble  riu;ht  here,  so  that  we  can  understand  it." 

"Well,"  says  Leathonnan,  "the  only  thing  "  ith  thith,  Eth(iiioii, 
T  understand  from  Bob  Skintu'r  that  you  thould  have  wrote  liim 
from  Columhuth  ihat  Aun'laithe  would  have  pathed  i\n\  Liiifittihi 
thur,  when  I  was  in  the  lloutli,  and  you  were  in  the  Thenali,  it' il 
hadn't  been  for  that  damn  tool,  Leatherman.  Now,  Etliertoii,  1 
want  to  know  whether  you  wroth  thuth  a  letter':"' 

"  Mr.  Leatherman/'  replied  Kdgerton.  '•  1  have  no  recollection  of 
having  written  such  a  letter;  but  if  Bob  Skinner  says  I  did,  I  sii|i- 
])ose  1  must  have  written  it  " 

"  Thpoken  like  a  man,"  rejoined  Mr.  Leatherman.  "  I  knew  you 
was  onetli,  aiid  if  you  had  written  thuth  a  letter,  would  tliiiy 
thow.  Etherton,  give  me  your  hand.  You  thall  have  my  tliuii- 
port.'' 

And  so  the  war-cloud  passed,  and  the  hapj)y  family  all  returned 
to  Lima,  and  Allen  coanty  was  solid  in  its  support  of  Edgerloii. 
Mr.  Leatherman,  although  having  a  slight  impediment  in  his  speedi, 
was  a  man  of  many  good  qualities,  and  a  most  excellent  neighbor. 


m  1850,  Mr.  Edgerton  was  advertised  to  address  a  Democratic 
meeting  at  Wauseon.  Very  few  of  the  population  sympathiseil 
with  him  in  his  politics;  nevertheless  he  obtained  the  use  of  a 
clmrcrh  in  which  to  make  a  speech.  A  large  majority  of  his  audi- 
ence  wore  Republicans,  and  included  a  number  of  ladies.  At  tk 
close  of  his  speech  a  movement  was  made  to  organize  the  crowd 
into  a  Fremont  meeting,  to  be  addressed  by  gentlemen  who  weiv 
in  waiting,  after  he  closed,  to  make  speeches  on  their  side.  Edjier- 
ton  claimed  that  the  meeting  was  his  own,  and  that  he  would  ii"i 
yield  his  right  to  the  floor.  He  submitted  the  following  propo'-i 
tions  : 

"All  those  in  favor  of  the  election  of  James  Buchauan,  will 
signify  their  choice  by  a  hearty  Aye !  "  Every  Democrat  in  tlif 
crowd,  of  course,  shouted  a  lusty  response.  After  a  slight  pte, 
he  put  the  negative  in  this  wise :  "  All  those  opposed  to  the  election 
of   James  Buchanan,  will  so  demonstrate  by  instantly  risin: 


g  and 


hiridentfi  rehttimj  to  otiur  Political  Contests.     27.*^ 


t(!!iriii<,' lluiir  Hliirts  ! "'  The  llo|»ul>Iioiiii  portion  of  lli.it  incctiiisjj  \v;i8 
inijoiiined  witliout  w:iitlii;:!;  lor  the  Ibrmality  of  a  coiiltjst  on  tlie 
villi!,  ami  Hooii  X\h'  spoukcir  antl  "' dliairiiian,"  and  Iiis  I  )<'niocrali(.' 
trit'iids,  liail  exclusive  |i(»sHi'S8ion  of  t,li«;  ciiurcli,  and  tlii!  nici-tiug 
W!i8  [idjournnd  aiuf  (tic.  His  |»olit,i(al  t»ji|.»ont'nt.  allf'g<'d  tUat  it  was 
a  clnar  case  of  UHurpation  of  poH'er. 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CHAPTEU    VI 


THE  OLD  BRNCH  AND  I?AR. 


The  first  court  held  northwest  of  the  river  Ohio,  under  the  forms 
ot  civil  jurisprudence,  was  opened  at  Campus  Martins,  (Marietta.) 
September  2d,  1788. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  on  the  preceding  Tth  of  April.  Gen- 
eral Rufus  Putnam,  with  forty-seven  men,  had  landed  and  com- 
menced the  second  setttlement  in  what  is  now  the  State  of  Ohio. 
(ieneral  Harmar,  with  his  regulars,  occupied  Fort  Harmar.     Govcr 
nor  St.  eclair,  and  also   (ieneral  Samuel  H.  Parsons,  and  Geueial 
James  M.  Varnuni,  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  arrived  in  July, 
1T88.      The   Governor  and    Judges,  constituting  t'le   government, 
had  been  employed  from  their  arrival  in  examining  and  adoptiiiir 
such  of  the  statutes  of  the  States  as,  in  their  opinion,  would  be 
adapted  to  the  .situatiou  of  this  new  colony.    The  government  had 
made  appointments  of  civil  officers  for  the  administration  of  justice, 
and  to  carry  into  eftect  the   laws  adopted.     Some  idea  may  he 
obtained   of    the    character   of    the    early    settlers    of    Ohio,  In 
describing  the  order  with  which  this  important  event— the  estab- 
lishment of  civil  authority  and  tht;  laws — was  conducted.     From  .1 
manuscript,  Avritten  by  an  eye  witness,  the  substance  of  the  follow- 
ing is  obtained.    The  procession  was  formed  at  the  point,  (where 
most  of  thcsettlers  resided,)  in  the  following  order  :     I,  The  Higli 
Sheritf,  with  his  drawn  sword ;  '2,  the  citizens ;  o,  the  officers  of  the 
garrison  af  Fort  Harmar  ;  4,  members  of  the  bar  ;  5,  the  Supreme 
Judges ;    0,  the  Governor    and    clergy ;    7,    the   newly   appointed 
Judges  of  the  Coui't  of  Common  Pleus,  Generals  Rufus  Putnam, 
and  Benjamin  Tapper. 

They  marched  up  a  path  that  hail  been  cut  and  cleared  througli 
the  forest  to  Campus  Martins  Hall,  [s(ockade,J  when  the  whole 
countermarched,  and  the  Judges   Putnam  and  Tapper  took  their 


The  Ifti'vitorial  fJuiUnavy. 


2T5 


seats.  'Hie  clergyman.  Rev.  Dr.  Cutler,  tlieii  invoked  the  divine 
lilessiug.  The  Sheritt',  Colonel  Ebenezer  Sproat,  (one  ol  nature's 
uobles,)  proclaimed  with  a  solemn  "O  yes,  O  yes,  O  yes,"  that  a 
Court  is  opened  for  the  administration  of  even-handed  justice — to 
the  poor  as  well  as  the  rich,  to  the  guilty  and  innocent,  without 
respect  of  persons;  none  to  he  punished  without  a  trial  by  a  jury 
ol'  their  peers,  and  then  in  pursuance  of  the  laws  and  evidence  in 
the  case."  Although  this  scene  was  exhibited  thus  early  in  the  settle- 
meut  of  the  State,  few  ever  ecpialed  it  in  the  dignity  and  exalted 
character  of  its  principal  participators.  Many  of  them  belong  to 
the  history  of  our  country,  in  the  darkest,  as  well  as  the  most 
splendid  periods  of  the  R':,/olutioniiry  War.  To  witness  this 
spectacle,  a  large  body  of  Indians  was  collected  from  the  most 
powerful  tribes  then  occupying  the  almost  entire  West.  They 
had  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  treaty  Whether  any 
of  them  entered  the  hall  of  justice,  or  what  were  their  impressions, 
we  are  not  informed. 

.IUDGE8  OF  THE   NORTHWESTERN  TERRITORY   AND  OP  THE   SUPREME 
COIRT  OF  OHIO  UNDER  THE  FIRST  CONSTITUTION — 1803  TO  18.52. 


eiui' 


Supi' 

)pointeil 

iPutnam' 


I  througii 
le  whole 
Lk  their 


in  a  work  of  this  character  it  would  seem  not  to  be  traveling  out 
of  the  record  to  notice,  briefly,  the  judiciary  of  the  Territorial  era, 
and  also  of  the  State,  from  the  date  of  its  admission  into  the  Union 
ilown  to  the  period  when  the  first  constitution  of  the  State  was 
superceded  by  the  present  one. 

Upon  the  establishment  of  the  Northwest  Territory  in  1787,  by 
ordinance  of  the  Continental  Congress,  provision  was  made  for  the 
government  of  the  same  by  an  executive  ofKcer  and  three  judges — 
the  executive  ])ower  being  in  the  Governor,  the  judicial  in  the  three 
judges,  uud  the  legislative  in  both  united. 

As  population  increased  new  settlements  were  formed,  and  the 
tenitorial  government  proceeded,  from  time  to  time,  to  lay  out  and 
organize  other  counties,  in  each  of  which  Courts  of  Common  Pleas 
;ind  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  vested  with  civil  and 
criminal  jurisdiction,  were  established. 

The  General,  or  Sujjreme,  Court  consisted  of  the  three  jndgeB 
iihovc  stated  who  were  appointed  by  the  President,  with  the  advice 
mid  consent  of  the  Senate,  each  of  whom  received  a  salary  of  eight 
iinndred  dollars  from  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States.    It  was 


270 


The  Territm'ial  Jndieim'y. 


!  ! 


the  highest  judicial  tribunal  in  the  territory,  and  its  jurisiliotion 
C'inl<raoed  xxn  empire  in  aroa,  and  was  vested  with  original  uiul 
appellate  jurisdiction  in  all  civil  and  criminal  case.«,  ami  on  capital 
cases;  and  on  (piestions  of  divorce  and  alimony  its  jurisdiction  was 
exclusive.  It  was,  however,  a  Common  Law  Court  merely,  witlioiit 
chancery  powers,  and  was  the  court  of'derneir  resort.  It  had  \)^^\sn' 
to  revise  and  reverse  the  decisions  of  all  other  tribunals  in  the  ter- 
ritory; yet  its  own  proceedings  could  not  be  reversed  •>r  set  aside. 
even  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Thus  were  the 
Governor  and  judges  clothed  in  almost  imperial  powers.  The 
court  was  held  in  Cincinnati  in  March,  at  Marietta  in  Octol)er,  at 
Detroit  and  in  the  western  counties  at  such  time  in  each  year  as  the 
(lovernor  and  judges,  in  their  unfortunate  wrangles,  undertook  to 
designate. 

As  before  stated  the  Ciovernor  and  jtuiges  constituted  tlie  legisla- 
wL  tive  body,  and  were  vested  with  power  to  adopt  any  law  in  force  in 
either  of  the  original  States,  and  it  was  made  their  duty  to  report 
all  laws  so  adopted  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  for  their 
approbation.  If  tiicy  were  approved  by  that  body,  they  became  the 
laws  of  the  territory  until  repealed  l)y  themselves,  or  by  the  general 
assembly,  thereafter  to  be  established.  This  restriction  of  the  ordi- 
nance, however,  was  lUsregarded,  and  they  proceeded  to  enact  law.< 
at  their  own  discretion — which,  of  course,  could  not  be  approved  bv 
Congress. 

The  propriety  of  this  action  was  Ireijueutly  contested  by  the  bar 
and  a  disposition  existed  to  test  its  validity.  JVo  attempt,  however, 
was  made  tor  that  purpose,  in  consc(pience,  probably,  of  the  faci 
that  Congress  had  merely  withheld  their  assent  without  expressing.' 
an  actual  dissent,  and  that  as  the  validity  (d"  the  laws  would  l>i' 
decided  by  the  same  men  who  passed  them,  the  hope  of  a  sueoesslnl 
result  Avas  too  weak  to  justify  the  undertaking.  The  consequence 
was  that  all  the  laws  professedly  adoitted  and  promulgated  by  that 
quasi  Legislature  were  treated  as  cou'^Litutional  by  the  bar  and  the 
Courts,  anil  were  continued  in  Ibioe  till  they  were  eonfirmcd. 
repealed  or  amended  and  adopted  by  the  Legislature  of  the  territory, 

Congress  had  appointed  Arthur  St.  Clair,  (iovernor;  James -M. 
Varnum,  Samuel  II.  I'arsons  anil  John  Armstrong,  Judges,  ^t. 
Clair  was  from  Pennsylvania,  Varnum  from  Uhode  Islaiul,  Parson? 
from  Connecticut  and  Armstrong  from  Pennsylvania.  Each  of  the 
appointees  had  been  a  General  in  the  army  of  the  revolution.    Arm- 


Attorney H  Admitted  in  1802. 


277 


strong  declined  accepting  the  position  tendered  him.  Tho  otlier 
two  judges,  with  tlie  Governor,  iiccei)ted.  In  the  pliuic  of  Arm- 
ijtrotig,  Congress,  on  Fchniary  19.  1788,  cliosc  John  Cleve  Symins, 
of  New  Jersey,  u  very  i)roniinent  lawyer  of  tliat  State  who  had  been 
;i  inemhcr  of  Congress  in  1785-0. 

Among  the  territorial  judges  suhscquently  appointed  to  fill  vacan- 
cies occasioned  hy  death  and  resignation  were  Win.  Barton,  of  Penn- 
sylvania; (leorge  'rurner,  oi"  Virginia;  Kufus  I'utnani,  one  of  the 
pioneers  and  fonnders  of  Marietta,  who  had  served  as  a  Brigadier 
General  of  Miis'^iiehtisetts  troo])s  in  the  continental  service;  Joseph 
(lillman,  aivsideut  of  iraniilton  county:  Return  .1.  Meigs,  of  Mari- 
L'ttii,  (subsequently  (rovernor  of  Ohio,  United  States  Senator  and 
Postmaster  General).  Governor  St.  Oluir  was  well  fitted  for  the 
ramp,  hut  not  so  well  for  the  cabini  t,  and  liis  arbitrary  rule  hastened 
theailoption  of  measures  which  secured  the  admission  of  Ohio  as 
a  State  under  the  (Jhillicothe  onstitution  of  the  20th  of  November, 
1802,  and  which  went  into  effect  the  i'oHowing  spring. 

Arthur  St.  Clair  succeeded  John  Hancock  as  President  of  tho 
Continental  (^'ongress.  When  the  State  entered  the  Union,  he  had 
liuthing  to  expect  at  the  hands  of  the  people  of  the  new  State,  and 
returned  to  Pennsylvania.  Ilis  resources,  limited  at  best,  were  soon 
t'xhausted  by  journeys  to  Washington  to  obtain  the  allowance  of 
unsettled  claims  against  the  government.  His  jjecuniary  circum- 
stiiuces  became  worse  and  worse,  and  he  was  finally  compelled,  as  a 
means  of  support,  to  sell  whiskey  by  the  gill  and  chestnuts  by  the 
i|uart  to  travelers  crossing  the  Allegheny  ridge. 

The  first  attorney  admitted  under  the  constitution  of  1802  was 
Lewis  Cass,  whose  certificate  bore  date  1803,  and  whose  honored 
name  has  since  become  known  to  all  Americans,  and  occupies  u 
liis'i  place  among  the  diplomatic  archives  of  Europe.  Of  later 
iiiimes  may  be  mentioned  Charles  Hammond,  William  Woodbridgc, 
^^ince  United  States  Senator  from  Michigan,  Thomas  Ewing,  Judge 
t'rancis  Dunbary,  Judge  Lnke  Foster,  Kobert  B.  Parkman,  D.  K. 
^sW,  Elisha  Whittlesey,  liobert  V.  Slaughter,  Judge  John  W.  Willey, 
J'%  John  W.  Campbell,  Wm.  Creighton,  Joseph  H.  Crane,  Benja- 
'"iii  Kii-glrs,  Johu  W.)ods,  Robert  T.  Lytle,  Elutheros  Cooke,  Alfred 
K^illt y.  Shrrloek  ,1.  Andrews,  Henry  Stanl)erry,  'IMiomas  lu  llatuer, 
^iiiiison  Mason,  Judge  M.  S.  Cowen,*A.  W.  Ijoo"mis,  Salmon  P.  Chase, 
^"Qiuul  R  Vinton,  Simeon  Nash,  Eber  Newton,  Henry  Ji.  Payne, 
Huani  V.  Wilson  and  Humphrey  U.  Leavitt.    Among  these  will 


278 


Snprenie  Bench-~iS02-lHl2. 


¥ 

i! 


J    ' 


be  recognized  names  distiguished  in  the  executive,  legislative  and 
judicial  departnients  of  the  State  and  federal  governments,  as  well 
as  in  the  military  service. 

The  first  official  coininissicjn  was  issued  to  Samuel  Huntiii<,'l,oii, 
who  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Supremo  Court  on  the  3d  of  April,  IRO;), 
(rovernor  'I'ittin,  in  his  letter  to  Judge  II.,  enclosing  his  commission 
as  such,  refers  to  it  as  the  very  first  one  issued  "  in  the  name  of  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  State  of  Ohio." 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  those  who  served  on  the  Su- 
preme Bench,  uiuler  the  tirst  (Constitution,  from  1803  to  1853.  The 
names  are  given  iu  the  order  of  their  election  or  a))pointment : 

Samuel  Huntington,  Jteturn  J.  Meigs,  William  Sprigg.  Georgu 
Todd,  Daniel  Symmes,  TMionuis  Scott,  Thouuis  Morris,  William  W. 
Irvin,  Ethan  Allen  Brown,  Calvin  Pease,  John  McLean,  Jessnp  N. 
Couch,  Jacob  Burnet,  Charles  K.  Sherman,  Peter  Hitchcock,  Klijali 
Hay  ward,  John  M.  Goodenow,  lleuben  Wood,  John  C.  Wright. 
Joshua  CoUutt,  Ebenezer  Jjane.  h'rederick  Grimke,  Matthew  Kirch- 
ard,  Nathaniel  C.  Reed,  Edward  Avery,  Kufns  P.  Spalding,  William 
B.  Caldwell,  and  Rufus  P.  Ranney. 

Some  of  these  names  are  also  eminent  in  the  civii  and  militiiiv 
history  of  the  country. 

The  subjoined  list  embraces  the  names  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court  under  the  Constitution  of  1851  : 

William  B.  Caldwell,  Thomas  W.  Bartley,  John  A.  Corwin,  Allen 
G.  Thurman,  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  Joseph  R.  Swan,  William  Keniion, 
Jacob  Brinkerhoff",  Ozias  Bowen,  Josiah  Scott,  Milton  Su^Iitt,  Wni. 
V.  Peck,  William  Y.  Gholson,  Charles  C.  Convers,  Horace  Wilder, 
William  White,  Hocking  H.  Hunter,  John  Walch,  Luther  Day,  and 
George  W.  McHvaine. 

Having  completed  a  record  of  the  names  of  those  who  occupied 
places  upon  the  Supreme  Bench  during  the  Territorial  period,  and 
under  the  lirst  and  existing  Constitutions  of  Ohio,  it  may  here  be 
nu'ntioned  that  the  first  Circuit  Judge  who  presided  after  tli'' 
organization  of  counties  in  Northwestern  Ohio,  was  (ileorge  'IVd, 
father  of  the  late  Governor  David  Tod,  aiul  the  second  was  Ebene- 
zer  Lane,  who  was  subsequently  elected  Suprenu-  Judge.  His  buc 
cesBor  was  David  Higgins,  whose  interesting  reminiscenceij  air 
subjoined: 


Meminiscences  or  'fudge  J^.  Hiygin^.  279 


WASHfNOTor    14th  April,  1872. 
Mit.  Horace  S,  Knapp: 

l)e(ir  Sir: — In  iiccordiUici.'  with  your  rc(]iie8t,  trunsTnittcd  to  mv 
through  .ny  frioiid,  (rencral  Morj^iiii,  I  liavc  writton  out  a  few 
uu'inorips  of  tho  "  Maumec  Nalli'V-"  H  llioy  can  be  made  to  aid 
your  objects,  tlioy  are  I'urnislicd  witli  pleasure. 

1  sliould  1)6  glad  lo  hear  of  your  ])rogres.s  in  your  worl\  and  to  see. 
it  Avheij  eompU'ted.  T  pay  "  .str ,"'  liabitu.illy,  for  1  can  not,  see  to 
rend  a  lino  of  the  above — my  mind  follows  my  pen,  instinctively — 
but  I  make  errors,  and  am  compelled  to  ask  aid  to  examine  and 
correct  tlieui.  Yours  truly, 

I).    JIlfKilNS. 
MIIMOItlKS    OV    IIIK    MAir.MKK    VAI;I-EV. —  1!Y    I).    HKiftlNS. 

1  was  elected  by  the  (Jeneral  Assembly  Judge*  of  the  »Second  Judi- 
cial Circuit  of  Ohio  in  February,  18JJ0. 

The  Circuit,  lying  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  State,  included 
about  one-tifth  part  of  the  territory  of  Ohio.  The  Indian  title  to  a 
large  portion  of  that  territory  had  been  recently  (viz.,  in  1822)  extin- 
.ruished  by  a  treaty  negotiated  by  Cienerals  Cass  and  McArthur.  and 
was  then  <|uite  au  unsettled  wilderness. 

The  counties  which  composed  that  Circuit  at  the  time  of  my 
appointment  were  Huron,  Richland,  Delaware,  Sandusky,  Seneca, 
('rawford,  Marion,  Wood,  Hancock,  Henry,  Williams,  Putnam, 
I'auldiug  and  \'an  Wert.  The  counties  of  Henry,  Paulding  and 
Van  Wert,  were  unorganized,  and  attached  to  adjacent  counties. 

At  the  expiration  of  my  term,  Ozias  Bowen  was  appointed  my 
successor. 

You  inquire  about  our  voyage  in  the  good  pirogue  "Jurispru- 
dence." There  were  no  very  noteworthy  incidents  in  the  voyage. 
We  had  been  attending  Court  at  Finlay.  Our  Circuit  route  from 
that  town  was  first  to  Defiance,  and  from  there  to  Perrysburg.  A 
countryman  agreed  to  take  our  horses  directly  through  the  Black 
Swamp  to  Perrysburg,  and  we  purchased  a  canoe,  and  taking  with 
lis  our  saddles,  bridles  and  baggage,  proposed  to  descend  lilanch- 
ard's  Fork  and  the  Au  Glaize  rivers  to  Defiance,  and  then  to  Perrys- 
''iirg.  Our  company  consisted  of  Rodolphus  Dickinson,  J.  C. 
Spink,  Count  Collinberry,  mvself  and  a  countryman,  whose  name 
I  forget,  'J'he  voyage  was  a  dismal  one  to  Defiance,  through  an 
""Settled  wilderness  of  some  sixty  miles.  Its  loneliness  was  only 
'iroken  by  the  intervening  Indian  settlement  at  Ottawa  village, 
where  we  wertj  hailed  and  cheered  lustily  by  the  Tahwu  ludiang> 


280         Notes  regarding  the  Bounda/ry  Disp^ite. 


ns  would  be  ji  foreign  war-ship  in  the  port  of  New  York.  From 
Deiiance  we  descended  the  Maiimee  to  Perrysbnrg,  where  we  ioimd 
all  well.  In  descendinor  the  Mauniee,  we  came  near  running  into 
the  rapids,  where  we  should  jirobably  have  been  swanijied  had  wo 
not  been  liailed  from  the  shore  and  warned  of  our  danger. 

Among  the  incidents  occurring  during  my  Judicial  connection 
with  the  Second  (!ircuit,  was  wliat  is  commonly  called  the  Toledo 
war,  which  was  a  contest  about  the  northern  bouiulary,  dividing  tho 
State  of  Ohio  from  Michigan.  T  iim  not  apprised  that  any  history 
of  this  contest  has  been  written,  ami  T  propose  to  give  a  succinct 
account  of  it. 

In  the  ordinance  of  cession,  l)y  which  the  State  of  Virginia  ceded 
to  the  United  States  all  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  river, 
it  was  stipulated  that  not.  less  than  three  nor  more  than  live  uew 
States  should  be  organized  in  the  ceded  territory.  That  there 
should  be  three  new  States  organized  in  that  portion  of  the  terri- 
tory lying  upon  the  river  Ohio,  and  lying  south  of  a  line  drawn  east 
and  west  through  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan. 

In  the  subse([uent  organization  of  these  three  States,  the  in-incipli 
Avas  clearly  recognized  that  the  expression  in  the  Virginia  ordiuiincc, 
''Bounded  north  by  an  east  and  west  line  drawn  through  the  soutli- 
ern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,"  was  ini ended,  and  shoulil  be  under- 
stood to  designate  a  general  location  of  territory,  and  not  to  deline 
specilially  a  State  boundj|i-y.  Accordingly,  Ohio  claimed  that  her 
northern  boundary  should  include  all  the  territory  lying  north  o( 
the  Maumee  river,  and  bouiuled  by  a  line  drawn  eastwardly  I'roui 
the  aforesaid  south  shore  of  Lako  Michigan,  so  as  to  strike  the  north 
cape  of  the  Mjiumee  Bay.  This  line  would  pass  about  ten  mileii 
north  of  the  Maumee  river,  at  Toledo.  This  boundary  would 
include  a  triangle  on  the  north  line  of  the  State,  ten  miles  wide 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Maumee,  and  gradtuited  to  a  ])oint  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  State.  Ohio  generally  exercised  jurisdiction 
without  dispute  over  this  territory  until  the  question  of  the  Walwsh 
and  Erie  Canal  location  and  (U'gaiiizing  the  State  of  Michigan  wai 
agitated,  when  Michigan  set  up  claim  to  extend  her  boundary  south 
to  the  due  east  line  from  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Michigan. 

This  line  would  cross  the  Maumee  above  its  nu)uth  and  throw  the 
town  of  Toledo  and  the  country  ten  miles  north  into  the  new  Stiite 
of  Michigan. 


Notes  regm'ding  the  Bonndavy  Dispute.        281 


The  constnictioii  of  tho  Virginia  act  of  cession  claimed  by  Ohio 
luid  l)euii  recognized  from  the  first  by  (Jongress  ;  for  on  admitting, 
ill  ISIO,  tlic  State  of  Indiana  into  tlie  Union, lier  northern  boundary 
was  lixed  sixteen  miles  north  of  tlie  sonth  slioro  of  Lake  Miciiigiin. 

And  ill  like  manner  tlie  boundary  of  Illinois  was  tixed  thirty 
miles  north  ol'  said  south  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  thus  settling  by 
construe tion  the  fpiestion  of  northern  boundary. 

In  the  year  lfS.'{5,  the  county  of  Lucas  was  sef  off  from  Wooil 
county,  including  all  tho  territory  north  of  the  Maumee,  and  the 
Court  was  re(|uired  to  be  holden  at  'i'oledo  on  a  certain  day.  This 
excited  anew  the  opposition  of  the  Michigan  people. 

Tho  Territorial  (lovernor  had  not  entered  upon  his  official  term, 
and  tiio  duties  of  his  oflice  devolved  upon  the  Secretary,  a  young 
man  named  Mason,  said  to  have  scarcely  arrived  to  years  of  man- 
hood. Some  time  before  this  the  Ohio  authorities  had  sent  out  a 
party  of  surveyors,  to  locate  the  northern  boundary  from  the  north- 
west corner  of  Ihe  State,  when  Secretary  Mason  sent  a  force,  who 
captured  most  of  the  j)arty,  and  they  wei-e  imprisoned  for  a  long 
time  ill  the  jail  at  Monroe. 

Xow.  the  action  of  the  State,  in  requiring  jurisdiction  to  be  (^xer- 
liscd  within  the  territory  claimed  by  Michigan,  excited  very 
iiUonsely  ihe  belligerent  proclivities  of  the  youthful  ex-oillcio 
(iovernor.  He  levied  a  small  army,  and  on  Sunday,  the  day  before 
that  sot  for  holding  the  Court,  he  invaded  the  State,  and  eucaniiied 
with  ii  force  of  one  thousand  two  hundred  men  in  the  lower  jjari 
of  tho  town  of  Toledo.  This  ill-advised  operation  was  attended  by 
no  jiartieularly  serious  consequences ;  for  the  Michiganders  found 
110  one  to  opposi'  them,  and  of  course  they  were  barely  lighting  the 
wind. 

Tho  Lucas  County  Court  met  on  Monday  morning  early,  made  ;i 
record  of  their  session,  appointed  a  Clerk  and  Sherift",  pro  icni, 
and  adjourned  without  (iovernor  Mason  and  his  forces  being  aware 
of  their  meeting.  In  conse(|uence,  the  Court  exercised  their  juris- 
diction without  being  disturbed,  and  the  gallant  (Jovernor  Muson 
inaichod  to  Toledo  with  his  one  thousand  two  hundred  men,  nour- 
ished his  drums  and  trumpets  and  then  nuirched  back  again.  This 
iiuestion  was  settled  upon  tho  adtnission  of  Michigan  info  the 
Union,  when  the  boundary  was  establishetl  by  a  line  running  from 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  State  of  Ohio  easterly  to  the  north 
cape  of  the  Maumee  Bay. 


282 


Indian  Murder  Irial  at  Frcimnd. 


mi 


Upon  the  cxtinguishinL'iii  of  the  Indian  title,  tiiere  were  several 
trib(!«  Oi  Indians  who  continned  to  occupy  their  former  homos,  ami 
retained  their  title  lo  small  rescrviilioiis  of  land.  Among  these 
Indians  was  the  trihe  ol'  Sfnecas,  who  held  :i  rcHt'ivc  of  len  miles 
square,  on  the  Sandusky  river,  a  li'W  miles  above  J^'remont.  The 
political  relation  between  these  Indians  and  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment Were  peculiar.  The  Ignited  Stales  clainu-d  and  exercised 
an  ultimate  sovereignty  over  all  Indian  reserves:  and  I  hey  conceded 
comidete  persoiml  independence  to  the  people,  and  complete  nuinici- 
jial  jurisdiction  to  the  individual  tribes  within  the  bounds  of  their 
reservations,  l^uestions  re(piiring  (le(;isioii  upon  this  relation  were 
(recpiently  occurring  in  the  ciourse  of  my  judicial  experience. 
/Vniong  others  was  a  (^ase  occurring  in  the  Seneca  tribe,  of  pecu- 
liar interest. 

During  the  session  oi'  the  Sui)ri'me  (!ourt  at  h'remont,  in  the  year 
1822,  (I  may  be  mistaken  in  the  year,)  some  person  in  J<Vemont 
(then  Lower  Sandusky)  instituted  a  (()m[)laint  before  a  Justice  of 
Peace  against  the  head  chief  (jf  the  Senecas  for  murder,  and  he  was 
arrested  and  brought  before  the  .Justice,  acct  mpanied  by  a  number 
ot  the  priuiiipal  men  of  his  tribe.  The  incidents  uj)on  which  this 
proceeding  was  founded  are  vei-y  interesting  as  illustrating  the  Indian 
life  and  character.  With  this  head  chief  (who,  among  the  Americans 
passed  by  the  appellation  of  Coonstick)  1  was  somewhat  acquainted. 
He  was  a  noble  speciman  of  a  man,  a  fine  form,  dignilied  in  man- 
ner, and  evincing  much  good  sense  in  conversation  and  conduct. 
Some  two  years  before  this  time,  in  prospect  of  his  tribe  removint,' 
to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi,  Coonstick  had  traveled  to  the  West, 
and  had  been  absent  a  year  and  a  half  in  making  his  explorations. 
The  chief  had  a  brother  who  was  a  very  bad  Indian,  and  during  the 
absence  of  the  chief,  had  made  niucli  disturbance  among  the  tribe: 
and  among  other  crimes,  he  was  charged  with  intriguing  with  a 
medicine  woman  and  inducing  her  to  administer  drugs  to  an  Indian 
to  whom  he  was  inimical,  which  caused  his  death.  When  the  chief 
returned  home,  he  held  a  council  of  his  head  men,  to  try  his  bad 
brolher;  ami  upon  full  investigation,  he  was  condemned  to  be 
executed.  The  ])erforniance  of  that  sad  act  devolved  uj)on  the  head 
chief — and  Coonstick  was  re(piired  to  execute  his  brother.  The  time 
fixed  for  the  execution  was  the  next  morning.  Accordingly,  on  the 
next  morning,  Coonstick,  accom|  anied  by  several  of  his  head  men, 
went  to  the  shanty  where  the  criminal  lived.    He  was  sitting  on  a 


The  old  Jndkdal  (jirmntH. 


283 


'rhirteiMitli  .JudkMiil  (!irciiit.     This  Oii'cuit  ern- 
l)ut  oiil;  of  till.'   territory  tlicii  existing,  three 


lieiieli  licFore  Ills  shiinty.  The  party  hailed  liini,  and  ho  appnmohed 
tlii'ni,iin(l  wrai)i)iii^'  his  hhmkel.  over  his  head,  droi)ped  on  his  knees 
lit'lore  tlu-  exeeiiting  party.  Immediately  Coonstick,  raising  his 
tomahawk,  buried  it  in  tiie  brains  ol'  th«  criminal,  who  instantly 
exjiirod.  These  laots  being  presented  to  the  Supreme  (Jourt,  they 
decided  that  the  (.'xeeiition  of  the  criniinal  was  an  act  completely 
within  the  Jurisdiclion  of  the  chief,  and  tiiut  Coonstif^k  was  jnstitieil 
ill  the  execution  of  :i  judicial  sentence',  of  whicdi  he  was  the  ))r(tper 
|i6rson  to  carry  info  ed'ect.  The  case  was  dismissed  and  ('oonstick 
discharged. 

At  the  session  of  the  (Jeneral  Assembly,  in  ISIIS-JJO,  un  act  was 
passed  creating  thi 
braced  ten  counties 
counties,  namely  :  I )eliance,  Auglaize,  and  l<'nlton,  have  since  been 
erected.  The  following  counties  embraced  the  Circuit  as  then  estab- 
lished, namely :  liucas.  Wood,  Henry,  Williams,  Paulding,  Putnam, 
\^m  Wert,  Allen,  TFardin,  and  Hancock.  This  territory,  iit  the 
time,  formed  part,  of  three  Circuits — Allen,  Putnam,  and  Van  Wert 
l)elon<ring  to  the  l)aytoi>  (Circuit,  presided  over  by  Hon.  Wni.  L. 
Helt'enstein  ;  Hardin,  belonging  to  the  Columbus  Circuit,  presided 
liver  l»y  Hon.  Joseph  P.  Swan,  and  Lucas,  Wood,  Henry,  Williams, 
Paulding,  and  Allen,  belonging  to  the  Marion  Circuit,  presided  over 
by  Hon.  Ozias  Bovven. 

Under  the  act  creating  ibis  Circuit,  Emery  D.  Potter  was  elected 
in  February,  18.j9,  Presiding  Judge  of  the  Circuit,  and  held  the 
oHiee  until  the  winter  of  1844,  when  he  resigned,  and  took  the  seat 
in  Congress,  to  which  he  had  been  elected  in  October,  the  year  pre- 
ceding. He  was  succeeded  on  the  bench  by  Hon.  Myron  H.  Tilden, 
who  continued  in  office  about  eighteen  months,  when  he  also 
resigned. 

On  the  19th  of  February,  1845,  the  Sixteenth  .Judicial  Circuit, 
imbiacing  the  counties  of  Shelby,  Mercer,  Allen,  Hardin,  Hancock, 
I'utnain,  Paulding,  Van  Wert,  and  Williams,  was  erected,  and  Pat- 
rick 0.  Goode,  of  Sidney,  elected  Presiding  Judge.  A  law  of  the  1  Otli 
of  March,  1845,  attached  the  then  newly  erected  county  of  i)eliance 
to  this  Circuit. 

The  same  legislative  session  reorganized  the  Thirteenth  Judicial 
t'ii'cuil,  and  made  it  consist  of  the  counties  of  Henry,  Wood,  Lucas, 
Ottawa,  Sandusky,  Huron,  and  Erie,  and  elected  as  J 'residing  Judge, 
iJbeaezej-  B.  Satldjer,  of  Sandusky  City. 


284 


Common  Pleas  Judges — 1851-18Y2. 


Tho  HL'venil  Jutlges  who  served  in  Hiib-divisioiiH,  emhnicing  other 
(jouiities  in  tlx'  Valley,  are  liere  iipju'iKlcd ; 

(JOMMON    I'LKAS   .FlM)Oi:S   KNIjEK   TIIK   COSSTITrTION    01'    1851. 

In  District  No.  .'1.  siih-diviHioii  I,  fonipoHed  ol"  tho  (;ountie8  of 
IShelhy,  Au<,Hiii/,(',  Alh'ii,  Hiirdin,  Loiriiii,  TJiiion.  iind  Mitdison,  Jiciij. 
K.  Metrair  WHS  clcotcd  i'l  Octither,  IH.'il,  and  William  Ijiiwrenco  in 
18.^)0.  'I^his  district  and  Kn^-divinion  was  chun^'cd  l)y  u  legislatiw 
act  so  as  to  cnihracc  only  I  In'  connlifs  of  liO^an,  Union,  Hardin, 
Marion,  and  Slicihy,  and  .Tndgc  liuwrcncc  was  rc-clcctcd  in  1801, 
and  r('8ijj;ncd  in  1804,  (havin<,'  l)e('n  cho.sen  to  a  scat  in  Congress,) 
and  Jacob  S.  (Jonklin  was  appointed  his  sncccssor,  in  October,  18(54. 
At  the  election  of  the  year  I'ollowini^,  .Indgf  ("onklin  was  (fhicted  to 
lill  the  nnexpired  lerni  of  .Indgi-  Lawrence,  and  re-elected  in  186() 
lor  the  full  term.  An  act  ol"  the  Legislatnrc  passed  in  1808,  tr;jis- 
lerred  the  county  of  Marion  to  another  snh-division,  and  to  the  sub- 
division so  changed,  Philander  1>.  Cole  was  elected  in  October,  IR71. 

In  nis'lrict  No.  J],  subdivision  '1,  composed  originally  of  tiie 
countii'S  of  Menu'r,  \'an  Wert,  I'lilnani  I'anlding,  Defiance,  Wil- 
liams, ICenry,  and  l"'nltou,  .lolin  M.  Palmer  was  elected  in  October, 
1851,  and  Alexander  S.  Ijatly  in  Octobei-.  18.")().  The  sub-division 
was  changed  l)y  an  act  i)assed  April  8th,  18.58,  and  at  the  October 
election  ol"  that  year.  Benjamin  l'\  Metcalf  »vas  elected  an  additional 
Judge  lor  the  sui>-division  composed  of  the  counties  of  Auglaize, 
Allen,  Mercer,  Van  Werl.  and  Pulnam.  .Tndge  Metcalf  was  elected 
in  October,  180:5,  ami  died  in  hVbruary,  1805.  0.  W.  Eoso  Wiis 
appointed  March  0th,  1805,  to  lill,  temporarily,  the  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  of  -I'dge  Metcalf.  James  Mackenzii",  at  the 
October  electi  .a  of  i3G5,  was  chosen  to  lill  the  remainder  of  the 
unex[>ireil  term  of  Judge  Metcalf,  and  in  1868,  was  re-elected.  In 
March,  180!),  an  additional  Judge  was  authorized  in  this  sub-divi- 
sion, and  Edwin  M.  Phelj)3  was  elected  April  17th,  1809, 

In  District  \,  sub-division  1,  composed  of  the  connties  of  Lucas, 
Ottawa,  Sandusky,  Erie,  and  Hui'on,  Lucius  B.  Otis  was  elected  in 
1851.  An  additioiuil  Judge  being  authorized  by  law,  John  Fitcii, 
ii\  1851,  was  elected,  and  re-elected  in  1859,  and  again  in  1804.  S. 
F.  Taylor  was  elected  in  1850,  and  re-elected  in  1801.  .Samuel  T. 
Worcester  was  electcil  in  1858,  and  resigned,  and  in  180 L,  John  L. 
Green  was  elected  to  lill  tiie  vacancy.  Walter  V.  Stone  was  elected 
in  1860,  and  re-eleeted  in  1871;  and,  (an  additional  Judge  being 


tlior 


1. 

'8  of 

Bcnj. 
ice  in 
liitivf 
mVm, 
1801, 
;re88,) 

1804. 
ited  to 
11  186(') 
tri.ns- 
le  8ul)- 
r,  1871. 
of  the 
e,  Wil- 
)ctober, 
livision 

)ctober 
[Utioi'.al 
liigliiizo, 

.'Icctcd 
l),sc  was 

f  occa- 
at  tlie 

of  the 

ed.    Ill 
liib-divi- 


Jjucas, 
jtcd  ill 
Fitch, 
^64.    S. 
Iiiuel  T- 
lohn  L. 
elected 
i  being 


Common  Pleas  JudyeH — 1851-1872. 


285 


lUitliorizod,)  OliurK'S  K.  IVniu'Wcll  wiis  flcclcd  in  IS(1(>.  At.  Hit' 
same  election,  Williiiin  A.  (\»llin,s  Wiis  tiLso  elected  as  the  snooes- 
3or  to  .IihIk*'  l''it(!li.  All  jicL  pu.ssfd  March  lOth,  1S7I,  authorizing 
un  aiMitioiial  .Iiidji;e,  Josliua  1*.  Seiiey  was  elected. 

In  the  sub-division  coiiiposrd  of  the  counties  ol'  W(>od,  .St-iiecu, 
Hancock,  Wyandot,  and  C'rawford,  Lawrence  W.  Hall  was  elected 
in  isr.l,  and  M.  ('.  Whitcly  in  If^'jO,  and  iv-olectod  in  ISOl,  in  tlu> 
siilKlivision  then  consistin<;'  ol"  the  counti's  of  Wood,  Hancock,  and 
Putnam,  (ieorj^c  K.  Scney,  under  an  act  passed  April  Nth,  1S.')(J, 
was  elected  an  additional  .ludgc  for  the  first  ujciitioiied  suh-division, 
ill  October,  185(5;  Chester  K.  Mott,  December  I2th,  ISOd;  James 
Pillars,  April  18th,  1808,  and  Abner  M.  Jackson,  in  October,  1871. 

Ill  the  subdivision  composed  of  the  counties  of  l*auldin<^'.  I)uti- 
anco,  Williams,  Vulton,  Henry,  and  Wood,  Alexander  S.  Latty  was 
elected  in  18r»G,  re-elected  in  IStil,  and  again  in  IFOG.  IFuder  the 
act  of  I8G8,  tl;e  county  of  Wood  was  transferred  to  another  sub- 
division, ami  Judge  Latty,  in  1871,  was  again  elected  to  the  suli- 
tlivision  composed  of  the  counties  of  Paulding,  Ocliancc,  Williams, 
Kiilti>ii,  and  Jleiiry.  ^ 

TIIK   OLIt    IIAK    MIOMIIKKS. 

The  effort  is  now  made  to  present  the  names  and  dates  of  com- 
mencemeut  ot  professional  business,  of  the  early  members  of  the 
Lucas  county  bar,  and  they  arc  given,  as  near  as  possible  to  obtain 
them,  in  chronological  order. 

Emery  D.  Potter,  whose  Judicial  ^<ervice  has  already  been  men- 
tioned was  the  first  who  opened  ;  iw  office  in  Toledo.  Jie  is  the  last 
of  his  early  professional  cotemi)orarics,  and  is  yet  a  citizen  of  Toledo, 
in  full  possession  of  his  intellectual  aiul  physical  powers,  but  only 
practices  law  wJien  it  is  impossible  to  avoid  it.  His  home,  and  an 
occasional  iiululgencc  in  the  sports  ot  the  forests,  ticlds,  neighboring 
bays  and  river,  arc  his  chief  source  of  enjoyment.  Having  been  a 
l>iomineiit  actor  in  many  of  tiic  imi)ortant  issues  that  divided  the 
old  political  parties,  8ome  extracts  Irom  the  February  (IH.")0)  num- 
lier  of  the  Deinocrufic  J!cviciu  arc  appended,  which  will  attbrd  a 
general  view  of  the  estimate  placed  by  the  leading  organ  of  his 
party  upon  his  services  and  [losition  by  a  generation  now  passed 
away: 

"  Few  men  have  risen  to  eminence  and  distinction  in  our  Repub- 
lic, whose  lives  more  faithtnlly  portray  the  proneness  of  all  things 


286 


fJa/i'ly  Memhevs  of  the  Bar 


in  our  threat  West,  to  press  on  vapidly  in  the  sate  line  of  progress, 
than  does  that  of  Emery  1),  Potter,  who  represents  the  Fifth  Dis- 
trict of  Oliio,  in  the  Thirty- lirst  Congress  ot   the  Uuited  States. 
He  was  born  in  Providence  county,  Rhode  Ishind,  tlie  son  ot  Ahra- 
liaiu  l*otter,  a  farmer  in  limited  circumstances,  of  that  State,  which 
has  furnished  so  many  eminent  statesmen,  lawyers  and  merchants,  to 
aid  the  giant  strides  ot  our  country  to  its  present  condition.     At  two 
years  of  age,  Mr.  V.  was  taken   by  bis  parents  to  Otsego  county, 
JSlew   York,  then  well  nigh  a   wilderness;  and   there  be  remaiueil 
until  after  having  completed  his  academical  education  ;  and  beiug 
prepared  to  enter  college,  circumstances  interfered  which  compelleil 
liim  to  commence  tin;  study  of  the  law  without  achieving  collegiatp 
honors.     He  was  entered  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Jno.  A.  Dix  and  Abuer 
(look,  Jr.,  at  Cooperstown,  with  whom  he  diligently  pursued  liis 
studies  until  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  State ;  after  which  he  pursued  his  profession  at  that  point  for 
two  years,  with  much  success  for  one  of  his  age  and  experience. 
Finding  that  field  already  occupied  by  men  of  more  mature  age  aiitl 
well  established  reputations,  he  soon  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  region  was  "  too  old  "  to  afford  him  the  opportunity  for  whicli 
he  longed.     So,  in  the  fiill  of  IH,"..'),  he  emigrated  to  Toledo,  in  Lucas 
county.  Ohio,  bis  present  residence,  where  be  immediately  re-coui- 
n»i;nced  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  .soon  rose  to  distinction,  earu- 
ing  a  high  reputation  as  a  forensic  orator,  and  for  the  extent  and 
soundness  of  bis  legal  attainments.     His  success  at  the  bar  having 
indicated  bim  as  the  proper  person  on  whom  to  bestow  the  office 
of  Presiding  Judge  of  the   Thirteenth   Judicial   Circuit,  he  was 
accordingly  elected,  without  solicitation,  to  that  post  of  responsi- 
bility and  honor,  in  February,  1S.'>1I.     The  region  embraced  in  his 
Circuit  (then  composing  ten  large  counties,  from  the  territory  of 
which  several  have  since  been  erected)  was  the  last  settled  part  ot 
the  State — the  northwest— an  eighth  of  the   whole  vast  terrilorv 
of  Ohio.     In  the  discharge  ot  the  duties  of  this  office,  he  was  com 
pelled  for  five  years  to  travel  these  counties  on  borse-back,  swim- 
ming creeks  when  the  waters  were  high,  and  at  times  laying  out  \\\ 
the  woods,  when  that  might  be  necessary  to  enable  him  to  meet 
his    official    engagements.     Indeed,   as    in    all    new    countries,  the 
history  of   his  Judicial  career  was   marked  with  hair-breadth  es- 
capes from  perils  which,  though  lightly  regardcul  in  the  Western 
country,  would  not  be  encountered  by  proi'essional  gentlemen  ol 
older  communities,  for  many  times  the  meagre  compensation  usuailv 
accorded  to  Judges  in  the  great  Northwest.     In  the  discharge  ot 
these  duties,  Mr.  P.,  of  course,  became  extensively  aciiuainted  with 
the  people  of  the  Circtiit,  upon  whoso  regard  he  so  won,  that  iu  the 
tall  of  l84o,  be  was  nominated  and  elected  to  Congress  by  a  hand- 
some majority;  the  District  having  been  previously  represented  hy 
a  Whig,  which  party  had  always  been  victorious  there,  by  from  tivi' 
to  six  hundred  majoritv.     On  takinff  his  seat  in  Congress,  thonsih 


Marly  Memhen's  of  the  Bar. 


287 


(lecliniug  to  make  long  speeches  of  a  party  character,  his  excellent 
seuse,  qiiickuesB  of  apprehension,  good  temper,  and  general  know- 
ledge of  all  the  gr«!:it  issueB  betw<'eu  the  parties  at  that  era,  soon 
caused  him  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  oi"  the  DeuiocraiJy 
upon  the  floor,  on  all  delicate  and  dittieidt  occasions.  .  .  .  The 
records  of  that  Congress  are  leplete  with  the  history  of  the  ettect 
oi  his  mind  and  character  upon  his  fellow-members.  Mr.  Potter 
was  placed  upon  the  selecit  committee  to  consider  and  report,  upon 
the  best  method  for  carrying  (tut.  th«  will  ot  the  philanthropist. 
Smithson,  and  after  a  thorough  examination  of  the  subject,  he 
joined  Mr.  Adams  in  his  famous  report,  which  in  fact  formed  the 
t'oundatiou  ol'  all  the  sid)se(pient  legislation  of  Congress,  enacte<l 
with  the  view  to  render  this  noble  charity  .available  for  the  purpose 
designed — to  diffuse  knowledge  among  men," 

In  the  fall  of  184T,  Judge  Potter,  without  solicitation,  and  against 
Ins  wishes,  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  Ohio  House  of  Representa- 
tives. The  session  to  which  he  was  chosen,  was  regarded  as  one 
of  unusual  importance,  and  it  appeared  to  be  the  settled  aim  of 
both  parties,  throughout  the  State,  to  secure  the  nomination  and 
election  of  their  ablest  men.  It  was  under  the  dictation  of  this 
policy  that  Judge  Potter  was  called  by  his  party  to  occupy  a  seat 
in  the  Representatives  Hall  of  the  General  Assembly.  The  Review 
enumerates  and  analyzes  the  character  of  the  leading  measures  of 
the  session,  and  justly  observes  that  Judge  Potter,  by  common 
consent,  was  placed  in  the  lead  as  the  champion  of  the  Denio- 
cvatic  side  of  the  House,  and  maintained  this  position  very  satisfac- 
torily to  his  ))olitical  friends,  though  no*  so  satisfactorily  to  his 
opponents.  The  Jh'vie/i'  also  regaids  it  worthy  of  note  that,  from 
bis  entrance  into  the  Legislature  to  the  close  of  his  service  therein, 
not  a  single  (pxestion  was  put  to  the  House,  upon  which  he  failed  to 
vote.  It  is  (questionable  whether  the  same  may  be  said  of  any  other 
gentleman  who  lias  ever  served  as  a  Legislator  in  any  State  of  the 
Union.    The  Review  thus  closes  its  sketch  : 

"In  the  following  August  (liSlS),  without  the  slightest  solicita- 
tion on  his  part,  he  was  a  second  time  nominated  for  Congress. 
Indeed,  he  was  a  member  ot  the  t'ounty  Convention  to  select  dele- 
gates to  that  body,  and  exerted  himself  therein  to  secure  the  selec- 
tion of  gentlemen  known  to  favor  the  nomination  of  another. 

''On  taking  his  seat  in  Washington,  in  the  contest  over  the  selec- 
tion of  a  presiding  officer  for  the  Thirty-tirut  Congress,  he  received 
seventy-eight  votes  for  that  distinguished  position  in  many  ot  the 
sixty-two  trials  occurrinu;  before  a  choice  was  effected,  though  he 
"an  prevjouslv   served   but  a  single  term  in  the  House,  and  that 


288 


Karly  Mewherst  of  the  Jjar. 


many  years  before.  In  the  selection  of  the  committees,  he  was 
honored  with  the  (Jhairmaualiii)  of  tlie  Committee  on  Post  Oflices 
and  Post  Roads,  one  of  tlie  niost  important  committees  of  the 
House.  His  choice  for  the  position,  under  the  circumstances,  cou- 
veyed  a  high  complimtint  to  his  talents  and  attainments,  .ami  a 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  value  of  his  previous  pulilir 
services." 

Hon.  Hezekiah  D.  Mason  was  in  Toledo  during  ISo.! ;  Imt, 
although  a  well  educated  lawyer,  he  did  not  engage  in  practice. 
Caleb  F.  Abbott  opened  an  office  in  the  winter  of  1880-36;  and 
Richard  Cook,  during  the  spring  of  the  same  year,  commenced 
practice,  forming  a  law  partnership,  during  the  summer,  with  Geo. 
B.  Way — the  last  named  gentleman  having  been  here  previously, 
but  not  engaged  in  Ids  profession. 

During  a  portion  of  the  year  18.'>6,  Tappan  Wright,  son  of  tlie 
late  John  C.  Wright,  of  Cincinnati,  was  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law  in  Toledo.  It  was  also  during  this  year  that  John  I'itcli 
commenced  his  professional  career. 

In  1837,  Daniel  O.  Morton,  John  R.  Osborn,  and  Myron  H, 
Tilden — the  two  last  named  from  Norwalk — opened  law  office,'!. 
Mr.  Morton,  under  the  administration  of  President  Pierce,  was 
appointed  United  States  Attorney  for  the  District  of  Ohio.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  commissioners  who  formed  the  Hrst  code  oi 
civil  [)rocedurc  under  the  present  constitution  of  the  State.  He 
established  a  high  reputation  as  a  lawyer,  and  died  in  1803.  Wm. 
Baker  (having  formerly  practiced  in  Norwalk)  removed  to  Toledn 
in  November,  1844,  mul  opened  an  office,  ami  in  1847,  the  lawiirni 
of  Tilden  &  Baker  was  formed.  Judge  Tilden  removed  to  Cinciii 
nati,  in  1850,  and  is  in  active  practice  in  that  city. 

On  the  first  Monday  of  December,  1837,  Mr.  Osborn  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  Ohio  Senate,  and  with  Cooper  K.  Watson,  ot  Tiliiii; 
as  assistant,  discharged  the  whole  duties  of  the  office,  with  tlie 
exception  of  a  slight  additional  force  employed  during  the  last 
three  weeks  of  the  session.  In  183'J,  he  returned  to  Norwalk, ami 
remained  imtil  1853 — representing  his  district  in  the  State  Senate 
at  the  session  commencing  December,  1844.  In  1853,  he  was 
invited  to  take  charge  of  the  law  department  of  the  then  projecieJ 
Wabash  Railroad,  which  position  he  yet  holds,  his  supervision  being 
limited  to  the  Ohio  interests  of  the  company. 

Among  the  early  lawyers  who  were  students  in  Toledo,  and  aii 
mitted  to  the  bar,  were  Thomas  Dunlap,  Daniel  McBaiu,  Charle* 


The  Old  Bench  and  Bar. 


289 


M.  Dorr,  Charles  W.  Hill,  Hiram  Walbridge,  James  M.  Whitney, 
Charles  E.  Perigo,  Lewis  McL.  Lambert,  Jerome  Myers,  and  Wm. 
H.  Hall.  Some  of  these  attained  distinction  in  law  practice,  and 
one — General  Hiram  Walbridge — removed  to  New  York  City, 
was  elected  to  Congress,  and  became  prominent  as  a  politician. 

At  Mauraee  City,  at  an  early  period,  were  David  Higgins,  John 
M.  May,  Nathan  Rathburn,  Henry  C.  Stowell,  Horace  F.  Waite, 
Samuel  M.  Young,  Henry  S.  Commager,  Morrison  R.  Waite,  and 
Daniel  F.  Cook.  Mr.  Commager  was  successful  as  a  lawyer — was 
conspicuous  as  a  politician,  and  possessed  the  confidence  of  his 
friends,  and  the  respect  of  his  opponents — and  during  the  late  civil 
conflict,  made  an  honoralJe  record,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  held 
the  rank  of  Brigadier  General.  He  died  at  Galveston,  Texas, 
August  14th,  1867.  Mr.  Waite  in  November,  1871,  received  the 
appointment  as  Counsellor  for  the  American  members  of  the  Anglo- 
American  Commission,  which  met  at  Geneva — a  distinction  which 
conferred  as  much  honor  upon  the  administration  that  made  the 
appointment,  as  it  did  upon  himself. 

In  the  list  of  lawyers  of  the  olden  time,  who,  occasionally,  as 
they  were  retained  in  cases,  and  others  regularly  attending  the 
terms,  were  Joseph  R.  Sw.an,  Edward  Wade,  Orris  Parrish,  Joshua 
U.  Giddings,  Noah  H.  Swayno,  Benjamin  F.  Wade,  Chas.  Sweetser, 
and  others  of  equal  note.  In  looking  over  the  Lucas  County  Court 
Docket  for  the  terms  held  in  I  S;]G  and  1837,  one  linds  the  interests 
of  parties  in  the  hands  of  Giddings  &  Osborn,  May  &  Young,  J.  Stet- 
son, Glasgow  &  Way,  Wheeler  &  Morton,  Stone  &  Brown,  Swayne  & 
Brown,  Heed  <fc  Hosmer,  (Perrysburg  lawyers — Henry  Reed  and 
Hezekiah  L.  Hosmer,)  Perkins  &  Osborn,  C.  L.  Boalt,  ]<].  E.  Evans, 
Purdy  &  Morton,  G.  W.  Stanley,  Samuel  B.  Campbell,  E.  Allen, 
Wing  &  Noble;  and  in  1839,  E.  S.  Hamlin,  W.  P.  Berry,  Hitch- 
cock &  Wilder,  Evans  Darling  &  Lownsbury,  and  John  Wilson. 
And  coming  down  to  1844,  which  is  about  the  date  at  which  this 
sketch  should  be  terminated,  we  discover  in  charge  of  cases,  the 
names  of  Stowell  &  Commager,  J.  R.  Hopkins,  B.  W.  Rouse,  Allen 
&  Stetson,  McKay  Scott,  A.  &  J.  M.  Collinberry,  W.  M.  Scott,  and 
Lathrop,  Morton  &  Whitney. 

At  Perrysburg,  the  county  seat  of  Wood  county,  which  then 
embraced  more  than  the  present  area  of  both  Wood  and  Lucas 
counties,  appeared  John  C.  Spink,  and  Henry  Beuueti— the  former 
in  \m^  jihti  Ifttter  w  1833,    Thomas  W.  Powell,  who  bad  bee^  ft 


:!       11 


:      t 


290 


The  Old  Bench  and  Ba/r. 


practicing  lawyei*,  and  resident  of  Perrysburg  since  1820,  re- 
moved to  Delaware,  where  be  now  resides.  Ilonry  Bennett 
formed  a  law  partuersbip  witli  Samuel  B.  Campbell,  the  tinn 
name  being  Bennett  &  Campbell.  In  184H,  after  ten  years'  resi- 
dence in  Perrysburg,  Mr.  Bennett  removed  to  Toledo,  and  at 
once  became  one  of  the  law  firm  of  'I'ilden,  Hill  &  Bennett. 
After  the  election  of  Mr.  Tilden  as  Judge  of  the  Thirteenth  Judi- 
cial Circuit,  Messrs.  Hill  &  Bennett  continued  their  association 
until  1850.  During  that  year  they  separated  in  business,  and  Mr, 
Bennett  formed  a  law  partnership  with  A.  ('.  Harris,  a  brother-in- 
law  of  ex-President  Fillmore.  The  firm  was  dissolved  in  1852,  by 
reason  of  Mr.  Bennett's  declining  health,  which  made  it  necessary 
that  he  abandon  his  profession ;  and  since  that  time,  with  physical 
powers  well  recuperated,  he  devotes  his  time  to  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. General  Hill  continues  in  practice  with  his  son,  Avery  S. 
Hill.  Henry  S.  Commager  had  removed  from  Maumee  City  to 
Toledo,  and  spent  several  years  in  practice  with  R.  C.  Lemnion 

Thus  it  has  been  attempted  to  sketch,  with  as  slight  refer- 
ence to  the  fair  record  of  the  living  who  continue  in  active  prac- 
tice, as  it  was  possible  to  do,  the  old  btiich  and  bar  of  the 
lower  portion  of  the  Maumee  Valley.  Altliough  conspicuous  in 
the  struggles  of  a  generation  that  may  be  regarded  as  past,  the 
remnant  of  the  old  band  evince  no  signs  of  failing  energies.  Some 
one  in  the  future  will  take  up  the  record  where  this  leaves  it  at  a 
distance  of  about  thirty  years,  and  will  bring  it  forward  to  later  times. 
None  of  the  old  class  occupy  places  on  the  bench ;  but  the  survi- 
vors, who  continue  in  the  profession,  maintain  a  front  rank  araonj 
their  brethren  throughout  the  State,  and  have  substantial  reason 
for  self-gratulation  in  contemplating  the  honorable  record  they  are 
making  up. 

In  numbers,  the  veteran  lawyer  corps  now  constitute  only  a  small 
body  beside  their  more  recently-established  competitors  for  forecsic 
renown;  but  they  are  generally  well-preserved,  albeit  some  of 
them,  retaining  an  inflexible  hold  upon  those  habits  of  severe  toil 
which  were  formed  in  earlier  days,  when,  perhaps,  very  close  appli- 
cation was  a  necessity,  (but  a  necessity  no  longer  with  most  ot 
them,)  are  gradually  receiving  upon  their  features  and  frames  tlie 
impress  which  nature  stamps  upon  those  who  are  so  determined  in 
tjieir  preference  to  "  wear  out,  rather  than  to  rust  put.''  [For  a  lis!  i 


ReminisGences  of  Mr.  Powell. 


291 


ve- 

melt 

firm 

vesi- 
id  at 
nnetl. 

Judi- 
cation 
id  Mr, 
,her-m- 
b52,  by 
icessary 
j^iysical 
iCe  busi- 
Lvery  i^. 

City  to 
,iuon 
hi  reler- 
tive  prac- 
of  the 
i\cuou8  in 
past,  the 

18.    Some 
OS  it  at  a 

iter  times. 

Itbe  suvvi- 

Ilk  among 
^al  .reason 
tbey  are 

lly  a  small 
V-  foreEsic 
some  of 
tevere  toil 
lose  appli; 
li  most  0!' 
Vrames  tk 
Inninedii 
[[For  a  1'^' I 


of  some  of  the  lawyers  in  the  Maumee  Valley  engaged  in  practice 
in  1872,  see  appendix  marked  "A."] 


Delaware,  Ohio,  November  30th,  1871. 
H.  8.  Knapp,  Esq. : 

Dear  Sir : — Your  kind  letter  of  the  9th  instant,  was  duly  received 
while  I  was  quite  busily  engaged,  and  was  therefore  compelled  for 
tlie  present  to  delay  answering,  but  did  not  intend  so  long  a  delay, 
which  I  hope  you  will  excuse. 

I  first  went  to  Wood  county  and  attended  its  second  court  in  the 
tail  of  1820 ;  and  soon  afterward  settled  at  Perrysburg,  where  I 
remained  until  December,  1830. 

In  18G8,  at  the  request  of  W.  V.  Way,  Esq.,  of  Perrysburg,  I 
wrote  an  account  of  my  recollections  of  tlie  Maumee  Valley,  which 
was  published  in  the  Perrysburg  Weekly  Jonrnal,  March  13th  and 
20th,  1868 ;  and  reprinted  in  the  Defiance  Democrat,  May  2d,  1868. 
In  botli  of  these  there  were  some  typographical  errors ;  but  0.'  the 
two,  the  Defiance  paper  was  the  freest  of  them.  Unaccountably 
they  got  the  name  of  Mr.  Small  instead  of  Levell,  as  our  landlord 
iit  Defiance.  I  hope  you  may  be  able  to  procure  a  copy  of  the  Defi- 
ance paper;  and  if  I  can  give  you  any  further  information,  I  shall 
be  lappy  to  do  so. 

I  cannot  now  recollect  whether  our  first  court  at  Defiance  was  in 
the  summer  of  1824  or  1825,  but  believe  it  was  the  latter.  At  that 
time,  besides  Judge  Lane,  the  presiding  Judge  of  the  court,  that 
court  was  attended  by  Eleutheros  Cooke,  of  Sandusky  City;  Rodolphus 
Dickinson,  of  Lower  Sandusky,  (now  Fremont);  Mr.  Gage  and 
myself,  from  Perrysburg;  Charles  and  William  G.  Ewing,  from 
Fort  Wayne,  and  one  or  two  from  Dayton.  I  can  not  recollect  all. 
There  must  have  been  eight  or  nine  lawyers  attending  that  court. 

J.  C.  Spink  came  to  Perrysburg  a  few  weeks  before  I  left  there, 
and  took  my  office.  Count  Coffinberry  attended  the  court  at 
Perrysburg  for  a  few  years  before  I  left  there,  but  did  not  remove 
there  until  a  few  years  afterward;  and  subsequently  he  settled  at 
Pindlay.  Yours  truly, 

Tiios.  W.  Powell. 


KEMINISOENCES   OF  HON.   THOMAS   W.   POWELL. 

Delaware,  Ohio,  February  9th,  1867. 
W,  V.  AVay,  Esq. : 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  in  the  receipt  of  your  very  kind  lettpr  of  invi- 
tation, on  the  behalf  of  the  Pioneer  Society  of  the  Maumee  Valley, 
to  he  with  you  at  your  meeting  on  the  2'2d  instant ;  and  if  not  able 
to  attend,  to  commimicate.  I  find  it  impossible  to  be  there  person- 
ally, aij  I  should  be  extremely  happy  to  be  with  you ;  I  haye,  thercj. 


292 


Heminiscences  of  Mr.  Powell. 


I 


fore,  prepared  the  followinc;  hasty  sketch  of  my  reminisficnco  of  the 
Mauiuee  Valley  while  I  resided  there,  which  you  will  please  prcKenl 
to  the  Society  with  my  best  resiieets  : 

I  have  a  choriKhed  memory  of  the  JVIaumee  Valley,  :iiid  fiuiilly 
retain  a  Avarm  recollect  ion  of  the  inhahilaiits  I  I'ouiid  ;md  Icl't  tlioie; 
who,  from  their  general  intelligence,  and  high  moral  «'liariicter,  were 
fully  entitled  to  it.  No  better  or  more  deserving  people  were  ever 
tound  in  a  new  country. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  ot  181 M.  the  attention  of  the  public  w.'ib 
more  directed  towards  the  Maumee.  »»n  the  account  ot  its  promis- 
ing future  importance,  in  the  estimation  ot  all  intelligent  persons, 
than  to  any  other  new  country.  That  war  had  expelh^d  all  the 
former  inhabitants  and  rendered  the  country  entirely  desolate.  But 
on  return  of  peace,  settlers  beg.an  to  repossess  the  valley,  and  lorm 
settlements  at  prominent  ])oint8 — as  the  Foot  of  the  Kapids,  lloehe 
de  Boeuf,  Prairie  l)em:is(jue  and  Detiance. 

I  came  from  Utica,  in  New  Y^ork,  in  IHI!),  to  Ohio,  and  while 
waiting  for  my  admission  to  the  bar,  I  spent  my  quarrmtine,  (as  it  is 
called,)  of  about  eighteen  months,  at  Canton,  in  Stark  county. 
While  there,  I  looked  around  for  ^ome  prominent  point  tli.il.  |iut 
forth  promise  of  natural  advantages,  where  I  could  settle  and  grow 
up  with  the  place,  as  it  was  then  frequently  t\  pressed  to  nic. 

I  then,  in  my  imagination,  would  draw  a  line  from  the  Foot  of 
the  Rapids  to  the  northwest,  and  another  to  tlie  southwest;  ami  to 
that  point  I  concluded  the  commerce  of  the  country,  to  the  West 
at  some  future  time,  (not  far  distant,)  nuist  converge.  J  was  ad- 
mitted at  the  Supreme  Court  at  Wooster,  in  September,  1<S2(),  ami 
went  immediately  to  the  Maumee.  On  seeing  the  be.'iuty  of  the 
valley,  with  my  exalted  conlidcnc^c  in  it,d  future  (Icstiiiy,  1  bccauiuiiu 
enthusiast  in  hope,  and  determined  to  make  it  my  future  lioine. 
From  Wooster  I  traveled  on  horse-back,  by  the  way  of  tiu'  placi 
where  Ashland  now  is.  New  Haven,  Lower  Sandusky,  to  the  Mau- 
mee. The  country  througli  which  I  })asscd  was  very  new — witli 
here  and  there  a  settlement.  From  Lower  Sandusky  to  the  Mau- 
mee, it  was  an  entire  wilderness,  and  known  as  the  lilack  Swamp. 
through  which  there  was  no  road  except  a  mere  trail  throuj^h  the 
woods.  I  arrived  at  Perrysburg  in  the  afternoon  of  a  line  day. 
about  the  middle  of  September,  and  upon  arriving  on  the  high  bank 
near  Fort  Meigs,  I  was  most  favorably  struck  with  the  nuiftniliceut 
scenery  and  beauty  of  the  valley.  Along  the  rapids,  the  intervals 
from  hill  to  hill  were  originally  prairies,  and  even  these  Avere  mostly 
covered  Avith  the  linest  fields  of  corn.  At  tliat  time  there  avms  not 
a  single  house  upon  any  of  the  in-lots  in  Perrysburg — there  wenn 
few  on  some  of  the  out-lots.  The  Front  street  had  just  been  cut 
open  and  cleared  from  the  wood  and  brusli.  I  crossed  the  river  at;i 
ford  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  and  came  to  the  town  of  Maumee, 
where  I  made  my  homo  for  some  time,  at  a  public  house  kept  by 
Mr.  Peter  G.  Oliver,  a  brother  of  Major  Willifttn  QUver,  a  gallant 


Perrysbiirg  and  Maumee  in  1820. 


293 


the 

jseut 

(Hilly 
l\erc ; 

,  Wt'Vli 

e  c'vev 

'n',  was 
romis- 

all  till- 
.3.  15ut 
id  ioim 
,  Hoche 

(1  while 

(us  il  is 

I'liunly. 

thai  \\\\ 

iu«l  i^TOW 

;     I(\,Ot    of 


ih 


uikI  to 
lie  West 
wi\s  lul- 

ty  of  tilt 
)tH'anK:  iiu 

tUo  \>liiL'f 
JO  Mau- 
_  \v — willi 
the  Mau- 
k  Swamp, 
[rough  till' 
I  line  day. 
Ihigh  bank 
laKailicent 
I  intervals 
|ere  mostly 
i-e  was  not 

It  been  cut 
river  at  n 


young  ofticcr  who  had  distinguished  himself  by  important  and 
meritorious  services  rendered  under  General  Harrison  at  the  siege 
of  Fort  Meigs. 

Upon  arriving  at  Maumee,  I  found  there  a  considerable  village, 
with  two  good  taverns,  two  or  three  stores,  and  other  objects  and 
appliances  necessary  for  the  convenience,  comfort  and  business  of 
such  a  place.  But  above  all,  it  was  gratifying  to  me  to  find  there 
quite  \  number  of  intelligent  and  well  informed  people,  and  the 
society  of  the  place  far  above  that  usually  found  in  a  new  country. 
Among  the  men  that  I  then  found  there,  who,  on  account  of  their 
character  and  intelligence,  became  my  friends,  were  Dr.  H.  Conant, 
Almon  Gibbs,  Esq.,  General  John  E.  Hunt,  Judge  Robert  A.  For- 
sythe,  Judge  Ambrose  llice,  John  Hollister,  and  two  or  three  of  his 
brothers.  These  and  others  constituted  a  society  there,  which 
would  be  acceptable  any  where,  and  who,  on  account  of  their 
intelligence  and  enterprise,  would  be  prominent  citizens  in  any 
place.  Settled  along  the  river  in  various  places  from  Swan  CU'eek 
to  Roche  do  Boeuf,  were  found  persons  Avho  were  entitled  to  our 
notice,  amongst  whom  were  the  Keelers,  the  Hubbells,  the  Hulls, 
the  SpatTords,  the  Wilkinsons,  the  Prays,  the  Pratts,  and  the  Near- 
ings— all  distinguished  for  their  intelligence,  enterprise  and  indus- 
try. Finding  there  was  so  acceptable  society,  and  commendable 
jiopulation,  and  being  charmed  with  the  beauty  of  the  valley,  I  soon 
tlc'termined  to  nnike  it  my  future  home,  and  to  which  determination 
I  udlu'ivd  iigainsu  every  ol)stacle  for  ten  years. 

Proviou.s  to  the  war  of  1812,  the  loot  of  the  rapids  had  been  set- 
tled by  a  considerable  population  engaged  in  agriculture  and  in  the 
extensive  Indian  trade,  that  the  natural  advantages  of  the  place 
iiftbrdcd.  But  soon  after  the  commencement  of  tlie  war,  upon  the 
ilcfwitof  Hull  at  Ditroit,  these  linst  settlers  of  the  Maumee,  were 
all  driven  olf  by  the  Bi'iiish  and  Indians — their  homes  burnt  down, 
and  Iheir  habitations  rendered  de.solate.  Soon  after  the  restoration 
of  peace,  inhabitants  Itegan  to  return,  and  settlements  were  formed. 
In  IS17,  th(^  Gentn-al  Oovernment  sold  the  lands  in  lots  within  the 
"twelve  miles  s(inar(!  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,''  and  then  permanent 
seUlenient.s  were  formed,  ami  the  improvements  made  that  I  found 
when  1  arrived  there.  The  interesting  events  connected  with  the 
earliest  known  history  of  the  valley — the  taking  possession  of  the 
CDiliitry  l)y  Ihe  British,  al,  the  close  of  the  lievoliitionury  War,  and 
the  building  of  I  heir  Ibrt  just  below  the  foot  of  the  ra})ids — at  what 
suhsequeiitly  became  Fort  Miami — the  events  of  1794,  and  the 
liattle  of  General  Wayne's  campaign — the  defence  of  the  country 
''y  General  Harrison,  the  defeat  and  massacre  of  Colonel  Dudley's 
men,  and  the  siege  ol'  Fort  Meigs,  as  well  as  the  treaty  held  by  Gen- 
eials  Cass  and  McArthnv  in  1^17,  are  all  events  highly  interesting 
ill  the  history  of  the  country,  and  render  the  valley  of  the  Maumee 
the  classic  ground  of  Northern  Ohio.  But  all  these  transpired 
before  I  came  to  the  country,  and   I  do  not  further  intend  to 


I      li 


oo.t 


The  Indiari  Trade,  <&g. 


ullude  to  them.  The  county  of  Wood  was  organized  in  the  spring 
of  ISaO,  and  at  that  time  included  the  whole  valley.  In  May  of 
that  year,  the  first  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was  held  at  the  town 
of  Maumee,  by  Hon.  George  Tod,  of  Trumbull  county,  whose  cir- 
cuit as  presiding  judge,  included  all  Northern  Ohio,  (the  Hosirvc 
and  the  New  Purchase,)  and  who  continued  to  hold  courts  there  for 
several  years.  The  Clerk  was  Thomas  R.  McKnight,  Esq,,  from 
Wooster,  Ohio,  and  who  was  continued  in  that  ollioe  until  his  death 
in  1882.  The  Prosecuting  Attorney  was  J.  C.  McCurdy,  E,s(|.,  h 
young  lawyer  who  was  transiently  there,  and  who  I  never  saw. 

in  October,  soon  after  my  arrival  at  Maumee,  was  held  the  secoml 
term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  at  which  Judge  Tod  presided, 
Mr.  McKnight  was  the  Clerk,  and  I  Avas  appointed  the  Proseeutinj^ 
Attorney— an  office  I  held  during  the  whole  ten  years  I  rosidtu 
there.  There  were  at  this  term  several  cases  tried,  both  civil  and 
criminal,  of  considerable  interest  and  some  importance.  The  douit 
was  then  attended  by  several  able  lawyers  from  various  parts  of  the 
country.  Eleutherua  Cooke,  Esq.,  from  Huron  county— then  a  bril- 
liant and  eloquent  lawyer;  Ebenezer  Lane,  an  able  hiwyer  and  tin- 
ished  scholar — a  graduate  of  Harvard ;  W.  Dogherty^  Es([.,  of  Colum- 
bus; Jonathan  Edwards  Chaplin,  Esq.,  of  Urbana,  a  good  lawyer 
and  scholar,  and  on  hio  mother's  side  a  descendant  of  Jonathmi 
Edwards,  and  a  near  relative  of  the  celebrated  Aaron  Burr;  Charles 
I.  Lanman,  from  Michigan,  a  brilliant  and  accomplished  geiitlennm 
whose  father  was  then  Senator  in  Congress  from  Connecticut.  These 
distinguished  men,  as  well  as  a  few  others,  gave  the  court  an  interest 
and  standing  which  the  court  of  Wood  county  always  retained. 
When  that  court  was  over,  the  whole  of  us — bench  and  bar — made 
an  excursion  up  the  rapids  to  Eoche  de  Boeuf,  and  we  were  all  de- 
lighted with  the  beauty  of  the  country  and  its  future  promise. 

Upon  tlie  close  of  the  war  of  1813,  the  foot  of  the  rapids  became 
an  important  point  in  the  commercial  business  of  the  country.  In 
the  spring  of  the  succeeding  year,  large  quantities  of  the  produce 
of  the  western  part  of  Ohio  and  Northeastern  Indiana  was  brought 
down  the  river  in  flat-boats  and  transferred  to  the  shipping 
of  the  lake.  The  Indian  trade  was  large.  The  quantity 
of  furs  and  peltries  collected  here  by  the  Indian  traders,  and 
that  of  the  sugar  made  by  the  Indians  from  the  sap  of  the  supr 
maple,  and  put  up  by  them  in  cases  made  of  bark,  each  weighing: 
sixty  or  eighty  pounds,  and  called  "  mococks" — these  and  other  like 
objects  of  trade  and  commerce,  made  up  a  considerable  businesf. 
The  fisheries  of  the  Viver  also  constituted  a  large  item  in  the  then 
business  of  the  place.  The  quantity  of  corn  even  then  raised  on 
the  Maun\ee,  was  very  large,  and  was  exported  in  large  quantities  'o 
Detroit  and  other  parts  of  the  upper  lakes — this  was  so  much  the 
case  that  it  was  called  "coming  to  Egypt  for  corn."  These  objects, 
and  other  minor  subjects  of  commerce  and  traffic,  rendered  the 
business  of  the  place  far  larger  than  that  which  would  be  indicated 


A  Case  of  Burglary  and  Or  and  Larceny.       295 


L'COlul 

osuli'ii 
,'U  iiud 

(louvt 

ol'  the 

a  bril- 
ind  tin- 
Coluiii- 

Uiwyer 
>nutluin 

htU'iiiau 
t.  Tlu'se 

interest 

•etiiiiH'il.     ] 

— iiMide 

|so. 

beciime 

try.  i" 
produce 
bvouglit 

shippi"? 
(luantity 

lers,   and 

hie  sug»i" 

weigln"? 

ithei-  like 

business. 

the  then 

i-iiisfcd  OH 

entities  'o 

[nuch  the 

•c  objects, 

[lerecl  the 

[indicated 


by  the  population  of  the  place,  and  the  amount  of  the  lake  shipping 
that  came  up  there  to  meet  this  commercial  demand  was  quite  con- 
sidenilile.  The  ronnection  of  transient  persons  with  these  transac- 
tions in  the  various  dejnirtments,  made  the  business  of  the  place 
assume  a  variety  and  character  far  superior  to  wiiat  the  permanent 
inhubitants  would  atlbrd  or  require.  This  gave  to  the  law  business 
of  the  place  a  variety  and  interest  it  could  not  otherwise  attain.  It 
iiuliicid  a  large  number  of  lawyers  to  attend  the  courts  there,  dur- 
ing the  time  J  made  the  valley  my  residence.  Among  those  who 
thus  attended  m  subsequent  years,  (besides  those  whom  I  have 
ulieiidy  nientionod.)  were  Judge  Parish,  of  Columbus ;  G.  W.  Ewing, 
(if  Fort  Wayne ;  Lannuui,  Lawrence,  and  Noble,  of  the  River  Raisin ; 
Dickinson  and  Latimore,  from  Sandusky  and  Huron  counties,  and 
occasionally  others,  which  rendered  the  bar  of  Wood  county,  at 
court  times,  large,  able  and  interesting. 

Soon  after  I  came  to  the  Maumee,  a  lawyer  by  the  name  of  Roby 
came  and  settled  there  with  his  family.  He  commenced  his  practice 
in  Albany,  New  York,  and  afterwards  settled  for  a  while  in  South- 
ern Ohio.  He  attended  our  courts  a  few  terms,  when  he  took  the 
l)ilious  lever  of  the  country  and  died.  About  the  same  time,  James 
Lee  Gage,  Esq.,  and  Cyrus  Lee  Gage,  Esq.,  two  young  lawyers,  came 
and  settled  in  Maumee.  They  remained  and  practiced  there  some 
years,  and  then  removed  to  other  places.  With  J.  L.  Gage,  I  was 
longer  and  better  aciiuainted.  He  was  a  man  of  talent  and  intelli- 
gence, but  tinctured  with  considerable  eccentricity.  He  afterwards 
settled  iit  McConnellsville,  Ohio,  where  he  became  distinguished  as 
an  able  lawyer,  and  as  the  huyband  of  Mrs.  Fanny  D.  Gage,  distin- 
guished for  some  literary  productions,  for  her  woman's  rights  advo- 
cacy, and  for  considerable  eccentricity. 

During  the  time  I  was  there,  the  law  business  of  the  valley 
furnished  the  courts  of  Wood  county  a  number  of  quite  interest- 
ing cases.  Among  them,  also,  were  a  few  of  the  more  important 
criminal  cases  of  homicide,  burglary  and  the  like,  in  which  a  num- 
l)erof  the  accused  were  convicted  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary. 

In  the  spring  of  1826  there  transpired  at  Perr^sburg  a  case  of 
more  than  ordinary  interest  and  excitement.  Elijah  Huntington, 
Esq.,  of  Perrysburg,  had  about  that  time  been  collecting  his  money 
with  a  view  to  be  prepared  to  purchase  some  lands  on  the  river  that 
were  soon  to  be  resold  by  the  United  States,  and  which  had  become 
forfeited  for  non-payment  by  the  former  purchasers.  Huntington 
liiid  in  his  house  some  four  hundred  dollars,  which  he  kept  by  him, 
waiting  the  sale  of  these  lands.  Early  one  morning,  Mr.  H,  came  to 
my  house  greatly  excited,  with  a  club  in  his  hands,  saying  that  in 
the  night  previous  some  persons  had  entered  his  house,  broken  open 
liis  drawers,  taken  his  money,  and  left  in  the  room  that  club.  Mr. 
H. thought  himself  ruined;  for  at  that  time  four  hundred  dollars, 
with  a  view  to  the  approaching  sales,  was  an  important  sum  of 
money.    But  who  had  committed  the  crime  could  not  be  even 


fi. 


290       A  Case  of  Bwglary  mid  Grand  La/rceny, 


guessed  at.    It  for  n  while  balHod  all  conjecturo,  and  became  (|uit(« 
a  mystery.     A  week  or  two  previous,  a  pocket-l)()ok  and  a  .smiill 
amount  of  money  had  been  missed  from  tl»e  housci  of  (Jbas.  O'Ncil, 
of  Perrysburg,  and  suspicions  after  a  while  began  to  be  phicLil  upon 
one  Stockwell  and  liis  wife,  who  had  not  h)ng  before  settled  tliert. 
The  citizens  of  I'errysburg  became  greatly  excited  upon  tiie  subject 
of  this  robbery ;  and  for  a  time  it  seemed  to  elude  all  endeavors  to 
detect  the  perpetrators.     Suspicions  having  been  jjlaced  upon  Stock- 
well  and  his  wife  in  regard  to  the  O'Neil  affair  (though  as  yet  there 
was  no  evidence  against  them),  public  attention  was  directed  im- 
mediately to  Stockwell  as  a  person  who  might  be  in  some  way  con- 
nected with  the  robbery  of  Mr.  Huntington.    The  club  that  was 
found  in  Huntington's  house,  after  the  burglary,  was  for  a  while 
handed  around  as  a  curiosity.    When  tired  of  its  exhil)iti(tn,  Mrs. 
H.  threw  it  upon  the  fire  for  the  i)urposc  of  making  a  linal  dispusi- 
tion  of  it.     Just  then,  as  luck  would  have  it,  Judge  AmbroHc  j{ice, 
an  old  citizen  of  Maumee,  a  remarkal)ly  shrewd  man  aiul  cK)se  ob- 
server, came  into  the  house  and  immediately  snatched  the  club  Ironi 
the  (Ire,  with  the  observation  that  it  should  be  jn-eserved,  as  it  nii^lit 
yet  bo  evidence  against  the  i)erpeti-ator8  of  the  act.    The  club  was  a 
hickory  stick,  considerably  reduced  at  one  end  by  long  chips  takeii 
from  it  with  a  knife.    Judge  Jiice  thought  that  possibly  the  chips 
might  be  somewhere  found  and  identified  with  the  clul),  so  a.s  to 
implicate  some  one  with  the  burglary.      Strenuous  inveatigations 
were  made  for  some  days  without  any  result.     At  length  a  number 
of  the  citizens  of  IVrrysbunij  determined  to  make  a  search  ol'  Stock- 
well's  house,  and  take  him  and  his  wife,  for  a  while  at  least,  into 
custody.     For  this  purpose  they  went  in  the  night  time,  when  they 
would  be  sure  to  find  them  at  home,  took  ])ossession  of  tiie  house, 
and  them  into  custody,   and  made  diligent  search  of  the  hoiife  will)- 
out  finding  any  evidencie  against  them.     Stockwell  and  wife  asserted 
entire  ignoraiu'.e  of  the  whole  matter  in  <|uestion.    'I'he  next  morn- 
ing Judge  Jiice  went  to  the  house  with  the  club,  and  examined  tn 
see  if  some  of  the  chips  taken  from  the  club  could  not  be  lonnd 
there.     After  some  diligent  search  he  found  some  fresh  chips  scat- 
tered under  the  floor  of  the  house.    These  chips  u])on  examination 
would  coiTespond  exactly  with  the  marks  of  the  club,  so  completely 
that  there  could  be  no  question  of  their  identity.     This  was  a  enisli- 
ing  answer  to  Stockwell's  assertion  of  his  innocence  in  the  niaHcr, 
But  as  yet  no  further  evidence  Wii«  discovered  against  them.    But 
becoming  alarmed  in  conse(pience  of  the  identity  of  the  i!hi|)s  found 
at  his  house  with  the  club,  and  finding  that  his  associates  liiid 
played  a  trick  upon  him  in  keeping  him  ignorant  of  the  anuMuitof 
money  that  had  been  taken,  and  applying  the  whole  of  it  to  tiieir 
own  use,  he  became  indignant  towards  them,  and  determined  to 
disclose  the  whole.    For  this  purpose  he  sent  for  me  as  the  prose- 
cuting attorney,  and. disclosed  to  me  the  whole  transaction  as  far  as 
he  knew  it.    lie  told  me  that  he  and  his  wife  liad  the  O'Neil  money, 


A  Case  of  Burgla/ry  and  Gra/nd  Larceny.      297 


uiul  informed  mo  where  I  could  find  it;  but  as  to  the  IImitiii<j;toii 
money,  lie  knew  nothing  beyond  eij;ht  or  ten  dollurs  of  it.  H*;  said 
tliiit  a  ni{(lit  or  two  before  irnntin}.'t,on'a  house  whs  robbeil,  two  men 
by  llie  niune  ol"  Keiser,  old  cronies  of  his  in  crime,  came  to  iiis  house 
and  inquired  of  them  if  there  were  not  soni(*  plunder  to  be  had  in 
IVrrvHbur},'.  Stoekwell  informed  them  that  his  wife  had  iliscovered 
Ihct  Mr.  Huntington  had  a  quantity  of  money  on  hand  in  his  house. 
This  tliey  soon  formeil  a  resolution  to  take.  They  ke])t  secreted  at 
his  house  a  day  or  two  making  observations  and  i)lanning  how  to 
take  the  money.  On  the  night  that  the  money  was  taken,  they 
all  three  rallied  forth  and  went  to  Huntington's  house,  found  them  all 
asleep,  and  one  of  the  K(;isers  made  his  way  into  the  house  and  soon 
returned,  saying  he  had  got  Huntington's  jwcket-book,  but  he  feared 
it  was  a  "  water-haid."  The  club  he  had  taken  into  th(i  house  with 
liim,  lie  had  accidentally  left  there,  which  gave  them  some  concern, 
and  some  limo  debated  upon  the  subject  of  returning  for  it.  They 
(lid  not  however,  and  jiroceeded  to  Stockwell's  house  to  examine  the 
imoket-book  ami  divide  the  spoils.  Keiser  presented  the  pocket- 
book  us  all  that  he  had  taken.  Upon  examination  it  was  found  that 
it  cortainod  only  lifteen  or  twenty  dollars,  ami  the  Keisers  gave 
Stock\\.  il  fight  or  ten  dollars  as  his  share  of  it.  Stoekwell  was  dis- 
satisfied, and  suspectcnl  fraud ;  and  so  (piestioned  Keiser  about  it. 
Keiser  (leclared  u|)on  his  "honor"  that  tluit  was  all  he  had  taken — 
it  was,  he  said,  only  a  water-haul;  and  ])roposed  to  Stoekwell  that 
lie  might  search  him.  Stoekwell  was  silenced  by  the  brass  and  im- 
pudence of  the  Keisers,  who  immediately  left  I'errysbnrg ;  and  no 
oneexce))t  Stoekwell  and  wife  knew  anything  of  their  having  been 
there,  or  within  a  hundred  miles. 

Now,  if  the  club  had  not  been  saved  by  Judge  Uiee  and  identi- 
fied with  the  chips  found  in  StcK^kwdl's  house,  and  was  likely  to 
throw  upon  him  the  guilt  of  tlus  whoh^  transaction,  and  the  eonvic 
tioiHin  liis  part  that  \\w  Keisers  had  pcrpetralcd  u]ion  him  what  he 
eoiisidercd  lo  l)e  a  dishonorable  and  knavish  trick,  in  secreting  from 
liim  almost  the  whole  of  the  spoils  tbry  had  taken,  it  is  not  prohalde 
that  this  most  wicked  transaction  could  have  been  ferreted  out. 
But  the  ways  of  Proviilcnee  are  mysterious  and  the  ways  of  the 
wieki'd  arc  hard,  and  in  the  l)eHt  laid  schemes  of  tht'  criminal  is 
r<iuiid  the  train  id"  eiiuMimstances  that  leads  to  his  inevitalde  detec- 
tion. Stoekwell,  smarting  under  the  conviction  rluit  an  infamous 
trick  had  been   i)layed  oil'  on  him,  finding   by  sad  exiierience  that 


there 


was  no  ''honor  amongst  thieves,"  and   finding  that  the  evi- 


Jence  against  him  was  likely  to  make  him  a  victim  of  the  knaves 
who  had  appropriated,  by  means  of  a  dishonorable  trick,  the  whole 
spoils  to  their  own  use,  was  now  ready  to  make  a  frank  and  open 
ijisclosure  of  the  wliole  transactions  as  far  as  he  knew  them.  He  in- 
formed us  that  the  Keisers  were  to  be  found  in  a  strip  of  woods  on 
the  north  cape  of  Maumee  Bay.  A  committee  of  the  citizens  was 
immediately  dispatched  for  them,  and  within  a  few  days  the  Keisers 


298 


Odd  Cases  before  the  Courts. 


were  iu  custody  of  the  committee  in  Tcrrysburg.  They  hi  Id  out 
for  some  time  before  they  could  be  induced  to  disclose  where  the 
money  was.  But  u,iU'r  being  put  tiirougli  a  pretty  severe  course  of 
discipline,  they,  in  the  course  of  about  a  week,  revealed  where  the 
moi^oy  was  to  be  found.  It  was  buried  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  on  the 
north  cape  of  the  bay.  Two  women,  the  mother  of  the  Keisers, 
and  the  wife  of  one  of  them,  who  were  then  at  Perrysburg,  were  to 
show  where  the  money  was  to  be  found.  TMiese  women,  Mr.  Hunt- 
ington, myself,  and  a  few  men  to  man  a  boat,  went  down  there  to 
receive  the  money.  When  we  arrived  at  tlie  cape,  we  found  a  most 
desolate  place — a  mere  sand  bar  with  a  few  trees  and  shrubbery, 
where  we  found  a  miserable  log  house — the  home  of  the  Keisers.  The 
women  took  us  to  the  tree  where  the  money  was  buried.  After  a 
little  search,  it  was  found  ;  and  principally  in  paper  money,  which 
had  laid  there  some  ten  days,  it  had  become  so  very  damp,  that  it 
was  very  near  being  worthless.  Through  the  means  of  these  various 
proceedings,  Mr.  Huntington  recovered  nearly  all  of  his  lost  money. 
Stockwell  and  the  Keisers  remained  in  jail  several  months  after 
that,  waiting  their  trial.  But  just  before  court  they  broke  jail  and 
made  their  escape  to  Canada. 

But  in  my  recollections  of  the  Maumee,  I  ought  not,  and  cannot 
forget  the  courts  and  their  doings.  While  I  was  there,  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  was  organized  with  a  president  and  three  associ- 
ates. The  court,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  was,  during  the  whole 
time  I  was  there,  presided  over  by  Judges  Tod  and  Lane.  There 
were  frequent  changes  amongst  the  associates,  and  their  number 
became  quite  large.  Their  names  will  appear  in  the  history  of  the 
times,  and  therefore  I  will  not  occupy  time  in  repeating  them. 
But  I  must  say  for  them,  that,  after  seeing  Associate  Judges  in 
many  and  various  parts  of  the  State,  I  have  seen  no  where  a  body 
of  men,  more  comi)etent  or  intelligent  than  the  Associate  Judges 
of  Wood  county.  I  would  be  glad  to  particularize  and  commend  a 
number  of  them;  but  that  would  be  invidious. 

Mr.  Gage,  a  few  years  since,  published  in  the  iiewsi)aper  of  Per- 
rysburg, an  interesting  account  of  one  case  as  his  "  first  case.''  It 
was  an  aciion  brought  by  Gage  (under  the  necessities  of  circumstances) 
to  replevy  some  nursery  trees.  But  it  has  been  perversely  misrepre- 
sented by  some  of  our  members  of  the  bar,  as  a  standing  joke 
against  Mr.  Gage,  that  he  had  brought  the  action  to  replevy  an 
orchard. 

Another  case  has  attained  some  celebrity  in  the  reports  of  Judge 
Wright,  who  never  missed  an  oppc't^^unity  of  perpetrating  a  joke, 
or  publishing  an  obscenity.  The  case  is  that  of  Laking  vs.  Guuu. 
Laking  had  been  a  merchant  at  Waterville,  and  some  of  his  good 
neighbors  thought  he  was  a  little  too  gallant,  and  they  wished  to 
bring  him  a  little  down  in  his  gallantry  and  his  estimation  of  himself. 
They  therefore  confederated  for  that  purpose,  and  procured  a  girl 
to  tell  Laking  that  she  had  something  important  to  communicate 


A  Mxirder  Tnal. 


299 


id  out 
re  the 
irse  of 
re  the 
on  the 
Reisers, 
wore  to 
,  Hunt- 
there  to 
.  a  most 
I'ubbery, 
ers.  The 
After  a 
y,  which 
D,  that  it 
e  varioui 
it  money, 
ths  after 
B  jail  and 

nd  cannot 

the  Court 

ree  associ- 

the  whole 

e.    Tliere 

ir  number 

lory  of  the 
ing  them. 

[judges  in 
re  a  body 
te  Judges 
[oiumend  a 

iH-r  of_  Ter- 

case."    It 

liimstances) 

misreprt- 

Idiug  joke 

Veplevy  au 

Is  of  Judge 
lug  a  joke. 
.>\  Guuu. 
ff  his  good 
wished  to 
of  himself. 

kured  a  gi" 
hiimunicate 


to  him,  and  avouM  that  night  meet  him  at  a  certain  place,  and 
inform  hira  what  it  was.     When  poor  Laking,  us  the  victim  of  the 
conspiracy,  had  arrived  at  the  place  agreed  upon,  the  conspirators 
had  a  parcel  of  boys  *^here  secreted,  who  arose  around   him,  firing 
guns,  blowing  liorns,  etc.,  creating  great  noise,  and  falsely  pretend- 
ing that  Ihey  had   caught   Laking  there   in  some  unlawful   act. 
Laking  claimed  that  all   this  was  done  maliciously,  to  injure  his 
good  name  and   fame,  and   ruin    him    as    a   merchant.     He   was 
anxious  to  bring  a  suit,  and  counseled  Judge  Parish  and  myself. 
Upon  the  urgent  solicitations  of  our  client,  we  t\greed  to  bring  the 
suit— Judge  Parish  saying  that  if  I  could  draw  the  declaration,  we 
would  go  it.    I  promised  to  draw  it ;  though  in  the  further  prose- 
cution of  the  case.  Judge  P.  was  unaccountably  found  on  the  other 
side  of  the  ca.so.     I  drew  up  the  declaration,  never  dreaming  that  it 
was  afterwards  to  be  put  into  print.      But  there  it  is,  and  I  rejoice 
to  say  that  it  is  a  good  one.     I  submit  to  any  lawyer  who  has  intel- 
lect enough  to  know  what  a  declaration  should  be,  whether  it  is  not 
a  triumph.     But   Judge    Wright   was   determined   that   the   case 
should  not  have  a  trial  upon  its  merits,  and  therefore  upon  demurrer 
dismissed  the  case,  by  imagining  that  the  declaration  contained 
muchrau:<'.  and  a  i'av  different  case  from  what  it  did.  Judge  Wright 
was  an  old  cock  of  great  worldly  experience.    He  could  not  keep 
his  imagination  from  surrourding  the  case  with  the  result  that  his 
experience  would  throw  into  it;  and  which  my  want  of  such  expe- 
rience and  naivete  never  permitted  me  to  imagine  to  be  in  the  case, 
and  what  certainly  was  not  in  the  declaration.    The  case  served 
Judge  Wright's  purpose — to  show  off  his  wit  and  perpetrate  a  joke 
at  the  expense  of  the  law ;  but  certainly  was  violating  every  prin- 
ciple of  law  in  relation  to  pleading  and  demurrer. 

The  most  interesting  case  that  transpired  in  the  valley  while  I 
was  there,  was  the  trial  and  conviction  of  Porter  for  murder.  Isaac 
Richardson,  the  man  whom  Porter  had  killed,  had  been  tor  many 
years  a  citizen  of  the  valley.  About  the  year  1817,  he  and  a  Mr. 
Thompson  had  purchased  a  lot  of  land  containing  Roche  de  Boeuf. 
They  had  commenced  to  build  mills  at  those  rapids,  and  progressed 
at  one  time,  so  far  as  to  get  the  mills  in  operation.  But  continued 
quarrels  and  difficulties  existed  between  these  two  men,  so  that  the 
one  of  them  would  one  day  tear  down  and  destroy  what  the  other 
had  built  up  the  day  before.  So  that  Roche  de  Boeuf,  instead  of 
becoming  a  prosperous  mill  locality,  as  it  should  have  been,  became 
the  scene  of  endless  strife  and  litigation.  Without  saying  anything 
about  Thompson — Richardson  was  in  every  sense  of  the  word  s. 
bad  man.  He  was  a  tall  man,  with  a  well-proportioned  figure, 
flaxen  hair  and  corresponding  features ;  and  it  was  then  remarked 
that  he  would  make  a  good  model  for  an  ancient  Anglo  Saxon.  If 
1  a  bad  man  was  needed  for  such  a  model,  certainly  they  could 
[scarcely  obtain  a  better  one. 
Porter  had  labored  for  Richardson  at  the  mills,  as  a  carpenter 


f:    m 


300 


A  Murder  Trial. 


and  laborer,  and  had  considerable  claims  for  such  labor,  while 
Richardson  could  not  be  induced  to  pay,  or  do  anything,  except 
to  taunt  Porter  that  he  could  not  collect  his  claims.  This  taunt, 
without  denying  in  any  manner  the  justice  of  the  claim,  he  would 
cast  up  to  Porter  in  the  most  aggravating  manner.  At  last  Porter 
became  indignant  and  irritated  beyond  the  power  of  his  endurance 
One  evening  after  dark,  while  Richardson  was  sitting  in  his  hall 
with  his  family  and  others  around  him,  Porter  came  unexpectedly 
and  immediately  shot  him  dead  in  his  chair.  Porter  went  oif  an- 
nouncing that  it  was  he.  Great  excitement  was  produced  over  the 
whele  river,  and  much  search  was  made  to  tind  Porter.  After  a 
day  or  two  Porter  returned — gave  himself  up,  avowing  that  he  did 
the  act  to  avenge  his  wrongs.  He  was  incarcerated,  and  in  due 
time  brought  to  trial  in  the  Supreme  Court  for  the  county.  Thai 
court  was  held  by  Judge  Peter  Hitchcock  and  Judge  Henry  Brush, 
I  was  the  Prosecuting  Attorney,  and  Mr.  Higgins  (afterward  Judge) 
was  appointed  to  delend  Porter.  Porter  did  not  desire  to  make 
any  defence,  became  religiously  convicted,  and  very  penitent.  It 
was  with  difficulty  that  his  friends  could  persuade  him  to  go  into 
a  trial,  with  the  hope  of  procuring  his  acquittal  on  the  grounds 
ot  his  insanity.  But  when  the  defence  commenced,  that  ground 
was  urged  with  energy  and  ability.  Mr.  ]  liggins  urged  every  cir- 
cumstance to  the  jury  to  prove  his  insanity  and  want  of  discretion.  Ho 
called  the  attention  of  the  jury  to  the  fact,  that  by  law  he  had  the 
right  to  make  his  choice  to  be  tried  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas 
instead  of  the  Supreme  Court,  which  would  delay  his  trial  and  put 
it  off  until  some  time  late  in  the  fall.  Judge  Hitchcock  noticed  the 
turn  that  this  argument  might  take ;  and  never  missing  an  oppor- 
tunity of  })erpeti'ating  his  wit  and  jokes,  called  out  •  "  Wliat,  what, 
Mr.  Higgins,  do  you  contend  that  it  is  evidences  ot  llie  man's 
insanity,  tliat  he  choo.'^os  to  bi;  tried  by  us  V  " 

In  opposition  to  this  claim  of  insanity,  I  ]>ut  tlie  grounds  of  prose- 
cution upon  the  theory  adojiled  by  Lord  Erskine  in  lladiield's  case: 
That  ev(iry  person  is  res])on^il)le  ibr  his  acts  wheniivcr  lie  acts  upon 
actual  facts  and  real  circunistanccs.  That  all  that  Porter  claiiiu'd  as 
motives  for  his  ;icts — the  injuries  and  insults  received  from  Kicli- 
ardson — were  all  founded  ui»oii  .ifitiial  facts  :mtl  n^al  circiiinstancos. 
There  was  no  delusion  or  unreal  facts  about  his  case.  Whatever  acts 
he  committ<Ml,  or  whatever  motives  actuated  him,  they  were  like  all 
th(!  ratiftnal  acts  of  the  rest  of  mankind,  i'ounded  upon  real  tacts 
and  actual  circnmstaiu!es.  The  court  adopted  this  view  ot'  the 
case,  and  Porter  was  convicted,  in  about  a  month  afterward,  in 
pursuaiu'c  of  the  judgment  of  the  court,  he  was  executed  by  being 
hung,  in  the  ravine  at  the  east  end  of  Fort  Meigs.  Thus  terminated 
a  tragedy  in  which  the  law  triumphed,  where  the  sympathies  of  tlie 
people  of  Wood  county  were  far  more  with  Porter  than  with 
Richardson. 

About  18Ji5,  Judge  Lane  succeeded  Judge  Tod  as  Judge  of  the 


The  Old  Bench — Irips  to  Defmice. 


301 


while 
except 
taunt, 
would 
Porter 
iirance 
lis  hall 
ectedly 
,  off  an- 
)ver  the 
After  a 
,t  he  did 
I  in  due 
yr.    That 
•y  Brush, 
a  Judge) 
to  make 
[tent.    It 
0  go  into 
}  grounds 
it  ground 
every  cir- 
retion.  Hf 
e  had  the 
non  rieas 
al  and  put 
oticed  the 
iin  oppor- 
h:it,  what, 
tho  mans 


Common  Pleas,  and  .ibout  the  same  tinu'  the  coiirts  were  organized 
atDeiiance  ibr  Williams  oonnty,  then  including  all  the  northwestern 
part  of  the  State  west  of  Wood  county.  Judge  Lane's  circuit  of 
the  (oMiinon  Pleas  then  included  the  whole  of  the  Northwestern 
part  of  tli(!  State — iiicliKling  the  coinities  of  Huron,  Ilichland,  Dela- 
ware, and  LTnion,  being  fully  one-fourth  ot  the  State.  He  w.as  very 
punctual  in  attending  the  courts  of  Perryslou'g  .and  Defiance,  and 
Gage  and  myself  always  jiccompanied  him  ;  and  they  Avere  fre- 
i|UL'iitly  attended  by  other  Lawyers  from  other  parts  ol'  the  country. 
Tliuse  excursions  i'rom  Perr\,siHirg  to  Defiance,  in  '.ittending  the 
courts  there,  were  enjoyed  with  rare  [deasin-e  and  attended  with 
considerable  excitemcMit.  U'e  usii.ally  made  the  trip  on  horse-back, 
biU  lieiiuently  when  the  river  w.as  in  a  higli  stage  of  water, 
we  would  procure  a  canoe  jit  Deiiauce  ami  uiake  our  way 
back  by  Avater.  We  fre<piently  took  two  (biys  to  make  the  trip, 
and  then  would  make  Prairie  Damasque  our  half-way  st(M)piiig  place 
overnight,  at  the  iiouse  of  Judgi^  Vance,  a  brother  of  Governor 
Vance,  of  Ohio  ;  a  Avelcome  and  desirable  resting  pl;ic(i ;  and  which 
was  made  thrice  interesting  and  aceept.able  by  his  good  French 
lady  for  a  wife,  whose  accom[)lishments,  especially  as  a  house- 
keeper, ma<le  his  home  and  hospitality  most  acceptable. 

At  liiattime,  Defiance  consisted  only  of  a  few  houses,  such  as  would 
he  found  at  a.  new  town  <»f  the  smaller  dimensions  ;  a  warehouse  on 
the  h.aidi  of  the  river  aUbnb'd  a  court  house,  and  the  house  of  Mr. 
Lvell  atlorded  us  a  hotel.  Vet  the  term  there  was  attendeil  with  in- 
terest and  |)leasuie.  Prequently  the  cases  tried  were  oi  a  highly 
interesting  char.acter — creating  considerable  excitement.  Many 
lawyers  were  freipieJitly  congrcigated  there  from  various  jiarts  of 
Oliio,  sometimes  Judge  Kwiiig  and  a  Mr.  Cooper,  from  Fort 
Wayne.  At  those  times  our  social  meetings  were  often  animated 
luid  highly  interesting.  Judge  Lane,  so  distinguished  for  his  learn- 
ing and  intelligence,  and  who  afterward  became  one  of  the  ablest 
of  the  disthiguishcd  Judges  of  the  Supremo  Court  of  Ohio,  and 
forms  a  In-illiant  iigure  in  its  judicial  history,  would  be  our  leader 
iu  learning,  science  and  literature ;  Gage,  in  anecdotes,  jokes  and 
eccentricities ;  and  all  would  contribute,  Avhat  in  .any  coimtry  or 
society,  would  render  the  gathering  marked  and  highly  interesting. 
Nor  was  the  journey  void  of  many  interesting  incidents.  Among 
which  is  that  of  Gage  getting  a  man  at  Prairie  Demasque  so  far 
untangled  in  the  meshes  of  the  law,  as  to  secure  him  under  the 
promise  of  professional  assistance,  to  engage  to  tak(!  us  up  to  Defi- 
ance in  a  canoe,  by  water.  Our  horses  w'cre  left  at  the  Prairie,  and 
we  were  relieved  by  a  voyage  instead  of  a  ride.  When  we  arrived 
at  Defiance,  Gage  made  a  new  engagement  with  his  client,  that,  in 
case  he  would  clear  hini  from  his  legal  restraints,  ho  would  take  us 
all  back  again  to  the  Prairie  at  the  end  of  tho  term.  Gage  soon 
procured  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  upon  which  his  client  Avas  released ; 
*ml  as  compeusatiou  for  which,  avo  Avurc  taken  btick  by  Avator,  ftp4 


302 


Perils  of  Navigating  the  Rapids. 


Gage  had  a  long  standing  credit,  of  killing  two  birds  with  one 
stone — engaging  the  man  to  take  us  up,  by  getting  him  into  diiR- 
culty,  and  then  to  take  us  back  again,  by  getting  him  out. 

In  return  from  court  at  Defiance,  in  the  spring  of  the  year  (I 
think  it  was  1827),  Gage  and  myself  came  down  the  river  in  a 
canoe.  The  river  was  extremely  high  at  that  time,  and  we  made 
our  way  down  rapidly  and  pleasantly  until  we  were  below  Roche 
de  Boeuf.  So  far  we  had  passed  the  dangers  of  the  rapids  without 
difficulty  ;  but  when  we  were  near  the  island,  opposite  Waterville, 
a  person  on  the  south  shore,  near  to  which  we  were  keeping  and 
intended  to  keep,  called  out  to  us,  as  though  he  intended  to  give 
us  some  important  instructions,  which  we  took  to  be,  to  "keep. 
close  to  the  island,"  but  it  possibly  may  have  been  as  we  intended 
to  do,  to  keep  close  to  the  shore.  The  river  was  high,  and  tlie 
rolling  surges  of  the  water  on  the  rapids  just  below  the  island,  was 
truly  terrific.  It  was  much  more  like  the  frightful  waves  of  the 
ocean  in  a  boisterous  storm,  than  anytlung  else  it  could  he  com- 
pared to.  In  accordance  with  what  we  took  to  be  the  directions 
of  the  stranger,  we  turned  our  canoe  towards  the  island,  and  along 
the  shore  of  which  we  passed  forward  without  difficulty.  Bat  im 
mediately  upon  leaving  the  foot  of  the  island,  we  found  ourselves, 
in  a  frail  canoe,  in  the  midst  of  the  frightful  waves  and  breakers  of 
the  rapids,  and  by  them  tossed  so  that  it  seemed  impossible  for  us 
to  live  a  moment.  I  turned  my  sight  towards  Gage,  and  beheld  the 
most  frightened  face  lever  saw  upon  man  ;  and  perhaps  mine  was  no 
better.  We  immediately  made  for  the  shore  again,  and  our  perils 
were  soon  over.  It  was  indeed  a  very  providential  escape  Irom  the 
most  imminent  danger.  I  have  seen  many  perils,  but  I  look  upon 
that  moment  as  the  most  critical  of  my  whole  life. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  characters  of  the  persons  who  wero 
figuring  on  the  Maumee  in  those  early  days,  was  that  of  a  person. 
then  and  since  well  known  as  Major  Stickney.     This  person  had 
been  appointed  by  Mr.  Jefferson  as  Indian  Agent,  and  as  such  had 
long  resided  in  the  Western  country — first  at  tipper  Sandusky,  ami 
then  at  Fort  Wayne.     About  the  time  I  came  to  the  Maumee,  he 
was  residing  at  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  on  the  immediate  bank^ 
of  the  river,  at  a  place  then  known  as  Port  Lawrence.     He  wasi 
man  of  some  intelligence,  and  assumed  to  be  a  scholar  and  philoso 
pher.     His  wife  was  a  highly  respectable  lady — every  way  amiable, 
and  a  daughter  of  the  celebrated  (Tcneral  Stark,  of  the  Kevolution 
But  Mrs.  Stickney's  accomplishments   did  not  prevent  him  from 
resorting  to  all  kinds  of  eccentricities.     A  part  of  this  was  to  ^ 
as  much  as  possible,  like  no  hody  else.      This  he  carried  out  in  the  | 
naming  of  his  children,     ^'ot  after  any  names  foimd  in  either  Chris 
tiau   or    profane   history;    but   the   boys    were    to   represent  thf| 
numerals,  and  the  girls  the  States — as  far  as  their  numbers  woulij 
go.      The  boys,    therefore,  were  named  One,  and  Two,   etc, ana 
though  he  condesceqded  to  name  his  eldest  daughter,  from  respeii 


Major  Benjamin  F.  Stichney. 


303 


ear  (1 
r  in  a 
)  made 
Roche 
without 
,erviUe, 
ng  and 
to  give 
I  "keep' 
Dtended 
and  tlie 
\nd,  was 
38  of  the 
be  com- 
irections 
ind  along 

Bat  im 
Durselves, 
■eakers  of 
ible  lor  us 
pehcld  tk 
ne  -was  no 
ovir  i)evils 

irom  tk 
look  upon 


to  Mrs.  Stickney,  Mary,  the  rest  of  his  clanghters  were  named  after 
the  States — Indiana,  Michigan  etc.  This  eccentricity  produced 
some  of  tlie  most  ridiculous  anecdotes ;  amongst  which  is  the  fol- 
lowing :  Soon  alter  the  family  moved  to  Port  Lawrence,  and  living 
in  a  house  put  up  at  the  landing  of  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  Mrs. 
S.  one  uiorning  came  to  the  piazza  in  front  of  the  house,  where  a 
vessel  laid  at  anchor,  and  called  to  her  sons,  and  said,  "  Two  call 
One  to  breakfast.''  A  sailor  aboard  the  vessel  looked  up  and  said  : 
"Is  this  Maumee  /  It  is  a  terrible  hard  country,  if  it  takes  two  to 
call  one  to  breakfast."' 

In  the  spring  of  1821,  Major  Stickney  was  a  ruling  spirit  at  Swan 
Ureek.  There  was  then  a  thriving  settlement  in  the  neighborhood, 
amongst  which  was  a  Mr.  Wilson,  the  custom  house  officer  of  the 
port,  Major  Keeler,  living  on  his  farm,  and  others  whose  names  I 
have  forgotten,  besides  a  number  of  French,  Indian  traders  and 
immigrants — Yankees  and  foreigners.  Up  to  this  time  Swan  Creek 
had  been  without  a  question  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Ohio.  Writs 
had  been  issued  from  Maumee,  in  Wood  county  to  them,  as  wit- 
nesses, jurors  and  suitors,  and  they  until  then,  had  answered  as 
such  without  a  (juestiou  as  to  jurisdiction.  But  other  views  had 
entered  into  Major  Stickney's  policy  and  philosophy.  He  called 
a  public  meeting  of  the  citizens;  and  to  them  when  thus  assembled, 
he  represented,  that  the  citizens  of  the  incipient  city  had  very 
seriously  mistaken  their  interest  as  to  the  question — where  the 
true  northern  line  of  the  State  of  Ohio  was.  He  did  not  care  as 
to  what  the  constitution  of  the  State  of  Ohio  said  on  the  subject — 
the  true  line  was  the  one  run  due  east  Irom  the  south.ern  extremity 
of  Lake  Michigan;  which  run  considerably  south  of  Port  Lawrence, 
and  would  leave  them  in  the  Territory  ot  Michigan,  instead  of  the 
State  of  Ohio,  and  therefore  they  were  Wolverines  instead  of  Buck- 
eyes. That  it  was  greatly  their  interest  to  be  so.  That  while  they 
were  citizens  of  the  Territory  they  would  be  cherished  and  protected 
under  the  auspices  and  guardianship  of  the  United  States ;  while  in 
Ohio,  they  could  not  expect  anything  excejit  to  be  taxed.  He  said  he 
was  well  acquainted  with  General  Cass,  the  Governor  of  Michi- 
gan, and  would  go  to  him,  and  get  a  commission  of  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  Michigan  for  that  place,  in  case  the  citizens  there  would 
[Sustain  him.  The  motion  carried — the  secession  was  complete, 
j  Major  S.  procured  his  commission  and  was  exercising  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Michigan  over  the  seceded  terri- 
tory.  Soon  after  these  things  had  matured,  General  J.  E  Hunt, 
lot  Maumee,  had  some  official  business  to  tr.ansact  at  Port  Law- 
irence,  as  an  officer  of  Wood  county.  The  citizens  there  threw  every 
obstacle  in  his  way  to  prevent  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  to 
Iconvinco  him  thai  they  had  really  seceded.  Gei;eral  H.  returned 
nth  just  complaint  of  the  conduct  of  the  citizens  there.  A  meet- 
ing of  the  Commissioners  of  the  county  was  called,  at  which  T 
cfed  as  advisory  member,  as  Prosecuting  Attorney.     The  question 


304 


Major  Stickney^a  Policy. 


was,  what  shall  bo  done  with  the  seceding  rebels — shall  they  be 
prosecuted  and  hung?  Perhaps  so,  if  justice  were  done  them.  But 
mild  and  discreet  measures  and  counsels  were  adopted.  It  was 
considered  that  Congress  and  the  State  of  Ohio  would  in  duo  timp 
settle  the  (juestion,  and  in  the  meantime  it  was  neither  discreet  nor 
prudent  to  get  up  a  war  which  could  be  avoided.  This  policy  pre- 
vailed, and  thoy  were  let  "  alone  in  their  glory." 

In  the  meantime  a  very  serious  and  interesting  tjuestiou  arose  in 
the  alTHirs  ot  the  Maumee  Valley.  Under  the  authority  of  tie 
State  of  Ohio,  a  survey  had  been  made  for  a  canal  along  the  valley. 
and  the  great  question  was  where  that  canal  should  terminate.  Judge 
Gaddis,  of  New  York,  who  had  been  eniployod  as  Civil  Engineer 
for  Ohio,  had  reoonnoitered  the  valley  and  dt^tcrniined  that  the 
canal  should  terminate  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids — that  a  dam  with  a 
sloop  lock  should  bo  placiMl  on  Knagg's  liar,  j\ist  below  Mauiuee 
City  and  Perrysburg,  and  the  river  i'rom  there  down,  to  be  im- 
proved for  ship  navigation.  When  this  matter  was  so  ascertnineJ, 
Major  Stickney  eall(Ml  .another  meeting  of  tlie  citizens  of  Swim 
Creek,  and  to  them  he  now  reju'esented  that  they  had  ('(ninnitled  a 
great  error  in  seceding  from  Ohio,  ami  going  over  io  Micliigaii; 
that  while  they  belonge<l  to  Michigan,  they  could  not  expect  that 
the  State  of  Ohio  woultl  (construct  the  canal  to  Swan  Creek.  They 
must  go  back  to  Ohio.  Tiiey  must  secede  from  ]\Iichigan  ami  go 
b;ick  to  Ohio  ivgain.  They  must  undo  tlieir  former  secession  and 
rebellion,  or  tliey  couM  not  expect  to  secure  the  canal.  Thereupon 
all  sorts  of  resolutions  were  ado|)ted,  to  the  eHect,  that  they  were, 
and  of  right  should  l)e  a  part  and  parcel  of  the  State  ot  Ohio ;  that 
Ohio  was  a  gi'cat  and  glorious  State,  and  that  they  would  maintain 
their  i)ositi<)n,  if  necessary,  at  the  point  of  the  liayonet. 

These  measiu'cs  succeeded  in  arousing  M  ichigan  to  a  demonstra- 
tion of  war.  Militia  soldiers  were  sent  from  Detroit  by  land  and 
water  to  Swan  Creek,  to  whip  the  rebels  into  subjection  to  their 
legitimate  authority.  They  came,  in  war  arrayed,  and  took  ])0sses- 
sion  of  the  territory  where  the  proud  City  of  Toledo  now  st;inds, 
made  the  citizens  succumb  to  the  power  and  jurisdiction  of  Michi- 
gan. They  returned  back  to  Detroit  in  the  most  jubilant  triuinpli. 
drinking  all  sorts  of  toasts  to  the  glory  of  Michigan  and  to  anathe- 
matize Major  Stickney  in  Ohio,  one  ot  which  was,  "  Here  is  to 
Major  Stickney's  potatoes  and  onions — we  draft  their  tops  and  their 
bottoms  volunteer.'' 

This  was  all  to  the  wishes  of  the  Major,  and  in  accordance  wilt 
liis  policy.  He  went  immediately  to  Columbus,  to  represent  totlit 
Governor  and  i)eople  of  Ohio,  tlie  intolenible  barbai'ity  of  the  )Vo!- 
verines,  and  how  they  had  desecrated  the  just  authority  of  Ohio. 
and  trampled  under  foot  the  loyal  citizens  of  the  State.  The  Stiiie 
was  aroused  by  these  means  to  a  proper  sense  of  her  dignity  and  iuju- 
ries.  War  was  declared,  and  troops  raised  in  every  part  of  the  Stiite 
Regin^eut  after  vogiment  were  marched  t,o  tHe  flispiiteil  territory ofi I 


>ftiiJ  know 

change  Jui 

"'ho  reside 

mU  beJi\ 

,  P''<^sent  til 

;  =*'nuiint  of 

I  f  «^ue  an 

T^  t3-J>e,  1 

i  '^^pteniber 

J'l'eathtT  of 

\miXU-y   SOI 

ll^'''>  tile  « 
Jtaken  down 
r  have  knc 


He'inirmcenctK  of  Mr.  Pmvell, 


805 


!V  be 
'But 
t  waR 
L'  time 
et  nor 
jy  pre- 

rose  in 

of  tie 

valley. 

Judge 
njimcer 
hat  the 
11  witli  a 
Mauraee 
)  be  im- 
ertaincJ, 
ot   Swim 
unit  ted  !i 
(lioliigwK 
peel  tl\iU 
5k.    'HH'y 
\\\  aiulgo 
pssion  ami 
Hierenpon 

"loy  were. 

)\\io ;  thai 

I  luaiutaiu 

lleinonstra- 
ly  land  ami 
m  to  thcit 
.ok  I'osses- 
[o\v  st;iucis, 
l  of  MicW- 
lit  triumpli. 
to  auatbe- 
[lere  is  l» 
,s  and  tkit 

Idance  witli 
Wnt  to  tk 
pf  the  ^^'ol• 
L  of  OhW' 
rmieStiUc 
liyivndiuin- 
if  the  Stafc 


tilt;  Miiuuiee.  Some  lighting  wuh  done,  juul  litllc  Mocil  spilt,  hut 
tlie  trausiiclioii  will  he  n'menibfrt'd  lus  liu'  .MicliigMii  War  of  IHiJS. 
In  the  meantime,  howevfT,  Congresis  inlerlercd  by  .sending  Peace 
CommisioiHM's  to  the  ditftrac^ted  eonntry,  iind  by  making  the  dis- 
puted territory  a  part  of  the  State  of  Oliio.  'i'liin  aeuied  the 
questioji  of  jiiris<liction,  and  the  excitement  produced  by  tlie  war 
rmil)li.'ii  Major  Sti('kiny  to  gtft  I  he  canal  not  oiiiy  lo  'rtdedo,  liut 
fVi.-n  to  Maniiattan,  live  miles  bi-yond  whrre  thi'V  wand'd  it,  vv  had 
any  use  for  it.  Never,  in  eitlnr  aiuiicnt  or  n\ii(lern  liirtlory,  has 
there  been  an  instaiu'e  of  .sece.s.sion  and  reii-llion  .so  .<^ucce.sslul, 
and  no  one  is  so  entitled  to  be  the  iiero  of  one  of  them,  as  Major 
Stickney  of  this. 

1  have  Llius  sketched  a  nnmbcj' of  incitienth  in  my  renuni,s(!t  net  s 
ol  tlie  times  I  was  a  citizen  of  the  Valley  of  the  xMaun)e(\ 

And  now  it  may  be  inqiured  by  some  one,  how  it  wa.s  that  1  came 
to  leave  the  country,  after  a  residence  there  of  ten  year.s,  and  having 
so  admired  the  country  ami  so  hopeful  ol  its  future?  1  never 
changed  my  opinion  of  the  country  in  either  of  these  respects ; 
but  after  battling  for  its  pros[)erity  so  long,  1  l)ecame  convinced 
that  the  time  for  its  prosperity,  that  I  so  tirnily  anticii>;ited,  would 
not  come  in  time  to  answer  mypurpo.se.  But  in  this,  after  all,! 
may  have  committed  an  eri'or  of  judgment.  From  various  causes 
the  valley  did  not  proifress  and  imi)rove,  from  1825  to  1835,  as  was 
anticipated  by  almost  all  its  friends.  None  changed  their  opinion 
of  its  ultimate  destiny — it  was  only  a  cjucstiou  of  time ;  and  in  that 
I  had  been  mistaken. 

From  1820  to  1830,  a  vast  new  country  was  thrown  open  by  the 
United  States  to  emigration.  Througiiout  the  whohf  West,  there 
were  numerous  enticing  places,  holding  forth  their  future  })romises 
toemigrants,  besides  the  Maumee.  During  that  time  thousandsof  emi- 
grants passed  through  the  Maumee  V'^alley  to  Indiana,  Michigan, 
and  other  parts  of  the  West;  and  it  seemed  as  though  tiiey  pur- 
posely avoided  this  valley.  The  ]>rincipal  cause  of  this,  was  then 
well  known — the  unhealthiness  of  the  country.  Since  then  sucli  a 
change  has  come  over  the  healthiness  of  tiie  country,  that  no  one 
who  resided  there  during  that  time  that  I  made  it  my  residence, 
could  believe  that  it  would  become  so  far  improved  as  it  is  at  tho 
present  time.  During  the  forepart  of  my  residence  there,  the 
amount  of  sickness  arising  from  bilious  complaints  in  the  shape 
'jf  ague  and  fevers — intermittent  and  remittent  of  the  most  viru- 
lent type,  was  often  frightful.  This  sickness  would  commence  iu 
i^eptember  and  October,  and  last  until  some  time  in  the  cold 
Weather  of  the  coming  kvinter.  Those  who  have  been  in  the 
leountry  some  years  would  become  acclimated,  and  would  be  ex- 
lenipt  from  the  eft'ect  of  the  sickly  season.  But  during  the  time  I  was 
jthere,  the  stranger  who  remained  there  would  be  as  certain  to  1)6 
jtaken  down  in  the  course  of  the  sickly  season  as  that  he  remained. 
|1  have  known  whole  families  who  came  there  in  the  spring  of  the 

20 


I 


306 


The  late  Count  Cojffinberry. 


year  to  be  in  the  full  every  one  of  tliem  taken  down,  so  that  there 
would  not  be  enough  well  persona  to  take  care  of  those  who  were 
sick.     Yet,  by  ChristnniH  and  New  Year,  all  this  would  be  entirely 
forgotten,  and  all    would   become   jubilant  and  joyful.     The  old 
citizens  who  had  Vjeen  there  before  the  war  of  1812,  declared  that 
before  the  war,  the  country  was   healthy,  and  did  not  at  all  suffer 
fronj  bilious  complaints.     Without  stopping  to  speculate  upon  the 
question,  how  it  came  that  the  country  was  so  much  healthier  before 
the  war,  and  lias  so  greatly  impro\>'d  in  point  of  health  since  1835, 
I  will  only  say  that  the  character  of  the  country  for  health  from 
18'<}0  to  1835,  was  the  great  cause  of  the  delay  in  the  rapid  improve- 
ment of  the  country,  which,  with  the  wet  character  of  the  lands  in 
the  country  l)ack  from  the  river,  cau-ed  a  delay  in  the  settlement 
and  improvement  of  the  country,  and  brought  it  almost  to  a  stand- 
still from  182.5  to  183,5.    In  the  fall  of  1830,  I  became  utterly  dis- 
couraged, and  so  disappointed  in  my  expectations,  which  were  that 
the  country  v/ould  grow  up  as  Toledo  has  since,  that  I  came  to  the 
reluctant   determination    to  leave   the   country.      I   left   there  in 
November,  1830,  iii'ter  a  most  determined  struggle  of  ten  years  for 
the  interest  and  prosjjerity  of  the  valley.     A  few  weeks  before  Jno. 
C.  Spink,  Esq.,  cam.-  there  as  a  resident  lawyer,  and  occupied  my 
place  and  office  ;   whose  memory  still  lives  fresh  in  the  recollection 
of  the  present  inhabitants  of  the  country,  and  over  whose  decease, 
they  are  ready,  I  doubt  not,  to  bestow  a  sympathetic  tear  to  his 
many  generous  ([ualities  and  virtues. 

I  must  now  i  lose,  with  the  warmest  and  kindest  feelings  of  respect 
for  those  old  citizens  of  the  valley  with  whom  I  was  so  long  identi- 
fied in  the  struggle  for  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  country, 
and  to  them  I  bid  an  aflfectiouate  farewell. 

Thomas  W.  Powell. 


COUNT   OOFFINBERUT. 


Conspicuous  among  the  old  time  lawyers  of  the  Maumee  Valley, 
and  beloved  l)y  his  professional  brethren,  and  by  all  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact,  was  the  good  (!ount  Coffinberry. 

He  obtained  his  sobriqm'l  by  reason  of  his  genteel  address,  and 
uniformly  nice  apparel.  In  these  personal  matters.  Judge  Potter 
was  also,  in  those  days,  fastidious,  and  during  his  Judicial  service. 
accompanied  often  by  roystering  members  of  the  bar,  and  tossea 
about  for  lodgings  in  miscellaneous  places,  he  would  permit  no  ODe 
to  share  his  room  and  bed  except  the  Count. 

When  traversing  the  circuit,  the  journeys  always  being  on  horse  i 
back,  the  Count  carried  in   his  portmanteau,  or  saddle-bags  a  con 


The  late  Count  (J(t(fliiherry. 


;}07 


lere 
vere 
rely 

old 

that 

suffer 

w  the 

let'ore 

1835, 

Trom 
prove- 
,nds  in 
lement 
,  stand- 
rly  dis- 
are  that 
e  to  the 
here  in 
years  for 
.ore  J  no. 
pied  my 
•oUection 
,  decease, 
ar  to  his 

of  respect 

ig  identi- 

country, 

Lowell. 


liee  Valley, 
whom  ii« 

idresB,  ani 

Lge  potter 
Tial  service, 
land  tosse" 
Imit  no  one 


on  horse  | 
col- 


IbagB 


siderable  war(lroV)e.  It  was  during  a  heated  term  of  the  Hummor 
solstice,  when  the  roads  were  supposed  U)  have  heeii  exhausted  of 
water  and  mud,  tiiat  Judge  1 'utter.  Judge  lUggius,  Mr.  Cotliii berry. 
Johu  ('.  Spink,  James  G.  Haley,  and  some  others,  iett  Uetiauce  for 
Kalida,  to  attend  the  opening  of  the  Oonunon  Pleas  Court.  The 
good  Count  had  decked  himself  in  his  best — lenriug  no  evil  in  the 
torra  of  rain  f)r  of  water  or  mud  ;  liut  somehow,  before  the  party 
traversed  those  thirty  (wo  miles,  bis  apparel,  su  taultle.ss  on  starting 
out,  was  in  a  condition  when  he  readied  Kalida  to  exhibit  him  as 
the  most  sorry  specimen  of  the  whole  party  —the  mud-marks  upon 
his  linen  being  more  conspicuous  tbau  those  upon  the  coarser  gar- 
ments of  his  travelling  companitms,  and  giving  bis  clothing  the 
general  appearance  of  the  unchangeable  spots  ol  ilie  leopard.  He 
was  in  ill  humor  with  himselt.  by  i-eason  of  his  piMsoual  apj)earaiice, 
when  he  entered  ihe  village;  but  iliecontenls  ot  his  porLmauleau 
enabled  him  l,oap|»ear  next  morning,  as  usual,  "nice  as  a  pin." 

One  who,  during  t,h»'  lile-tiuie  of  Mr.  Coffinberry.  was  a  junior 
member  of  the  bar,  Inrt  since  achieved  eminence  in  his  profession, 
contributes  the  following  ; 

Andrew  (^offinberry,  Esq.,  was  born  at  Martinsburg,  Berkley 
county,  Virginia,  August  20th,  17H8,  where  his  grandpai-ents  had 
settled  in  IT.')**,  having  emigrated  from  Wirtembui-g  and  Strasburg. 
He  removed  with  his  lather,  George  Coffinberry  or  (Jollinb7/v/«r.  as 
his  German  neighbors  called  him,  to  Ohio  county,  Virginia,  in  lliti), 
and  from  then;  to  Chilicotbe,  Ohio,  in  |stK);  tlience  to  Lancaster, 
Ohio,  iu  IH(>7.  At  this  place  he  left  his  father  and  shipped  for  two 
years  in  the  naval  service,  and  served  his  time  under  iiainbridge 
and  Hull,  then  rejoined  his  father,  wlio  had  removed  to  Mansfield, 
Ohio,  in  the  fall  of  IHOS,  or  spring  of  ISItli.  He  remained  with  his 
lather  during  the  war  of  l!-'l*2-18,  living  sometimes  in  a  log  cabin, 
and  at  others,  when  the  settlement  was  menaced  by  hostile  Indians, 
in  one  of  the  two  block -houses  erected  upon  the  public  square  of  the 
village.  At  the  close  ot  the  war  he  read  law  with  John  M.  May, 
Esq.,  at  Mansfield,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  he  removed  to 
Herryshurg,  in  18;>t).  For  some  years  I)efore  leaving  Mansfield,  he 
regularly  attended  the  sessions  of  the  (.  'omraon  Pleas  and  Supreme 
Courts  in  ail  or  nearly  all  the  counties  of  Northwestern  Ohio,  be- 
I  ginning  with  the  organization  of  most  of  these  counties,  and  conlin- 
I  uiug  down  to  a  few  years  before  his  death,  which  transpired  at 
[Findlay,  Ohio,  May  12,  1850. 

We  are  not  able  to  state  definitely  at  what  time  he  tirst  began  to 
lattend  the  Courts  of  Wood  and  Lucas  counties,  but  he  was  of  counsel 
jto  Governor  Lucas  in  tlie  border  controversy  between  the  State  of 
lOhio  and  Territory  of  Michigan,  and  accompanied  Governor  Lucatj 


308 


2  he  late  Count  Coffinberry. 


in  hifl  military  uxpeilitiou  to  the  trontier,  for  the  purpoue  of  vindica- 
ting by  the  iDciyi'r  nf  Inillh;  the  title  of  the  State  ot  Ohio  to  the  har- 
bor of  Toledo,  in  tlu;  Mpring  of  1835. 

There  are  but  few  of  his  coleinporaries  left  to  bear  testimony  to 
bis  ability  au  a  lawyer  and  his  worth  as  a  man. 

But  when  it  is  understood  that  for  almost  half  a  century  he  was 
associated  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  men  of  the  character 
and  'caliber  of  Thomas  Ewing,  Charles  11.  Sherman,  William  ami 
Henry  Stanbcrry.  Willis  Silliman,  Ebenezer  Lane,  Josiah  Scott, 
Orris  Parish,  T.  W.  Hartley,  Jacob  Parker,  and  Hosmer  and  Henry 
B.  Curtis;  and  in  the  later  years  of  his  life  with  Richard  Cook,  Geo, 
B.  Way,  John  C.  Spink,  Thomas  W.  Powell,  Henry  S.  Commager, 
D.  O.  Morton,  M.  H.  Tilden,  M.  \i.  Waite,  and  many  others  scarcely 
less  distinguished  lawyers  of  the  Maumee  Valley;  and  that  he  was 
beloved  and  honored  by  them  without  an  exception,  it  is  almost 
superfluous  for  us  to  say  that  he  was  not  only  an  excellent  lawyer,  an 
honest,  honorable  man,  but  a  great  hearted,  genial  gentleman  as  well. 

His  boyhood  was  passed  so  entirely  upon  the  extreme  verge  of 
Western  civilization,  and  so  surrounded  with  the  perils  of  Indiau 
warfare  and  the  vicissitudes  of  poineer  litie,  as  to  deprive  him  of  the 
advantages  of  early  culture.     He  informed  us  that  he  had  attended 
school  for  but  three  months  of  his  life,  but  by  his  own  unaided  ettbrts 
he  acquired  a  good  English  education,  made  considerable  proticienoy 
in  the  study  ot  the  French  and  German  languages,  and  became  a  well 
read  and  thoroughly  intelligent  man.     He  was  inditterent  to  the 
acquisition  of  wealth,  fearless  and  out  spoken  in  the  expression  of 
his  convictions  on  all  subjects,  never  united  with  a  church,  and  never 
became  a  member  of  any  association,  order  or  society  of  any  kind. 
He  was  without  malice,  and  there  was  no  taint  of  V)itterne8s  or  ill 
nature    in    his   composition,   but   he   could  not   tolerate  pedantry, 
hypocrisy  or   humbug  of  any  kind.     He  was  faithful  to  all  his  en- 
gagements, zealous  and  efficient  in  the  cause  of  his  client.     If  lie 
ever  had  a  hobby,  it  was  his  passion  for  the  study  and  investigation 
of  geological  science.     His  habits  were  always  good,  his  life  was 
simple  an<l  pure,  but  amongst  all  his  compeers  no  one  enjoyed  con- 
vivial occasi(ms  more  than  he,  whilst  his  <|uaint  wit  and  pleasant 
temper  contributed  largely  to  the  enjoyment  ot  others.    Many  good 
stories  are  told  of  him.     Having  one  night  attended  the  wedding 
party  of  his  fr'ends  John  M.  May  and  Miss  Eliza  Wolf,  his  4  years 
old  boy  appeared  at  his  bedside  at  day  break  the  next  morning,  and 
called  him  to  account  for  keeping  late  hours  the  night  before.    He 
was  told  that  his  father  and  mother  had  been  out  until  after  midnight 
helping  May  catch  a  Wolf.     The  urchin  took  to  his  trotters  and  made 
a  straight  shirt-tail,  (having  no  other  garment  on)  for  May's  lodging, 
where  he  promptly  appeared  shouting,  "Mr  May,  1  want  to  see  your 
Wolf"    May  replied  "here  she  is,  'Gunner,'  come  and  see  her.''  The 
urchin  scrambled  upon  the  bed  and    was   fairly    caught    by  "J^'' 
May's  Wolf." 


The  late  Covnit  (Joffimherry. 


309 


ie  was 
aractev 
m  and 
ScoU, 
Henry 
,k,  Geo. 
imager, 
scarcely 
,  he  was 
I  almost 
(vyer,  an 
1  as  well, 
verge  of 
)f  Indian 
im  of  the 
attended 
ed  eilbrts 
roticieney 
ine  a  well 
It  to  tbe 
.ressiou  ot 
and  never 

any  ki""!' 
lesH  or  ill- 
pedantry, 
all  his  en- 

|ut.    IH'^ 
■estigation 

is  lite  was 
joytd  ^o"^' 
i  pleasant 

^lany  good 

le  wedding 

.irt  -I  year* 
irning,  a"* 
lefore.  He 
r  midnigw 
Is  and  made 
'8  lodging' 
Ito  see  your 

— ''  'rh« 

'Mr. 


Being  pitted  against  .Tndge  Higgins,  iit  Kalida.  in  the  defence  of  a 
Blander  siiit,  tho  Judge  who  was  a  vonerablo  looking  man,  with  a 
pale  face  and  hair  as  whitu  as  snow,  cio.sed  his  spoeoh  by  reading 
with  solemn  voice  and  reverent  air.  several  versos  from  the  liihle 
condemnatory  of  the  tongue  of  the  slanderer,  tfec.  Apprehensive  that 
it  was  getting  to  be 'a  solemn  occasion  for  liis  client,  the  Count 
slowly  rose  to  his  feet,  adjusted  his  spectacles,  elevated  his  nose  to 
an  angle  of  about  45  degrees,  and  in  a  most  clerical  tone  addressed 
himself  to  the(!ourt  and  said  :  "  Your  llon/^rti,  sludl  we  si'nrf?  "  The 
Judges  struggled  till  they  were  black  in  the  face  to  <!omi)ort  them- 
Relves  with  becoming  dignity;  but  it  would  not  do ;  judges,  jur.^rs, 
lawyers  and  spectators  were  con vvilsed  with  laughter,  but  the  Count 
looked  as  solemn  as  a  funeral,  while  Judge  Higgins'  unfortunate 
client  was  being  literally  laughed  out  of  ( 'ourt. 

The  Count  and  his  son  James  were  upon  one  occasion  opposed  to 
Mch  other  in  a  trial  before  the  Wood  County  Common  Pleas,  of  a 
suit  brought  to  recover  damages  for  deceit  practiced  in  tin*  sale  of 
a  horse.  A  young  gontleman  of  about  his  own  age  had  given  very 
damaging  evidence  to  the  younger  (/ofRnberry's  case,  an<l  for  the 
purpose  of  belittling  the  witness,  and  having  the  jury  understand 
that  he  was  but  an  inexperienced  boy,  James  on  cross  examination 
continually  addressed  him  as  •'  George,"  which  the  Count  thought  un- 
becoming in  his  son,  and  disrespectful  to  his  intelligent  witness. 
Finally  James  said  :  'George,  won't  you  tell  the  Court  and  jury  what 
state  of  flesh  that  horse  was  hi  ?"  Whereupon  the  Count  leaned  over 
the  table  towards  his  son,  and  whispered  just  loud  enough  to  be 
heard  by  everybody  in  the  court  room  :  "Jeems, '  that  creetur  was 
probably  in  a  state  of  horse  Hesh."     '"  ,/n-t/is  "  subsided. 


The  writer  of  the  foregoing,  although  possessing  better  opportu- 
nities than  any  one  living  for  a  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the 
Count,  is  mistaken  on  one  point.  He  fh'd  belong  to  a  secret  society, 
and  on  one  occasion,  as  High  Priest  of  the  ''  sublime  order"  of  the 
Thousand  and  One.  during  :i  Court  term  at  Findlay,  was  master  of 
the  imposing  ceremonies  attending  the  initiation  of  the  lale  Ben. 
Metcalfand  ''the  subscriber,"  then  both  residents  of  Kalida.  into 
the  mysteries  (if  that  wonderful  organization.  It  was  an  impressive 
scene,  and  one  which  the  surviving  witnesses  will  not  forget,  while 
memory  holds  its  seat. 

General  Hill,  of  Toledo,  relates  the  following  anecdote  of  the 
Count : 

The  dignity  and  grace  of  the  Count,  in  addressing  a  Court  or  jury, 
were  confipicuous,  and  even  his  attitude  was  very  marked.  In  the 
year  1840  he  was  the  Whig  candidate  for  the  State  Senate,  and 
Colonel  William  Sawyer,  then  a  resident  of  Miamisburg,  Montgom- 


310 


The  (hunt  on  fl\e  Stump. 


ery  ronnly,  was  \\\v  Dcmocriitif  caiiilidiitf  for  Con^roHs  a^ainNf 
I'titiick  C-i.  (iiftoiic.  It  \V!iH  <liiriiiL;  tlu'  tiiiiioiiH  "li.-ird  ciflcr  ami  log 
ca}»in''  <'Miiii|)aif;n,  uiul  party  Npirit  ran  lii;j;li.  ('(doiicl  Sawyer,  havirif; 
Ix'cn  advertised  to  adnrt'SH  H  nieetini^  at  iMaumee  dity,  the  iVienils 
of  Mr.  Oortinherry  t^halleiif^cd  ^arvyer  to  eiij^aj^e  in  aj()iiit  diHciission 
to  ho  htdd  at  Perryshurii;.  (^ohmel  Sawyer  promptly  aeecptod  thp 
ehaUen/^e.  Tlio  o(hls  were  umM|ual,  as  the  (%>imt,  altlionujh  a  lawyer 
of  acknowiedu^ed  power,  jtossessed  none  of  the  elements  wliieh  lorm 
the  Huccc'ssful  politician ;  while  Sawyer  was  an  old  eam])ai}xner,  anfl 
thoroughly  posted  on  piihlie  measures  and  party  issues,  and  on  all 
the  arts  and  devices  of  the  politician,  ruder  the  arrangement. 
Sawyer  made  the  oi)ening  spi'ech.  He  charged  upon  the  h'a<lers  of 
the  Whig  party  that  they  weie  aristocrats,  i-ontrolling  tlie  hankiiic 
and  moneyed  interests  of  tlu;  country,  and  that  their  professed  sym- 
pathy with  the  real  dwellers  in  log  cahins  was  a  sham  and  a  fraud. 
The  wire-pidlers  of  tlu'  Whig  party,  lie  said,  occupied  the  palaces 
of  the  land,  and  weri'  arrayed  in  purpU'  and  tine  linen,  |  And  here 
he  gave  a  significant  glance  at  the  Count  himself,  designed  to  con- 
voy the  intimation  that  hv  was  "one  of  'em."] 

"•As  to  myself."  continued  Sawyer,  ''  T  was  horn  in  a  log  cabin, 
and  I  yet  reside  in  a  log  cabin.  My  Vdacksmith  shop,  where,  when 
at  home,  my  circjumstaiu'cs  compel  me  to  severe  toil  about  twelve 
hours  out  of  the  twenty-four,  is  a  log  cabin.  My  associations,  sym- 
patliios  and  hopes  have  ever  been,  and  now  ar(^  identified  with  the 
pioneers  of  the  country,  and  the  occupants  ot  log  cabins.  C-an  my 
highly  aristocratic  tricsnd  wlu;  is  to  follow  mv.  in  this  discussion,  and 
who  residef  in  a  lordly  mansion  almost  within  sight  of  this  audience 
say  this  for  himself'/'' 

Slightly  embarrassed  :md  vexed,  the  Count  rose,  struck  his 
characteristic  "attitude.""  and  commenced  by  deprecating  the  per 
sonal  allusions  in  which  his  friend.  Colonel  Sawyer,  had  thoughl 
proper  to  indulge  'I'o  get  even  with  his  opponent,  he  tossed  liis 
head  back  to  a  point  that  looked  towards  the  zenith,  and  exclaiineii, 
with  great  emphasis:  '•  Ye.-^.  gentle;//^//,  if  there  is  any  merit  in  hav 
ing  been  li-a-r-ii  in  a  log  cabin,  I.  too,  Mr.  Chairman,  and  ladies 
and  fellow  citizens,  was  born  in  a  log  cabin — in  the  firsf  iwfdiiir!' 
The  latter  part  of  the  sentence  beintr  one  that  ho  was  accustomed t" 
use  in  his  opening  addresses  before  courts  and  juries.  This  incidei, 
virtually  closed  the  political  controversy  between  Mr.  (Joffinberrj 
and  Colonel  Sawyer,  .and.  for  that  campaign,  at  least,  virtually 
placed  the  former  upon  the  retired  list 

A  scene  that  iu  our  day  W(uild  l)e  con.siderod  rare  in  a.  court  i''"iin. 
but  one  that,  in  the  time  it  occurred,  whs  ii  oharacteristic  ejiisnd'' 
happened  at  the  fall  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  held  in 
Napoleon,  in  1839,  the  first  year  of  Potter's  judicial  service.  The 
Court  at  this  time  ocoupied  the  second  floor  over  the  kitchen  and 
dining  rootn  of  the  tavern  kopt  by  General  Leonard.    This  was  a  I 


and  prog 
''minent 
Airfher  d 
"fi^ompr 
sfance— t 
eje-^her 
to  a  final 
and  extre 
iiimselff . 
and  san^ii 

'^as  again] 
labored  faj 

,  to  address  I 

,  '^'len  he  hi 

,'"« nianu8([ 

J '"?  matter] 

I  «o  arrangir 


Court  8cme  at  NapoUo)). 


811 


linst 
i  lojT 
vine 

ll'Uils 

8hion 
I  tho 
iwyer 
\  t(»rm 
•r,  and 
on  all 

(Icrs  <>t 

.(1  Hvnv 
•V  fraud. 

A\A  her*' 
,  to  ctm- 

re,  ■wl>''" 

vviUi  the 

Can  my 

ssioii.  anil 

aiuVionce 


eld  I 


1 10 

I IV ice 
;itchen 


Tilt 


This  was  s 


story-ftud-a-half  log  house,  covering  about  in  hv  *25  feot  of  ground. 
The  Court  were  seated  uj>on  a  platform  siiglitly  elevated,  at  the  end 
of  the  room  opposite  tlu!  narrow  door-way  and  stair  case  ;  and  to  the 
right  of  the  ('ourt  sat,  the  jury,  a  nuigh-luoking,  Ijut  honest  body 
of  men,  as  fully  alive  to  th«^  responsibilities  of  their  oaths,  as  any 
twelve  men  who  could  probably  now  be  selected  to  discharge  the 
same  duties  in  Henry  county. 

The  jury  occupied  a  single  row  of  puncheon  scats,  so  placed  that 
they  could  rest  their  shoulders  against  the  lo!,^  walls  of  the  building 
—something  after  the  custom  adopted  for  a  class  of  boys  and  girls  in 
an  old  time  spelling  school. 

The  ease  on  trial  was  an  old  one — not  as  musty,  probably,  as  the 
ch"ncery  suit  (lescrii)cd  by  Dickens,  "Jariulycc  /'.s.  .larndycc ;  "  yet 
it  had  much  (nlor  of  anti(|uity.     ft  w.is  i'ainiliarly  known  to  the  old 
habitues  of  the  court  sessions,  and  particularl     to  the  clerk   who 
wrote  the  docket,  as  "  Morehead  vs   Rohi: ;  "  and  a       ( t  hat  originated 
in  a  claim  of  ydaintilT  lor  a  pig,  which  he  valued   ,i  iwo  and  a  half 
dollars.  As  near  us  can  be  ascertained,  the  claim  w         mmenced  be- 
fore a  Justice  of  the  Peace  some  time  duriii;;  the  first  (juarter  of  the 
present  century  ;  and  Ji'dge  Potter  found   this  case  upon  his  cal- 
endar when  he  held  his  first  Court  at  Napoleon.     As  regards  both 
parties  to  the  controversy,  it  will  be  inferred,  all  reflections  upon  the 
disputed  title  to  the  swine  aside,  that  the  litigation  in  its  inception 
and  progress,  developed  in  both  adversaries  (pialities  savoring  in  an 
eminent  degree  of  pig-headedness.     At  this  term,  all  ex]>edient,s  for 
further  delays  and  postponements  having  been  exhausted,  and  the 
nneompromising  belligerents  having  each  expended  nearly  their  "sub- 
stance—the  ''bottom  dollar''  of  both  being  then  visible  to  the  naked 
eye— there  was  reason  to  believe  that  the  conflict  would  be  brought 
to  a  final  close.     Defendant's  counsel  was  an  old  and  able  Attorney, 
and  extremely  punctilious  on  points  of  judicial  decorum,  (having 
himself  occupied  the  bench,)  and  was  also  possessed  of  a  nmrcurial 
and  sanguine  temperament.     The  oft-repeated  testimony  in  the  case 
was  again  rehearsed  and  closed.     The  attorney  for  defendant  bad 
labored  faithfully  for  his  client,  and  it  now  became  in  order  for  him 
to  address  the  jury.    It  was  his  habit  to  wear  spectacles  not  only 
when  he  had  occasion  to  refer  to  and  read  the  law  authorities  and 
his  manuscript  notes,  but  also  during  the  time  occupied  in  expound- 
ing matters  to  the  jury,  which  he  had  a  peculiar  style  in  adjusting, 
BO  arranging  them  that  one  of  the  glasses  would  cover  au  eye,  while 


312 


Cryt/rt  Scene  at  NwpoleoT}.. 


the  other  wonld  hr  tmncd  downward,  and  rest  upon  his  cheek. 
Hence  he  would  only  ".^o  one  eve''  on  the  jury,  or  on  any  other 
given  object.  It  was  also  his  custom  to  select  a  single  juryman,  and 
concentrati'  his  look  and  speech  upon  .lim  alone.  This  he  was  partic- 
ular to  do  in  the  present  instance. 

But  it  so  hajipened  that  at  one  end  of  the  range  of  puncheon  seats 
occupied  by  tlie  jnry,  and  tha  tend  the  head  and  most  conspicuous, 
as  well  as  most  convenient  to  the  grotes(iue  vision  of  the  attorney, 
there  Avas  a  vacant  space  just  large  enough  to  seat  another  man.  A 
spectator  who  had  heconie  weary  of  standing  upon  his  feet,  discov- 
ered this  opening,  and  at  a  moment  when  the  lawyer  had  paused  in 
his  address,  jind  was  engaged  in  a  seai'ch  for  some  laAV  authority  on 
the  table  before  him,  this  '*  sovereign  "  quietly  took  possession  of  the 
vacant  place.  The  attorney  lifted  his  countenance  from  the  bonk, 
having  read  his  authority:  and,  not  discovering  that  one  had  been 
added  to  the  lawful  number  of  jurymen,  resumed  his  address: 

"Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  "  [looking  full  in  the  face,  through  both 
eyes — one,  as  usual,  naked,  and  the  other  clothed  with  a  lens — at  the 
raw  recruit,  whom  he  bad  mis<^aken  for  one  of  the  jury,  and,  jud;:- 
ing  from  his  conspicuous  position,  very  likely  the  foreman],  "  Gen- 
tlemen of  the  jury.  T  Wiint  to  know  whnt  this  man,"  [meanino;.  nf 
course,  the  plnintift.]  "  has  come  into  Court  for?  Why  is  he  here; 
Now,  T  repeat,  ger  tlemen  of  the  jury,  why  is  he  here?" 

The  self-chosen  juror,  not  doubting  that  these  high -soundini: 
interrogatories  were  addressed  to  any  other  than  himself,  made  hastf 
to  utter  a  tremendous  oath,  that  fairly  "roared  in  the  index'' — tiiert 
were  some  })rofane,  Aiilgar  people  in  those  days,  as  there  are  raanv 
now — 

"I'm  around,  sir,  a  witness:  liave  been  hero  these  three  dav;, 
waitin'  for  my  fees,  and  nary  a  dime  can  I  git.  ThaPa  what  I'm 
here  fori  Pay  me  my  witness  fees,  sir,  and  I'll  git  out.  " 

The  attorney  was  shocked,  dumbfounded,  and  very  tremendoiisif 
insulted.     An  explosion  by  members  oi'  the  bar,  bench,  and  «>thcP 
was  imminent.     The  Court  put  on  its  most  elaborate  marble  froii' 
The  brethren  of  the  bar,  among  whom  were  the  genial  and  niir'i 
loving  Count  CofRnberry,  James  G.  Haley  and  John  C.  Spink,  strn?j 
gled  manfully  to  maintain  the  proprieties; — broad  grins  oversyj 
owcu  some  of  the  countenances  of  the  jury   and  spectators;  wh'i'J 
the  unconscious  offender  sat  as  one  suffering  from  a  inomentary  fsrj 
alysis.    The  irate  counsel,  choking  with  passion, and  losing  sight.isj 


The  late  John  C.  Spink. 


313 


other 
n.  and 
partic- 

>n  seats 
ncuous. 
tt-orney. 
^an.    ^ 
.  discov- 
iuset\  in 
lority  on 
on  of  tht' 
[lie  bciok 
had  he«'n 
'88 : 

,,^s__at  the 
an(i  ]"(!?■ 
.1      ''Gen- 

-aniu?.  ^f 
he  here': 

•soumlw? 
made  haste 

,y  are  nwny 


three  day*' 
what  I'm 


the  paii,c;s  of  his  exacerbation,  of  the  wealth  of  humor  involved  in 
the  scene,  demanded  the  protection  of  the  Court,  and  the  condign 
puiiiHlunent  of  the  «»fTend''rI  This  appeal  was  promptly  c<miplied 
with  by  Judge  Potter,  so  far  as  to  say  to  the  man  : 

"  My  friend,  you  will  please  lind  a  situation  a  little  lower  down, 
and  leave  this  space  to  the  jury.  " 

And  thus  ended  this  commin^j^lod  tempest  of  vvrath  and  merri- 
ment, antl  the  attorney,  after  a  while  recovering  his  equanimity, 
proceeded  with  his  address  to  the  jury. 

John  C.  Spink  was  one  of  the  most  br.lliant  and  genial  lawyers  in 
the  Maumee  Valley.  Prior  to  his  removal  hither,  his  residence  had 
been  in  Wooster,  of  which  city  his  family  were  pioneers,  and  held  in 
hijjh  t'sneein.  W.  V.  Way,  Es(|.,  of  IVrrysburg,  communicates  the 
following: 

"Some  time  in  the  fall  of  1834.  I  was  at  the  old  court  house,  on 
Front  street,  a.ud  Spink  was  riding  past  on  an  Indian  pony.     I  had 
some   Inisini^^s  with  him.  and  re(|uested  him  to  stop.     He  replied 
that  he  had  an  engagemeiit  at  Sloane's  tavern,  on  the  o])posite  side 
of  the  strei't.  and  requested  that  I  cross  over  there,  where  we  would 
iransuet  our  business.     I  informed  Spink  that  his  re([uest  was  un- 
rcasoiuiblc  owing,  to  the  condition  of  the  streets,  (at  that  time  there 
«vre  neither  side-walks  nor  cross-walks,  and  a  sea  of  mud  extended 
f^m  the  court  house  t'l  Sloane's)    and  in  order  to  reach  there  J 
should  be  eoiu]»elled   U>  walk  a  great  distance  around,     Spink,  in  a 
joking  way,  said  that  I  should  get  up  behind  him,  on  the  pony,  and 
ridr  iieros's.     I  seconded  the  joke,  and  sprang  on:  my  feet,  after  get- 
tint,' on,  reaching  to  the  gronnd.     I  had  scarcely  nuninled  wlieii  the 
puiv  eommenced   kicking,  and  jiracticing  a  lively  double- sli utile — 
[ihino;iiin- ,)„t  into  the  depths  of  the  sea  of  mud  and  water:  but  it 
was  too  hue  for  me  to  ijot  off  without  ffoinsf  to  mv  knees  in  the  mud. 
■^IMiik  headed  the  pony  for  the  tavern,  and  the  beast  persisted  in 
doing  jnst  wliat  might  have  been  expected  of  him,  if  he  had  b(>er 
liiiliiloini:  at  the  bar,  and  abunt  leaviiig  thet:ivern.     The  farther  we 
progressed,  the  more  frantic  became  the  kicks  of  the  pony,  until  we 
l?i>t  noarly  across  the  street,  aiul   wh(>re  the  mire  was  deepest,  when 
h^pink  and  inyse. f  wtu'e  tossed  over  the  animal's  head  into  a  world  of 
[tniiilile.     Wheti  we  straightened  up,  we  found  ourselves  completely 
Imiul-olad.     Spink's  face  was  in  a  eoiulition  to  destroy  identificalion 
jl'v  liis  most   intiuial''  friends,  and  even  his  mouth  was  lilh'd.     My 
lown  plight  was  equally  sorry.     As  .;oon   as  he  could  speak — both  of 
I'ls  stiiiulino;  iu  the  inir.'  facing  each  other — he  stretched  himself  up 
Bs  though  li>-  were  in  court,  and  about  to   utter  the  great  sentence 
ioiitivo  of  triumph  in  his  case,  and  shouted  :  'Way.  if  we  /lavc  been 
lowniL'  in  the  mud  like  iwi>  silly  lioys,  we  have  the  proud  satisfac- 
Poii  of  knowing  that  we  are  the  two  fir^t  lawyers  in  the  county' — 


314 


Cofinherry  and  Spink, 


the  point  of  which  consisted  in  the  fact  that  we  were  the  only  prac- 
ticing lawyers  in  the  county  at  that  time." 

Mr.  Way  also  relates  the  following  on  the  authority  of  Joshua 

Chapjiel,  who  commenced  his  residence  in  Perrysburg  in   1817: 

"In  1819  a  man  was  owing  Jacob  Wilkinson  a  debt  of  about  nine 
dollars,  payable  in  tish  at  the  next  lishing  season.  The  season 
came,  and  the  fish  were  caught;  but  the  debtor  sold  them,  and 
pocketed  the  proceeds.  Failing  to  meet  his  promise,  Wilkinson 
called  uptm  him,  but  could  attain  tio  other  satisfaction  than  that  if 
he  wanted  the  fish,  he  must  catxili  them  himself.  In  those  days  there 
was  gn^at  leniency  on  the  part  of  ci'edi tors  towards  poor  debtors  who 
could  not  pay,  although  the  law  imprisoning  for  debt  was  then  in 
force.  Wilkinson  considered  this  man  a  fit  subject  for  the  extreme 
rigors  of  the  law,  and  sued  him — took  judgment,  and  got  ont  hcam 
— and  had  the  debtor  arrested,  supposing  that  he  would  pay  the 
small  amount,  rather  than  go  to  jail.  Wood  was  then  attached  to 
Champaign  county  for  civil  purposes,  and  TTrbana,  about  150  miles 
distant,  was  the  county  seat,  to  which  point  tlu^  debtor  would  have 
to  be  taken  to  comply  with  the  writ.  The  constable  started  with  the 
prisoner,  furnishing  him  a  horse  to  ride.  They  proceeded  through 
the  woods,  having  nothing  but  an  Indian  trail  to  follow,  by  the  wav 
of  Fort  Findlay.  At  this  time  there  was  not  a  white  inhabitant 
living  between  the  toot  of  the  rapids  and  Findlay.  When  they 
reached  [Irbana,  the  jailor  refused  to  receive  the  prisoner,  without 
payment  of  a  week's  boai'd  in  advance,  as  the  law  provided.  The 
constabU',  not  having  anti(;i{)ated  this  demand,  was  not  provided 
with  the  I'umls,  and  returned  home  with  the  prisoner  in  hiscompanj. 
It  is  said  the  constable's  bill  against  Wilkinson  for  services  and 
expenses  amounted  to  a  little  above  !i!l')0. " 

This  case  illustrates  the  disadvantages  the  early  settles  labored 
under  in  judicial  proceedings;  and  particularly  presents  a  strong 
case  where  a  man  going  to  law  may  have  the  right  on  the  merits,  yet 
get  badly  beaten  on  the  execution. 

There  were  several  non-resident  lawyers  who  traveled  with  the 
Presiding  Judge  from  county  fo  county  through  the  circuit.  They 
were  commonly  called  circuit,  lawyers.  The  most  prominent  were 
Andrew  Coffinberry  and  James  F'urdy,  both  then  residents  of  Mans- 
field. Spink  was  the  very  embodiment  of  humor,  and  woidd  turn 
every  incident  into  fun.  He  was  a  genial  and  happy  man  in  the 
society  of  those  who  could  appreciate  him.  Count  Coffinberry  ^vsj. 
to  all  external  appearance,  as  grave  as  a  clergyman  ;  yet  he  possessed 
a  remarkable  degree  of  humor,  and  only  required  some  genius  to  draw 
his  fire,  and  fun  would  begin  in  earnest.  And  just  such  a  genius  wa; 
Spink.    Both  were  endowed  with  rare  gifts,  and  each  seemed  par- 


Old  Court  scenes  at  Perryshurg. 


315 


out  nine 
;  season 
em,  and 
'ilkinson 
yii  that  it 
lays  there 
3tors  who 
IS  then  in 
e  extreme 
mtaMSffl 
L  pay  the 
,tached  to 
150  miles 
'onUl  have 
■d  with  the 
■d  through 
l)y  the  way 
inhabitant 
Vhfu  they 
er,  without 
ided.    The 
it  provided 
,8  conapany. 
irvices  and 


ficiilarly  formed  for  the  other;   yet  two  beings   more   unlike  are 
rarely  found. 

tlach  term  of  Court  in  Wood  county  was  a  carnival  of  fun  for  the 
lawyers.  The  Presiding  Judge  and  circuit  lawyers  always  put  up  at 
Spatford's  E.xcliange,  where  the  Judge  occupied  habitually  the  best 
sleepinir  room  in  the  house,  a  capacious  apartnient  in  the  northwest 
corner,  ovt'r  the  l);ir  nxun,  (o  wliiidi  tlu;  lawyers  resorted  nightly  for 
asocial  lime.  The  ConnI,  Spink  and  Way  were  the  chief  actors. 
Way  was  not  naturally  humorous,  but  the  Count  and  Spink  had 
a  way  of  playing  about  aiul  making  him  funny  in  spite  of  himself, 
and  the  three  constituted  a  capital  theatrical  stock  company,  inclu- 
ding the  orchestra,  in  which  the  Count  represented  the  bassoon, 
Sjiink  ilic  violin,  and  May  the  trombone,  while  the  Judge  would 
act  as  stage  manager.  These  entertainments  were  the  most  brilliant 
and  hilarions  during  the  time  that  our  friend  Judge  Potter  presided 
over  the  circuit.  The  Judge  always  preserved  inviolate  his  dignity 
on  the  bench,  but  like  a  popular  country  school  master  would  play 
with  the  hoys  out  of  school  hours,  and  joined  heartily  it',  the  laughs 
whieh  his  rai'e  fund  of  hutnor  always  produced.  The  Judge  some- 
times opened  the  enl(  rtainment  by  singing  his  favorite  song  of 
'Ijord  Level ''  which  was  always  received  with  tremenduous  a}>plause. 
,iiid  the  ('««)rrt  frequently  responded  to  by  ''Kusin  the  Bow,''  in 
which  he  was  inimitald;'. 

Major  McMillen  and  Ralpii  0.  Koeler  resided  in  the  county  at  this 
lime— Kceler  near  the  prescMit,  village  of  Weston,  for  wlii'in  the 
Keeler  prairie  was  named,  and  McMillen  about  four  miles  south  of 
Keeler  ill  Milton  township  -and  were  about  the  first  settlers  in  their 
respective  neighborhoods.  In  those  days  the  inhal)it!inls  were  so  few 
in  tile  country  that,  a  large  proportion  of  the  population  was  neces- 
iiary  to  make  up  the  two  juries  and  witnesses;  consequentlv  they 
W'M-e  very  often  obliged  to  come  to  Perryshurg  during  the  perioilical 
terms  of  Court,  but  quite  as  frequently  their  love  ol  fun  brought 
them  to  enjoy  t!ie  holiday  merrinienl.  of  the  "  Bur  Theatre."  These 
•iitertaniments  were  tisnally  limited  to  the  lawyers,  but  the  rare 
S'H'ial  fpialities  and  wit  of  Keeler  and  the  Major,  secured  them  a 
i'laee  among  the  favm-i'd  few.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  Keeler 
emphatically  declared  he  had  attained  the  very  finale  of  happiness, 
ind  when  the  Count  had  concluded  one  of  his  happiest  renditions  of 
;"'bipiter  in  love  with  the  Mermaid,  "  Major  McMillen  pitched  from 
"•IS  chair,  rolled  on  the  floor,  kicked  up  his  heels  and  sang  out, 


i!       Ill 


316 


The  late  John  0.  Spink. 


"scripture  says  '  woe  auto  you,  lawyers,'  but  if  this  is  the  way  you 
enjoy  lifo  in  this  world,  you  can  well  afford  to  endure  a  little  scorch- 
ing In  the  next. '' 

Our  i(Ood  host,  Jarvis  Spafford,  was  usually  a  participant  in  these 
festivities  .  when  not  engaged  in  pn-paring  hot  punches  lor  the 
performers. 

Spink  was  a  successful  lawyer.  Although  not  possessing  the  habit 
of  great  industry,  he  had  a  keen  perception  of  the  winning  point  in 
his  cases,  and  seldom  failed  to  make  it  aviulable,  especially  in  thf 
defence  of  criminals. 

He  used  to  say  he  was  unlike  other  lawyers,  in  liaving  become  a 
practitioner  without  making  the  usual  "  maiden  speech  "  at  the,  hnr, 
but  that  he  made  his  maiden  speech  before  an  nidiienrc  of  maiim 
in  the  swamp  between  Porrysburg  and  Fjower  Sandusky  iiiulcrtlif 
following  cireumstanc(-S :  Soon  after  he  was  adtnitti'd,  but  h  fore 
commencing  practice,  he  was  traveling  over  the  Black  Swamp  road 
in  company  with  a  young  clergyman,  Avhose  professioniil  pin  feiithfr.; 
were  of  about  ecpial  length  witb  his  own,  and  they  pur  up  togetherat 
a  tavern  at  Sugar  Creek,  a  few  miles  west  of  the  present  town  of 
Fremont. 

At.  that  time  the  roiid  had  not  been  MeAdami/.ed  and  was  one  of 
the  very  wors^  to  tnivel.  but  it  was,  however,  used  a  great  deal. 
Taverns  were  all  small,  log  buildings  and  travelers  were  (sompelled 
to  nut  up  with  whatever  accommodations  tliey  could" find. 

It  was  liite  when  Spink  and  his  companion  reached  the  tavern; 
supper  was  over,  and  the  house  crowded  with  moving  families,  hut 
the  landlord,  having  an  eye  to  prolit.  assured  them  of  com fortatilf 
quartifs,  whi(^h  they  gladly  acct?pted.  During  the  preparation  of 
supper,  the  movers  were  stowed  away  for  sleeping,  as  well  as  possible. 
though  there  was  but  one  bed  in  the  house  unoccupied  by  the  family. 
'I'his  spir>  bed  room  being  th^'  cleanest,  the  female  movers  nvre 
as.-igned  tlie  floor  on  which  to  make  th.'ir  beds,  of  their  own  bcddiiip 
while  the  bed  was  reserved  for  the  newly  arrived  professional  jjentle- 
men.  The  room  was  small,  and  dimly  lighied  by  a  smouldering tiiv 
when  they  were  assigned  their  bed,  to  wliich  they  were  compelled  t^ 
make  way  through  a  sea  of  women.  Arriving  there,  rhey  discavemij 
the  faces  of  the  women  all  turned  upon  them,  and  themselve.«  nnaW' 
to  elude  their  embarrassing  vgazi".  How  to  proceed  was  a  prohljinj 
they  could  not  readily  solve,  as  this  was  their  first  adventure  in  J  j 
ij6w  count^ry,  involving  undressing  in  presence  of  women. 


Judge  James  M,  Cofinberry. 


m 


ay  you 
scorch- 
in  these 
fur  the 

he  habit 
point  ir 
,ly  in  the 

become  a 
it  the.  hnr, 
f  mniikr^ 
under  th( 
hvit  h'fore 
v'.ivnp  road 
,in  t't'iitber? 
toirptherat 
nt  town  of 

\viis  ont'  M 
groat  deal. 
compelled 

il. 

,hc  tavern; 

|lmili('!^^  hut 

inifortiililf 

piiration  "f 

as  possible. 

the  family, 
overs  were 
,vn  bocldiiit;. 

)nal  gen<l^- 
iihlcrinsfii'' 

oinpelh'd  t" 
■y  aiscoveve^  j 

Is  a  ri-obkirJ 
L-entnreiBM 


At  length  the  minister  calmly  pulled  off  his  coat  and  asked  Spink 
to  hold  it  stretched  out  in  both  hands  l)etweeii  him  and  the  women, 
which  he  did,  and  tiie  minister  ((uietly  got  into  bed,  covered  up  and 
left  his  legal  companion  to  escape  from  the  difficulty  as  he  best 
might,  Spink  was  sorely  perplexed.  He  could  not  get  the  landlord 
to  come  and  hold  the  coat  for  him,  us  he  had  already  retired.  To 
get  in  ivith  his  pantaloons  on  was  out  of  the  question  as  they  were 
covered  with  mud  and  wet.  Had  each  face  been  a  poiiited  musket 
to  be  discharged  the  instant  he  should  be  divested  of  his  lower  gar- 
ments, he  could  have  been  little  more  terrified.  Finally,  reflecting 
ihiit,  as  a  lawyer,  he  must '>e  compelled  to  make  his  living  by  his 
wits,  lit- determined  t(j  make  then  and  there  his  ''■Maiden  Speech'"' 
to  the  fair  occjupants  of  the  tloor,  which  lie  proceeded  to  do  in  about 
the  following  language.  "  Ladies,  this  is  my  bed,  and  I  am  without 
means  of  screening  myself  from  your  observation.  This  is  my  tir^t 
introduction  to  new  country  life.  Probably  it  is  yours  also,  as  you 
appear  to  be  moving.  1  hope  you  will  not  impute  to  me  rudeness, 
but  1  will  esteem  it  a  great  favor  if  you  will  duck  your  heads  while 
I  get  into  bed. "    Every  face  di.^appeared,  while  he  retired  unharmed 

tu  meditate  on  his  folly  in  having  aioakeaed  the  duinberiny  beauties 

by  his  speech. 


The  following  sketch   of  Judge  Coftinberry  is  taken  from  a  work 
entitled  "  Kepreseiitative  iVleu  of  Cleveland  " 

•' James M.  Cdtfinberry,  son  of  Andrew,  or  the  good  "  Count, ''  is  ;i 
native  of  Manslield,  Ohio,  having  been  born  in  that  town  in  1818. 
He  studied  law  with  his  father,  who  was  then  located  at  Perrysburg, 
ill  the  Western  part  of  the  state,  and  upon  his  admission  to  the  bar 
in  184],  opened  a  law  oflicc^  in  connection  with  his  father  in  Maumee 
City,  He  Very  early  obtained  the  public  confidence,  being  apprecia- 
i;ed  for  hi,s  high  pei.sonal  and  prolVs.sional  integrity,  and  giving 
I'vidence  (d'  £ne  abilities  as  a  lawyer  and  advocate,  he  was  elected 
and  served  as  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  Lucas  county  for  several 
years.  About  the  year  1845,  he  removed  to  Hancock  county,  and 
purchased  and  edited  the  Findlay  Herald,  a  whig  jjaper  of  that  day, 
and  for  about  ten  years  |)racticed  his  )trofossion  with  credit  and  suc- 
'••'ss  ill  tile  large  circuit  of  Hancock,  Allen,  Putnam,  V^an  Wert  and 
W(jud  counties. 

''In  1855,  he  removed  to  Clevtland,  where  he  entered  very  readily 

!  into  a  good  practice,  and  for  six  years  confirmed  the  good  reputation 

*hich  he  urought  with   him,  and  took  high  rank  at  the  bar  which 

numbered  among  its  members  some  of  the  best  lawyers  in  the  State. 


i  ; 


318 


Judge  James  M.  Cofinberry. 


"In  1861,  he  was  elected  Jud^eof  tiieCovirt  of  Common  Pleas, 
and  performed  the  duties  of  the  oftlcc  for  liis  full  term  of  fiw  years, 
with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  tin-  piililie, 
and  an  appreciative  Jjar.  The  kind  and  genial  traits,  elinraelei- 
istic  of  Judge  Cofllinberry's  mind,  and  his  quiet  manners  upon  tin- 
Ijeiich  made  it  always  agreeahle  for  both  lawyers  and  Hiiiior.s  duini{ 
business  in  his  Court.  His  charges  lo  iln'  jury  wen-  always  plain, 
clear  and  forcible,  and  in  the  coursi-  of  his  jmiicial  si-rxicc,  lir  dt-jiv- 
ered  some  very  able  (Opinions,  verba!  and  wiitbn  wliicli  elicited  the 
favorable  consideration  of  the  profession,  and  it  is  uiulerstool  that  iin 
judicial  opinion  pronounced  by  him  has  ever  been  reversed  on  revi.w 
by  a  higher  court.  The  charge  to  tlie  jury  on  the  trial  <it'  Dr.  .Jnim 
W.  Hughes,  for  the  murder  of  Tamzi^  Parsons,  of  Bedford,  which 
took  place  in  December,  1865,  was  acknowledged  by  the  t!lpvclu.id 
bar  to  be  one  of  the  ablest  ever  delivered  from  the  Ciiyiihogii  heinii. 

"Judge  Coffinberry  is  renuirkable  foi'  an  apparently  intuitive  per- 
ception of  legal  truth,  which  gives  to  his  ai'gumcnt  at  the  liar,  and 
as  a  lawyer  and  Judge,  to  his  opinions,  a  tone  of  (»rigiuality.  Hh 
has  a  fine  appreciation  of  the  learning  of  the  profession,  and  le 
regarded  as  among  the  best  advocates  of  the  rjhveland  bar. 

"Judge  Coffinberry  has  been  successful  in  almost  every  undertit- 
king,  and  has  richly  deserved  it. '' 


[Transcript     from    the    docket   of    John   Amstutz,    of    Kichlami 

Township  Allen  (.■ounty.  J 

a  e  0         lo  ^  Criminal  action  of  an  assault  in  a  menacing  manner, 

J      y%  (June  ^9,  1867. 

Levi  Tope.    ) 

This  day  appeared  before  me,  J(din  Amstutz,  a  Justice  of  flie 
Peace  of  said  county,  Isaac  JS.  Mark  and  made  oath  by  an  affidavit 
that  Levi  Tope  assaulted  and  struck  at  him  m  a  menacing  manner. 
Therefore,  the  said  Isaac  N.  Mark  was  the  complainant,  and  saidLvi 
Tope  the  defendant.  A  State  warrant  was  thend'ore  issued  forthwith 
against  said  Levi  To})e,  defendant,  and  Ihe  same  was  delivered  by 
said  Isaac  N.  Mark,  complainant,  to  William  Lewis,  regular  Consta- 
ble of  Richland  township,  in  said  county.  There  was  also  a  sub 
poena,  on  reijuest  of  said  complaiiumt.  issued  for  State  witnesses 
against  Joseph  A.  Murray,  I.  McHenry,  Charles  E.  Wilson,  Georgt! 
Burget,  John  Kenton,  'rhomas  Murray,  Ira  Town.seud,  Erastus 
Thompson  and  (Jeorge  Kanu;r,  All  said  witnesses  were  conmiiuukd 
to  appear  forthwith,  July  1,  1857.  The  said  Levi  Tope,  defendaut. 
appeared  before  me,  at  about  half  past  /line  o'clock,  and  requested 
me  to  issue  a  subpoena  against  A.  W.  Rokatch,  Ebenezer  Rus.sell,  Si- 
Wui.  F.  McDermott,  Wm.  Vance,  Peter  K.  Mummer,  Ralph  Ewing. 
Samuel  Whissler,  John  Fenton  and  Thomas  Fenton.     Said  witnesses 


Odd  Cases  hefwe  the  (hurts. 


3iy 


Pleas, 

yeavs, 
tulilu', 
ructer- 
1)11  the 
^  ill  ling 
■;  plain, 
(•  (li'liv- 
ily*l  the 

tluit  nu 

I  VfViv'W 

)i-.  Juhn 
il,  winch 

llt-vcUud 
;;ii  IhMh'I 

itive  per- 

bar,  and 

Ally.    He 

1.  ami  15 

•  uinl'ivta- 


Riclilaiui 


H 


manner. 


were  commanded  to  appear  forthwith,  and  were  intended  by  the 
defendant  to  defend  him  before  tlie  .Justice's  Court. 

Defendant  likewise  made  a  motion  if  I  would  want  another  Justice 
of  the  Peace  assist  me,  in  the  proceedings  of  the  action,  that  matter 
was  therefore  accepted  by  me.  I  therefore  issued  a  notice  to  George 
W.  Goble,  a  J-  P.  in  said  townshi))  of  Richland. 

Complainant  gave  himself  and  Krastus  'rh()mj)son  bails  on  a  bond, 
taken  and  atiknowledged  before  me  for  the  costs  of  the  action  if  the 
State  should  fail.  Past  3  o'clock  same  day,  witnesses  appeared. 
Said  George  W.  Goble,  my  assistant,  also  appeared.  Wm.  Lewis, 
Constable,  made  his  returns.  I  therefore  made  it  known  before  we 
went  into  trial,  to  the  complainant,  and  to  all  the  presence,  that  I 
will  have  said  Goble  as  my  assistant,  in  every  respect  during  the 
trial,  stating  the  reasons  such,  that  things  appear  to  me  to  be  tick- 
lish, and  dubious  and  critical ;  that  I  would  only  have  to  bear  half 
oftht  burdens,  if  I  should  go  either  way.  It  was  therefore  accepted 
by  the  complainant,  and  by  the  defendant,  likewise  before  the  pres- 
ence, that  said  Goble  may  be  my  assistant  during  the  action  in 
every  respect. 

The  trial  therefore  began  by  asking  Levi  Tope,  defendant,  whether 
he  was  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  the  fact  charged  against  him.  He 
therefore  pleaded  "  not  guilty.  "  Therefore  witnesses  on  behalf  of 
the  State,  were  duly  sworn.  Also,  \.  N.  Mark,  complainant,  was 
3worn.  I.  N.  Mark,  complainant,  was  the  first  witness  to  testify ; 
then  George  Burget,  Charles  E.  Wilson,  and  Erastus  Thompson. 
The  balance  were  not  called  to  testify.  Then  the  witnesses  for  de- 
fendant were  sworn.  John  Fenton,  Wm.  Vance  and  Peter  K. 
Mummer  and  another  testified.  The  balance  were  not  called.  After 
the  testimony,  allegation,  examination  and  re-examination  of  the 
witnesses  and  proceedings  on  behalf  of  the  State,  and  for  the  defend- 
ant, of  the  whole  testimo)iy,  John  Ewing,  Esq.,  attorney  of  com- 
plainant, opened  the  pleading  deliate.  Charles  N.  Lamison,  Esq., 
pleaded  for  defendant,  and  Isaac  N.  Mark,  complainant,  closed  the 
matter. 

After  that,  I,  John  Amstntz,  and  George  W.  Goble,  my  assistant, 
stepped  off  in  a  separate  I'oom,  to  consider  on  the  matter,  to  render  a 
judgment  according  to  testimony.  After  the  absence  of  about  half 
an  hour,  we  concluded  that  the  complainant,  like  defendant,  were 
alike,  in  our  consideration,  offence  in  fault.  The  complainant,  we 
finded  him  to  be  in  the  offence  of  provoking  defendant;  and  the 
defended,  we  linded  him  \»  be  in  the  oftence  of  assaulting  the  com- 
plainant. Therefore,  our  pure  judgment  would  be  to  discharge  de- 
Itudant,  and  each  of  them  would  have  to  pay  his  own  CDsts,  or  the 
jlialfof  tlui  whole  costs,  provided,  if  they  are  satisfied,  and  confess 
on  it— that  is  to  say,  as  the  law  gave  us  no  power  to  give  that  kind 
ofa  composing  judgment,  what  we  considered  to  be  the  purest  judg- 
ment accordingvto  our  consideration.  We  therefore  considered  that 
I  we  will  offer  our  pure  judgment  to  the  parties.    Therefore  I  offered 


820 


Odd  Casen  before  the  (JourU. 


19 


IK'i 


the  saitl  judgiiient  to  the  parlies,  and  th-y  would  iiucopt  it,  tor  the 
costs  inatttr;  hut  tlic  coiiiplaiiuiiit  »Viiut  that  tlie  di'leiuLiiit  slmll 
confess  that  he  did  wnuig,  ncvertholus.s  the  conipluirumt.  iMnlcs.scd 
hetbre  the  whole  crowd,  tliat  lie  was  sorry  towards  tlie  d(  I'tndiiiit. 
But  defendant  would  not  confess,  and  coini)lainant  would  not  witli 
draw  iiis  motion.     Blven    I   offered    hini   to  sutler   loss  .-I'  my  wlinlc 

wr  will  diseluu'i'i  tiic  dttleiHlani 


fees.     We  tiierefore  considered  tiiat 

and  th(!  complainant  will  have  to  pay  the  costs.     Tlierefor.'.  ii 


I  Ii 


111  sIkiI 


name  of  us  both,  1  discharge  the  di'lendant.  and  (•om|)laina 
pay  tin-  costs  of  the  whole  action,  and  thi.^  was  our  liiial  jml^^inciu, 
and  all  what  we  could  do  according  to  law  in  this  case.  But,  I,  Ibr 
my  part,  will  never  consider  it  a  pure  judgment  aceonling  to  ihr 
whole  transactions  and  circumstances  between  the  eomplainant  uiid 
defendant,  as  both  })arties  tresspassed  the  civil  action  of  reasonable 
men,  and  they  ought  to  ])ay  for  it  alike,  as  lessons. 

This  transcript  was  given  to  the  comjilainant  on  hisri<|UesL  Hi) 
intention  is  to  reverse  the  judgment  of  this  action;  but  the  trans- 
cript itst.'lf  will  show  that  1  was  trying  to  act  in  a  way  that  niiglil 
perhaps  jiroduct^  more  than  this  coi.ise.  As  a  matter  of  coiuw,  1 
want  to  be  satislied  as  sooii  as  possible  before  I  am  requii'ed  to  iusuc 
execution  ;  and  that  by  the  County  ('Irrk,  and  under  seal.  I  do  uoi 
care  about  my  fees.  1  said  once  that  I  would  sutler  my  fees,  and  1 
say  that  yet,  if  I  only  can  produce  peace  among  my  fellow-citizens. 
I  therefore  will  not  charge  any  fees  to  the  complainant  for  this 
transcript;  as  he  has  already  trouble  enough.    It  shall  be  free  jrratis. 


Yours  very  respectfully, 


Jon>i  Armstutz. 


When  Judge  Hitchcock  held  his  tirst  term  of  the  Supreme  Court 
in  Tiffin,  Joshua  Seney  was  Clerk  of  the  Court.      On  the  day  fixed 
for  the  term,  and  when  the  Judge  was  expected,  Mr.  Keen  and  Mr, 
Seney  were  sitting  in  the  Clerk's  office ;  and  the  latter,  looking  (fUt 
of  the  window,  observed  a  rough  looking  person  approaching  tlie 
office,  and,  taking  him  for  the  same  one  who  had  been  annoying 
Mr.  Keen  for  the  sale  of  a  lot  of  hay,  observed  :     ''  Now,  as  1  am  a 
sinner,  if  there  isn't  that  same  villainous  old  Irishnuiu  coming  to 
torment  us  again  about  that  hay."     Soon  the  offensive  person  en- 
tered;  the  two  occupants  of  the  room  continuing  their  coiiveM 
tion,  and  neither  suggesting  a  seat  to  tlie  intruder,  but  expectiUj' 
every  moment  to  hear  a  re-opening  from  the  Irishman  (if  the  jiesti- 
ferous  hay  business.       Mr.  Seney  became  (ionsiderabiy  embarnisjt'J 
when  the  person  approached  his  desk,  and,  very  politely,  but  in  tW 
bearing  and  tone  of  voice  of  one  clothed  with  authority,  inquired: 
"  Is  the  docket  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  thiij  office  r*    I  would  like 
to  see  it." 


Kotei^  on  the  Old  Bench  ami  liar. 


321 


Although  hiibited  in  very  similiir  olotliing,  and  bfiiring  upon  his 
lii'iul  an  almost  cxaot  chiplioiito  of  the  old  straw  hat  worn  by  the 
Irislinian,  tho  stranger,  it  was  now  on  closer  scrutiny  ((uite  clear, 
wus  iinno  other  than  Judge  Hitchcock  himself. 


The  late  Judge  Metctilf  would  relate  the  following:      Under  the 
iinoioiit  regime  in  good  old  Virguiia,  the  mother  of  Scates  and  of 
Lawyers,  the  fundamental  law  of  that  Commonwealth  raised  the 
senior  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  county  to  the  dignity  of  Sheriff.  An 
old  gentleman,  who  had  passed  through  the  several  grades  of  justice 
aiul  fuially  attained  to  the  SherifJ'alty,  determined  to  cast  his  lot 
acroiis  the  border,  on  Ohio  soil,  and  engage  in  law  practice.     With 
tliis  view,  and  under  the  impression  that  by  virtue  of  the  official  ex- 
pTiouce  above  mentioned,  he  would  be  competent  to  discharge  the 
Juties  of  an  attorney  before  any  Ohio  Court,  he  eonlidently  demand- 
ed admission  to   the  bar  in  the  county  he  had  selected  for  his  resi- 
dence.   He  WHS  advised,  however,  that  under  the  Ohio  system,  as  in 
Virginia,  it  would  be  necessary  that  he  enter  his  name  with  a  lawyer 
and  pursue  a  course  of  studies  for  a  terra  of  years,  when  he  could 
obtain  a  certificate  from  his  preceptor,  which  would  form  the  basis 
tor  his  ajiplication  to  the  Court  for  admission  to  the  bar.     Accord- 
ingly he  entered  his  name,  but  under  the  unshaken  conviction  that 
he  possessed  a  better  knowledge  of  law  than  the  average  of  Ohio  at- 
torneys, he  concluded  that  the  only  point  with  him  was  to  put  in  the 
time,  and  that  actual  study  was  unnecessary.    The  two  years  having 
expired,  he  made  application  to  the  Court,  and  soon  found  himself 
before  a  Committe  of  the  bar.    A  few  questions  relating  to  elemeu» 
tary  principles  of  law  were  proi)osed  to  him,  to  none  of  wliich  was  he 
enabled  to  return  satisfactory  answers.    The  Virginian,  finally,  in 
much  perplexity,  observed :  "  I  tell  you  what  it  is, gentlemen;  /  never 
(/tW  pretend  to  be  much  of  a  Blackstun  lawyer,  but  you  once  take 
me  on  the  Virginny  statoots,  and  you'll  lind  me  thar,"     He  retired 
from  the  disgusting  ordeal  in  high  and  dignified  dudgeon. 


In  1857  a  new  Sheriff  was  inducted  into  office  in  Allen  county.  He 

hvasmuch  inclined  to  waggery,  and  plumed  himself  upon  his  success 

111  the  practical  jokes  he  would  get  off  on  his  friends.     Judge  Robb, 

[who  habitually  takes  everything  in  good  humor,  and  had  been  in  sev- 

jeral  instances  his  victim,  devised  the  following  retaliatory  scheme : 

21 


322 


Notes  on  the  Old  Bench  and  Bar. 


Seeking  a  conversation  with  the  new  officer,  ho  informed  him  that  it 
was  th(^  sMiiillest  number  of  Sheriffs  who  understood  the  true  form  of 
opening  Court.  "  Now,"  suid  Ilobb,  "while  our  Democrats  may 
not  like  the  English  government  and  people  altogether,  it  must 
nevertheless  lie  admitted  that  we  are  indebted  to  our  British  ances- 
try for  the  fundamental  principles  of  our  admirable  system  of  juris- 
l)rudence.  The  more  closely  we  adhere  to  their  venerated  forms, 
the  more  imposing  and  sublime  appears  the  administration  of 
justice."  The  Sheriff  concurred  in  this  view,  and  the  Judge  then 
proceeded  to  drill  the  officer  as  to  tlie  true  method  of  opening  Court 
— and  having  h'arned  to  "speak  his  piece,'' Judge  Metcalf  and  the 
bar  aiul  spectators  were  electrified  next  morning  to  hear  the  new 
Sheriff  proclaim,  in  stentorian  voice,  in  response  to  the  order  to  open 
Court; 

"  Oh  yes  I  oh  yes ! !  oh  yes ! ! !  All  manner  of  persons  having  any- 
thing to  do  with  this  Court  of  nisi  priiis,  held  in  this  county  of 
Allen,  will  draw  near  and  give  attention.     God  save  the  Queen!" 


At  the  April  term,  in  1847,  of  the  Mercer  county  Court,  a  hog 
case  was  tried  before  Judge  Patrick  G.  Goode.  The  arguments  of 
counsel  had  been  concluded,  the  charge  of  the  Court  had  been  made, 
and  tlie  case  submitted  to  the  jury  within  a  few  minutes  of  the  regu- 
lar dinner  hour,  and  they  ordered  into  their  room.  The  Court  then 
adjourned  until  after  dinner.  Within  a  few  minutes  one  of  the 
jurymen,  Cyrenius  Elliott,  (then  a  rough-hewn  specimen,  but  withal 
a  young  man  possessing  more  than  average  ability  and  coolness.) 
entered  the  room  of  the  hotel  where  the  Judge  was  seated.  The 
latter  regarded  Elliott  with  much  surprise,  and  excitedly  inquired; 
"  What  are  you  doing  here  ?    Have  the  jury  agreed  ? 

"Jury  agreed  ?  "  hissed  Elliott ;  "you  must  be  a  simpleton  to  ask 
the  question.  You  must  understand,  Pat  Goode,  that  I  don't  believe 
much  in  the  divine  right  of  Kings,  or  in  the  infallibility  of  Courts. 
when  run  f)y  such  men  as  yourself.  Your  riglit  way  was  to  have  let 
us  had  our  dinner?  before  sending  us  into  the  jury-room — knowing. 
as  you  must,  if  you  had  good  sense,  that  jurors  have  stomachs  and 
bowels  as  well  as  judges  and  lawyers." 

The  Judge,  in  a  towering  rage,  threatened  that  his  first  business, 
immediately  after  the  re-assembling  of  the  Court,  would  be  to  visit 


N'ntfs  on  the  Old  Bench  and  Ba/i' 


.^2n 


at  it 
m  of 
may 
must 
inct'8- 
juris- 
forms, 
:)n   of 
;o  then 
Court 
iiul  the 
,he  new 
to  open 

ing  any- 
mnty  of 
eenl" 


Irt,  a  hog 

[iments  of 
■en  made, 
the  regtt- 

lourt  then 

,ne  of  the 

,ut  withal 

coolness,) 

;d.     The 

inquired  ■• 

Iton  to  %^ 
In't  believe 
1  of  Courts. 
|to  have  let 
-knowing- 
aachs  ani 

It  business. 
be  to  tisit 


ii])()n  Elliott  the  severest  peniilticsof  tlic  hiw  ;  to  vvhioli  the  juryman, 
widi  mueh  snnfi  f'rnid  responded,  Miiit  it  vviis  not  neccssiiryfor  him  to 
wait  until  iif'ter  the  meetinj^^  of  tiu?  ('ourt  to  miike  a  more  llagrant 
Mii^'gins  of  himself  than  he  iiad  already  shown  himself  to  be. 

Upon  re-opening  Court,  however,  the  Judge,  rellecting  that  the 
law  was  inadequate  to  jiunish,  us  he  thon<jfht  Ihey  deserved,  the  re- 
cusant jurors,  made  the  disposition  of  the  case  as  exi)lained  below  in 
the  Mercer  County  Standard: 

"  Abraham  Miller,  of  this  place,  happened  to  be  one  of  the  famous 
twelve,  and  when  the  Court  had  re-assembled  in  the  afternoon,  the 
Judge,  after  censuring  those  of  the  jurymen  who  had  appeared  in 
the  Court  room,  lor  their  conduct,  and  after  some  hesi  ation  as  to 
what  disposition  to  make  of  the  case,  ordered  it  to  be  recorded, 
which  closed  as  follows :  and.  the  jury  not  being  able  to  agfee,  du- 
pem'd  ;  and  the  rase  was  continued  to  the  next  term.  Th  ;  next  term 
of  court  ordered  "that  the  defendant  go  hence  without  diy,"  and  so 
the  matter  has  slept  until  the  la^^t  term  of  Court,  when  Mr.  Miller 
was  ushered  into  the  jury  box  by  theSherifl",  whereupon  Mr.  LeBlond 
who  was  attorney  for  the  defendant  in  the  case  in  1847,  objected  to 
him  on  the  ground  that  a  man  couldn't  serve  as  a  juryman  on  two 
cases  at  the  same  time.  Judge  Mackenzie  intimated  that  a  man 
who  was  unable  to  make  up  his  mind  in  twenty-four  years  was  hard- 
ly competent  to  sit  on  a  jury  ;  however,  he  was  permitted  to  remain 
till  the  linal  disposition  of  the  case;  but  the  fact  still  remains  that 
the  jury  which  went  out  in  1847,  has  never  returned  into  court." 


And  at  this  point,  in  these  random  notes,  as  illustrative,  in  some 
degree,  of  the  judicial  practice  in  primitive  times,  we  cross  the  Ohio 
border  into  the  Indiana  portion  of  the  Maumec  Valley,  and  relate 
the  following  on  the  authority  of  Judge  John  Morris,  now  of  Fort 
Wayne — authority  that  may  be  accepted  as  unquestionable  : 

Arial  Walden,  a  most  excellent  man,  noted  for  his  intense  venera- 
tion of  Henry  Clay,  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  DeKalb  county. 
His  education  was  limited,  but  he  could  read,  and  had  read  every- 
thing within  his  reach  that  in  any  way  related  to  Clay.  To  him 
Clay  was  in  fact  the  great  embodiment,  not  alone  of  Whig  pi'inciples, 
but  of  the  Constitution  and  everything  valuable  in  our  institutions. 
Walden  had  memorized  many  of  Clay's  speeches,  which  had  inspired 
him  with  a  deep  reverence  for  the  Constitution.  He  read  and  re-read 
the  sacred  instrument,  and  always,  as  he  declared,  with  increasing  in- 
terest and  devotion.     He  regarded  the  expunging  resolutions  and  the 


hi 


S24 


Notea  on  the  Old  Bench  and  Bar, 


driiwing  of  the  black  lines  across  the  Senate  journal  as  a  wanton 
aiul  oiitrugi'oiih  violation  of  the  Constitution.  Tiie  pet  banks  of 
Jackson  and  the  sub-trcusury  sysli^m  of  Van  Buren,  ho  looked  upon 
as  menacing  the  very  existence  of  our  free  institutions.  If  his  best 
and  most  cherislu'd  frieiul  spoke  lightly  or  irreverently  of  the  Con- 
stitution, he  '  "nu'd  him  at  once,  regarding  him  us  the  enemy 
of  his  count  nd  but  little  better  than  Jackson,  Calhoun  or 
Benton. 

Walden  was.  nevertheless,  a  kind-hearted,  amiable  man,  and  gen- 
erally tolerant  of  the  opinions  of  others.  He  would  listen  patiently 
to  any  criticiism  of  his  views  upon  religion  or  any  other  subject,  save 
thatolCIiiy  iind  thi^  Constitution.  Upon  these  two  subjects  there 
was  no  i^>(»rn  for  debute.  The  ConsMtution  was  just  what  Clay  s;iid 
it  WHS ;  the  expunging  resolutions,  the  pet  banks,  the  sub-treasury 
were  clear  violations  of  it.  Jackson,  Calhoun  and  Benton  and  their 
associates  were  traitors.  His  devotion  to  Clay  was  looked  upon  as  a 
sort  of  infatuation,  and  did  not  at  all  affect  his  popularity  among  his 
neighbors,  though  they  were  generally  opposed  to  Clay.  Finally, 
Wulden  was  'ken  up  by  the  people  of  the  county  and  elected  to  the 
otlice  of  A.'  te  Judge.     He  was  an  honest  and  zealous,  if  not  a  re- 

markably ...  .gent  Judge.  Lawyers  soon  found  out  that  with 
Walden  on  the  bench,  the  Constitution  was  the  "supreme  la  of 
the  land,"  and  that  he  who  could  appeal  to  it,  was  sure  to  win. 

In  18-fO,  there  was,  among  a  half  dozen  causes  pending  in  DeKai 
county,  a  slander  suit  which  attracted  unusual  intenst.  The  pre- 
siding Judge,  who  was  always  a  lawyer,  had  gone  home  ;  the  associ- 
ate Judges,  (two  of  them.)  who  were  not  lawyers,  were  holding  the 
Court.  The  slander  suit  came  on  for  trial.  One  of  the  best  lawyers 
of  tlie  State  appeared  as  counsel  for  the  plaintifT,  and  Messrs.  Coombs 
and  Colerick,  of  Fort  Wayne,  for  the  defendant. 

The  plaintiflTs  case  was  clearly  made  out,  and  the  defence,  so  far  as 
the  evidence  was  concerned,  was  a  complete  failure.  The  counsel 
for  the  plaintiff  expected  a  verdict  for  a  reasonable  amount  of  damages 
at  least.  But  his  client  was  personally  unpopular,  and,  as  sometimes 
happens,  especially  in  a  new  country,  the  jury,  without  regard  to  the 
evidence,  found  for  the  defendant.  All  were  surprised,  and  none 
more  so  than  the  defendant  and  his  counsel. 

Mr.  H ,  counsel  for  the  plaintiff,  as  soon  as  the  verdict  was 

read,  moved  the  court  for  a  new  trial.      He  demonstrated  the  injus- 


Noti'R  on  the  Old  Bench  and  Bar. 


325 


)eK.ai» 
he  pre- 

associ- 

iiig  the 

awyors 

Coombs 

80  far  a3 
counsel 
Uiniages 
[metimes 
Id  to  the 
lud  none 

Idict  was 
he  injus- 


tice of  tlie  vordiot,  and  Bomewliut  (  )iifi(lontly  and  imperiously   de- 
miindod  that  il,  be  set  aside  at  onco. 

The  coMiisi'l  for  the  (h'teiidant  whisfu'red  a  fow  words  of  oojisul- 
tatioii,  wlien  Mr.  (.'oonibs,  assuininjf  an  imiisiial  (h'f^Mve  of  gravity, 
arose  and  addressed  the  court  substantially  as  follows  : 

"May  it  please  your  Honors :  The  counsel  for  the  plaintiff  is  a 
gentleman  of  ni'Uih  learning  and  ability,  for  whom  we  have  all  here- 
tofore entertained  the  greatest  respect.  He  is  fatiiiliar  with  the  ('on- 
stitution,  that  great  palladium  of  human  rights,  and  to  it  he  owes 
the  right  to  ajtpear  before  this  Honorable  C-ourt.  Imagine,  there- 
fore, my  surprise  to  iind  him  standing  before  this  tribunal  and 
audaciously  demanding  that  your  Honors  shall  deliberately  violate 
the  following  ])rovi8ion  of  the  Constitution  :  • 

"  'The  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  remain  inviolate.' 

"To  ask  this  Court  to  lay  its  hand  ruthlessly  u|)on  the  veidi(!t  of 
a  jury,  is  to  treat  with  contempt  the  people,  the  conrt,  and  above  all 
the  Constitution  itself.  I  k.iow  your  Hon(jrs  understand  the  Con 
stitution ;  I  know  how  profoundly  you  reverence  it,  and  I  cannot 
but  hope  that  you  will  severely  rebuke  the  imprudent  zeal  of  the 
counsel,  and  stop  at  once  the  discussion  of  a  proposition  which  assails 
our  glorious  Constitution  in  its  most  vital  i)art.  I'll  not  impugn  the 
intelligence  and  patriotism  of  this  tribumil  by  a  word  of  argun)ent 
upon  such  a  proposition.  Here  the  Constitution  is  safe,  nnd,  I  trust, 
supreme.     Shall  not  this  jury  trial  remain  inviolate  ?  " 

This  speech  profoundly  impressed  the  Court.  There  was  a 
moment's  silence,  and  then : 

Mr.  H. — "  May  it  please  your  Hon — " 

Judge  Walden — "Sit  down,  sir;  sit  down.  The  Constitution  is 
the  supreme  law  of  the  land.    It  shall  be  maintained." 

Mr.  H.— "But— " 

J.  W. — "  Sit  down,  sir.  We  will  not  hear  you.  True,  the  jury  over- 
looked or  forgot  the  evidence — I  don't  cure  which — but  the  Consti- 
tution plainly  says  that  trial  by  jury  shall  remain  inviolate.  It 
must  and  shall  be  preserved.  This  trial  must  be  as  perpetual  as  the 
Constitution.  We  will  not  hear  you.  The  Court  advise  the  learned 
counsel  to  go  home  and  read  Henry  Clay  on  the  Constitution." 

The  counsel  left  the  room  at  once,  and  though  a  supporter  of 
Henry  Clay,  just  then  he  would  have  been  glad  the  statesmaa  had 
never  been  born. 


326 


Notes  on  the  Old  Bench  and  Bm\ 


Here  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  recur  to  the  early  mem- 
bers of  the  old  Fort  Wiiyiie  bar.  Those  who  (luitted  their  jur- 
isdiction, and  crossed  the  border  to  i)ractico  in  the  northwestern 
counties  of  Ohio,  have  beeii  already  named  in  the  reminiscences  of 
Hon.  T.  W.  Powell,  of  Delaware,  Ohio;  but  more  ample  testimony 
rt\_,..rdiug  the  early  lawyers  of  Fort  Wayne  could  l)e  furnished  by  the 
veteran  member  of  the  Northeastern  Indiana  bar,  David  A.  Colerick) 
Esq.,  who  removed  from  Lancaster,  Ohio,  to  F(»rt  Wayne  in  1820,  forty- 
three  years  ago.  The  only  member  of  the  Ijar  then  residing  at  Fort 
Wayne  was  Henry  Cooper ;  and  now  Mr.  Coofier  being  dead,  Mr- 
Colerick  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  bar  of  that  date.  Subse(]uentl)'' 
about  1831,  the  bar  was  reinforced  by  the  addition  of  Tlios.  W.  Ewing, 
(a  man,  says  Mr.  Colerick,  of  rare  intellect  and  culture,  and  eminent 
as  a  judge  and  a  lawyer.)  The  next  lawyer  was  Charles  Joluison, 
who  opened  an  office  in  Fort  Wayne  in  1834 — a  gentleman  faithful 
to  his  clients,  and  a  good  lawyer.  His  ileath  occurred  in  1845 — re- 
sulting from  exposure  on  his  return  home  from  a  professional  tour  at 
Bluflfton.  Lucien  P.  Ferry  was  about  this  date  admitted  to  the  bar 
at  Fort  Wayne,  having  studied  with  Mr.  Cooper.  His  death  was 
caused  by  a  similar  exposure,  and  occurred  on  the  same  night  that 
carried  off  Mr.  Johnson. 

These  are  all  the  reminiscences,  furnislied  by  Mr.  Colerick — by  rea- 
son of  the  pressure  of  business,  advanocd  age,  and  ill  health — regard- 
ing the  "old  time  "  lawyers  of  Fort  Wayne. 


One  of  the  early  lawyers  of  Findlay  wns  John  H.  Morrison,  ;i 
character  well  adapted  to  the  people  and  tlie  times  in  which  be  lived. 
His  right  arm  had  returned  to  its  native  dust  some  half  century 
before  the  main  trunk  perished.     His  natural  gifts  were  good,  and  a 


noble  heart  was  ever  lodged  on  the  k^ft  side  of  bis  vest. 


Judge  M. 


C.  Whiteley  recalls  the  following  of  him  : 

During  a  term  of  Court  at  Findlay,  be  had  a  cape  in  whicii  lie 
manifested  much  interest,  aiul  after  the  evidence  had  closed  he  felt 
that  the  cause  of  his  client  was  lost,  aiuI  opened  his  address  to  the 
Court  and  jury  with  the  following  doclaration :  '•  May  it  plciise  \\w 
Court:  By  the  perjury  of  witnesses,  the  ignorance  of  the  jury,  ami 
rhe  corruption  of  the  Court,  I  expect  to  be  beaten  in  tliis  case." 
The  Judge  (Patrick  G.  Goode)  turned  to  the  counsel  and  inquired; 


Notes  on  the  Old  Be.ich  and  Bar. 


SSY 


em- 

iur- 
tern 
esof 
[\ony 
y  the 
.'vicki 
I'orty- 
.  Fort 
A,  Mr- 
lently' 
lowing, 
niuent 
hnson, 
[aithful 
45— rc- 
l  tour  at 
the  bar 
nth  was 
rht  that 

-by  roa- 
-retrard- 


risoui  ii 

ho  livetl. 

t'ontui'V 

ludgeM' 

iwiuch  he 
til  he  io't 
-ss  to  tlu' 
Ih'ase  H\e 
jury,  !^"*^ 
his  case." 
[lUHured; 


^'What  is  that  you  say,  Mr.  Morrison  ?"  The  latter  promptly  re- 
plied :  "  That's  all  I  have  to  say  on  that  point,"  and  proceeded  in 
his  remarks  to  the  ttupid  jury. 

Judge  Whiteley  also  recalls  the  following  remarkable  replevin 
case: 

A  husband  and  wife  whose  domestic  wrangles  had  led  to  a  separa- 
tion, were  the  parents  of  a  single  chiM,  the  exclusive  possession  of 
which  V  as  sought  by  both  husl)and  and  wife.  The  mother,  however, 
had  maintained  her  charge  of  it.  The  father  applied  to  Morrison 
for  counsel,  and  was  advised  to  get  out  a  writ  of  replevin!  The 
proceedings  had  reached  the  point  when  it  became  neci'ssary  for  the 
Sheriff  to  summon  two  persons  to  appraise  the  "  j)roperty."  These 
first  could  not  fix  a  value  upon  the  child  ;  r/hen  they  were  dismissed 
and  yet  others  summoned,  with  the  same  result;  and  while  a  third 
effort  to  establish  a  value  was  pending,  a  brother  of  the  mother  seized 
the  child,  and  placing  it  before  him  on  his  horse,  pusiied  the  animal 
forward  upon  his  highest  rate  of  speed,  and  soon  was  at  a  distance 
that  would  render  successful  pursuit  impossible. 

"There!"  exclaimed  Morrison,  "  there  goes  my  case!  I  could  re- 
plevin the  devil  out  of  hell,  if  I  could  only  get  appraisers  to  put  a 
value  upon  him." 

Daring  the  judicial  service  of  Judge  Goode,  three  new  associates, 
by  reason  of  death,  resignation,  and  exi)iration  of  term  of  otfice,  ap- 
peared upon  the  bench.  They  were  men  of  very  fixed  notions  of 
morality,  but  all  strangers  to  Mr.  Morrison.  In  tliose  days  tavern 
licenses  were  granted  by  the  Court  to  applicants  whose  moral  char- 
acter and  general  fitness  to  keep  a  public;  house,  were  endorsed  by 
two  responsible  witnesses.  A  man  in  ill  repute  made  application  to 
the  Court  for  license,  and  procured  two  witnesses,  boon  companions 
of  himself,  to  testify  to  the  virtuous  character  of  the  applicant.  Tlie 
Court  considered  the  proposition,  and  Judge  Goode  announced  that 
the  application  was  refused.  Mr.  Morrison,  much  excited  and  agi- 
tated, rose  and  addressed  one  of  the  Associates:  "  Judge  Ewing,  is 
that  your  decision  ?"  Judge  E.  responded  afiirmatively.  "  And 
Judge  Price,  do  you  concur  in  that  decision  ?"  "  Yes."  Kw\  Mor- 
rison was  about  putting  the  same  question  to  the  third  Associate, 
when  he  was  interrupted  by  Judge  Goode  witli  the  question  :  "  Mr, 
Morrison,  what  are  you  about?  What  are  you  doing?"  "Why,  I'm 
polling  the  Court,  your  honor."  • 


828 


Notes  on  the  Old  Bench  ami  Bar, 


Hon.  William  Mungeu  solemnly  asseveratos  as  follows  : 
When  an  early  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  was  held  at  Findlay 
Judge  Wood  pre-^iding,  (perhaps  his  first  visit  to  Hancock)  he,  in 
company  with  John  (J.  Spink,  Andrew  Coffinberry,  (better  known 
as  the  old  Count)  Jud(?  Hall,  J.  M.  May  and  some  others,  at  the 
close  of  the  District  Court  left  Findlay  on  horseback,  for  Kalida  or 
Defiance.  They  had  saddle-bags,  in  which  about  all  the  law  books 
in  this  part  of  the  country  were  packed  and  carried  around  with  the 
Court  in  its  migrations.  After  getting  down  the  rivtn-  some  twelve 
miles,  they  called  a  halt  at  a  house  to  get  some  water  to  wash  down 
their  "drink."  They  hitched  their  horses  to  the  fence  and  went  into 
the  yard.  About  the  time  the  Court  was  washing  down  his  drink, 
one  of  the  horses  reached  his  nose  over  the  fence,  and  iip?ct  a  bee- 
hive, which  stood  just  inside.  The  scene  which  followed  was  a  live- 
ly one.  The  horses  struck  for  the  "  tall  timber,"  and  soon  the  saddle 
bags  were  emptied  of  their  contents.  The  party  followed  in  pur- 
suit of  the  fugitive  horsi's,  which  they  succeeded,  after  much  delay 
and  racing  through  the  woods,  fuming  and  fretting,  in  recovering; 
though  the  "  library,"  saddle-bags,  bridles,  &c.,  had  suffered  consid- 
erable damage. 


Fintllay, 
c)  ho,  in 
jr  known 
rs,  at  the 
Kalida  or 
aw  books 
[  with  the 
nao  twelve 
fash  down 
went  into 
his  drink, 
\^fot  a  bee- 
was  a  hve- 
I  the  saddle 
^rcd  in  pur- 
nuoii  delay 
•t'covering; 
jred  consid- 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  CAN"AL  SYSTEMS  OP  OHIO  AND  INDIANA. 

In  any  tv.o  liistory  of  the  early  seftlement  and  material  ]>rogres8 
of  the  M;>'.;inee  Valley,  the  two  important  Canals — the  Wabash 
and  Erie,  and  the  Miami  and  Erie — which  unite  near  Defiance, 
and  thence  reach  the  Maumee  Bay  by  a  common  trunk — must  fill 
an  important  pasfe.  However  valuable  ma.y  be  the  railroads,  built 
Inns;  afterwards,  it  is  .slill  truo  l.liat  Lht;  canals  had  prepared  the  way, 
settled  the  country,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  its  cities,  of  which 
Toledo  at  the  mouth,  and  Fort  Wayne  at  the  source  of  the  river, 
are  the  chief. 

In  1816  Hon.  Ethan  Allen  Brown,  of  Cincinnati,  had  a  corres- 
pondence with  DeWitt  Chnton — the  latter  beins;  then  a*-  t'lo  In'iid  of 
the  Board  of  Canal  Commissioners  of  th"'  >:';.:iLi;  uf  ^s'cw  York,  upon 
the  snbject  of  the  proposed  canal  connecting  the  waters  of  Lake 
Erie  with  those  of  the  Hudson  Eiver. 

In  February,  IS'-iO,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Ohio  Legislature,  ap- 
pointing three  Commissioners  to  locate  a  route  for  a  navigable 
eanal  between  Lake  Erie  and  the  Ohio  River,  and  providing  for  its 
location  through  the  Congress  buids,  then  lately  purchased  of  the 
Indians.  The  a(!t  also  proposed  to  ask  of  Congress  a  grant  of  one 
or  two  millions  of  acres  of  land.  This  act  was  not  thoroughly  en- 
forced, by  reason  of  some  failure  to  appoint  Commissioners,  or  to 
have  ii  suitable  survey  made. 

Oovernor  Brown,  in  his  inaugural  address,  14th  December,  1818, 
thus  called  attention  to  the  subject  of  jiublic  improvv^ini'nls:. 

" If  we  would  raise  the  character  ot  our  State  by  iiureusing  in- 
'lustry  and  our  resources,  it  seems  necessary  .o  improve  the  internal 
communications,  and  open  a  cheaper  way  to  market  for  the  surplus 
produce  of  a  large  portion  of  our  fertile  country." 

Gov.  Brown  also  called  the  attention  of  the  Legislature  to  the 
snbject  of  canals,  at  the  two  or  three  succeeding  sessions. 


330        The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 


The  subject  of  a  canal  did  not,  however,  receive  attention  at  the 
hands  of  the  Ohio  Legislature  until  at  the  session  of  1831  and  1822, 
when,  on  the  3d  day  of  January,  of  the  hist  named  year,  Micujah  T. 
Williams,  of  Cincinnati,  a  Representative  from  Hamilton  county, 
and  chairman  of  a  committee  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referri'd, 
made  the  first  report,  discussing  elaborately  this  question  of  connect- 
ing by  canal,  the  Ohio  River  with  Lake  Erie.  A  sentence  or  two 
from  tills  statesman-like  document,  will  afford  some  adequate  idea  of 
the  condition  of  the  State  and  its  industries  at  that  period,  and  of 
the  progress  made  in  efforts  to  secure  means  of  artificial  transport: 

"  It  is  a  well-established  fact  that  man  has  not  yet  devised  a  mode 
of  conveyance  so  safe,  easy  and  cheap,  as  canal  navigation ;  and  al- 
though the  advantage  of  easy  and  expeditious  transportation  is  not 
likely  to  be  perceived  when  prices  are  high  and  trade  most  profita- 
ble, yet  the  truth  is  familiar  to  every  person  of  observation,  that  the 
enormous  expense  of  land  carriage  has  fretiuently  consumed  nearly, 
and  sometimes  quite,  the  whole  price  of  provisions  at  the  place  of 
embarkation  for  a  distant  market.  This  is  essentially  the  casein 
relation  to  all  commodities  of  a  cheap  and  bulky  nature,  most  of 
which  will  not  bear  a  land  transportation  many  miles,  and  conse- 
quently are  rendered  of  no  value  to  the  farmer,  and  are  suffered  to 
waste  on  his  hands.  The  merchant  who  engages  in  flu;  exportation 
of  the  produce  of  the  country,  linding  it  a  losing  commerce,  aban- 
dons it,  or  is  ruined ;  and  crops  in  the  liuest  and  most  prodnctivc 
parts  of  the  State,  are  left  to  waste  on  the  fields  that  produce  them, 
'or  be  distilled  to  poison  and  brutalize  society.'" 

The  valuable  report  of  Mr.  Williams  concluded  with  the  introduc- 
tion of  a  bill  authorizing  an  examination  into  the  practicability  of 
connecting  Lake  Erie  with  the  Ohio  River  by  a  canal,  which  wa; 
read  the  first  time,  and  linally  i)assed  January  151,1822.  The'il 
section  a[)pointed  lienjamin  'I'appan,  Afred  Kelley,  Thomas  Worth- 
ington,  Ethiui  Allen  Brown,  Jeremiah  Morrow,  Isaac  Minor  anil 
Ebenezer  Buckingham,  Jr.,  commissioners,  "  whose  duty  it  shall  I* 
to  cause  such  examinations,  surveys  and  estimates  to  be  madebytht 
engineer  as  aforesaid,  as  utay  be  necessary  t')  asciertain  the  prai'titv 
bility  of  counectiiig  L.ike  Erie  vvith  the  Oliio  River,  by  a  caual 
through  the  following  rcuites,  viz:  from  Sandusky  Bay  to  the  Oliio 
River;  from  the  Ohio  River  to  the  Maumee  River;  from  the  lake  to 
the  river  aforesaid,  by  the  sources  of  the  Cuyahoga  and  Black  river; 


The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  aiid  Indiana.        331 


u  at  the 
nd  1822, 
cujali  T. 
county, 
refeiTi'tl, 
connect- 
cc  or  two 
lie  idea  of 
Dd,  and  of 
transport: 

ed  a  mode 
n ;  and  al- 
tion  is  not 
ost  profita- 
n,  that  the 
ued  nearly, 
he  phiceof 
the  casein 
arc,  most  of 

and  conse- 
sulfered  to 

ex\'0rtatiou 

iierce,  aban- 
productive 

ml  vice  tliem, 


and  the  Muskingum  River ;  and  from  the  Lake  by  the  sources  of  the 
Grand  and  Mahoning  rivers  to  the  Ohio  River." 

At  tliis  period  the  population  of  the  Maumee  Valley  was  so  sparse 
as  to  prevent  the  exercise  of  an  influence  adequate  to  compete  for 
the  prize  with  other  routes — particularly  with  tlioseof  the  Sandusky 
l^ay  and  Cuyahoga  River — and  lier  claims  were  hardly  considered. 
Cleveland  was  finally  selected,  over  Sandusky  City,  as  the  lake  ter- 
minus of  the  Ohio  Canal.  Between  two  of  the  gentlemen  repre- 
senting interests  engaged  in  the  bitter  strife  for  the  lake  terminus, 
which  arose  out  of  these  surveys,  the  late  Elulherus  Cooke,  of  San- 
dusky City  and  the  late  Alfred  Kelley,  then  of  Cleveland,  personal 
alienations  were  engendered,  that  continued  throughout  the  lives  of 
these  eminent  and  useful  citizens.  The  Maumee  Jiay,  however,  was 
from  the  first,  looked  upon  as  the  proper  lake  terminus  of  the  Miami 
aiulMaumee  Canal,  from  Cinciunali  to  the  lake,  when  that  should 
be  built. 

On  the  27th  of  January,  1823,  an  act  was  passed,  "  supplemen- 
tary to  the  act  authorizing  an  examination  into  the  practicability  of 
connecting  Lake  Erie  with  the  Ohio  River,  by  a  canal."  The  2d 
section  of  this  act  appointed  Mieajah  T.  Williams,  of  the  county 
of  Hamilton,  a  Catuil  Commissioner,  in  plac  of  J>  r*  iiii;th  ^lorrow, 
resigned.  Under  the  5th  section  of  the  act,  the  commissioners  were 
"authorized  and  recpiired  to  take  the  necessary  measures  to  ascer- 
tain whether  loans  can  be  obtained  on  the  credit  of  the  State,  for  the 
I  purpose  of  aiding  the  State  in  the  construction  of  a  canal,  from 
Lake  Erie  to  the  Ohio  i-iver;  and  if  so,  on  what  terms  and  condi- 
tions;''thus,  in  the  incipient  stages  of  the  public  improvenn'tits,  im- 
liosing  upon  this  Board,  the  duties  of  Fund  as  well  as  Canal  Com- 
Imissioners. 

In  a  letter  addressed  to  Mieajah  T.  Williams,  Ks(|.,  one  of  the 
lOliio  Canal  Commissioners,  by  DeWitt  Clinton  Governor  of  New 
IVirk,  on  the  8tli  of  November,  18"23,  in  rcsijonse  to  inquiries  from 
Ml'.  ^Viilianis,  he  thus  refers  to  the  ])rejeet  of  cou.structiiig  a  eaaial 
j""!  the  Lake  to  the  Oliio  River:  "The  State  of  Ohio,  from  the 
Inility  of  its  soil,  the  benignity  of  its  climate,  and  its  ge^.^^raphical 
P">ition,  must  ahvi«ys  conlain  a  dense  population,  and  the  products 
I'l'l  eiinsumptions  of  its  inhabitants  must  forever  form  a  lucrative 
Nexten.stve  inlatul  trade,  exciting  tlie  powers  of  prodiu.tive  indus- 
^})  and  communicating  aliment  and  energy  to  external  commerce.. 


332        The  Canal  Systemfi  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 


But  when  we  consider  that  this  canal  will  open  a  way  to  the  great 
rivers  that  fall  into  the  Mississippi;  that  it  will  be  felt,  not  only  in 
the  immense  valley  of  that  river,  but  as  far  west  as  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  the  borders  of  Mexico ;  and  that  it  will  communi- 
cate with  our  great  inland  seas,  and  their  tributary  rivers ;  with  the 
ocean  in  various  routes,  and  with  the  most  productive  regions  of 
America,  there  can  be  no  question  respecting  the  blessings  that  it 
will  produce,  the  riches  it  will  create,  and  the  energies  it  will  call 
into  activity." 

During  the  season  of  1824,  a  careful  and  continuous  survey  of  what 
is  now  the  Miami  and  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal,  was  made  from  the 
Ohio  Kiver  at  Cincinnati,  through  the  Miami  Valley  to  the  Maiimee 
River,  at  Defiance,  and  thence  along  the  northwest  bank  of  tlie 
River  to  the  head  of  the  Bay;  and  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the 
Canal  on  this  route  was  reporti'd  to  the  Legislature  of  Ohioattlif 
session  of  1824-25.  This  survey  was  under  the  direction  of  M.  T. 
Williams,  Esq..  then,  and  for  ten  years  afterwards.  Acting  Commisj 
sioner  and  a  leading  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Canal  ComraL*' 
sioners.  The  engineer  corps  was  headed  by  Samuel  Fovrer,  Es<i„ 
who  still  survives,  and,  at  the  age  of  four  score  years,  continre.'iii 
professional  charge  of  the  Miami  Canal.  Besides  Mr.  Forrer,  thr« 
of  the  engineers  engaged  in  this  first  survey,  forty-eight  years  ago, are 
still  living,  to-wit:  J.  L.  Williams,  Francis  Cleveland  and  Ricliani( 
Howe. 

One  half  or  more  of  the  route  of  this  survey  was  through  am 
broken  forest.    From  Fort  St.  Mary's,  where  the  town  of  that  nannj 
now  stands,  to  the  Auglaize  River,  some  forty  miles,  not  a  hoiisj 
nor  a  trace  of  civilization  existed. 

On  the  southwest  bank  of  this  river  was  found  a  squatter  by  tbel 
name  of  Thoinsis  McClish,  with  a  clearing  of  about  one  acre.  Wbilfl 
the  engineer  party  were  at  this  encampmint,  the  second  offioffJ 
in  the  corps,  Thos.  J.  Mathews,  father  of  the  Hon.  Stanley  MatlieRJ 
of  Cincinnati,  was  overtaken  by  a  special  messenger,  who  hadj 
made  his  way  through  the  wilderness,  with  notice  of  his  appoint! 
ment  as  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the  Transylvania  Universii 
at  Lexington,  Ky.  j 

A  few  miles  further  down  the  Auglaize  the  party  encamped  neiil 
an  Lidian  village,  Oquanoxa's  town,  (now  Charloe,)  of  the  Ottaifi 
tribe,  at  that  time  numerous  in  the  lower  section  of  the  MaiimC 


The  Canal  Syfiiems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.       333 


the  great 
)t  only  in 
he  Rocky 
3ommuni- 
;  with  the 
rejijionB  of 
ngs  that  it 
it  will  call 

fey  of  what 
de  fromtlie 
he  Maumee 
lank  of  tk 

cost  of  the 
Ohio  at  tk ! 
ion  of  M.  T. 
ing  Commis- 
nal  Comtnis- 
"Fovror,  Esq.,  | 
continve? 
Forror,  thr^  I 
years  ago, awl 

and  RichaiJ 


I  rough  am 
|of  that  name  I 
not  a  house 


liuatterbytbi 
acre.   'Wbil 

second  ofBo^il 
iley  Matlie«. 

[er.  wh*^  H 

If  his  appoit'' 
lia  TJniversitl 

kcamppt^  «^' 
lof  the  Ottaw 

the  Maiini' 


Valley.  It  was  a  time  of  threatening  war  with  the  Miamis,  then 
dominant  and  powerful  on  the  sources  of  the  Maumee  River  and 
Upper  Wabash.  The  Ottawa  braves  and  warriors  were  at  Fort 
Wayne  to  take  vengeance  for  the  loss  of  an  Ottawa  Indian,  plain 
by  a  Miami.  A  money  componsntion.  however,  (or  Indian  goods) 
was  agreed  upon  in  lieu  of  blood,  probably  through  the  influence  of 
thf  Indian  Agent  at  Fort  Wayne,  the  Hon.  John  Tipton,  afterwards 
U.S.  Senator  from  Indiana — an  early  instance  in  which  arbitration 
proved  better  than  war.  From  this  Indian  village  the  party  pro- 
ceeded to  Fort  Defiance,  where  they  found  the  block  houses  yet  stand- 
ing, on  the  extreme  point,  at  the  junction  of  the  two  rivers. 

But,  returning  to  tlie  legitimate  history  of  the  Canal  survey,  it 
should  be  recorded  that  from  one  of  the  encampments  in  the  depths 
ofthefoity  miles  forest  south  of  the  Auglaize  fiiver,  Mr.  Williams, 
the  Acting  Commissioner,  left  the  party,  and,  with  proper  guides, 
explored  in  advance  the  route  to  the  foot  of  the  rapids.  Taking 
there  a  small  boat,  he  sounded  carefully  the  depth  of  the  water  in 
the  River  from  the  foot  of  the  Maumee  rapids  to  Turtle  Island,  so 
called,  off  the  north  cape  of  the  Bay.  His  report  of  these  soundings, 
as  commnnicatt'd  to  the  engineer  on  his  return  to  camp,  and  after- 
wards stated  in  his  official  report  to  the  Legislature,  clearly  indicated 
jthe  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  now  the  site  of  Toledo,  as  the  point 
here  the  immense  C(tmmerce  in  the  future  to  seek  Lake  Erie 
ould  be  transferred  from  canal  boats  to  Lake  vessels. 

But  while  the  survey  on  the  Cincinnati  branch  of  the  Maumee 
'anal  wa?  a  few  years  in  advance  of  the  explorations  of  the  Wabadi 
ne,  yet  it  i.«  historically  true  that  the  Indiana  work,  known  as  the 
labash  &  Erie  Canal,  was  first  to  seek  efficiently  and  to  obtain 
eans  for  its  construction  through  the  beneficent  and  judicious 
tiouoftho  Congress  of  the  United  States  in  granting  alternate 
ctions  of  land,  through  this  vast  unsettled  region  of  northern 
dianaaud  northwestirn  Ohio. 

In  the  treaty  of  l82(i,  between  tlie  Miami  tribe  of  Indians  and  the 
uvernnieht  of  i.he  United  States,  through  its  Ci  nimissionere,  Lewis 
|ii*s,  John  Tipton,  and  James  B.  Ray;  by  which  the  Indian  title  in 
i  northeastern  Indiana,  with  the  exception  of  certain  reserves,  was 
tinguishud,  the  idea  of  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal  found  sub- 
nriid  rwogiiition.  The  treaty  contained  the  foUowin,:;'  clause  : 
"And  it  is  agrood  that  the  State  of  Indiana  may  lay  out  a  canal 


334        The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 


or  road  througli  luiy  of  these   reservation, s,  and  for  the  use  of  h 
canal,  six  chains  along  the  same  are  hereby  appropriated." 

The  next  step  in  the  progress  of  events  was  the  procnreniunt, 
chiefly  through  the  iigency  of  the  members  of  Congress  from  Indi- 
ana, of  a  survey  of  the  Canal  by  a  corps  of  United  States  Topocrraph- 
ical  Engineers,  A  corps  of  Engineers,  under  the  command  uf  Col. 
James  Shriver.  was  detailed  for  this  survoy,  by  order  of  the  War  Di- 
partment.  After  a  tedious  journey  through  the  wilderness,  the  sur- 
vey was  commenced  at  Fort  Wayne  in  May  or  June,  1826.  But 
little  progress  had  Iteen  made,  when  the  whole  party  was  ))riistrak(l 
by  sickness,  and  Colonel  IShriver  soon  afterwards  died  in  tlic  OM 
Port.  He  was  succeeded  in  command  by  Colonel  Asa  Moore,  lii; 
assistant,  under  whose  direction  the  survey  was  continued  (luriiij: 
1826  and  1827,  down  the  Wabash  to  the  mouth  of  Tippocunoe,  then 
considered  the  head  of  navigation.  The  work  was  continued  iiloii;; 
the  Maumee  in  1827  and  1828,  until  Colonel  Moore  also  foil  a  vic- 
tim to  disease,  so  prevalent  at  that  time  in  these  forest-covered  vnl- 
leys,  dying  in  his  tent  at  the  head  of  the  Maumee  Rapids,  on  tln' 
4th  of  October,  1828.  This  survey  was  completed  to  the  ManiiKT 
Bay  by  Colonel  Howard  Stansbury,  who,  from  the  beginning,  liad 
been  of  the  party. 

Following  this  survey  was  "  an  act  to  grant  a  certain  quantity  of  j 
land  to  the  State  of  Indiana,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  said  State  in  1 
opening  a  Canal  to  connect  the  waters  oi  the  Wabash  River  witt 
those  of  Lake  Erie." 

By  this  act,  approved  March  2,  1827,  Congress  granted  to  the 
State  of  Indiana,  one-half  of  five  miles  in  width  of  the  public  lanJij 
on  each  side  of  the  proposed  canal,  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  navigat 
waters  of  the  Wabash  river,  amounting  to  .3,200  acres  for  each  niileJ 
The  Indiana  terminus  of  the  Canal,  and  therefore  of  the  grant,  wmI 
at  that  time  established  at  the  mouth  of  Tippecanoe  river,  adistaiifti 
from  the  Lake  of  213  miles.  At  the  session  of  the  Indiana  Lepi-f 
lature  of  1827-28,  the  grant  was  accepted  by  the  State,  and  a  B 
of  Canal  Commissioners  appointed,  consisting  of  three  ni embers,  ti)-j 
wit :     Samuel  Hanna,  David  Burr,  and  Robert  John. 

The  Indiana  Commissioners  were  directed  to  re-survty  the  Sii 
mit  division  in  1828  ;  bat  sickness  ag.iin  interrupted  the  progressoi 
the  work.     Mr.  Smythe,  the  engineer,  accomplished  no  more,afte| 
arriving  at  Fort  Wayne,  than  to  gauge  the  river  and  adjust  his i 


The  Canal  /Sy stems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.        835 


striiments,  when  he  was  laid  aside  for  the  season.  In  this  emergency 
the  Commissioners  tliemselves,  though  not  engineers,  took  hold  of 
the  instruments,  and  with  the  aid  of  a  competent  surveyor,  com- 
pleted the  survey  of  the  division  of  thirty-two  miles. 

An  act  "to  aid  the  State  of  Ohio  in  extending  the  Miami  Canal 
from  Dayton  to  Lake  Erie,  and  to  grant  a  quantity  of  land  to  said 
State  to  aid  in  the  conatruction  of  the  canals  authorized  by  law,"  &c., 
was  passed  by  Congress  and  approved  May  24, 1828. 

The  first  section  grunted  to  Ohio  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  said 
State  in  extending  the  Miami  Canal  from  Dayton  to  Lake  ?>ie, 
by  the  Maumee  route,  a  quantity  of  land  equal  to  one-half  of 
five  sections  in  width  on  each  side  of  said  canal,  between  Dayton 
anil  the  Maumee  river,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize,  so  far  as  the 
same  shall  bo  located  through  the  public  land,  and  reserving  each 
alternate  section  of  the  lands  unsold,  to  the  United  States,  to  be  se- 
lected by  the  Commissioners  of  the  General  Land  Office,  under  the 
direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States;  and  "which  land,  so 
reserved  to  the  United  States,  shall  not  be  sold  for  less  than  two 
dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre.  The  said  land,  hereby  granted  to 
the  State  of  Ohio,  to  be  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  Legislature  of 
said  State  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  and  no  other.  This  section  also 
required  that  the  extension  of  the  said  Miami  canal  shall  be  com- 
menced within  five  years,  and  completed  within  twenty  years,  or  the 
State  shall  be  bound  to  pay  to  the  United  States  the  amount  of  any 
lands  previously  sold ;  and  that  the  title  to  purchasers  under  the 
State  shall  be  valid. 

Section  4  enacted  that  "  the  State  of  Indiana  be,  and  hereby  is, 
authorized  to  convey  and  relinquish  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  upon  such 
terms  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  said  States,  all  the  rights  and  in- 
terest granted  to  the  State  of  Indiana  to  any  lands  within  the  limits 
of  the  State  of  Ohio,  by  an  act  entitled,  "  An  act  to  grant  a  certain 
quantity  of  land  to  the  State  of  Indiana,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
said  State  in  opening  a  canal,  to  connect  the  waters  of  Wabash 
river  with  those  of  Lake  Erie,"  approved  on  the  2d  of  March,  A. 
D.,  1827  ;  "  the  State  of  Ohio  to  hold  said  lands  on  the  same  con- 
ditions upon  which  it  was  granted  to  the  State  of  Indiana  by  the 
act  aforesaid." 

The  munificent  grant  to  Indiana  of  the  public  domain  before  al- 
luded to,  of  March  2d,  1827,  was  the  first  of  any  magnitude  made 


SJ^fi        The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  and  Tmliana. 

for  the  promotion  of  public  works,  and  may  thoretbro  be  viewed  m 
initiating  the  policy  afterwards  so  extensively  adopted  of  granting 
alternate  sections  for  these  objects. 

Under  the  section  above  quoted,  Commissioners  with  plenipoten- 
tiary powers,  were  appointed  by  both  States :  W.  Tillman,  ol' 
Zanesville,  on  the  part  of  Ohio,  and  Jeremiah  Sullivan,  of  Marlison, 
on  the  part  of  Indiana,  by  whom  a  compact  was  agreed  upon  in  Oct. 
IH'if),  which,  after  some  delay  on  the  part  of  Ohio,  was  ratified  by 
both  States — Indiana  agreeing  to  surrender  to  Ohio  the  land  witliin 
her  territory,  and  Oino  stipulating  to  construct  the  canal,  and  guar- 
anteeing its  use  to  the  citizens  of  Indiana  on  the  same  terms  as  her 
own  citizens.  From  this  period,  the  canal,  though  one  work  an  re^ 
spects  its  commercial  interests  and  bearings,  became  separated  into 
two  divisions,  as  regards  its  finances,  construction  and  management. 
It  is  to  the  Indiana  division  that  the  following  historical  description 
chiefly  refers : 

The  portion  of  this  land-grant,  falling  to  Indiana,  east  of  Tippe- 
canoe river,  amounted  to  349,261  acres  as  the  selections  were  finally 
made  and  approved. 

During  the  year  1830,  the  middle  or  summit  division  of  thirty- 
two  miles,  was  located  and  prepared  for  contract  by  Joseph  Ridg- 
way,  Jr.,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  an  engineer  of  experience  and  skill, 
employed  for  that  purpose  by  the  Canal  Commissioners.  The  actual 
construction  of  the  work  was  not  authorized  until  the  session  of 
1831-32,  when  a  law  was  passed  empowering  the  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners to  place  the  middle  division  under  contract,  and  creating  a 
Board  of  Fund  Commissioners,  and  authorizing  a  loan  of  $200,000 
on  the  credit  of  the  State.  Jeremiah  Sullivan,  Nicholas  McCarty 
and  William  C.  Linton  formed  the  first  Hoard  of  Fund  Comrais- 
sioners,  whose  organization  took  place  at  Indianapolis  on  the  •^8tli 
of  February,  1882.  The  Board  reported  the  entire  Canal  Fund  at 
that  date  to  be  $28,('i.'")l  received  from  the  sale  of  Canal  lands.  Jesse 
L.  Williams  was  appointed  chief  engineer  of  the  Canal  in  the  spring 
of  1833. 

The  formal  breaking  of  ground  on  this  great  work,  with  such  cer- 
emonies as  could  be  arranged  in  an  uninhabited  region,  where  the 
chief  and  indeed  only  village  contained  but  400  people,  was  per- 
formed at  Fort  Wayne,  on  the  1st  of  March,  1832,  just  in  time  to 
save  the  land  grant  under  the  limitation  of  the  act  of  Congress    In 


The  Canal  SyHtema  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.       337 


poten- 
an,  ol' 
idison. 
\n  Oct. 
lied  by 
wWiin 
id  guar- 
s  as  her 
k  as  vB' 
vtcd  into 
igcment. 
scriplioii 

of  Tippe- 
jre  finally 

of  thirty- 
iph  Riclg- 
and  sTcili, 
no  actual 
session  ot 
|f  CommiH- 
creating  a 
If  $2()O,00« 
js  McCarty 
Conimis- 
in  the  -iStli 
lal  Fund  at 
ids.  Jess* 
tbe  spring 

lb  sucli  cer- 

I  where  tile 
was  per- 
in  time  to 
Ingress    l" 


June,  following,  under  the  diroction  of  the  Board  of  Canal  Commis- 
sioners, then  consisting  of  David  Burr,  Samuol  Lewis  and  Jordon 
Vigus,  the  first  letting  of  contracts  was  made,  embracing  some 
fifteen  miles,  and  in  the  fall  of  tho  same  year,  i'our  miles  in  addition, 
including  the  St.  Joseph  Feeder  Dam,  were  placed  under  tho  con- 
tract. Up  to  the  close  of  IH.'W  the  Comiiiissiontrs  report  work  per- 
formed by  the  contractors  only  to  the  value  ot  $1,180.  The  remain- 
ing thirteen  miles  of  the  middle  or  sur-imit  division,  thirty-two 
miles  long,  was  let  in  May,  iHIJ.'i.  This  division,  uniting  tho  sources 
of  the  Wabash  with  the  waters  of  tho  lake,  was  completed  in  1836 
and  on  the  4th  of  July  of  that  year,  the  first  boat  passed  through  it. 
It  was  the  beginning  of  canal  navigation  in  all  tho  vast  region  of 
country  lying  northwest  of  Cleveland  and  Dayton,  .and  was  appro- 
priately celebrated  at  Fort  Wayne  in  the  presence  of  an  assemblage 
of  citizens  of  Indiana  as  numerous  as  could  be  gathered  in  that 
sparsely  settled  ilistrict,  to  whom  an  appropriate  and  able  oration 
was  delivered  by  Hugh  McCulloch,  lato  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of 
tbe  United  States. 

It  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  rigid  and  judicious  economy  of  that 
primitive  period,  as  it  also  shows  the  greater  relative  value  of 
money  cora[)ared  with  other  commoditit-s  for  which  it  was  exchanged, 
before  the  discovery  of  California  gold,  to  staio  that  this  division  of 
Canal,  with  a  fair  proportion  of  lockage  and  an  important  dam,  cost 
but  87,177  per  mile,  though  constructed  in  a  wilderness  where  sup- 
plies ol  provisions  could  be  obtained  only  from  the  distant  settle- 
ments on  the  Upper  Miami  through  the  limited  and  tedious  pirogue 
navigation  of  the  St.  Mary's  river. 

The  Canal  was  constructed  literally  through  and  amongst  Indian 
villages  and  wigwams.  At  the  village  of  White  Raccoon,  a  Miami 
chief,  the  log  cabin  of  Cha-pine,  the  orator  of  the  tribe,  was  found 
to  stand  exactly  on  the  line  of  the  Canal  and  was  necessarily  moved 
and  rebuilt  at  the  expense  of  the  canal  fund,  and  to  the  great  disgust 
of  the  Indian. 

Probably  no  one  contributed  more  to  the  success  of  the  canal 
1  policy,  during  the  first  and  trying  years  of  its  progress,  than  the  late 
Samuel  Hanna,  of  Fort  Wayne.  From  1828  to  1836,  he  was  suc- 
cessively Canal  Commissioner  and  Fund  Commissioner,  besides  ser- 
ving three  years  in  the  State  Senate  and  one  year  in  the  House,  re- 
presenting as  Senator,  perhaps  one-third  the  entire  area  ot  the  State, 

22 


3.38        The  Canal  SyHtems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 


luiil  lilliiii;  ill  t'lutli  body,  for  a  part  oi  tlio  time,  the  post  of  chair 
man  of  tin;  Canal  Committee.  In  these  otlicial  stations  he  evinced 
the  same  jiid^moiit,  tact  and  foreo  of  character,  whicli.  near  aciuartcr 
of  a  ecsntiiry  al'tcrwards,  eiiahicMl  him  to  render  important  Hcivicoto 
tilt'  mtrtiieiii  Hffction  ot  Indiana,  in  tiic  (iiiterpriHe  of  coinphaiiijr, 
under  linancial  ditiicuiil  ics  siicli  as  would  liavo  <liscouiaged  mcii  Icsh 
coura^eoiiH  in  assnmiiii!;  pecnniary  reH})onsil»ilitios,  that  portion  of 
the  PittHliiirgh,  Fort  Wayne  *&  Chicago  liailway  lying  wcHt  ot 
Crestline. 

In  the  Hiiniinor  of  IH;{7  tlie  division  l)etweeii  Fort  Wayne  ami  iIk 
Ohio  State  line  was  placeil  under  contract.     These  several  siib-ilivis 
ions  were  Huccessively  o[)eiied  for  navigation  until  a  water  eoininu. 
nication  was  perfected,  in  IH40,  between  the  east  line  of  Indiaiiiiaiid 
Lafayette,  the  head  of  steamboat  navigation  of  the  Wabash  ri\er. 

The  State  of  Ohio,  reali/.ing  less  than  Indiana  the  want  of  this 
chaniK^l  of  navigation,  from  the  sparse  settlement  of  her  uorthw('.4- 
em  territory,  was  more  tardy  in  providing  for  its  construction.  It 
was  only  after  repeated  and  urgent  soliciations  from  the  autliorillt's 
of  Indiana,  by  legislative  resolves  and  through  the  appointmeni. 
linally,  ol  a  special  commission,  that  the  Ohio  Legislature  was  in 
diiced  to  commence  the  construction  of  lier  division. 

The  people  of  liidiaiiii,  in  1S3!)  and  1840,  gave  evidence  of  a  dis- 
appointed feeling  leganling  the  tardiness  of  the  Ohio  anthoritieij  in 
prosecuting  their  jxtrtion  of  the  work,  and  a  joint  resolution,  ap- 
proved January  '^2(1,  1810,  made  it  the  duty  of  the  Chief  Etif];itu'er. 
J.  \i.  Williams,  '•  to  proceed  immediately  to  tlie  seat  of  government 
of  the  State  of  Ohio,, and  in  a  respectful  manner  to  urge  upon  the 
consideration  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature  of  tliat  Stati;tlif 
necessity  of  a  speedy  completion  of  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal,  from 
the  IiuliaMa  State  line  to  the  Manmee  Bay,  in  compliance  with  the 
compacts  heretofore  made  between  the  two  States  in  relation  thereto." 

Mr.  Williams,  thus  accredited,  hastened  to  Columbus;  on  the 
30th  he  addressed  a  forcible  and  elaborate  letter  to  Governor  Shan- 
non. >' day  following,  January  3lst,  was,  together  uith 
Ml  f  ion  of  the  Induma  Legislature  above  mentioned, 
oai  y  fiovernor  Shannon,  in  a  special  message  to  tlie 
(iem-.      Ass«  .ihly. 

In  uis  letter  to  the  Covernor,  and  referring  to  the  magnitude  of  j 
till     iiter])rise,  and  the  extensive  interests  dependent  njwn  its  earl) 
comi)letion,  he  thus  ref'  '-s  to  the  capabilities  of  the  W^abash  vallej 


T1i€  Canal  Syfttfims  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,        88t^ 


chair 
riiiccd 
uarU-r 
/\ce  to 
iU'.ti«n. 

lion  of 

VCHl    Ol 

ib-tUvit* 
coiiumi- 
liaimuiul 
isli  riviT. 
it  of  tliii* 
ol•li^wc^l• 

Ul)IV.  I' 
,vUi>ovilii's 
loinimi'in. 
ro  was  ill- 

je  of  11  tlis- 
\\()vilii.''^  'n 
ution,  wy- 
■  KiicriueeT. 

;overnmi'iit 
e  upon  lii'^ 

.tiuil,  i'row 
ice  Avitli  tlie 

,n  thereto." 

lus ;  on  tlie 

trnov  Slwn- 

,i.rethcv  wi^'' 
mcntioiKil 

Issagetotte 

mgnitwl^'"'' 
hiori  its  carl! 
Lbash  vailed  I 


for  fnrnishiiif^  tmnsporfation,  by  means  of  its  production  and  oon- 

sumjitinn  : 

"  For  this  trade  the  Waljush  «fc  Eiie  Canal  will  forui  Ihe  natural, 
iind,  in  faot,  the  only  channpl,  so  far  as  a  Northern  market  may  bo 
sought.  Kniin  the  lirst  settlement  of  the  Valley,  its  citizens  have 
anticipated  tiie  opening  of  l.liis  Canal  at  no  remote  period,  for  which 
expectation  they,  perhans,  had  sntlicient  grounds  in  the  donation  of 
land  I'lir  I  his  ohji'ct,  and  the  acoeptanoe  of  this  donati(»n,  with  all  its 
iv(|uir«'iii(nts,  hy  the  States.  They  have  neither  sought  nor  desired 
liny  other  connection  with  Lake  Krie,  but  on  the  contrary  have  loca- 
ti'ii  mill  eoiistriicted  llieir  eoiumon  roads,  to  nay  nothing  of  their 
latiTuI  eamils  and  railroads,  some  of  wliieii  have  Iteeii  ciimmei.ced, 
80  as  to  concentrate  their  trade  on  this  Canal,  as  the  main  trunk. 
From  this  (lircmnstanee,  as  well  us  from  llw  directness  ol  the  route, 
the  Wiiliasli  ii  Krie  Canal  will  not,  !»e  suhjecird  to  competition  with 
other  estal)lished  channels  (d  trade,  as  is  olleu  the  case  on  the  open- 
ing of  a  new  work,  Itiit  from  the  lir,>t  will  coiunnind  tlu'  undivided 
commerce  and  intercourse  lietween  tlie  \Va'>a.sh  coimiry  and  the 
Northern  markets. 

•' The  district  for  vvliich  this  Canal  will  form  (he  main  channel  of 
trade,  may  he  described  as  extending  from  the  State  line,  as  far 
down  the  VVabasI:  as  the  Gnind  Rapids,  a  distance  of  three  hundred 
miles.  'The  boundaries  ol'  llie  district  on  the  south  and  south-east 
limy  be  deli ned  by  a  line  jjursuing  generally  the  valley  of  the  weal 
fork  of  White  Hiver,  to  the  east  line  of  the  State,  embracing  nearly 
(iiie  third  of  the  surface  betwei-n  the  W'aliasli  anti  the  Ohio  Kiver; 
ami  on  the  north  and  west  by  a  line  diverging  from  the  Crand  Rap- 
ids of  the  Wabash,  and  extending  about  one-third  he  distance  to 
llie  Illinois  River  on  the  west,  and  Lake  Michigan  on  the  north. 
The  liniiis  of  this  district,  it  will  l)e  perceivinl,  are  marked  out  with 
due  reft-reiice  to  the  inllttence  of  the  Ohio  navigation  ou  the  south, 
and  of  the  Illinois  River  uiul  liake  Michigan  on  the  west  and  north, 
as  rival  channels  of  commerce.  'The  district  thus  described  contains 
aHurfuce  equal  to  thirty-eight  counties  in  Indiana,  and  nearly  nine 
counties  in  Illinois,  including  an  average  area  of  '^'i,!)!)!)  sijuare 
miles." 

The  difficulties  encountered  by  Ohio,  in  the  jn'osecution  of  her 
division  of  thi^  work,  and  the  earnest  efforts  jtiit  forth  to  keep  faith 
with  Indiana,  are  illustrated  in  the  extracts  given  below,  from  re- 
ports of  several  consecutive  years  ol'  the  Board  of  Pulilic  Works; 

Extracts  from  Annual  Report  of  (Hiio  Board  of  Pitbfu;  Works^ 
January  1(1,  |s;{.S: 

"  Early  last  spring,  the  principal  engineer.  Mr  h'orrer,  was  di- 
rected to  complete  the  final  location  of  this  W.abash  it  Erie  Canal ; 
and  on  the  ■i'tth  of  May  last,  proposals  were  received  at  Maumee 
^ity,  by  the  Acting  (Jommissioner,  for  the  conistructiou  of  so  much 


340        The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 


of  the  line  as  extends  from  its  eastern  termination,  near  Manhattan, 
to  the  "  Head  of  the  Rapids,''  being  about  thirty  miles,  and  con- 
tracts entered  into  for  all  the  sections,  with  the  exception  of  those 
containing  the  lockage. 

"  On  the  li^th  day  of  October,  proposals  were  received  at  Defiance 
for  the  construction  of  the  remaining  part  of  the  line,  extending 
from  the  "  Head  of  the  Rapids"'  to  the  Indiana  State  line,  and  con- 
tracts entered  into  accordingly. 

Extracts  from  Annual  report  of  Board  of  Public  Works,  Decem- 
ber 00,  1S39 . 

"The  cont  "actors  on  this  work  have,  from  the  commencement, 
labored  under  diHicullies,  to  an  extent  that  no  other  work  in  the 
State  has  been  subjected.  This  has  resulted  from  the  continued 
high  ])rices  ot  provisions,  enhanced  by  the  remote  situation  of  the 
line  from  the  better  cultivated  portions  of  the  State,  and  con- 
sequent high  prices  of  labor,  which,  with  the  sickness  that  has 
prevailed  along  the  line  of  the  canal  during  the  summer  months, 
has  much  retarded  I  he  progress  of  the  work.  On  the  first  c! 
April  last,  it  was  progressing  as  rapidly  as  could  be  expected, 
and  so  continued  until  about  the  first  ot  July,  at  which  time. 
on  account  of  the  dread  of  sickness,  such  as  prevailed  the  season  pre- 
vious, the  larger  portion  of  the  laborers  left  the  line  and  soughi  em- 
ployment elsewhere.  Owing  to  this  cause,  and  the  difficulty  exper- 
ienced by  contractors  in  not  receiving  regular  payments,  but  little 
work  was  done  from  the  first  of  July  until  the  middle  of  October." 

From  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  January 

12,  1841: 

•'At  the  close  of  the  l.ast  year,  a'ld  nntil  the  month  of  April,  the 
prospect  ot  obtaining  money  for  completing  this  work  was  so  doubl 
ful  that  contractors  were  .idvised  of  the  fact,  and  recommended  to 
use  their  own  discretion  and  consult  their  own  convenience  in  pros 
ecuting  their  jobs;  eonsetjucntly,  not  "uch  work  was  performeil 
during  that  time.  But  fro'.n  the  first  of  April  until  the  mcnth  ot 
July,  the  season  of  the  year  when  laborers  usually  leave  the  canal. 
on  accouni  of  sickne.-^s.  the  work  progressed  as  rapidly  as  could  havo 
been  expected,  with  the  limited  number  of  laborers  remaining  on 
the  tine.  All  the  locks  and  culveits  are  commenced,  exoept  the  threo 
locks  connecting  with  tlie  Maumee  river  at  Manhattan,  Toledo  aul 
Maumee  City.  From  Defiance  to  the  State  line,  the  want  of  proper 
material  rendered  it  necessaiy  to  build  the  locks  of  wood." 

From  the  Annual  Report  of  Board  of  Public  Works,  January  8, 
1 8-12 : 

'*  Seventy  miles  of  different  portions  of  the  line  are  finished,  leav 
ing  about  twenty  miles  to  be  completed.  From  Maidiattan,  the 
eastern  termination  of  the  canal,  to  the  head  of  the  rapids,  a  distance 
of  thirty  one  miles,  the  earth  work  and  culverts  are  completed,  ami 


and 
TJ 

tile 

I'llbl 

faihin 

iiU'an.s 

'natle. 

'■•^qiiirei 

fract  /iv 

•Voveni 
'"fficiilt 
"The 
*'tl  diirii 
'"assiiio- 
"■intnr'^ 
nnividp( 
from  til, 
'*f  Octol 
tracts  V'] 
order 


ittan, 
I  con- 
those 

ifiance 
snding 
id  con- 


Dacem- 

cetnent, 
k  in  the 
)ntmue(\ 
)n  of  the 
m\   con- 
that  has 

monthu. 
;   first  of 
expected, 
,ich  time, 
eason  pre- 
ough;  em- 
lUy  expev- 
,  but  little 

October." 

8,  Jar-uavy 

April,  the 
s  80  douht- 
mended  tc 
ice  in  pros- 
pertbrmetl 
e  month  ot 
;  the  c:inal. 
could  havi' 
maining  on 
pt  the  thveo 
[Toledo  aii«l 
It  of  proper 
Id." 
,  January  ^ 

Liahea,  iwv 
Idiattan.  the 


a  I 


Vistanci' 


lupleteJ,  a« 


A 


The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.       341 


all  of  the  locks  on  the  main  line,  consisting  of  eight  lilt  and  one 
guard  lock,  are  nearly  so,  and  will  be  finished  at  the  opening  of  nav- 
igation. The  two  locks  on  the  Toledo  side  cut,  and  live  on  the 
Maumee  side  cut,  are  also  finished,  with  the  e.\'ce))tion  of  the  gates, 
which  will  be  completed  this  winter.  The  out-let  lock  on  the 
Maumee  side  cut  will  be  finished  next  May,  and  the  aijueduct  across 
Swan  Creek,  Avhich  completes  the  canal  communication  with  Man- 
hattan, will  not  be  finished  before  the  month  of  July  next.  The 
water  has  been  let  in,  and  the  canal  used  for  the  purposes  of  navi- 
gation the  past  season,  from  the  head  of  the  l?apids  to  Maumee 
City,  a  distance  of  eighteen  miles  ;  and  during  the  present  month, 
it  is  expected,  the  water  will  be  let  into  the  canal  from  Maumee 
City  to  the  head  of  the  locks  at  Toledo,  an  additional  distance  of 
nine  miles.'' 

From  the  Annual  Report  ot  Board  of  Public  Works,  January  2, 
1843 : 

"The  whole  of  this  work  is  now  so  far  completed  as  to  admit  the 
water,  when  the  proper  season  for  using  the  same  shall  arrive,  and 
nothing  but  unforeseen  accidents  will  from  this  time  forward,  prevent 
at  all  proper  seasons  of  the  year,  an  uninterrupted  navigation.'' 

"  For  the  last  fifteen  months  there  has  not  been  paid  one  dollar  in 
money,  to  contractors  on  this  canal,  and  the  amount  now  due  is 
equal  to  *600,()00.  Almost  the  whole  resources  and  credit  of  that 
portion  of  the  State  in  the  vicinity  of  this  work  have  been  used  up 
and  invested  in  the  construction  of  the  same." 

The  financial  embarrassment  of  that  period  which  had  so  retarded 
the  work  in  Ohio,  was  felt  also  in  Iiidiaiia.  The  extended  system  of 
inihlie  works  commenced  iu  1830,  was  entirely  suspended  with  the 
I'itilure  of  State  credit.  The  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal  was  left  witliont 
nu'iuis,  other  than  the  small  receipts  from  laud  sales  thereafter  to  be 
made.  To  open  navigation  from  tlie  Oliio  State  line  to  Lafayette, 
required  about  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars.  The  following  ex- 
tract  from  the  report  of  J.  L.  Williams,  Chief  Engineer,  then  also 
n-ofjim  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Internal  luDrovements,  ilated 
November  ;i7th,  1840,  shows  the  pledges  by  which  these  financial 
diiticulties  were  overcome  : 

"The  completion  of  the  Canal  in  this  State  has  been  accomplish- 
id  during  the  |iast  season,  under  circumstances  peculiarly  embar- 
rassing to  contractoi's  and  their  creditors.  The  legislation  of  last 
winter,  while  it  authorized  and  directed  the  completion  of  the  work, 
m-ovidod  not  a  dollar  in  payment  therefor,  nnl"il  it  could  be  realized 
from  the  sale  of  Canal  lands,  whicii  was  fixed  by  law  for  the  month 
of  October.  Believing  it  important  that  the  few  remaining  (ton- 
tracts  v'hich  had  been  so  long  on  hand,  should  be  coni})let:ed,  in 
order  'jat  the  community  might  enjoy  the  convenience  of  the  nan- 


342        The  Canal  SyHte'mf<  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 


gatioii,  and  that  the  State  misfht  save  the  ex]u'n8e  of  miiintainiiifr 
any  l^Mi^er  a  corps  of  engiiKevs  for  its  !?ii}i(  rnitctideiu'c.  the  uiuler- 
signed  has  been  unremitting  in  his  exertions  for  the  Hccuniplishment 
of  this  ohjecfc. 

"  T\^'  g'^'J'K  'III  assurance  to  the  laborers  and  otliers  that  their  ad- 
justed chiinis  would  be  recognized,  and  that  eaeh  claim  would  re- 
ceive its  jiroportionate  dividend  of  the  money  received  at  the  land 
sale,  the  contractors  were  enabled  to  keep  up  their  operations  and 
complete  their  jobs.  On  linal  settlement,  made  during  the  present 
montli,  there  was  found  to  be  due  to  contractors  and  others,  tl;esnm 
of  $115,124.08,  of  which  amount  the  monev  received  for  sale  of 
lands  was  found  sulhcient  to  pay  twenty  <ive  per  cent.,  leaving  the 
sum  of  $8(1,587.47  unpaid,  for  which  the  Commissioner  has  issued 
drafts  on  the  fund  commissioners,  based  upon  the  further  proceeds 
of  the  canal  lauds.  These  drafts,  of  which  there  are  eleven  hundred 
and  seventy-two  in  number,  vary  in  .imouut  from  one  dollar  to  sev- 
eral thousand  dollars,  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  claims.  Un- 
der existing  laws  they  are  redeemable  only  when  the  amount  is 
realized  from  the  future  proceeds  of  the  lands.  The  propriety  of 
meeting  them  at  an  earlier  day  will  doubtless  suggest  itself  to  the 
Legislature.  If  there  be  no  other  means  of  paying  these  drafts,  per- 
haps the  substitution  of  scrip  or  Treasury  iS'otes,  of  small  denomi- 
nations, made  receivable  for  lands,  would  afford  a  convenience  to  the 
holders  of  them." 

No  action  having  been  taken  by  the  legislatnre  for  the  speedy 
payment  of  these  drafts,  the  engineer,  upon  his  own  responsibility, 
and  without  the  authority  of  the  law,  (necessity  knows  no  law)  pro- 
cured a  plate  to  be  struck  in  imitation  of  a  bank  note,  from  which, 
on  more  lasting  bank  note  paper,  and  in  small  denominations,  new 
notes  were  issued  in  reilemption  of  the  first  white  paper  drafts  then 
nearly  worn  out  by  circulation.  This  issue,  beaiing  interest  and 
receivable  for  canal  lands,  entered  rtadily  diu'ing  that  period  otpc 
cuniary  stringency,  into  the  circulating  medium  of  that  part  of  the 
State,  under  the  name  of  '•  White  Dog,''  a  name  facetiously  given  to 
it  by  the  recipients  for  reasons  well  understood  at  that  time. 

The  extension  of  the  land  grant  from  the  mouth  of  the  Tippecanoe 
river  to  Terre  Hante,  as  claimed  by  the  State,  and  finally  authorized 
by  Congress,  laid  a  financial  basis  for  the  canal  along  the  Wabash 
to  that  point.  The  construction  of  this  part  of  the  line  was  author- 
ized by  the  legislature  of  Indiana  at  the  sesnion  of  1841  -42.  Fol- 
lowing the  precedent  set  by  the  engineer  east  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Tippecanoe,  which,  though  without  law,  had  proved  a  success,  the 
legislature  having  no  other  financial  resource,  authorized  the  issue 
of  canal  land  scrip  in  payment  for  the  work,  ol  the  dcoomiuatioii  of 


The  Canal  Systems  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.        343 


i\kl  re- 
le  Uuul 
\is  luid 
present 
>.e  sum 
sale  of 
ring  the 
s  issued 
n'oceeds 
hundved 
f  to  sev- 
ns.     Un- 
Tiount  is 
priety  of 
;\f  to  the 
i-aits,  i^er- 
\  denomi- 
jnce  to  the 


five  dollars,  and  in  the  shape  of  Bank  issues,  receivable  for  these 
lands.  This  land  scrip,  as  in  the  other  case,  formed  a  {)art  of  the 
circulating  medium  in  that  region.  By  the  year  liS-lo  navigation 
was  extended  as  far  west  as  Covington  on  the  Wabash. 

The  contrast,  financially,  between  the  year  1H4U  and  1870  is  cer- 
tainly striking.  Now,  millions  of  money  are  readily  obtained  from 
Europe  and  in  this  country  for  the  construction  of  public  works  in 
excliauge  for  securities  of  far  less  strength  than  the  bonds  of  the 
State.  77<t'//,  even  State  obligations,  small  in  amount,  required  the 
pledge  of  future  land  sales  to  make  them  current. 

In  the  summer  of  1843,  as  the  Board  anticipated,  the  Ohio 
portion  of  the  canal  was  completed,  and  the  entire  work  in  naviga 
ble  order  between  Lake  Erie  and  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Wabash. 
The  achievement  was  appropriately  celebrated  by  the  united  assetn- 
Mageof  the  citizens  of  both  States  at  F'ort  Wayne,  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1843,  to  whom  an  able  and  classic  oiation  was  delivered  by 
General  Lewis  Cass. 

The  Miami  Canal  Extension,  now  known  as  the  Miami  and  Erie, 
was  open  for  business  in  June  1845 — thus  completing  a  continuous 
line  of  canal  between  the  Maumee  bay  and  the  Ohio  river  at  Cin- 
cinnati. 

Thus  is  skeiched  a  history  of  the  origin,  progress  and  completion 
ot  the  canal  systems  of  the  two  great  States  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  so 
tiir  as  the  Maumee  valley  is  concerned. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  give  a  sketch  of  one  ot  tiie 
civil  engineers  who  was  prominently  connected  with  the  public 
works  of  the  Maumee  valley.  The  names  of  others  and  their  pub- 
lic services  are  referred  to  in  another  place.  In  a  volume  eutitied, 
'Lives  and  Works  of  Civil  and  Military  Engineers  of  America,  by 
Charles  B.  Stuart,  Civil  Engineer,"*  a  handsomely  printed  octavo 
volume  of  .'Wo  pages,  and  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  its  character 
I'ver  issued  from  the  American  press,  embraces  sketches  uf 
Major  Andrew  Ellicott,  Surveyor  General  of  the  United  States ; 
James  Geddes,  Benjamin  Wright,  Canvass  While,  Jesse  L.  Wil- 
l''ims,  David  Siauhopc  Bates,  .Nathan  S.  Roberts,  Gridley  Bryant, 
tieneral  Joseph  G.  ^wift,  Col.  William  McKee,  Samuel  H.  Knoass, 
t'aptain  John  Childe,  Friedereich  Ilarbach,  Major  David  Bates 
I^oi'glas,  Jonathan  Knight,  Benjamin  11.  Latrobe,   Colonel  Charles 


♦   Recently  publishtid  by  D.  Van  Nostraud,  83  Murray  St.,  >'ew  York. 


^■i 


n44         The  Canal  Systevifi  of  Ohio  and  Indiana, 


Elliott,  Jr.,  and  others  who  have  hoen  prominent  in  the  grand 
acliicvemcnts  made  in  C'wW  Kngineerintr  in  the  United  States  dur- 
ing tiie  last  half  century.  And  among  other  civil  engineers  whose 
biography  and  services  are  sketched  in  the  above  named  volume, 
and  who  have  been  connected  with  the  early  public  works  of  the 
Maumee  valley,  undertaken  by  the  joint  action  of  the  States  of  Ohio 
and  Indiana,  none  have  been  more  conspicuous  than  Samuel  Forrer 
of  Ohio. 

The.  subjoined  sketch  of  him  is  from  the  volume  ju.st  mentioned  of 
Mr.  Stuart :  .  . 

"  Samuel  Forrer,  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  January 
17,  1793,  visited  Ohio  at  the  age  of  "21  years,  but  soon  alter  returned 
home,  where  he  remained  until  ISr.',  when  he  removed  to  Dayton, 
which  has  si^^ce  been  his  place  of  residence. 

'■  In  July  1825,  the  Ohio  canals  were  commenced  under  the  gen- 
eral supervision  of  David  S.  Bates  as  Chief  Engineer.  Mr.  Forrer 
had  been  betore  (  uijiloyed  from  the  very  beginning  of  the  canal  sur- 
veys in  Ohio,  and  now  look  charge  of  the  work  on  the  Miami  and 
Krie  canal.  He  continued  in  the  service  of  the  State  until  1^81  dur- 
ing which  time  he  located  the  whole  of  the  Miami  and  Erie  canal 
and  its  branches,  and  a  great  portion  of  the  Ohio  canal.  In  183'J 
he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Canal  Commissioners, 
and  continued  in  tl^^at  position  three  years,  when  that  Board  was 
abolished  and  a  Board  of  Public  Works  created  in  its  stead  by  the 
Legislature  of  Ohio,  of  which  he  was  a  member  several  years.  Not 
only  was  he  exceedingly  useful  in  this  capacity,  but  by  his  zeal, 
general  intelligence,  and  force  of  character,  he  contril)uted  largely 
to  the  promotion  ot  the  canal  system,  and  was  a  valuable  o-laborer 
with  the  men  of  that  period  wlio  shaped  the  policy  ot  the  State  anl 
laid  the  foundations  of  her  commercial  institutions.  Mr.  Forrer  was 
at  one  time  a  contractor  on  the  VV.al)ash  and  Erie  Canal  in   Indiana, 

"The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  the  Hon.  Jesse 
L.  Williams,  of  Furl  Wayne,  an  old  professional  co-laborer,  dated 
Dayton,  Ohio,  April  12,  1H7I.  and  published  in  Stuart's  work,  ex- 
plains the  condition  in  which  he  found  Mr.  Forrer: 

"I  was  to-day  an  hour  with  Mr.  Samuel  Forrer  at  his  home.  He 
is  in  a  feeble  state.  Paralysis  has  been  gradually  coming  on,  which 
affects  somewhat  his  speech  and  strength  of  body,  yet  his  intellect  is 
unimpaired.  He  is  still  the  consulting  engineer  and  chief  depend- 
ence, professionally,  of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Public  works,  es 
pecially  as  to  everything  relating  to  the  Miami  and  Erie  canal  tor 
the  enlargement  of  which  work  hr  has  lately  submitted  an  estimate. 
He  attends  all  meetings  of  the  Board  at  Colunihus.  IPs  age  is  i^ 
years.  I  was  gratitied  in  having  the  opportunity,  probably  the  last 
one,  of  conversing  with  so  good  a  man,  so  near  the  close  of  a  usetal 
life." 


The  Old  Packet  Linen  and  their  Captains.       845 


grand 
as  clur- 

wbosc 
^•olunie, 
s  of  the 
of  Ohio 
[  Forvev 

tionedof 

,  January 

returned 

,  "Dayton, 

•  the  gen- 
/[r,  Forrer 
,  canal  sur- 
vliami  and 
11831  clur- 
Frie  canal 
I      In  183-2 
luissioners. 
Board  was 
,eaa  by  the 
ears.    Kol 
by   his  Zt'ttl 
fted  largely 

c')-lal)Ovev 
State  an'i 

Fovreiwas 
|\n  Indians 

Hon.  .less^ 

,orcr,  datetl 
work,  ex- 

J  home.    Ho 
Inr  on,  whicb 
Is  intellect  1* 
Tief  depend- 
\  works,  es- 
[•\e  canal  for 
Ian  estimate. 
Is  ago  is  '^ 
Ibly  ^helas 
.  of  a  usetul 


Captain  George  Dutch  Davis,  now  of  the  United  States  Revenue 
office,  Toledo,  kindly  furnishes   ''  some  recollections  ot   the  palmy 
(lavs  ot  the  Miami  and  Wabash  canals,  together  with  the  names  of 
boats  and  captains,"  which  may  be  properly  appended  here.     The 
fact  may  be  recalled  that  the  office  of  captain  of  a  canal  packet  boat, 
in  those  times,  was  regarded  as  invested  with  a  dignity  equal  to  that 
now  awarded  to   one  in  command  of  the  best  steamer  that  floats 
upon  the  lakes;  and,  though  slower  and  more  expensive,  they  had 
the  advantage  of  railway  coaches  on  the  score  of  comfort.     Some  of 
the  generation  of  to-day  make  merry  when  they  recur  to  what  now 
strikes  them  as  the  slow  modes  of  travel  and   transportation  of  the 
canal  days,  and  commisserate  the  condition  of  their  fathers,  whose 
highest  rate  of  speed  in  a  passage  packet  boat  was  from  seventy-five 
to  a  hundred  miles  in  twenty-four  hours;   while,  by  improvements 
since  made,  six  hundred  milts,  in  the  same  length  of  time,  can  be  con- 
veniently passed  over  in  railway  coaches ;  yet,  if  they  had  "  roughed 
it"  through  the  black  swamp,  when,  indeed,  it  ioiis  a  "black  swamp'' 
—though  one  no  longer — paying  high  rates  of  passage  in  the  rude 
and  comfortless  vehicles  that   then  conveyed   the  United   States 
mails,  and  struggling,  often  on  foot,  half  the  distance  through  mud 
and  water,  because  the  horses  had  not  the  strength  to  draw  their 
weary  load ;  and  again,  when  off  the  stage  routes,  to  undertake  a 
journey  of  a  hundred  miles,  one  would  leave  home  on  horse-back, 
and  before  reaching  his  destination,  would  perhaps  travel  by  the 
various  conveyances  of  piro,ij;ue,  raft  and  canoe,  and  finally  be  glad 
to  finish   his  journey    after  several    days  of  severe    toil,  on  loot 
and  horseless ;    and,  if  our  young  friend  would  recur  to  the  fact  that 
farm  products,  in  many  places,  did  not  pay  transportation  charges 
to  reach  a  market ;  and  also  to  the  fact  that  the  country  merchant 
often  paid  more  in  freights  on  some  of  his  goods,  than  the  invoice 
amounted  to  in  the  market  where  purchased  ;  he  would  not  then 
marvel  at  the  exultation  indulged  in  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Mau- 
mee  valley,  when  the  canals  were  opened  for  travel  and  transporta- 
tion'uses. 

But  in  turning  to  the  recollections  of  Capt.  Davis  :  he  states  that 
in  the  year  184o,  Samuel  and  Archie  Mahon,  brothers,  commenced 
running  two  small  packets  between  Toledo  and  Fort  Wayne — start- 
ing and  stopping  without  reference  to  regular  time — sometimes 
camiiingout,  and  getting  their  meals  at  tarm  houses  along  the  line 
C'l' canal.    Nothing,  however,  was  permanently  undertaken  in  packet 


346       The  Old  Packet  Line>^  and  their  Ca])tain8. 


boating  until  the  summer  of  1844,  wlien  Samuel  Doyle  and  William 
Dickey,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  organized  a  line  muking  regular  trips  be- 
tween Toledo  and  Cincinnati,  and  from  Toledo  to  Lafayette,  com- 
prising the  following  boats,  namely:  "Erie,'''  "Baimei,"  "Ohio.'' 
"  Indiana,"  "'  Illinois,"  '*  Missouri,"  ••  Kentucky,"  "  Tempest,"  "Cata- 
ract," "  Atlantic,"  ''  Fasiiion  "  and  a  steam  propeller  named  "  Niag- 
ara." 

Cjipt.  Georgt>  Dutch  Davis  opened  the  first  regular  packet  office 
in  Toledo,  in  1844,  and  in  ltS45  resigned  the  position  to  again  take 
charge  of  his  boat,  and  Wm.  J.  Fin  lay  was  given  charge  of  the  of- 
fice, and  retained  it  until  the  opening  of  the  Toledo  and  Wabash 
railroad  in  1854  caused  the  withdrawal  of  the  line.  During  the  last 
five  years  of  the  existence  of  the  line  the  proprietortihip  was  in  the 
hands  of  Jerome  Petree,  of  Little  Falls,  X.  Y.,  and  E  B.  Holmes, 
of  iirockport,  N.  Y.,  who  purchased  the  interest  of  Doyle  &  Dickey 
in  1849. 

The  names  of  the  old  packet  captains,  which  have  a  choice  place 
in  the  memories  of  thousands  yet  residents  of  the  Maumee  valle}' 
and  of  other  thousands  distributed  over  distant  regions,  are  given 
below,  and  the  disposition  which  the  hand  of  Providence  has  made 
of  them : 

Thomas  B.  Filton,  deceased  ;  W.  S.  B.  liubbell,  deceased  ;  M.  Van 
Home,  resides  in    Iowa;   John  M.    Wigton,  Toledo;    Clark  Smith, 
deceased ;  A.   Vauness,   deceased ;    Byron   O.  Angel,  Fort  AViiyiu: 
Wm.  Sturgess,  deceased  ;  Benjamin  Ayre.s,  deceaseil ;  Joseph  Iloskiii- 
son,  Napoleon  ;  William  PiuUips,  Ijima;  Ciiarles  Sherwood,  Cinciii-i 
nati ;  Christian  Suavely,  deceased;  George  Alvord,   in   Arkiui.'<a>; j 
James    Popple    and   Nathan   Nettletou,    St.  Louis ;    Thomas  B, 
McCarty,Iate  State  Auditor  of  Indiana,  at  Indianapolis  ;  EliasWA 
Middletown,  Ohio  ;  William  Dale,  New  York;  (Jeo.  Dutch  Davis, IVj 
ledo;  J.  R.  Smith,  Cincinnati. 

George  Owen  and  David  S.  Davis,  of  Dayton,  were  proprietors ( I 
the  first  packet  line  from  Dayton  to  Cincinnati.     Samuel  DoykMviij 
the  first  to  experiment  with  steam  on  the  Miami  canal — having boiii 
in  1845,  the  propeller  '•  Niagara,"   at  a  cost  of  SIO.OOO.     She  wa 
commanded  by  Capt.  William  Dale,  and  proved  a  failure  finaiiciii&l 

Mr.  Colerick,  among  his  interesting  reminiscences  of  early  iv.m 
contributed  to  the  Fort  Wayne  Gazette,  gives  the  following  Hctoi!.| 
of  the  first  boat  ride  on  the  canal : 

Id  the  spring  of  1834,  tho  canal  being  finished  from  the  feeder  ilif 


V  iWiam 
r\\)8  be- 
,e,  com- 

;'  -Cala- 
{  "  Niag- 

ket  office 
igain  tako 
of  the  of- 
,\  Wabast 
n(f  t\io  Ifvsl 
was  in  Ibti 
[5.  Holmes, 
Q  &  Dicley 

jhoice  place 
imcc  valley^ 
,8,  arc  given 
kce  lias  made 


(SC 


CiiU-k  Smiili, 
ort  \Vayiw. 
<^.^»l\  Uoskiii- 
yood,  OinciL- 1 

Thomas  1 

Eiias^V^■^l 

to\i  l)Hvis/IH 

^n-opvictorsel 
aR'lDoyl^'^^'^1 

[..-iiaving^'"" 

)00.    Sbe«*| 

n-c  ftuauciiit! 

of  early  tii*-' 

owing  ivco'i'- 


Opening  of  Canal  Navigation  at  Ft.  Waijnc.     Ml 

to  the  town,  and  the  water  having;  been  let  in  in  tlie  month  of  June, 
all  were  rt'^rf'tting  that  there  was  no  bont  with  wlii(!h  to  have  a  ride 
,,11  the  approHeliinjf  -1th  of  July.  Thm  the  iiHlffatigal)le  F.  P. 
Tiiikhiun,  seeiiiji^  the  situation,  went  to  tiie  wood.s  antl  eut  down  the 
trees  with  which  to  make  the  hull  of  a  l)oat,  and  in  less  than  two 
weeks  time  had  a  staunch  craft  completed  and  alloat,  and  on  the 
iiiiiriiing  of  the  glorious  4tii  of  July  the  entire  j)opulation  embarked 
thereon  and  proceeded  to  the  feeder  dam,  live  miles  distant,  where, 
alter  sjiiMiding  the  day  in  eating,  drinking  and  nuiking  merry,  all 
relnrned  to  their  homes,  well  pleased  with  the  day's  doings,  and  feel- 
ing themselves  under  great  obligations  to  Mr.  Tinkham  for  the  first 
hojit  ride  on  the  oaiud. 

Hv  the  first  of  June  of  the  following  year  the  canal  was  completed 
to  Huntington.  Capt.  Asa  Fairfield  (recently  deceased)  in  the 
meautime  had  contracted  for  the  building  of  a  boat,  which  was 
finished  in  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  June,  and  was  called  the 
Indiiuia.  He  placed  h's  brother,  Capt.  Oliver  Fairfield,  an  old  sea 
captiiiu,  who  had  just  come  to  the  country,  in  command;  and  on 
the  nidriiing  of  the  anniversary  of  American  independence,  (now  an 
ol)8(.tlete  idea),  the  Indiana  started  on  her  first  trip  to  Huntington, 
carrying  a  large  party  of  gentleiijen,  (no  ladies),  including  Dr.  L.  (1. 
Thom|»S()n,  Judge  Hanna,  Allen  Ilamiltou,  Samuel  and  Wm.  S. 
Edsall,  W.  G.  and  G.  W.  Ewing.  Francis  Comparet,  Capt  J.  B. 
Roiuii>.  Wm.  Ilockhill,  Col.  John  Sp(-nci'r,  J.  L.  Williams,  D.  H. 
Colerick.  L.  P.Ferry,  Jas.  Barnett,  M.  H.  Seott,  Madison  Sweetzer, 
and  many  others.  Caj)t  Fairfield,  now  a  resident  of  Decatur,  ludi- 
aiia.  with  whom  I  had  a  conversation  recently  regarding  the  nuitter, 
I. said  that  this  was  the  liveliest  l)arty  that  he  ever  carried  on  the 
IndiuiiH.  On  the  return  trij)  the  next  day,  Dr.  Tate,  Capt.  Murray 
(and  many  other  citizens  of  the  town  ri'turnefl  with  the  party,  and 

lierealter  trips  were  made  every  other  i\ny,  eari'ying  freight  and 
|'assei)g:ers,  and  as  the  canal  was  com'leitd  to  each  jmint,  the  "  In- 
"lanii"  extended  her  trips  theretxt.  Ann  -1th  what  pleasure  did  we 
frcijuently  repair  to  the  dock  on  her  arrival,  (an  event  of  no  small 
Interest  to  us  isolated  beings)  which  was  always  heralded  by  the 
"liirionet  and  violin  of  Ed.  Parker  and  Bill  Patchin,  <  mployees,  as 
he  boat  emerged  from  the  aqueduct  and  rounded  the  bend  west  of 

pwn.    Sweeter  music  I  think  I  never  heard  than  these  two  men 

Me;  ')t  1  "ast,  such  is  the  impression  that  it  left  long  years  agone. 
ihere  were  no  buildings  then  on  the  banks  of  the  canal  to  interrupt 
|e  sound  or  vi'ew  from  (Columbia  street." 


1 


\  : 


1  the  feeder  is" 


CHAPTER  Vlll. 


FOIIT   WAYNE. 


This  city,  situated  at  the  head  of  the  head  of  the  Miami  of  the 
Lake,  and  among  the  first  founded  in  this  empire  of  the  north-west, 
by  Europo^ans — the  Ke-ki-ong-a  of  the  aborigines — the  capital  of 
the  ancient  Twigtwee,  or  Miami  confederacy,  appropriately occapies 
the  first  place  in  the  sub-divisions  commenced  with  this  chapter. 

It  has  been  stated  (see  aut.  p  9),  that  the  chevalier  La  Salle  vis- 
ited this  place,  and,  as  early  as  1680,  erected  a  stockade.  As  hither- 
to  remarked,  the  authority  for  this  statement  is  the  late  A..  T.  Good- 
man, Secretary  of  the  Western  Reserve  and  Northern  Ohiii 
Historical  Society,  whose  intelligence  in  archaelogical  researches 
throughout  both  continents,  in  collecting  material  relating  to  tlii 
early  history  of  the  West,  was  appreciated  and  recognized  by  the 
best  minds  in  the  country.  In  a  letter  to  the  author  of  this  worii, 
dated  Cleveland,  August  28,  1871,  Mr.  Goodman  says: 

"  I  was  glad  to  learn  by  your  favor  of  the  26th  that  you  contem- 
plate publishing  a  'history  of  the  Maumee  Valley  ;'  and  after  some 
allusion  of  a  personal  character  adds  that  "the  field  abounds  in  in- 
teresting historical  resources,  and  I  desire  to  place  myself  at  voiir 
service,  to  aid  and  astJist  with  what  material  I  have  in  my  privak 
collections,  and  what  is  on  file  in  the  rooms  of  the  society." 

With  reference  to  the  early  occupation  of  the  country,  he  assure; 
his   correspondent  that  his  facts  on  this  point  are   "drawn  fromj 
French  records  at  Montreal  and  Quebec,  and  papers  at  Albany  ! 
Harrisburg.''     In  a  subsequent  letter  he  promises  "  full  dataassoi'DJ 
as  his  health  improves,"  but  unfortunately  that  improvement  never | 
came,  and  within  a  few  days  subsequent  to  writing  his  promise, 
useful  life  was  brought  to  a  close. 

Mr.  J.  L.  Williams,  in  his  historical  sketch  of  the  First  Prosbytel 
rian  Church  of  Fort  Wayne,  says  that  "  a  report  of  LaSalle,  wriuei 
probably  in  1682  [but  more  probably  in  1680,]  mentions  the  mn 


Fort  Wayne. 


349 


.') 


iami  ol'  the 
north-west, 
2  capital  of 
jly  occupies 
cliapter. 
a  Salle  vis- 
As  hither- 
A..  T.  Good. 
•them   Ohi'i 
I  researches 
,tiug  to  tlK 
ized  by  the 
if  this  work, 


rst  Presb\i«-| 

balle,  wriW«| 

IS  the  rou« 


by  the  Maumee  and  Wabaah,  as  the  most  direct  to  the  Mississippi 
and  very  justly  observes  that  "  it  is  improbable  that  the  French 
would  pass  this  thronged  centre  of  the  Miamis,  at  the  carrying 
place  between  these  rivers,  without  establishing  hero  one  of  that 
cordon  of  military  posts  designed  to  connect  their  Canadian  and 
Mississippi  settlements.     Vaudreuil,"  says  Mr.  Williams,  "  Governor 
of  Louisiana,  writing  in  1751,''  seventy-one  years  after  the  erection 
of  the  original  work,  "  names  Fort  Miami  at  this  point.    It  was  a 
small  stockade  fort,  and  situated  near  the  St.  Mary,  probably  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  canal  atiueduct.    The  dim  outlines  of  the  fort  were 
traced  by  Wayne  in  1794,  and  by  Colonel  John  Johnston  in  1800.'' 
Not  having  the  benefit  of  the  "full  data"  which  Mr.  Goodman 
intended  to  furnish,  it  is  assumed  as  probable  that  the  Chevalier 
built  his  stockade  here  in  the  autumn  of  1680,  on  his  return  route 
from  the  St.  Joseph's  of  Michigan  to  Fort  Frontenac.     In  confirma- 
tion of  this  view,  and  in  conclusion  of  its  discussion,  it  may  be 
added  that  the   pioneers  relate,  as  a  current  tradition  among  the 
Indians  at  Fort  Wayne,  that  they  were  first  visited  by  white  men 
who  came  from  the  West. 

From  the  earliest  record  the  Miamies  have  been  a  leading  and 
influential  tribe.  Bancroft  says:  "The  Miamies  were  the  most 
powerful  confederacy  of  the  West,  excelling  the  Six  Nations.  *  * 
Their  influence  reached  to  tlie  Mississippi,  and  they  received  fre- 
quent visits  from  tribes  beyond  that  river."  Mr.  Gamelin,  the  mes- 
senger sent  by  Governor  St.  Clair,  in  April,  1790,  to  know  the  mind 
of  the  Indians  as  to  peace  or  war,  after  reading  the  Governor's 
speech  to  the  chiefs  and  head  men,  in  every  village  on  the  route 
from  Vincennes,  was  everywhere  desired  to  proceed  to  the  Miami 
town  (Ke-ki-oug-gay).  They  said,  "  you  know  that  we  can  termi- 
nate nothing  without  the  consent  of  our  brothers — the  Miamies.' 
The  impress  of  its  name  upon  so  many  western  rivers,  shows  the 
predominence  of  the  tribe.  The  two  Miamies  of  the  Ohio  will  ever 
perpetuate  it.  The  Miami  of  Lake  Erie  (now  Maumee)  was  like- 
wise named  for  the  tribe.  The  St.  Joseph,  of  Lake  Michigan,  was 
called  the  "  river  Miamies,'''  when  LaSalle  erected  a  fort,  and  Heiie- 
pin  first  raised  the  cross  at  its  mouth  in  November,  1019.*  Our  own 
J^t.  Murys  was  marked  "  Miamies  river'''  on  the  rude  skeleton  map, 
made  to  represent  the  western  country  at  the  time  of  Colonel  Bo- 
nnet's expedition  in  1763. — Note  by  j' L.  Williams. 

In  the  conspiracy  of  Nicholas,  begun  in  1745,  described  in  preced- 
ing pages,  the  destruction  of  the  French  village  at  Fort  Wayne,  it 


•This  is  one  of  Hennepin's  historical  errorsi.    Father  Marquette  or  Alloez  had    preceded 
Hennepm  at  this  point  several  years,  and  established  a  mission  and  erected  the  cross. 


350 


Fort  Wayne. 


will  be  observed,  formed  un  important  part  of  the  echeme ;  und  the 
fort  and  viliiige  were  besieged,  oapturod  and  demolished.  Tiie  Fort 
Miami  that  was  re-built,  and  occupied  by  the  French  under  Lieut 
I)ui)ui88on,  after  the  conepinicy  of  Nicholas  had  been  crushed,  wiw 
doubtless  the  one  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  not  the  Fort  Miami  formerly 
erected  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph's  of  Lake  Michigan,  attoiit 
1678  or  1079. 

The  next  historical  event,  memorable  in  the  annals  of  Fort 
Wayne,  occurred  in  1703,  during  the  I'ontiac  war.  The  eon.spirucy 
of  Nicholas  was  designed  to  subvert  the  French  power;  the  scheme 
of  Pontiac  was  directed  against  the  English.  [See  ante,  pp.  34,35, 
41,  42,  43  and  44,  for  events  in  the  Pontiao  war  having  rujutiun  to 
Fort  Wayne  and  the  Maumee  valley.] 

Mr.  J.  L.  Williams,  in  his  interesting  address  from  which  liberal 
(piotations  have  been  already  made,  says : 

"Four   nations,  at   diflferent  jteriods,   have  held  dominion  here, 
F^or  near  half  a  century  prior  to  the  con(|ue8t  of  Canada,  the  tri- 
colored  flag  waved  at  the  meeting  ot  the  St.  Joseph   and  St.  iMary. 
The  French  adapted   their  manners  and  character  to  forest  li(e, 
Schoolcraft  says,  the  Indians  of  the  North    West  often   referred  tn 
*  the  days  of  French  supremacy  as  a  kind  of  golden  era,  when  all 
things  in  their  affairs  were  better  than  they  now  are.'     Then  eanif 
the  English  m  December,  1760,  and  the  British   Hag  was  run  up  in 
its   stead.      Their   manners   were   reserved   and    haughty,  far  less 
adapted  than  the  genial,  pliant  and   vivacious  French   to  win  the 
confidence  of  the  Indians,     In  no  particular  is  there  a  greater  dis- 
similarity in  the  two  Nations.      The  French,  like  the  Spanijmk 
readily  meet  a  lower  civilization  upon  an  interm<diate  platform, as 
in  Canada  and  Mexico.     The  genuine  Anglo  Saxon   takes  no  step 
downward.     English  society  in  Calcutta  is  as  select  and  high-toned 
as  in  London.     To  elevate,  near  to  its  own   level,  or  else  to  destroy 
by  gradual  encroachment  and  pressure,  seems  to  be  the  mission  of 
the  race  among  the  sluggish  and  decaying  nations.     Whether oriio: 
the  Indian  sagacity  was  adequate  to  a  full  perception  of  these  diverse 
tendencies,  certain  it  is  that  the  Miamis  of  that  day  were  haters  of 
the  English.     In  less  than  three  years  the  British  flag  was  lowered. 
and  its  proud  defiant  folds  trailed  in  British  blood.*     Tlu'  conspi- 
racy of  Pontiac — greatest  of  the  Red  race,  in  genius,  force  of  char 
acter,  and  statesman-like  combination — had  done  its  work.    Niueof 
the  twelve  English  Forts  in  the  Northwest,  scattered  from  Pivsr,iii- 


*lt  was  about  the  period  of  thesu  stirring  chanjfus,  that  the  la'e  Miami  Chief  Ricliardvill<  i 
was  iiorii  utiilor  the  "  tlie  bi>;  apple  tree,"  standing  «ome  sixty  rods  from  the  supposed  site  i' 
this  old  Britisili  Fort.    This  tree  yt-t  stands,  connecting  the  memories  ol  the  past  teulury  ff:it 
the  present.     Its  circumference  is  eleven  feel.    We  need  not  (question  its  identity.    Thereart 
specimens  of  the  hardier  varieties  in  this  country  now  hearing  fruit  at  the  age  ol  150  to '.W  | 
years.     (See  Am.  Cyclopedia.) 


Fort  Wayne. 


hh 


Pl'"'^'  of  .  I.n.n^.,,,  .■on(.,„\;,;;7j';'   V,  ;'\"-',''''^«^'''  ^'•'"^•'ul  home  ,  „d 

iS  HH?iH  if s  sis5 

Si=f  :s^s  Itisa 

cutoff."      '^'^^^-^'"'^  J'ttle  army,  with  fen-  exce  ti     !         "*^-     ^» 

f  ^ctptiuns,  was  entirely 

2;-;  -'>i^^  were  copied  iZm^^'b^^^^';  '''''  ^^  --i^ 
^  he  following  r.r.rouoe  t.  the  n ,  .'r' ^"^  ^hich  con- 
^falm:  the  ill-considered    expedition   of 

SSi'l^-  ^^'^  W:?-r .;?  Ziir:-"-'  ^'-^  -^itated  an       ' 
■^"cc.;       ,  It      ''^^^•^'-  to  hav;  ala  do    .       '    -f  "^^  ^^^-^troit;    a^ 

l"f  the  LnveMvi  '  ^'^'''  "A  ^'"^  "^inclof  Clark   ''h'  •  ^  "^  ^^■'"''^ 


352 


LaBahCs  Unfortumite  Kxpedition. 


undertake  what  even  the  daring  Clark,  with  greiitcr  resources,  did 
not  deem  prudent  to  venture  upon.    This  was  LuHaltn.     But  of 
him  and  hi8  expedition,  it  nuiy  l>e  iiere  stated,  very  little  iiitbrrau- 
tioii,  ol'  an  entirely  autheniic  sh'i[)e,  is  within  our  reach.     Whatever 
may  he  given  in  this  hrief  sketch,  has  been  ohtauied  mostly  from 
some  of  those  who  were  in  piirt  eye-witnesses  to  the  events,  and  from 
tradition  as  handed  down  by  the  old  inhabitants.     LaHalm  was  a 
native  of  Fran  -e,  and  had  come  to  this  country  as  some  kind  ef  ;iii 
oflHcer,  with  the  French  troops,  uniler  fjaFayette,  in  I77i».     We  arc 
not  apprised  whether  he  came  to  the  West  on  his  own  resjwnsibility, 
or  whether  he  was  directed  by  some  authority;  but  we  find  him,  in 
the  Summer  of  17X0,  in  Kaskaskia,  raising  volunteers  to  form  mi 
expedition  against  the  [mst  of  Ke-ki-ong-a,  witii  the  ulterior  view, 
in  case  of  success,  of  extending  his  operations  against  the  fort  and 
towns  of  Detroit.     At  KaskasKia  he  succeeded  in   obtiiining  onlv 
between  twenty  and  thirty  men.     With  these  he  proceeded  to  Viii- 
cennes,  where  be  opened  a  recruiting  estal)lishnu'nt  for  th<!  purpose 
ot  raising  the  number  necessary  for  his  object.     Hut  he  does  not 
seem  to  have  been  met  here  with   the   favor  and  encouragement  ol' 
the  principal  inhabitants,  or  to  have  had  much  success  in  hisenliat- 
ment.     His  expedition  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  doubtful  propri- 
ety, both  as  to  its  means  and  objects,  and  it  met  with  the  encourage- 
ment, generally,  of  only  the  least  considerate.     Ue  conducted  his 
march  with  such  caution  and  celerity,  that  he  appeared  at  the  village 
of  Fort  Wayne  before  even  the  w.itchful  inhabitants  had  appreheml- 
ed  his  approach.     The  sudden  appearance  of  a  I'oe,  unknown  as  to 
numbers,  character  and  designs,  threw  them  into  the  greatest  alurm, 
and  they  fled  on   all  sides.     LaHalm  took   possession  of  the  place 
without  resistance.     It  was  })robably  his  intention,  in  imitation  of 
Clark's  capture  of  Kaskaskia,  to  take  the  village  and  its  inhabitant? 
by  surprise:    and  tlieii,  by  acts  and  professions  of  kindness  aihl 
friendship,  to  win  them  over  to  the  American  cause;  but  the  in- 
habitants, including  some  six  or  eight  French  traders,  totally  ehuled 
his  grasp,     llis  occupation  of  the  village  was  not  of  long  duration. 
After  remaining  a  short  time,  and  making  plunder  of  the  goods  of 
some   of   the  French  traders  and   Indians,  he  retired  to  new  \\v 
AI)oite  Creek,  near  the  point  where  the  Wabash  and  Erie  canal  now 
crosses  this  stream,  and  encani{)ed.   The  Indians,  having  soon  ascer- 
tained the  number  and  character  of  LaBalm's  forces,  and  learnin,? 
that  they  were  Frenchmen,  were  not  disposed  at  first  to  avenge  tlie 
attack;  but  of  the  traders  then  living  in  the  village,  there  were  tffd 
named  Beaubien  (who  married  the  chiefess,  widow  of  Joseph  Droiiet 
de  Riohardville,  and  motlier  of  the  late  chief  of  the  nation,  .losepli 
B.   Richardvillt.)  and   LaFountain,  (father  of  the  late  Miami  chief. 
FjaFountain,)  who,  nettled  and  injured  by  the  invasion  and  pliimKi 
of  the  place,  were  not  disposed  to   let  the  invaders  off  witlioui  ;i 
olow.    'L'hese  men,  having  incited  the  Indians  to  follow  and  attack 
LaBalm,  they  .soon  rallied  their  warriors  of  the  village  and  vicinity. 


LuBahi's  Unfortunate  Eccpeditimi. 


353 


rct'H,  tliil 
But,  (if 
iiit'ornw- 
iVliatt'Vfv 
illy  from 
and  I'rtim 
iin  was  II 
ind  (if  ;ui 
We  are 
onsihility. 
d  him,  111 
)  form  an 
>i'ior  view, 
0  lurtand 
ning  only 
'd  to  Viii- 
ic  juiriiosf 
i  does  not 
aj^nnont  of 
\  hi.H  enlist- 
ful  pvopri- 
encounigi.;- 
ulv\cted  his 
the  village 
npprelieiiil- 
iiown  as  to 

if  the  plrt"' 
niitationof 

linhiilntant? 
iidiiess  ami 
Dut  the  ill- 
ally  olmle^l 
r  dunitiou. 
Ru-  tjoods  of 
jo  near  thi' 
canal  mi« 
soon  ascer- 
d  learning 
avenge  tk 
L.  were  two 
U)h  DroiK^t 
lion,  .losepli 
iatni  chid. 
nd  pluinl*^^'' 
[•  without  ;i 
and  attack 
lad  vicinilV' 


under  the  h-ad  of  their  war  chief,  I  lie  rjilllc  Turtle,  and.  fulling'  iii)on 
them  in  Lhe.iii^'lit  linu-,  niiiH.sacrcd  Die  I'litire  party.  Not  one  is 
said  to  have  survived  to  relate  tlie  sud  story  of  llie  expedition. 

"Such  in  a  hrief  and  imperitcl  account  of  La  Halni'M  expedition, 
of  wliieh  so  little  is  known.  Jtnniy  not  liave  been  impelleil  by  the 
most  patriotic  motives,  nor  gnided  by  wise  counsels,  nor  attended 
with  results  especially  lu'oelicial  to  the  country  ;  yet,  as  an  intercHt- 
iiig  event,  connected  with  the  early  history  ol' the  country,  it  should 
be  preserved  from  the  oblivion  which  rests  u)ion  it." 

"The  sao^acions  mind  of  Washiii<,'ton,''  says  Air.  Williams,  "at  an 
parly  period,  lixed  upon  the  junction  of  the  St.  Mary's  and  the  St. 
Joseph's  as  ol  commandin^^  iinjioi  tance  for  a  stron;^  military  post." 
This  slatement  will  presently  be  fully  veiHied.  (See  ante.  i)p.  72 
and  74 1 . 

In  a  letter  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  written  in  1784,  Wiishington 
wrote:  "  Would  it  not,  be  worthy  of  the  wisdom  and  attention  of 
Congress  to  have  the  western  waters  well  exitlored,  the  navigation  of 
them  fully  ascertained  and  accurately  laid  down,  and  a  complete  and 
perfeet  map  made  of  the  country,  at  least  as  far  westerly  as  the  Mi- 
amis,  runnin<5  into  the  Ohio  and  Lake  Lrie,  and  to  .see  how  the 
waters  of  these  conimuiiicat(3  with  the  river  St.  Joseph,  which 
I'mptit'H  into  Lake  Miclii,i,Mn,  and  with  the  WaliashV  fori  cannot 
forbear  ob.sorving  that  the  Miami  \illa<fe,  |  now  Kort  Wayne  |,  points 
to  a  very  important  po.st  for  the  Union.'' — Uricc^s  llititory  ut  J'ort 
Wiujnc^  piujc  1 09. 

In  the  Indiana  war  in  the  West,  the  Miamis  were  the  principal 
central  iiower,  Uccmpyin^^,  (.says  Mr.  11.  K.  Schoolcraft),  with  their 
confederate.s,  the  valleys  of  the  Wabash  and  the  Miami  of  the  Lakes, 
they  stretched,  like  an  impassible  line,  between  fjake  Erie  and  the 
lower  Ohio.  They  wore  a  complete  bar  to  the  onttrpri.se  and  settle- 
ment of  the  West.  The  outrages  they,  in  connection  with  the 
Shawanee.s  and  Dtdawares  committed,  and  the  threatening  aspect 
they  assumed,  led  eventually  to  the  )narch,  at  sei)arate  periods,  of 
General  Harmar,  General  St.  Clair  and  (Jeneral  Wayne.  In  the 
American  State  Paj)ers  apj)ears  a  letter  of  Governor  St.  Clair,  dated 
New  York,  August  23,  1790,  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of  ^Var, 
in  which  the  following  Ls  given  as  the  motive  of  em])loying  the  mil- 
itary force  of  the  lirst  cami)aigu  : 

"Three  hundred  of  the  militia  of  Virginia  are  to  rendezvous  at 
Fort  Steuben,  and,  with  the  garrison  of  that  fort,  to  niarch  to  Post 
!5t  Vincennes  and  join  Major  Hamtramck  ;  the  remaining  twelve 
hundred  of  the  militia  to  assemide  at  Kort  Washington,  und(  r  the 
orders  of  (ieneral  llarnnir,  which,  with  the  troops  to  be  collected 
there,  will  form  a  body  of  lifteen  hundred  ;  these  are  intended  to 
march  directly  across  the  country  to  the  Miami  village  (Fort  Wayne) 

23 


354 


Fort  Wayne— ll'dO. 


while  Major  Hanitramck  moves  up  the  Wabash  to  attack  any  of  the 
vi Mages  oq  that  river  to  which  his  force  may  be  equal." 

General  Knox,  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  a  communication  dated 
September  \,  171)0,  (liscu8.scs  the  military  importance  of  the  esthb- 
lishment  of  a  strong  garrison  •'  at  the  Miami  village,  (Fort  Wayne), 
in  the  heart  of  the  Indian  country.''  And,  in  a  report  dated  Decem- 
ber 26,  17U1,  •'  tie  great  object"  of  the  second  military  expedition 
under  (;ommand  of  Generil  St.  Clair,  is  si't  forth  in  language  yet 
more  '  .plicil : 

"  It  will  ai)pear,  by  re'''rence  to  report  A,  which  acccupanies  this 
iv[»i)rt,  Ihiit  the  great  oliji-et,  of  the  late  campaign  was  to  establish  a 
strong  military  post  at  the  Miami  village,  lying  upon  the  river  of 
that  name,  which  comniiinieatt's  with  Lake  Erie;  and  that  subordi- 
nate posts  were  also  to  In'  erected,  as  well  on  the  Wabash  as  on  the 
said  river  Miami. 

''That,  l>y  un  examination  of  the  position  of  said  Miami  village, 
and  its  contiguity  to,  or  cuniiexion  with,  the  waters  of  the  river  St, 
.Josephs  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  the  river  Illinois,  and  therei)y  the 
Mississippi;  the  Wiibash  and  thereby  with  the  Ohio;  the  Miami  ami 
therel)y  Lake  Erie;  its  short  distance  IVom  the  Miiimi  of  the  Ohio, 
which,  at  times,  n my  afford  considerable  facility  to  transportation; 
•it  will  appear  that  tiie  saitl  position,  with  its  projjcr  conununioa- 
tions,  is  greatly  superior  to  any  otlier,  in  order  to  serve  as  a  barrier 
to  protect  essentially  a  frontier  of  upwards  of  eleven  hundred  miles, 
stretching  fri^m  the  upper  parts  of  the  Alleghany  to  the  lower  parts 
of  the  Ohio. 

"  That  it  was  intended  to  garrison  the  said  post  at  the  Miami 
village,  and  its  communications,  Avith  one  thousand  or  twelve  hun- 
dred troo[)S,  and  have  it  ulways  well  stored  with  ])rovisions,  etc. 
Tbat,  from  the  said  number,  a  detachment  generally  might  be  spared 
of  sufficient  nn^gnitude  te  chastise  any  of  the  neighboring  villages 
or  tribes,  sei)arately,  who  might  iiave  dared  to  commit  de})redations; 
or  be  a  jdace  t()  which  muunted  n.Miitia  might  snddenly  repair,  draw 
sui)plies,  and  act  in  conjanetion,  in  case  of  a  combination  of  the  sev- 
eral towns  or  tribes  in  acts  of  hostility. 

"  Although  the  ])recise  numner  in  which  the  force  to  be  raifeJ 
should  be  employed,  cannot  be  pointed  out  with  proi)riety  at  tlii! 
time,  as  it  will  depend  on  the  circumstances  of  the  moment;  yet  it 
woUid  not  be  ini])roper  to  observe,  that,  upon  a  review  of  the  objects 
of  the  late  cam jtaign,  to-wit:  The  establishment  of  a  stro.ig  niili 
tary  post  at  the  Miami  villag.;,  (junction  of  the  St.  Mary's  and  St. 
.Iose|)li's,)  with  the  necessary  i>o,sts  of  communication,  the  ncci'ssitv 
and  propriety  thereof  remain  the  same:  that  this  necessity  will  proli- 
al)!y  continue  until  we  shall  be  possessed  of  the  posts  Vipoii  b:il"' 
Miehigan.  Detroit  and  N  iagara,  withheld  from  us  by  (Jreat  Britaii. 
c -ntrary  to  treaty.     Without  remarking  upon  the  principles  uf  this 


Fort  TF«?/w^— 1794-95. 


356 


y  of  the 

oil  dated 
le  estab- 
Wayne), 
1  Decern- 
xpeditiou 
^uage  yet 

nuiies  this 
istablish  u 
\e  river  ot 
,t  snbordi- 
iis  oil  the 

imi  villagi', 

he  river  St, 

;,herel»y  the 
Miami  ami 

,t'  the  Ohio, 

jsportation; 

!ommuiiii^^i'- 

118  a  barrier 
dri'd  miles, 
lower  parts 

the  Miami 

welve  hull- 
ivisiovis,  etc. 
|ht  be  spared 

•ing  villagf^ 
icpredationf. 

•epair,  draff 
111  of  the  sev- 

|to  be  raised 
Iriety  at  thii 
Inent;  yet  it 
the  objects 
stro-ig  null 
ly's  and  !"■ 
he  nfc>-^»ity 
it-v  will  pro)- 
,  "upon  I'lil*'' 
IreatUri'f' 
iples  of  tl»= 


coiuhicl,  it  may  bo  observed  (i^enevally  Uiat  every  arraiigoinent  in  the 
power  id'  the  Uiiited  States,  for  e,stal)lishiii<f  tlie  tranf|uility  of  the 
frontiers,  will  be  inferior  to  the  possession  of  said  posti*.  That  it  is, 
however,  eon8i(hM-ed,  that  if  the  said  i)o.sis  weu;  in  our  possession,  we 
ought,  also  to  have  a  strong  jiost  at  I  lie  Miami  village,  in  order  to 
render  the  protection  eifectnal,  and  that  the  posts  above  mentioned 
will  ie(juire  garrisons  whensoever  they  shall  be  given  up." 

Ill  his  oilieial  rejjort  to  the  War  l)epartment,  communicating  the 
particulars  oi"  the  victory  at  the  foot  of  the  i'a])ids,  dated  "Head" 
(.luarters,  Grand  Glaize,  (Defiance,)  28rh  August,  1794,"  General 
Wayne  says:  "  In  liie  interior  we  shall  improve  Fort  Defiance,  and 
as  soon  as  the  escort  returns  with  the  n.-^cessary  supplies  from  Green- 
ville and  Fort  Recovery,  the  army  will  pidceed  to  the  Miami  village, 
(Fort  Wiiyue.)  in  order  to  accomplish  the  object  of  the  campaign." 
A  careful  analysis  of  the  above  quotations  will  show  the  import- 
unci',  in  a  military  sense,  attached  to  this  point  by  General  Washing- 
ton's administration,  and  they  also  dimly  pre-ligurea  just  coniK^ptiou 
of  its  future  commercial  value. 

This  Indian  capital,  at  the  junction  of  the  .St.  Mary's  and  ai. 
Joseph's  rivers,  was  the  al)ode  of  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  confeder- 
ated tribes,  and  their  reluctance  in  yielding  its  poasession  to  the  govern- 
raeat  of  the  United  States  was  illustrated,  as  hitherto  stated,  in  the 
cumluot  of  Little  Turtle  during  the  negotations  of  the  treaty  of 
Kflo.  Ill  tiuitcontes!  at  (ireeiiville,  there  met  two  diplomali.^t.s — 
Gt'iieral  Wayne,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  and  Little  Turi.le, 
on  behalf  oi  the  Indian  confederacy — who  would  have  been  enabled 
to  cope  with  the  most  sagacious  State  minister  of  a  Furopean  court. 
The  cuun(!il  commenced  its  session  on  the  I6tli  ilay  of  June,  and 
the  treaty  was  signed  on  the  3d  and  exchanged  on  the  7tli  of  August. 
Tbe  time  occujjied  would  have  been  considerably  abridged  had  it 
not  been  for  the  obstacles  interposed  by  Little  Turtle,  the  master 
spirit  on  the  jiart  of  the  Indians,  whose  chief  point  was  to  retain 
partial,  if  not  full  possession  of  his  "  glorious  gate,"'  at  Fort  Wayne. 
Till' other  chiels,  many  of  whom,  in  the  discus-;ion,  gave  evidence  of 
the  possession  ol  much  wisdom  and  elo<pieuce,  early  in  the  negotia- 
tions evinced  a  disposition  to  readily  asseiit  to  all  the  terms  piv.-^crib- 
ed  by  the  commissioner  of  the  United  States.  This  entire  discussion 
is  of  (lei'p  intei'i'st.  l)ut  only  that  |)»rtioii  of  it  which  rolate.-;  espec- 
uilly  to  the  ui'gotatious  affecting  the  title  to  Fort  Wayne  are  given. 
Inivplv  to  a  siieech  of  Little  Turtle,  General  Wayne  said,  in  his 
address  before  the  council  held  on  the  '^'•tiii  of  .lulv: 


356 


liovt  Wayne — Little  lurtle. 


"I  havo  paid  iittontioii  to  wliat  Little  Turtle  said  two  days  since 
concern iiig  tlie  lands  wiii(;h  lie  claims,  lie  said  his  lathers  lirst 
kindled  the  lires  at  Detroit,  and  stretched  his  lines  from  thence  to 
the  head  waters  of  the  Sciota  ;  thence,  down  the  same,  to  the  Ohio; 
thence,  down  that  river,  to  the  month  of  the  Wabash  ;  and  fruiii 
thence  to  Chicago,  on  the  sontliwest  end  of  Lake  Michi<fan  ;  iind 
observed  that  his  forefathers  had  enjoyed  that  country  from  time 
immemorial. 

"These  boiuidaries  enclose  a  very  large  space  of  country  indeed; 
they  enil)race,  if  I  mistake  not,  all  the  lands  on  which  all  the  nations 
now  pi'eseut  live,  as  well  as  those  which  have  ])een  ceded  to  llio 
United  States.  *  *  *  The  Little  Turtle  says,  the  ])rint3 
of  his  forefather's  houses  are  everywhere  to  be  seen  within  tlieso 
boundaries.  Younger  In'other,  it  is  true,  these  prints  are  to  be  ol> 
serv  1;  but,  at  the  same  time,  we  discover  the  marks  of  French 
possessions  throughout  this  country,  Avhich  were  established  loii<r 
before  we  were  boi'n. 

"  I  will  point  out  to  you  a  few  rlaces  where  I  discover  strong 
traces  of  these  establishments;  and  lirst  of  all,  I  find  at  Detroit  :i 
very  strong  print,  where  the  lire  was  first  kindled  by  your  Ibic- 
fathers;  next  at  Vincennes,  on  the  Wabash;  again  at  Musfpiitou, 
on  the  same  river;  a  little  higher  up  that  stream,  they  are  to  be  seen 
at  Onitanon  ;  I  discover  a)iot,her  strong  trace  at  Chicago  ;  anotlieroii 
the  banks  of  the  St.  Josephs  of  Lake  Michigan.  I  have  seen  dis- 
tinctly the  prints  of  a  French  and  of  a  British  post  at  the  Miami 
villages,  [Fort  V'lyne,]  and  of  a  British  post  at  the  rapids,  now  in 
their  possession*" 

At  the  Council  on  the  2?th  of  July,  after  a  general  acquiesceiifi 
to  the  terms  of  the  treaty  had  been  given  by  the  other  chiefs,  Little 
Turtle  arose  and  said : 

"  Listen  you,  chiefs  and  warriors,  to  what  I  am  about  to  say  to 
you;  to  you  I  am  speuking.  We  ha  -e  heard  what  our  elder  brotlier 
has  said  to  us  this  day.  I  expected  to  have  heard  him  deliver  those 
words  ever  since  we  have  been  here,  for  which  reason  I  observor]  you 
were  precipitate  on  your  part.  This  is  a  business  of  the  greiittit 
consequence  to  us  all ;  it  is  an  affair  to  which  no  one  among  us  ciii! 
give  an  answer.  Therefore,  I  hope  we  will  take  time  to  consider tlie 
subject,  that  we  will  unite  in  vinion,  and  express  it  unanimoiisk 
Perhaps  our  brothers,  the  Shawanese,  from  Detroit,  may  arrive  in 
time  to  give  us  their  assistance.  You,  chiefs  present,  are  men  of  spii;e 
and  understanding;  this  occasion  calls  for  your  serious  delilteration. 
and  you,  my  uncles,  the  Wyandots,  and  grandfathers,  the  Delawate 
view  our  situation  in  its  true  point  of  consideration." 

In  the  discussion  on  the  day  following,  (July  28,)  the  New  Gto 
a  Pottawattamie  i;hief,  growing  impatient  at  the  delay,  exclaimed 
"Why  do  you  hesitate  ?     You  know  good  works  are  always  better,! 


,y8  since 
lers  th'sl 
hence  to 
lie  Ohio ; 
md  iVom 
ran  -.  iiud 
I'oui  time 

y  iudet'd; 
le  nations 
led  to  tiio 
the  \)rint3 
thin  these 
;  to  l5C  ob- 
of  French 
l\s\\ed  long 

avcv  strong 
,t  Detroit  a 
r  your  fovc" 
Mus<iuitou, 
i-e  to  be  seen 
;  anotlier  on 
iivc  seen  dis- 
„  the  Miami 
Yids,  now  111 


H 

D- 

« 

7: 

e* 

E 

C 

- 

J2 

K 

c 

tz 

3     V.       5 

Hi    S: 

I     1 


<       -+ 


acciuiescence 
Icliiefs,  Lit* 

|)ut  to  say  to 

[elder  brotliei 

1  deliver  thos 

1  observod  yo^ 

the  greatest 

Uong  us  can 

f)  consitlcvtM 

Inay  arrive  w 
I  nieu  of  seu^ 
|s  deliberatio'"  I 
Ihe  Dela\vai'«' 


=  ^ 


C5 


»      - 


r.     // 


'I     r 


11,  (;  New  tori" 
oxclaiwedi 

always^'*''' 


wliei 
and 

Tc 

pt'Cill 

wJiici 

At 

Little 
«'!' 

Detro 
-tliiil 

iO  OU'l 

I'rom  t 

ci'S,  till 

from  II 

"111 

I  he  Wi 

U'o  thii 

rtl.     W 

river  w] 
mliiibit 
niierevc 
;mce  of 

liitiicrs, 
'('111!!  ear 
sistence  i 
ill  the  CO 
lis  both 
alFords." 

Ill  his 

"Kind 

The  Litfci 

lliat  placu 

tlmt  point 

^t.  Mary's 

I 's  ever  ;m 

'  groiiiul  an 

nilo  as  we] 

„"  Object 
^'^"•1,  Way, 
fliat  that  r 

I  ''''^S  hereto 
j*so;  but 

I  it  IS  true 


Fort  Wayne — lAitle  Turtle. 


857 


when  oxecutod  witli  decision.     I  now  enfcrwit  you  all  to  join  li:ind 
and  iic'iirt,  and  finisli  this  good  work  with  our  older  brotlicr." 

To  tliis  Little  Turtle  replied: 

"All  you  present  must  know  that  every  kind  of  business.,  es- 
pecially such  as  we  are  at  present  enj^aged  in,  exhibits  difficulties 
which  require  patience  to  remove,  and  consideration  to  adjust." 

At  the  council  on  the  29th  of  July,  addressing  General  Wayne, 
Little  Turtle  said : 

"These  ])cople  [the  French]  were  seen  by  our  foreft'thors  first  at 
Detroit:  afterwards  we  saw  them  at  the  Miami  village  [Fort  Wayne] 
—that  glorious  gate  which  your  younger  brothers  had  the  happiness 
to  own,  and  through  which  all  the  words  of  our  chiefs  had  to  pass, 
from  the  north  to  the  south,  and  from  the  east  to  the  west.  Broth- 
ers, these  people  never  told  us  they  wished  to  purchase  these  lands 
from  us. 

"I  now  give  you  the  true  sentiments  of  your  younger  brothers, 
the  Miiunis,  with  respect  to  the  reservation  at  the  Miami  villages. 
We  thank  you  for  kindly  contracting  the  limits  you  at  first  propos- 
ed. We  wish  you  to  take  this  six  mile  s(iuare  on  the  side  of  the 
river  where  your  fort  now  stands,  as  your  younger  brothers  wish  to 
inliabit  that  beloved  spot  again.  You  shall  cut  liay  for  your  cattle 
wherever  you  please,  and  you  shall  never  require  in  vain  the  assist- 
ance of  your  younger  brothers  at  that  place. 

'•The  next  ])lace  you  pointed  to,  was  the  Little  river,  and  said  you 
wanted  two  miles  sqiuire  at  that  place.  This  is  a  request  that  our 
fathers,  the  French  or  British,  never  made  us ;  it  was  always  ours. 
This  carrying  place  has  heretofore  proved,  in  a  great  degree,  the  sub- 
sistence of  \  ;ur  younger  brothers.  That  i)lace  has  brought  to  us, 
in  ll>e  course  of  one  day,  the  amount  of  one  hundred  dollars.  Let 
us  both  own  this  place,  and  enioy  in  common  the  advantages  it 

In  his  reply,  General  Wayne  used  the  following  language: 

"I  tiud  there  is  some  objection  to  the  reservation  at  Fm-t  Wayne. 
The  Little  Turtle  observes,  he  never  heard  of  any  cessions  made  at 
that  place  to  the  French.  I  have  tracfnl  the  lines  of  two  forts  at 
that  point;  one  stood  at  the  junction  of  the  St.  Joseph's  with  the 
St.  Mary's,  and  the  other  not  far  removed  on  the  St.  Mary's,  and  it 
IS  ever  an  established  rule,  among  the  Europeans,  to  reserve  as  much 
ground  around  their  forts,  as  their  cannon  can  command.  This  is  a 
rule  as  well  known  as  any  other  fact. 

"Objeetion  has  also  been  made  respecting  the  ])ortage  between 
I'ort  Wayne  and  the  Little  river;  and  the  reo,sons  i)rocluced,  are, 
that  that  road  ht's  been  to  the  Miamis  a  source  of  wealth  ;  that  it 
MS,  herotolbre,  produced  them  one  hundred  dollars  |n.'r  day.  Itniay 
I'i^^so;  but  let  us  iiKpiire  who,  in  fact,  paid  this  heavy  contribution? 
I"  is  true  the  traders  bear  it  in  the  Grst  instance;  but  they  laid  it 


358 


Fort  Wdf/ne — Little  Turtle. 


on  their  fi;ooilH,  and  the  FntliiUis  oC  tlx'  Wahasli  r<  ally,  ami  fiiiallv, 
paid  it;  tlitTcluiv,  it  is  tin'  Little  Boavir,  ilio  i^oKlitT,  the  ^  tin,  and 
their  tribes,  who  have  uctually  been  so  highly  taxed." 

At  a  private  cunierence,  on  the  l:ith  Au<;uMt  (aller  the  treaty  had 
been  signed  and  exchanged),  with  tlie  Miamis,  Kel  river  and  Kick- 
apoo  Indiana,  the  liittle  Turtle,  in  the  name  of  the  others,  observed 
that,  as  they  intended  soon  to  dejuirt,  and  return  to  their  respective 
homes,  he  took  tlie  opi)(»rtunity  of  re[)eating  to  the  General  that  he, 
himself,  and  the  Indians  with  him,  were  pi-rfectly  aeciuainted  with 
every  article  of  the  treaty ;  that  no  part  of  it  had  escaped  their 
seriovs  and  anxious  di'liberation  ;  that,  in  the  early  stage  of  the  in- 
gotiation,  he  had  not  compn'heiuled  the  nioderalion  and  liberality 
with  which  he  is  now  convinced  it  is  diclaled;  that,  to  this  causLs 
and  to  a  duty  which  he  conceives  he  owes  his  country,  must  be 
attributed  the  opposition  he  exhibited  on  sundry  occasions;  that  lie 
was  persuaded  his  Father  would  not  think  unkindly  of  him  for  it: 
for  he  had  heard  him,  with  much  plea.-un .  approve  of  the  freedom 
with  which  he  delivered  his  sentiments:  that  he  was  a  man  who 
spoko  as  he  thought,  and  a  nian  of  sincerity:  and  that  he  emln-aced 
this  last  occasion  to  declare  that,  as  he  was  fully  convinced  that  the 
treaty  was  wisely  and  benevolently  calculated  to  promote  the  mu- 
tual interest,  and  insure  the  iiermanenl  happiness  of  the  Imlianv 
and  their  Father,  ti)e  Americans;  so  it  u;:s  his  determined  resolii 
tion  to  adhere  religiously  to  its  8tipulati(ui8.  He  asked  for  trader? 
to  reside  at  their  different  villages,  and  mentioned  the  iiamea  of 
some,  who,  for  the  confidence  he  had  in  their  integrity,  they  wish»d 
might  he  licensed,  and  continued  by  th<'  United  States,  as  trader? 
among  them  :  he  hoped  (the  Weeas  particularly,)  t.haf  a  fort  would 
be  immediately  established  at  Oniaiaiion  ;  and  |)romised  every  as- 
sistance which  they  could  atTord  to  the  establ'shuient ;  that  he.  him- 
self, would  reside  near  Fort  Wayne,  where  daily  experience  should 
convince  nis  Father  of  his  sincere  friendship:  aiul  that,  a^  he  in- 
tended to  re-kindle  the  grand  council  fire  at  that  place,  by  means  of 
which  the  different  nations  might  conimuniciiie  with  each  othpi"  :is 
usual,  he  requested  his  Father  to  give  orders  to  the  com  man  dun  t  ai 
Fort  Wayne,  to  inform  hira,  from  time  to  time,  tjf  any  ineasnitj 
which  the  great  council  of  the  Fifteen  Fires  might  adopt,  in  which 
the  interest  of  their  children  should  be  concerned:  and  that  Mr. 
Wells  might  be  placed  there  as  a  resident  interpreter,  as  he  possessen 
their  confidence  as  fully  as  he  did  that  of  their  Father. 


dpi^  ^ 


Fort  Wayne—Imliiiii  Trcui'i  of  ISOS.  ;i50 


Tho  noxt  ami  flnal  ap})L'arance  of  Little  Turtle  in  tlu'  Ik-Id  ol' 

(liploinacy,  was  at  the  Convention  lnOd   at  Fort  Wayne,  Juno    7, 

1803.    The  follcwing  are  the 

AimcLKS  of  !i  Treaty  made  at  Fort  Wiync  "u  the  jMiaiiii  of  tlu;  Liikw,  lii.'- 
twccn  William  Henry  Harrison,  Governor  of  the  Iinliaii  Territory,  snperin- 
tcndcnt  of  Indian  atfairs,  ami  commissioner  plenipi.tentiary  of  the  United 
Slates  for  coneludinu;  any  treaty  or  treaties  v.'iiich  miy  be  found  necessary 
with  any  of  tlie  Indian  tribes  north  west  of  tiie  Ohio,  of  the  one  part,  anil 
tije  tribes  of  Indians  called  tin;  Delawares,  Shawanoes,  Polawatimies,  Mi- 
amis  and  Kickapoos,  by  their  chiefs  and  head  warriors,  and  those  of  the 
Eel  river,  Weeas,  Piankashaws  and  Kaskaskias,  by  their  aiicnts  and  repre- 
sentatives Tuthinipee,  Winnemac,  Hieherville  and  Little  Turtle  (who  are 
properly  autliorized  by  the  said  tribes)  of  the  other  part. 

Article  I.  Wlicrcas,  it  is  decliircd  by  the  fourth  article  of  the 
treaty  of  Greenville,  that  the  United  Slates  reserve  for  their  use  the 
post  of  St.  Vincennes  and  all  the  lands  adjacent  to  which  the  Indian 
titles  had  been  extinguished  :  And  v/iorrK.s,  it  has  been  foutid  diili- 
cnlt  to  determine  the  precise  limit  of  said  tract  as  held  by  the  French 
iintl  Hritish  governments  ;  it  is  hereby  agreed  that  the  l)oundaries  of 
the  said  tract-  shall  be  as  follow  :  Beginning  at  Point  Coupee  on  the 
Wabiish,  and  running  thence  by  a  line  ni^rlh  seventy-eight  degrees, 
west  twelve  miles  ;  thence  by  a  line  parallel  to  the  general  course  of 
the  Wabash,  until  it  shall  be  mtersected  by  a  line  at  right  angles 
tD  the  same,  passing  through  the  moutii  of  White  river;  thence  l)y 
the  last  mentioned  line  across  the  Wabash  and  towards  the  Ohio, 
seventy  two  miles;  thence  by  a  line  north  twelve  degrees  AvesI,  until 
it  shall  be  intersected  by  a  line  at  right  angles  to  the  same,  passing 
flirougli  Point  Coupee,  and  by  the  last  mentioned  line  to  the  place 
of  hegiiuiing. 

Akt.  II.  The  United  States  hereby  relinquish  all  claim  which 
they  may  have  had  to  any  lands  adjoining  to  or  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  tract  above  described. 

Ai{T.  III.  As  a  mark  of  their  regard  and  attachment  to  the 
United  States,  whom  they  acknowledge  for  their  only  friends  and 
protectors,  and  for  the  consideration  hereinafter  mentioned,  the  said 
trilies  do  hereby  relinquish  and  cede  to  the  United  States  the  great 
suit  spring  upon  the  Saline  creek  which  falls  into  the  Ohio  below 
the  mouth  of  the  Wabash,  with  a  (niar.tity  of  land  surrounding  it 
not  exceeding  four  miles  square,  and  which  may  be  laid  ofl'  in  a 
sqtiare  or  oljlong  as  the  one  or  the  other  may  be  found  most  conven 
ient  to  the  United  States:  And  the  said  United  States  being  desi- 
rous that  the  Indian  tribes  should  participate  in  the  benetits  to  be 
derived  from  the  said  spring,  herei)y  enixage  to  deliver  yearly  and 
'■very  year  for  the  use  of  said  Indians,  a  cpiantity  of  salt  not  exceed- 
ing one  hundred  and  fifty  bnshels,  and  which  shall  be  divided  among 
rh'^  Several  tribes  in  such  manner  as  the  general  council  of  the  chiefs 
may  determine. 

Art.  IV.  For  the  considerations  before  mentioned,  und  for  the 
convenience  which  ihe  said  tribes  will  themselves  derive  from  such 


360 


Fort  Wayne— Indian  Treat  ij  of  1803. 


establisliiiu'iUs,  it  is  hereby  a<,'ivi'(l  llmt;is  soon  iis  the  Irilfs  callod 
Kiokiipoos,  Fiul  river,  Wt'OiW,  Piiinkii.sliiiw.s  uiid  Kjiskii^kiiLs  shall  give 
their  eonsent  to  the  iiieusiire,  the  United  States  sliall  have  the  right 
ol'  looutiiii;  throe  truels  of  IjiiuI  (of  siteh  size  as  may  l)e  agreed  upon 
with  the  hist  mentioned  tribes)  on  the  main  road  between  Vincennes 
and  Kaskaskias,  and  one  oilier  between  V^inceimes  and  (Jlarksville, 
I'or  the  piiri)ose  of  ereetinp;  houses  ol'  (jntertainment  for  the  accom- 
modation of  travellers,  liiit  it  is  expressly  umlerstood  that  it'  the 
said  locations  are  made  on  any  of  the  rivers  which  croas  the  said 
road,  and  ferries  should  be  established  on  the  same,  that  in  times  of 
high  water  any  Indian  or  Indians  belonging  to  either  of  the  tribes 
who  are  parties  to  this  treaty  shall  have  fcho  privilege  of  crossing 
such  ferry  toll  free. 

Art.  V.  Whereas,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that,  if  tiie  boundary 
lines  of  the  tn^t  described  in  the  first  articde  should  be  run  in  the 
manner  therein  directed,  that  some  of  the  settlenu'uts  and  locations 
of  land  made  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  will  fail  in  the 
Indian  country — It  is  hereby  agreed  that  such  alterations  shall  be 
made  in  the  direction  of  these  lini-s  as  will  include  them  ;  and  a 
({uantity  of  land  e([ual  in  duality  to  what  may  be  thus  taken  shall 
be  given  to  the  said  tribes  either  at  the  east  or  the  west  end  of  the. 
tract. 

In  TESTi.NfONY  wjiKRKOi',  I'lic  Commissioner  of  the  United  Statis 
and  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Delawares,  Shawanoes,  Potawat- 
imies,  Miamis  and  Kicka])ooH.  and  those  of  the  Kel  river,  Woeus, 
Piankashaws,  and  Kaskaskias.  l)y  iheir  agents  and  representatives, 
Tuthinipee,  Winnemac,  Richerville,  and  the  Little  Turtle,  who  are 
properly  authorized  by  the  said  tribes,  have  hereunto  subscribed 
iheir  names  ami  alUxeil  their  seals  at  Fort  Wayne,  this  seventh  day 
of  June,  A.  D.,  180;5,  ami  of  the  Imlependence  of  the  United  States, 
the  twenty-seventh. 

WILLIAM  IIENKY  HARRISON. 

Miamies. 


Eicherville 

Me-she-kun-nogh-f|Uoh 
(or  Little  Turtle.) 


On  behalf  ol  themselves  atui  Eel  river, 
We(>as,  Piankashaws  and  Kaskaskias, 
whom  they  represent. 

Kickapooi<. 

Nah-mah-to-hah,  (or  standing,)  Pas-she-we-hah,  (or  cat.) 

Shawanoese. 

JS'EAHMBMICEII. 

Pottaiuattomies. 

m   ;,  ■    •        )  On    behalf  of  the  Pottawattomies  and  Eel    River, 
lutninipee,  [  s^  Pinkashaws   and  Kaskaskias,   whom  they 

Winnemac.  i  '    ,  ' 

)  represent. 

Wanaangsea,  or  Five  Medals  ;  Keesas  (or  Sun.) 


]^ort  Wayne—Indian  Tmtty  of  1803.  3fil 


?  calkil 
all  give 
10  right 
'd  upon 
ncennos 
rksville, 
accom- 
it  if  the 
the  said 
times  of 
le  tribes 
crossing 

(oiuuliirv 
111  in  tlie 
location^ 
ill  ill  llie 
sluill  be 
1 ;  uud  a 
ken  shiill 
ul  ui'  the 

ted  States 
Totawat- 
-r.  Weeas, 
iMitatives. 
,  who  are 
uhscribed 
eiith  day 
,t'(.l  States, 

;i;isoN. 


lEel  river, 
Iciskaskias, 


Hockitijifpomskcnn, 
Koclikuwhiiiuuid. 


lei    River. 
10  m  they 


Delnwarcs. 

Tola  !?u.\ike, 
Hii-Kon-igo-lielas, 

Shawanoese, 

Cu-the-we-ka-Siiw,  (or  Black  Hoof,)  Mcthawnasico. 

Sifjiied,  sealed  and  delivered  in  the  [)re.s(Mice  of  John  Itice  Jones, 
Secretary  of  the  Commissioner  ;  Joiin  (lihsoii,  Secretary  of  Indian 
Territory;  Thomas  Pasterrs,  Capt.  lirst  re<riment  Infantry  ;  Wm. 
Wells,  Interpreter ;  John  Johnston,  United  Status  Factor ,  llend- 
ricii  Aiipanmert,  chief  of  Muhhecon  ;  Thomas  Freeman. 
The  proceedings  at  the  witliin  treaty  were  faithl'nlly  interjireted 
by  us,  John  (lihson  and  William  Wells  ;  that  is,  for  the  Delawares, 
John  Gibson  ;  and  for  the  rest  of  the  trihes,  William  Wells. 

John  (Jihsox, 
William  Wells. 

To  the  Indian  names  are  subjoined  a  marked  seal. 

The  chief,  Little  Turtle,  was  the  leader  who  had  overthrown  tho 
Federal  armies  in  the  expeditions  of  17!)0  and  1791,  and  which  had 
struck  with  dismay  and  terror  the  white  inhabitants  of  the  exposed 
frontiers.  His  natural  statesmanship  was  illustrated  at  Greenville. 
On  that  occasion  the  double  task  involved  upon  him  to  deal  with 
and  control  his  confederate  chiefs,  aiul  at  the  same  time  cope  with 
Anthony  Wayne.  Although  environed  by  these  perplexities,  he 
passL'd  the  ordeal,  and  carried  oil*  honors  only  second  to  those  which 
fell  upon  the  representative  of  Washington's  administration,  lie 
was  surely  a  man  endowed  by  nature  with  remarkable  gifts.  In  the 
third  cainjiaign  he  met  his  superior  in  the  inxincible  "Mad 
Anthony,"  and  him  he  had  to  confront  in  the  peaceful  treaty  ground 
at  Greenville.  Regarding  him,  Mr.  Williams  thus  nuikes  mention 
in  the  lecture  (page  Ifi,)  above  referred  to : 

"Of  Little  Turtle,  Col.  Johnston  writes:     "  Meshekunnaghquoh, 

or  the  Little  Turtle,  was  of  mixed  blood,  half  Mohican,  half  Miami. 

*        *         *         *         1  knew   him  intimately — the  gentleman 

of  his  race.    lie  died  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  was  buried  as  he  deserved, 

bv  the  commandinjr  officer,  with  all  the  honors  of  war  due  to  his  high 

laracter  and  rank,"  With  great  propriety,  the  spot  which  he  so 
i  bravely  defended  against  Ilarniar,  in  1790,  was  selected  as  his  burial 
I  place." 

The  successor  to  Little  Turtle  was  "  Peshkewah,"  or  as  his  name 
j  IS  signed  in  the   treaty  of  1803,  just  copied,  "  Richerville,"  or,  as 
more  familiarly  known  to  the  pioneers  of  the  Maumee  and  Wabash 
valleys,  John  B.  Richardsville. 


362 


Fort  Wayne — John  B.  JiichardviUe. 


From  the  (Iiilc  of  tlu'  treiity  of  Greenville,  the  Miiimis  renmiiied  at 
pciice  witli  the  United  Stiites,  llmilly  realiziiif^,  from  the  Siile  of  their 
fertile  liin'ls,  much  more  thiin  all  the  aviiils  of  their  furs  cuuld  hiivo, 
under  any  possible  supposition  been  worth.  Afh  r  the  death  (if 
Little  Turtle,*  who  had  been  their  counsellor,  leader,  and  war 
eai)tain,  ante  and  post-revolutionary,  the  chieftainehip,  being  in  the 
female  line,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Peslikewah,  or  the  Tiyrx,  a  nmn 
betti'r  known  on  the  frontiers  as  John  B.  Richanlsville.  Inheriting 
French  bloud,  of  the  Metiff  cast,  from  the  father's  side,  he  was  a  nmn 
well  adapted  to  conduct  the  affairs  of  the  Miamis  during  this  peculiar 
l)eriod.  Putting  forth  high  powers  as  tiie  Governor  of  a  numerous 
tribe,  who  had  a  reputation  for  their  warlike  (|ualities,  and  with  a 
strong  feeling  of  self-interest,  he  secured  the  best  terms  in  everv 
negotation,  enriching  greatly  both  his  tribe  and  himself. 

Agreeably  to  tradition,  Peshkewah  was  born  within  tlie  present 
limits  of  Fort  Wayne,  about  1701.  This  was  locally  the  period  of 
the  Pontiac  war,  in  whicli  the  western'  tril)e8  followed  tlie  lend  (if 
of  that  energetic  and  intreprid  Algonquin,  in  resisting  the  trail sfiT 
of  authority  from  the  French  to  the  English  power,  lie  was  too 
young  for  any  agency  in  this  war,  ami  the  event  has  no  further  con- 
nection with  the  man  than  as  it  introduced  him  and  his  people  to  a 
new  phasis  of  histoi'y.  Braddock  had  !)ecn  defeated  in  1755, 
Quebec  surrendered  in  175!> ;  and  by  the  treaty  which  followed, 
Fnuice  forever  struck  her  Hag  in  Canada,  But  France  had  left  an 
element  in  the  land  whicli  could  not  be  extracted  by  a  treaty,  Tlie 
French  population  had  extensively  intermarried  with  the  Iiuliaii 
females,  and  the  whole  lines  of  Irontiers  was  composed  almost  eutiri- 
ly  of  this  Metiff"  population.  The  influence  of  the  Indian  trade,  that 
lever  ol  pd.ver,  Wiis  in  tbeir  hands.  They  were  almost  exclusively 
ac(juaint(Hl  with  the  Indian  languages,  and  no  negotations  could  l* 
accomplished  without  their  aid.  Thus  England,  from  the  fall  df 
Queliec  to  the  outlireak  of  the  American  revolution,  may  be  said  to 
have  worked  on  the  frontiers  with  French  hands. 

This  is  not  the  only  great  truth  that  belongs  to  this  subject;  fur 
A'derica  has  also  been  obliged  to  employ  the  same  influence  amoii^ 
the  Indian  population  up  to  a  period  scarcely  now  passed.  It  was 
in  this  condition  of  things  that  gave  Peshkewah,  and  all  of  his  class 
who  were  similarly  situated,  such  influence  on  the  frontiers.    We 


*H.  R.  Schoolcraft,  Part  !i,  pages  528,  629,  530. 


Fort  Wayne — John  B,  Jiichnrdville. 


363 


lined  III 
of  their 
1(1  hiivoi 
Ica'h  of 
iiiul  Wiir 
ig  ill  tk' 
c,  a  man 
\hcriting 
ms  a  man 
s  peculiar 
nuuiovous 
[1(1  with  a 
i  iu  every 

lie  presenl 
.  period  of 
the  lend  of 
:he  transfer 
[le  waa  too 
urther  con- 
people  to  a 
in   1755. 
;h  followed, 
had  left  an 
veaty.    'n>o 
the  Iiuliaii 
modt  eniivi'- 
X  trade,  that 
exclusively 
ns  could  lii' 
,1  the  fall  «! 
y  be  said  to 

I  subject ;  f« 
(lence  amon? 

ued.     It^''' 
lof  hiscte 

•onticrs.    ^^e 


run  l)ut  iiliiulf  to  this  i)orio(l  tuul  tluvse  inllueiices  in  (.'iilling  atten- 
tion to  the  man. 

Witliiti  ii  (h)Zt'ii  years  of  that  time,  the  war  cjf  the  Atnoriciin  Revo- 
lution hroke  out,  imrl  tii(!  colonists  found  tlic  vveHtcrn  luilians  as 
niidy  to  tai<e  up  the  hatcliet  against  them,  as  they  lortuerly  were 
against  the  Knglish.  In  this  feeling,  as  it  was  ootnnion  to  his  trihe> 
t()(;etlu'r  with  (tthers,  Peshkewah  naturally  participated.  As  he  was 
hut  nineteen  at  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  could  have 
taken  hiit  litth^  part  in  it.  He  was  |)re8ent,  and  assisted  in  Ilarmar's 
(lecat  in  17!H». 

Cireunistances  early  l)rought  young  I'eshkewuh  into  notice;  his 
motlier  being  a  chieftainess,  he  became  the  leading  chief.  His  talents 
Win' rather  those  of  the  civilian  than  the  warrior.  He  was  kind 
and  Inunane  to  prisoners  while  thc^  war  la(>lid,  and  as  soon  as  peace 
was  restored  he  became  a  worthy  citizen,  and  enjoyed  the  conlidence 
of  the  whites  to  tjie  fullest  extent.  He  spoke  both  the  Fr^'uch  and 
tlie  English  languages ;  and  for  a  series  of  years,  his  house,  which  was 
(■li;.'ihly  situatcii  on  the  banks  of  the  St.  Mary's,  about  four  miles 
from  I*\)rt  Wayne,  was  known  as  the  abode  of  hospitality,  where 
his  friends  and  strangers  were  received  with  open  hands. 

To  these  generous  qualities  he  unit<d  a  disposition  strictly  honest, 
a  capacity  for  the  transaction  of  business  far  above  the  ordinary 
ilass  of  aboriginal  chiefs  and  rulers,  and  a  diligence  .and  forecast  in 
the  acquisition  and  the  husbanding  ot  his  property,  which  were  as 
rcmiirkable.  In  the  negotiations  of  this  tribe  with  the  United  States 
goviTunient  tor  the  cession  of  the  Mianu  lands,  he  was  the  leading 
and  guiding  spirit  of  his  tribe;  and  it  is  but  justice  to  his  memory 
to  say,  that  he  secured  the  best  terms. 

Peshkewah,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  is  believed  to  have  been  the 
most  wealthy  man  of  the  native  race  in  America,  the  estimate  of  his 
property  exceeding  half  a  million  dollars.  A  large  part  of  this  was 
in  the  best  selected  lands,  reserved  out  of  the  original  cessions  of 
Ms  tribe,  and  other  real  estate.  He  left  nearly  $200,000  in  specie. 
This  is  the  chief  of  whom  it  was  said,  on  the  occasion  of  the  govern- 
ment feeling  the  general  pressure  for  coin  to  meet  its  Indian  annui- 
ties in  ls;}T-;5H,  that  he  ottered  to  loan  the  disbursing  agent  the 
amount  required  for  his  tribe  at  a  moderate  interest. 

A  note  appended  to  the  lecture  of  Mr.  Williams,  relates,  on  the 
authority  of  the  late  Allen  Hamilton,  the  following  incident  in  In- 
dian life  at  Fort  Wayne  : 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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,<'  c^ 


.<? 


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w.. 


f/r. 


fA 


1.0 

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''  m    2.2 

(36           ^=== 

I.I 

^^       2.0 

18 

1.25 

1.4       1.6 

■•a- 


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<^t/       A> 


V^ 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY    14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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l^. 


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C?. 


(/^. 


364 


iThdian  Life  at  Fort  Wayne. 


"  About  1792  a  white  man  was  bound  to  the  stake  for  burning. 
The  mother  of  the  late  prii  oipal  chief  of  the  Miamies,  Richardville 
(or  Peshkewah)  herself  the  daughter  of  a  chief,  a  woman  of  great 
influence  in  tho  tribe,  had  made  fruitless  eftbrts  to  save  him.  The 
savages  stood  around  eager  for  the  cruel  sacrifice,  and  the  torch  was 
ready  to  be  applied,  llichardville,  then  a  young  man,  had  been 
designated  as  their  future  chief,  biit  not  yet  installed.  To  him  his 
mother  appealed,  and  placing  a  knife  in  his  hand,  bade  him  assert 
at  that  moment  his  chieftainship.  Hushing  within  the  infuriated 
circle,  he  cut  the  cords  that  bound  the  white  man.  Though  cha- 
grined at  the  escape  of  their  victim,  all  applauded,  as  men,  savage 
or  civilized,  will  honor  a  bold  and  decided  character,  and  his  influ- 
ence and  power  were  from  that  time  established.  The  kind  hearted 
Miami  woman  contrived  to  secrete  the  white  man,  sending  him 
down  the  Maumee  in  a  canoe,  undfr  a  cover  of  furs  and  peltries,  in 
charge  of  some  friendly  Indians.  Many  years  afterward,  the  chief, 
on  a  journey  to  Washington  City,  stopped  at  a  town  in  Ohio.  A 
man  approached  him,  throwing  his  arms  around  his  neck  in  grateful 
embrace.     It  was  the  rescued  prisoner." 

Richardville  made  a  will,  bequeathing  his  property  to  his  children 
and  relations  with  even-handed  justice.  He  had  expressed  a  desire 
to  prolong  his  life,  but  finding  that  the  time  of  his  departure  drew 
nigh,  he  resigned  himself  with  perfect  composure.  He  remarked 
that  it  was  ordered  by  the  Great  Spirit  that  all  men  must  once  die, 
and  he  was  ready  and  felt  willing  to  obey  the  mandate.  He  died 
on  the  loth  of  August,  1841,  aged  80,  within  a  few  miles  of  the 
place  where  he  was  born ;  and  it  is  a  proof  of  his  peaceful  and  do- 
mestic habits,  that,  with  very  few  exceptions,  his  whole  life  had 
been  passed  upon  the  native  domain  of  his  tribe.  His  remains  were 
deposited  with  religious  ceremonies  in  the  Catholic  burial  groimd 
at  Fort  Wayne. 

It  has  been  reserved  for  this  place  and  chapter  to  give  some 
details  relating  to  points  of  local  and  historical  interest  not  embod- 
ied in  preceding  pages. 

"  According  to  the  statement  of  chief  Richardville,  Mr,  Peltier 
and  others,''  says  Mr,  J.  L.  Williams,  "  the  extreme  point  of  land 
just  below  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph,  now  so  attractive  in  rural, 
peaceful  beauty,  is  said  to  have  been  the  accustomed  place  for 
burning'  prisoners."  And  General  Cass,  in  his  address  July  4, 
1843,  stated  that,  "  for  many  years,  during  the  frontier  history  ot 
this  place,(Ft.  Wayne, )and  region,  the  line  of  your  canai  was  a  bloody 
war-path,  which  has  seen  many  a  deed  of  horror;  and  this  peaceful 
town  has  had  its  Moluch,  and  the  records  of  human  depravity 
furnish  no  more  terrible  examples  of  eruelty  than  were  oflered  at 
this  shrine.    The  Miami  Indians,  our  predecessors  in  the  occupation 


Fori  Wayne — Its  Estahlishment. 


3G5 


urning. 
irdville 
>f  great 
a.    The 
rch  was 
ad  been 
him  his 
a  assert 
liuriated 
igh  cha- 
i,  savage 
his  influ- 
\  hearted 
ding  him 
eltries,  in 
the  chief, 
Ohio.    A 
n  grateful 

is  children 
3d  a  desire 
■ture  drew 
I  remarked 
it  once  die, 
He  died 
iles  of  the 
fill  and  do- 
,le  life  had 
luains  were 
•ial  ground 


I^r.  rdticr 
oint  of  land 
ve  in  rural, 
place  fov 

•ess  July  \ 
r  history  ol 
wrasahloodv 
his  peaceful 
depravity 
offered  ut 
occupation 


of  this  district,  had  a  terrible  institution  whose  origin  and  object 
have  been  lost  in  the  darkness  of  aboriginal  history,  l)ut  which  was 
continued  to  a  late  period,  and  whose  orgies  were  held  upon  the 
very  spot  where  we  now  are.  It  was  called  the  man-eating  society, 
and  it  was  the  duty  of  its  associates  to  eat  such  prisoners  as  were 
preserved  and  delivered  to  them  for  that  purpose."  And  lure 
occurs  a  resumption  of  notes,  not  given  in  the  preceding  part  of 
this  volume,  relating  to  the  visit  and  experience  of  General  Wayne 
antl  his  military  successor  at  this  point,  Colonel  Hanitramok ; 
inasmuch  as  the  events  which  occurred  during  tha  military  adminis- 
tration of  these  officers  are  of  local  historical  value." 

On  the  14th  of  September,  179-4,  the  defences  at  Fort  Defiance 
having  been  completed,  the  legion  under  TJeneral  Wayne  began  their 
march  for  the  Miami  villages  at  the  head  of  the  Mauraee,  where 
they  arrived  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Sep.  17;  and  on  the  following  day 
the  commander-in-chief  reconnoitered  the  ground  and  determined 
on  the  spot  to  build  a  garrison.  The  following  are  extracts  from 
the  journal  of  Wayne's  campaign  : 

"(^idHj)  Miami  ViUaf/es,  18//t  Sep/.^  1794. — Four  deserters  from 
the  British  came  to  us  this  day,  and  bring  the  information  that  the 
Indians  arc  encamped  eight  miles  below  the  British  fort  to  the 
number  of  1000. 

"  '20th  Sept. — General  Barber,  with  his  command,  arrived  in  camp 
ahout  9  o'clock  this  morning  with  .'558  kegs  of  flour,  each  contain- 
ing 100  pounds. 

"  23r/  Sept. — Four  deserters  from  the  Britisli  garrison  arrived  at 
our  camp  :  they  mention  that  the  Indians  are  still  embodied  on  the 
Miami  (Maumee)  nine  miles  below  the  liritish  fort;  that  they  are 
somewhat  divided  in  opinion — some  are  for  peace,  others  for  war. 

24//i  Sept. — This  day  the  work  commenced  on  the  garrison,  which 
I  am  apprehensive  will  take  some  time  to  complete.  A  keg  of 
whiskey,  containing  ten  gallons,  was  purchased  this  day  for  eighty 
dollars,  a  sheep  for  ten  dollars  Three  dollars  was  offered  for  one 
pint  of  salt,  but  it  could  not  be  obtained  for  less  than  six. 

2t)//i  Sept. — McCleland,  one  ot  our  spies,  with  a  small  parly,  came 
in  this  evening  from  Fort  Defiance,  who  brings  information  that 
the  enemy  are  troublesome  about  the  garrison,  and  that  they  have 
killed  some  of  our  men  under  the  walls  of  tlie  fort.  Sixteen 
Indians  were  seen  to-day  near  this  place  ;  a  small  party  went  in  pur- 
suit of  them.     I  have  not  heard  what  discoveries  they  have  made. 

"  ■^fh   Oct. — This  morning  we  had  the  hardest  frost  I  ever  saM 
the  middle  of  December;  it  was  like  a  small  snow;  there  w;is 
in  our  camp  kettles  three  fourths  of  an  inch  thick ;  the  fatigues  go 
on  with  velocity,  considering  the  rations  the  troops  were  obliged  to 


in 

ice 


live 


on. 


360 


Fort  Wayne — Its  Estahlisliment. 


"■  Qth    Oct. — Plenty  and   quietness;    the   volunteers  enga)i;etl    to 
work  on  the  garrison  for  which  they  are  to  neceive  three  gills  ofwliis 


ami 


111 


key  per  man  per  day.     Their  employment  is  digging  the  ditch 
filling  up  the  parapet. 

"8//!  ^A,/.— The  troops  drew  but  half  rations  of  flour  this  day, 
The  cavalry  and  other  horses  die  very  fast,  not  less  than  four  or 
five  per  day. 

"  9M  Od. — The  volunteers  have  agreed  to  build  a  block  house 
front  of  the  garrison. 

"11///  Ocf. — A  Canadian  (Rozelie)  with  a  flag  arrived  this  even- 
ing; his  business  was  to  deliver  up  three  prisoners  in  e\(,-liange  toi 
his  Ijrolher,  who  was  taken  on  the  2()th  of  August ;  he  brings  int'oi 
mat  ion  that  the  Indians  are  in  council  with  Girty  and  McKee  near 
the  fort  of  Detroit,  and  that  all  the  tribes  are  for  peace  e\cept,  ilk- 
Shawauees,  who  are  determined  to  prosecute  the  war. 

"  16///  Orl. — Nothing  new  ;  weather  wet  and  cold;  w'lid  from  N. 
W .     Troops  healthy  in  general. 

"  19///  (kl. — This  day  the  troops  not  ordered  for  1-ibor ;  hi  ing 
the  first  day  for  four  weeks,  and  accordingly  attended  diviuc 
service.'' 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  October,  1791,  the  garrison  was  in 
readiness,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hamtramck  assumed  comniantl 
of  the  post,  with  the  following  sub-legions :  Captain  Kiug.sburyV 
Ist ;  Captain  Greaton's  2d  ;  (Japtains  Spark'is  and  Reed's  lid:  Cap 
tain  Preston's  4th,  and  Captain  Porter's  of  artilleiy  ;  and  after fiiw 
fifteen  rounds  of  cannon,  Colonel  Hamtramck  gave  it  the  naiiu'  ol 
Fort  Wayne. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  General  Wayne,  with  the  main  body  of  the 
regulars,  took  up  his  line  of  march  for  Fort  (ireenville,  arriving  ai 
that  point  on  the  2d  of  November.  Colonel  Hamtramck  reniaincJ 
in  command  at  Fort  Wayne  until  the  17th  of  May,  1790;  auil 
thouph  nothing  of  a  very  important  nature  transpired  during  thai 
time,  yet  there  is  much  of  interest  to  be  gathered  from  the  vim 
letters  of  Colonel  H.  written  from  the  fort,  and  addressed  to  Gen 
erals  Wayne  and  Wilkinson — these  letters  having  first  been  madf 
public  in  the  American  pioneer,  in  184;{,  a:^d  re-published  in  Brice'-^ 
History  of  Fort  Wayne  : 

"FoiiT  Waymb,  December  29,  i;04. 

"  Sir  :  Yesterday  a  number  of  chiefs  of  tho  Ciiippeways,  Ottawis. 
Sacs  and  Pott awal amies  airived  here  with  the  two  Lassalles. 
(Jacques  and  Antoine.)  It  appears  that  the  Shawanees,  Delaware 
and  Mif;mi8  remain  still  under  tiie  influence  of  McKee ;  but  Lasallf 
thinks  they  will  be  compelled    to  come  into  the  measures  oftlie 


and  to, 
(^  was. 
more  fl 
could 
creatiii 


sage. 

HiiS  Vpjv 

t'lal  \Vi 

I'resent, 
voiis.  in 

ft-'si'Ieuc. 
Would  g( 
fioiD  you 

(Til  Gent 

"The  I 
.ijoinir  to 

iHayN  t,.| 

lo  be  verl 


Fort  Wayne— \1U-^^. 


367 


|T;e(l  to 
of  whis 
tch  and 

his  day. 
four  ov 

hourtt'  ill 

his  eveu- 

ngs  infov 
;Kee  near 

ulfrom  N. 

l)or;  ^M 
uled  diviue 

ison  was  in 
(1  comniaml 

'tt  :id  -.  Cap 
I  aftei-fivinii 
itlie  name  ot 

|,  body  ol'llie 
arriving  i^ 
l(.\t  veniaini''! 
1790;  aii'i 
during  tlisi 
Ivii  tbe  man) 
,sed  10  Oen- 
it  been  nia^i'^ 
Led  in  Bviw'^ 


•>«.). 


[ay9,0ttaf' 

'  ^    Lassallt* 

.8    Del  awards 

'  'butL:isa>)* 

fcasures  of  tlie 


other  Indians.     After  the  chiefs  have  rested  a  day  or  two,  I  will 
send  them  to  headquarters.' 

"  Fort  Wayne,  December  29,  1794. 
"  Sir :  Since  my  last  letter  to  you  of  the  present  date,  two 
war  chiefs  have  arrived  from  the  Miami  nation,  and  inform 
me  that  their  nation  will  be  here  in  a  few  days,  from 
whence  they  will  proceed  to  Greenville.  They  also  bring  the  intel- 
ligence that  the  remaining  tribes  of  savages  acceding  to  the  preva- 
lent wihh  for  peace,  and  collecting  for  the  purpose  the  chiefs  of 
their  nations,  who,  it  is  supposed,  will  make  their  appearance  at 
this  post  about  the  same  time  the  Aliamis  may  come  forward." 

"Fort  Waynk,  December  13.  1795. 
"The  issues  to  the  Indians  would  be  very  inconsiderable  this 
winter,  if  it  was  not  for  about  ninety  old  womi  u  and  children,  with 
some  very  old  men,  who  live  near  us,  and  have  no  other  mode  of 
subsisting  but  by  garrison.  I  have  repeatedly  tried  to  get  clear  of 
them,  but  without  success." 

"  Fort  Wayne,  January  13,  1796. 

"About  ninety  old  women  and  children  have  been  victualled  by 
the  garrison.  I  have,  yesterday,  given  them  five  days  provisions, 
and  told  them  that  it  was  the  last  they  could  have  until  spring. 
(1  was  obliged  to  do  so,  because,  from  calculation  I  have  no 
more  Hour  than  will  last  me  until  spring.  But,  sir,  if  other  supplies 
couhl  be  got  by  land  1  would  consider  it  politic  to  feed  these  poor 
creatures,  who  will  suffer  very  much  for  want  of  subsistence. 

(To  General  Wilkinson.)  March  28,  179G. 

"  I  am  out  of  wampum.  I  will  be  very  much  obliged  to  you  to 
send  me  some,  for  speaking  to  an  Indian  without  it  is  like  consul t- 
a  lawyer  without  a  fee." 

(To  General  Wilkinson.)  April  5,  1796. 

"Little  Turtle  arrived  yesterday,  to  whom  I  delivered  your  mes- 
sage. His  answer  was.  to  present  his  compliments  to  you  :  that  he 
was  very  glad  of  the  invitation,  as  he  wished  very  mucii  to  see  Gen- 
eral Wilkinson,  but  it  wiis  impossible  for  him  to  go  to  Greenville  at 
present,  as  he  had  ordered  all  liis  younu'  men  to  repair  lo  a  rendez- 
vous, in  order,  when  assembled,  to  choose  a  place  for  a  permanent 
rusidence;  that,  as  soon  as  that  object  shall  be  accnmplished,  he 
would  go  to  see  you,  which,  he  said,  would  be  by  the  time  he  hears 
from  you  again." 

(To  General  Wilkinson.)  "  April  18,  1796. 

I  "  The  bearer  is  Captain  Blue  Jacket,  who,  at  your  request,  is  now 
!^'oing  lo  (ireenville.  Blue  Jacket  is  used  to  good  com])aiiy.  and  is 
always  treated  with  more  attention  than  other  Indians,     lie  appears 

[to  be  very  well  disposed,  and  I  think  him  sincere." 


368 


Fort  Wayne— \1^(S—n\0-\\. 


"  For  a  period  of  sixteen  years  subsequent  to  tlio  treaty  of  Green- 
ville, agreeable  relations  were  maintained,  by  the  United  States,  be- 
tween the  Miarais  and  some  other  tribes  represented  at  that  famous 
treaty.  During  this  time  the  Indians  seemed  mainly  to  have  be- 
taken themselves  to  the  forests  and  prairies  in  pursuit  of  game;  and 
the  result  was  that  a  considerable  traftic  was  steadily  carried  on 
with  the  Indians,  by  fur  traders  of  Fort  Wayne  and  Vincennes,  and 
at  diti'erent  trading  posts  which  were  established  on  the  borders  ot 
the  Wabash  river  and  its  tributaries.  The  furs  and  peltries  which 
were  obtained  from  the  Indians,  were  generally  transported  to  De 
troit.  The  skins  were  dried,  compressed  and  secured  in  bales-  each 
bale  weighing  about  one  hundred  pounds.  A  pirogue  or  boat,  thai 
was  sufficient  to  carry  forty  bales,  required  the  labor  of  four  men  to 
manage  it  on  its  voyage.  In  favorable  stages  of  the  Wabash  river, 
such  a  vessel,  under  the  management  of  skillful  boatmen,  was  pro- 
pelled fifteen  or  twenty  miles  a  day,  against  tue  current.  Alter 
ascending  the  river  Wabash  and  the  Little  river  to  the  portage  near 
Fort  Wayne,  the  traders  carried  their  bales  or  packs  over  tlie  j'ort- 
age,  to  the  head  of  the  river  Maumee,  where  they  were  again  placed 
in  pirogues,  or  in  keel  bouts,  to  be  transported  to  Detroit.  At  this 
place  the  furs  and  skins  were  exchanged  lor  blankets,  guns,  knives, 
powder,  bullets,  intoxicating  liquors,  etc.,  with  which  the  traders 
returned  to  their  several  posts." — Dillon''s  Ifistory  of  Indiaiui,  «r 
Bricc's  History  oj  Fort  Wayne. 

In  1810,  General  William  H.  Harrison,  the  governor  of  Indiana 
territory,  was  made  acquainted  witli  a  plot  that  was  maturing  lor 
the  surprise  and  massacre  of  Fort  Wayne,  Detroit,  Chicago,  Vin- 
cennes and  St.  Louis.  Tecumseh,  and  his  brother  the  Prophet 
"  were  moving  with  the  slow  but  sure  action  of  a  volcano  ;  audtlie 
internal  heat  of  their  efforts  was  continually  made  the  more  appar 
ent  by  the  rising  cinders  cast  up  in  the  endeavor  here  and  there  to 
secretly  draw  the  different  tribes  of  the  west  and  south  withiu  their 
circle,  and  by  otlxer  means,  equally  wily  and  surreptitious,  to  I'rin^" 
their  plans  to  bear  for  the  overthrow  of  the  whites  of  the  nortli 
west." 

Nothwithstanding  these  machinations  resulted  in  overt  acts  oi 
hostility,  including  the  bloody  conflict  of  Tippecanoe,  a  few  dav> 
after  the  latter  event,  on  the  22d  of  November,  1811.  the  period  lor  I 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  Indians  to  receive  their  payments  arrivel 
and  they  began  to  assemble  in'great  nnmbers  to  receive  their  allotteii 
portions.  Col.  John  Johnston  was  then  Indian  Agent  at  Ft.  Wayne  | 
Many  of  the  chiefs  in  attendance  claimed  their  respective  portio 
of  the  annuity  equal  to  that  of  the  most  peaceful  of  the  tribes- 1 
representing  that  the  Prophet's  followers  had  him  in  confiuementi 


,' 


Jjocation  of  the  Old  Council  House. 


369 


f  Green- 
ates,  be- 
t  famouH 
Ivtive  be- 
ime  •,  and 
ivried  on 
nnes,  and 
orders  ot 
ies  wbich 
,ed  to  De- 
lies-  eadi 
l)()at,  Ibal 
)ur  men  to 
jasli  river, 
1,  was  pro- 
mt.   Alter 
triage  near 
31-  the  I'ort- 
,gain  placed 
It.     At  this 
;\m8,  knives, 
'the  traders 
IndiaiM,  «r 


and  purposed  takiug  liis  life  ;  that  he  was  chargeable  with  all  their 
troubles ;  together  with  many  other  stories  of  a  similar  character 
all,  in  the  main,  untrue,  especially  as  regarded  the  Prophet's  con- 
finement, for,  at  that  time,  he  was  at  full  liberty  on  the  Mississin- 
newa.  But  the  stories  presented  to  Col.  Johnston  had  the  desired 
eftect,  and  he  was  induced  thereby  to  inform  the  government  that 
the  Indians  were  all  favorable  to  peace  ;  and  -yet,  says  McAfee,  "  in 
most  of  the  nations  here  assembled,  a  Hritish  faction  was  boiling  to 
the  brim,  and  i-eady  to  flow  on  our  devoted  frontiers,  wherever  the 
British  agents  might  think  pro})er  to  increase  the  fire  of  their  hos- 
tility." 

"  The  old  council  house  was  located  about  the  spot  now  occu- 
pied by  Michael  Hedekin,  Esq.  It  was  a  two  story  log  building, 
about  sixty  feet  long,  by  twenty  wide ;  and  stood  but  a  short  dis- 
tance  to  tlie  southwest  of  the  fort.  It  was  in  this  building  that  the 
agent  lived.  And  it  was  often  an  interesting  as  well  as  paintul  sight 
to  witness  the  tall  red  men,  with  their  painted  faces,  gaily  plumed 
with  feathers  and  trinkets ;  their  skins,  in  some  instances,  barely 
covering  their  loins,  in  others  a  blanket  wrajjped  about  them,  sitting 
ill  groups  here  and  tliere,  or  standing  at  some  point  recounting  their 
adventures  or  misfortunes  ;  or,  having  drank  'fire-water,'  freely,  were 
venting  their  savage  ferocity  upon  each  other  in  hard  words  or  death 
blows  with  the  tomahawk  or  scalping  knife  ;  the  -quaws  wandering 
about  with  their  pappooses  to  their  backs,  or  sitting  about  with  their 
Indian  husbands,  awaiting  their  turn  to  receive  their  annuity,  or  in 
some  way  obtain  a  little  favor,  if  only  a  pipe  or  loaf  ot  wheat  bread, 
at  the  bunds  of  some  pale  face  or  friend.  Such  was  life  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  council  house  and  fort  here  during  portions  of  many  years 
subsequent  to  the  treaty  of  Greenville.'' — Brice's  History  of  Fort 
Wayne,  p  '100. 

After  the  surrender  of  Hull  at  Detroit,  Tecumseh  devised  a 
scheme  (ante,  p  133,)  for  the  siege  of  Fort  Wayne  and  Fort  Harri- 
son. This  demonstration  was  made  in  September,  1812.  The  gar- 
rison at  Fort  Wayne  was  under  the  command  of  Captain  Khea, 
whose  habits  of  intemperance  disi^ualified  him  for  the  place ;  and 
during  a  period  of  two  weeks  the  safety  of  the  fort,  principally 
owing  to  the  incompetency  of  the  commander,  was  in  jeopardy.  An 
express  hud  been  sent  to  General  Harrison  requesting  re-entorce- 
raents.  One  day  a  white  man  and  four  Indians  arrived  at  the  fort 
on  horbeback,  "  in  full  yell."  It  was  the  Indian  yell  of  triumph. 
I  The  white  man,  who  was  foremost,  proved  to  be  Major  William 
j  Oliver,  and  accompanied  by  four  friendly  Shawanee  Indians,  the 
[  brave  Logau  among  the  number.     The  garrison  had  been  for  more 

24 


{I 


370     The  gallant  Major  Oliver  reaches  Ft.  Wayne. 


than  a  fortnight  in  a  state  of  suspense ;  not  knowing  whether  tlie 
express  to  General  Harrison  had  gotten  through  or  not,  and  every 
day  under  the  apprehension  that  the  British  force  would  arrive. 
All  were  on  tip-toe  to  hear  the  news;  William  Oliver  and  his  little 
party  had  arrived  in  defiance  of  five  hundred  Indians — had  hroken 
their  ranks  and  reached  the  fort  in  safety.     He  reported  that  about 
two  thousand  volunteers  had  assembled  in  Kentucky  for  the  reliel 
of  General  Hull  at  Detroit,  and  had  marched  to  Cincinnati.    There 
they  were  informed  that  Hull  had  sun-endered,  and  deemed  it  un- 
necessary to  ma.'ch  any  further  in  that  direction.     Harrison  having 
received  the  dispatch  from  the  agent  (Major  B.  F.  Stickney.)  at  Ft. 
Wayne,   had  determined  to  march  to  its  relief.     Ohio  was  raising 
volunteers.     Eight  hundred   were  then  assembled    at   St.  Mary's. 
Ohio,  sixty  miles  south  of  Fort  Wayne,  and  intended  to  march  to 
the  relief  of  the  fort  in  three   or  four  days.     At  Cincinnati  great 
fears  were  entertained  that  the  fort  had  been  captured,  .and  it.s  in- 
mates massacred.     When  the  question  arose,  as  to  how  the  condi 
tion  of  Fort  Wayne  was  to  be  ascertained,  the  stoutest  hearts  iu  the 
army  quailed. 

Oliver  was  then  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-three  years  of  age; 
possessed  the  true  spirit,  and  was  at  the  time  sutkr  to  Fort  Wayne. 
Previous  to  any  knowledge  of  the  hostile  intentions  of  the  Indians, 
Oliver  had  jjone  to  Cincinnati  on  business.  He  called  on  Governor 
Harrison,  and  made  a  tender  of  his  services,  individually,  to  obtaio 
the  necessary  information.  Harrison  thought  the  danger  too  great 
and  endeavored  to  dissuade  him  from  making  the  attempt;  biitl 
had  determined  to  accomplish  it,  or  lose  his  life  iuthe  effort.  Wlie 
Governor  Harrison  shook  hands  with  him,  he  observed  that  li 
"  should  not  see  him  again."  A  man  by  the  name  of  Worthingtoc.  j 
an  Indian  Commissioner  of  the  time,  embarked  with  Oliver  in  tie 
adventurous  undertaking,  placing  themselves  at  the  head  of  abofij 
eighty  whites,  forty  of  whom,  so  perilous  seemed  the  task  beforfj 
them,  after  a  march  of  about  three  days,  returned  home. 

Having  pursued  their  course,  with  care,  until  within  some  tweil 
ty-four  miles  of  the  fort,  a  council  was  called  to  consider  the  expj 
diency  of  a  further  advance,  when  it  was  concluded  best  for  all;| 
remain  behind  except  Oliver,  Logan  and  the  other  Indian  attendans 
On  the  following  morning,  with  their  horses,  they  continued 
way,  "with  the  common  wariness  of  Indians  and  without  any  reniatij 
able  occurrence,  until  they  came  within  some  four  miles  of  thefel 


The  gallant  Majoi'  Oliver  reaches  Ft.  Wayne.     371 


tber  the 
id  every 
(1  arrive. 

his  ViUle 
d  brokeu 
hat  about 

the  reliet 
t\.    There 
[tied  it  vm- 
son  having 
ney.)at¥i 
■was  raising 
St.  Mary's, 
,o  march  to 
•innati  great 
I,  and  its  in- 
-w  the  condi 

Iveartsint^w 

years  of  age; 

1  Fort  WavM. 

f  the  IndiaM. 

on  Goveruoi 

illy,  to  obtaio 

ger  too  gre« 

Tempt;  buife 

effort.   W>e. 

erved  tiiat  ^ 

Wort\iingt»' 

Oliver  in  tte 

head  ot  M 

^le  task  belotfl 

jme. 

lin  some  ^m 
,sider  theoM^ 

,  best  for  all'. 

[dian  attenaaB> 

icontituied  tfc 
out  any  teiH 
miles  of  tliefof 


Oliver  had  determined  to  cuter  the  fort  in  broad  daylight.'"  They 
uow  began  an  o.^aminatiou  of  tlic  ground  with  great  precaution,  de- 
termining to  ascertain,  if  possible,  what  movement  had  taken  place, 
and  the  exact  locality  of  tlie  Indians.  The  keen  eye  of  Logan  now 
discovered  that  the  enemy  was  concealed  along  the  road,  with  a 
view  to  cut  otf  any  re-enforcements  that  might  attempt  to  reach  the 
garrison. 

Leaving  the  main  road,  they  now  moved  cautiously  across  to  the 
Maumee  river,  whither,  leaving  their  horses  in  a  thicket,  they  ad- 
vanced on  foot  towards  the  fort,  in  order  to  get  a  view  of  it,  and  to 
ascertain,  if  possible,  whether  it  still  held  out  against  the  besiegers. 
Being  fully  satisfied  on  this  point,  they  again  repaired  to  the  thicket 
where  they  had  left  their  horses,  remounted,  and  soon  struck  the 
main  road  agani.  The  moment  of  greatest  peril  and  determination 
had  now  come.  The  fort  was  to  be  gained  at  the  expense  of  life  it- 
self; and  putting  whip  to  their  horses,  Oliver  and  his  faithful 
Shawanee  companions  started  in  full  speed  for  the  fort.  What 
was  most  remarkable,  the  moment  of  the  attempt  proved  to  be 
the  only  safe  one  that  had  for  some  days  presented  itself,  as 
though  a  kind  providence  had  opened  the  way  for  the  safe  arrival  of 
the  party  to  cheer  the  inmates  of  the  beleaguered  garrison.  First 
reaching  the  gate  of  the  esplanade,  and  finding  it  inaccessible,  they 
descended  the  river  bank,  and  were  soon  admitted  by  the  northern 
gate. 

Oliver's  story  was   soon   told.     When  the  volunteers  of  Ohio, 
assembled  at  St.  Mary's,   learned   the  extent  of  the  Indian  force 
I  about  Fort  Wayne,  they  deemed  it  imprudent  to  advance  with  so 
small  a  force,  and  concluded  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  Kentuckians, 
[thus  subjecting  the  garrison  to  a  still  longer  state  of  suspense.    The 
[auxiety  was  intense;  and  it  was  through  extreme  good  fortune,  and 
aere  accident,  that  the  fort  was  enabled  to  hold  out,  under  its  inca- 
pable management.    Oliver,  though  a  private  citizen,  was  now  the 
nost  efficient  man  in  the  fort.     Having  prepared  a  letter  announcing 
General  Harrison  his  safe  arrival  at  the  fort,  and  its  })erilous  sit- 
hation,  Oliver  immediately  started  his  Indian  companions  back  with 
lie  letter,  while  he  determined  to  take  his  chances  with  the  inmates 
the  fort.    Seeking  an  o]iportune  moment,  Logan  aiul  his  com- 
anions  left  the   fort  safely,  but  were   soon  observed  and  pursued, 
flieir  exultant  shouts  soon  revealed  to  the  inmates  of  the  garrison 


il 


372 


Relief  Approaching  the  Besieged. 


that  they  hud  outstripped   Ihuir   pursuers,  and  passed   the   hnes 
unharmed. 

The  Indians  now  a<,'aiii  hor^un  al'urious  altaek  upon  tlio  fort,  biittlie 
little  garrison  brav<'ly  met  the  assault,  and  were,  in  a  few  days  more, 
enabled  to  hail  the  ap|)roach  of  tlie  army. 

On  the  morning  of  tlie  Oth  of  September,  the  army  began  its  march 
for  Fort  Wayne,  encamping  that  evening  in  the  woods  some  twelve 
miles  from  Picpia.     Early  on   the  morning  of  the  7th  the  army  n-- 
sumed  its  mareli,     This  day,  says  one  «)f  their  number,  (John  D, 
White,  of  Lawrenceburg,  [ndhma,)  "we  made  fifteen  miles,  amUii- 
camped  on  a  branch,  three  and  a  half  miles  this  side  of  St.  Mary's 
river.    During  the  8th  we  only  marched  to  St.  Mary's,  where  wo 
lay  till  next  day.     On  this  evening  we  wi-re  joined  l)y  two  ImiKhvd 
mounted  volunteers,  under  Colonel  Kichard  M.  Johnson,  who  liiul 
volunteered  for  thirty  days,  on  hearing  that  Fort  Wayne  was  be- 
sieged.    Wednesday,  the  !)th,  we  marohed  eighteen  miles,  to  what 
is  called  Shane's  crossing  of  St,  Mary's.     Here  we  overtook  a  regi- 
ment of  eight  huiuhvd  men  from  Ohio,  uiuler  Colonels  Adams  ami 
Hawkins,  who  had  started  on  to  the  relief  of  l''ort  Wayne.     On  arriv- 
ing at  this  point,  Logan  and  four  other  Siuiwanees,  offered  their  ser- 
vices to  General  Harrison  as  spies,  and  were  accepted.     Previous  to 
our  arrival,  Logan  had  gone  on  in  disguise,  and  passing  through  the 
camp  of  the   besieging  party,  had  ascertained  their  number  to  be 
about  fifteen  hundred.     Logan  also  went  to  the  fort,  and  encouraged 
the  soldiers  to  hold  on  as  relief  was  at  hand.     Colonels  Adams  and 
Hawkins  having  joined   our  army,  we  now  had   a  force   of  about 
three  thousand  five  hundred.    Friday  morning  we  were  under  march- 
ing orders  after  an  early  breakfast.     It  had  rained,  and  the  guij 
were  damj);  we  ware  ordered  to  discharge  them,  and  reload,  as  we 
were  then  getting  into  the  vicinity  of  the  enemy,  and  knew  not  hoff 
soon  we  might  be  attacked.     A  strong  detachment  of  spies  under 
Captain  James   Suggett,   of  Scott  county,   marched   considerably 
ahead  of  the  army.     Indications  of  the  enemy    having    advanced 
from  their  position  at  Fort  Wayne,  for  the  purpose  of  watching  the 
movements  of  our  army,  were  numifest,  and  Ca})tain  Suggett  came  I 
upon  the  trail  of  a  large    party,  which  he   immediately   pursued- 
After  following  the  t "ail  for  some  distance,  he  was  fired  on  by  m 
Indian,  who  had  secreted  himself  in  a   clump  of  busiies  so  near  tej 
Suggett  that  the  powder  burnt  his  clothes,  but  the  ball  missotl  liim- 
The  Indian  jumped  from  his  covert  and  attempted  to  escape,  but 


Relief  Api^voaclies,  the  Beaieged. 


373 


Amlrcw  Joliusoii,  of  Scott,  sliot  him.  On  tlu'  ivtuni  of  Cui>taiii 
Suggctt's  party,  orders  were  issued  for  the  men  to  turn  out  and 
niiiko  ii  breastwork  around  the  encampment,  wliioh  order  was 
promptly  obeyed,  and  l)o('ore  dark  tlie  same  was  l\)rti(icd  by  a  breast- 
work, made  by  outtinj^  down  trees  and  piling  tliem  on  each  other. 
A  strong  picket  guard  was  detailed  and  posted  at  a  considerable 
distance  from  the  line.  After  tattoo,  at  9  o'clock,  we  lay  down ; 
alter  which,  the  officer  of  the  night  came  around  to  give  us  the 
watch-word,  which  was  "light  on."  (The  watch-word  is  given  to 
tlio  sentinel  as  well  as  the  army,  in  order  that,  in  case  of  a  night 
attack,  and  the  sentinels  having  to  run  into  camp,  may  be  distin- 
miished  from  the  enemy  by  it.)  Orders  were  given,  that  in  case  of 
two  guns  being  lired  in  fpiick  succession,  the  soldiers  were  tore- 
pair  to  the  breastwork.  From  every  indication  we  had  strong 
reasons  for  believing  that  we  would  be  attacked  before  day.  We  lay 
with  our  guns  on  our  arms  and  our  cartridge  boxes  under  our  heads. 
About  ten  o'clock,  just  as  the  soldiers  were  in  the  enjoyment  of 
"tired  nature's  sweet  restorer,''  they  were  aroused  by  the  firing  of 
two  guns  by  the  sentinels,  and  the  drums  beat  the  alarm.  In  a 
moment  all  were  at  the  breastwork,  ready  to  receive  the  enemy. 
The  Indians  were  around  us,  and  we  were  in  momentary  expecta- 
tion of  an  onset.  At  last  all  was  calm  again,  and  we  were  permitted 
to  rest.  But  just  as  we  were  in  the  sweet  embraces  of  sleep,  we  were 
again  aroused  by  the  firing  of  a  number  of  guns,  and  again  we  were 
as  prompt  in  repairing  to  our  posts.  We  now  stood  a  considerable 
time,  and  all  became  fpiiet  again.  At  length  day  cu.,wned,  and  the 
guards  were  relieved.  We  ascertained  afterwards,  from  Indians  taken 
prisoners  that  they  came  from  their  encampment  with  the  design  of 
making  ii  night  attack  on  ns,  but  on  finding  us  so  well  prepared  to 
receive  them,  they  declined  prosecuting  their  designs.  Without  being 
able  to  get  around  the  entire  encampment  before  daylight  next  morn- 
ing, the  Indians  returned  to  their  own  lines  with  the  word  that 
"Kcntnok  was  coming  as  numerous  as  the  trees." 

"  September  10  we  expected  to  reach  Fort  Wayne,  but  thought,  in 
all  probability,  we  should  have  to  tight  our  way,  for  the  Indians  lay 
;it  what  was  called  the  Black  Swamp,  Ave  miles  this  lide  of  the  fort, 
immediately  on  our  road.  We  started  after  an  early  breakfast,  and 
marched  with  much  caution.  From  St.  Mary's  we  had  moved  in 
two  lines,  one  on  the  right  and  the  other  on  the  left  of  the  road  at  a 
uistance  of  about  one  hundred  yards  therelrom,  while  the  wagons 
sept  the  road.    A  short  distance  in  advance  of  their  camp,  at  the 


874 


FoH  Wayne  /ielicno/. 


swamp,  llie  spies  rclunu'd  with  infbrmut.ion  tliiit  Ihoy  were  there, 
prepared  jo  ^'ive  nn  luitMe.  A  hiilt  wns  nmde.  mid  tli>'  line  of  Itntil,. 
i'uniied.  ('oloiii'l  lliiwkiiis,  o\'  tiie  ()liit»  iiioiiiited  vnlimteen^,  luul 
left  the  lilies,  iiiid  j^otio  koiiu'  di.stiuu;e  from  the  roud.  Meiiijj  partly 
concealed  liv  a  climip  of  hiislieH,  one  ol'liis  men  takinjf  liitn  for  im 
Indian  lired  at  him  and  shot  him  throii^di.  'I'h«>  hall  entered  Ix'- 
twc'cn  the  shonUU'rH,  and  came  out  tit  the  hrejist — which,  how- 
ever, did  not  prove  iimrtal.  We  a;j;ain  took  up  th  •  line  of  nmrcii, 
and  in  a  slioi  t  time  came  in  sight  ol'  the  smoke  of  the  camp  of  ihi 
enemy.'' 

At  the  iirst  pray  of  \ho  mornin<;  of  the  lOtli  of  Septemher,  the 
distant  halloos  of  the  diHai»|)oiiiled  savages  revealed  to  the  aii.\ioii8 
inmates  of  the  fort  the  glorious  news  of  the  apfiroach  of  the  armv. 
(Ireat  (blonds  o'  diist  could  he  seen  from  the  fort,  rolling  up  in  llic 
distance,  as  the  valiant  soldiery,  under  (Jeneral  Ilarri.-on,  moved  for- 
word  to  the  rescue  of  the  garrison  ;  and  soon  after  daybreak  tlie 
army  stood  hefore  the  fort.  I'he  Indians  luul  hear,  a  retreat  to  (he 
eastward  and  northward,  and  the  air  ahoiit  the  old  fort  resounded 
with  the  ghul  shouts  of  welcome  to  freneral  Harrison  and  the  bnive 
boys  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky. — Brice's  llistorji  of  Fort  Wayne. 

The  Indians  had  nuiinly  lied.  Some,  however,  were  couraucoiis 
enougli  to  remain  until  a  few  nnunents  before  the  army  reached  the 
fort,  who  were  pursued  by  the  Ohio  horsemen,  hut  without  success. 
Previous  to  the  commencement  of  tlie  siege,  there  were  severii! 
dwellings  near  the  fort,  forming  a  handsome  little  village;  but 
it  was  now,  on  the  arrival  of  the  ainiy,  in  ruijis — having  been 
burned  down  by  the  Indians,  together  with  the  United  States  fac- 
tory. The  occupants  of  the  dwellings  surrounding  the  fort,  as  the 
siege  began,  sought  refuge  within  the  garrison,  -vhere  they  remained 
in  safety  till  the  army  arrived. 

The  fort,  during  the  siege,  was  well  supplied  with  provisions. 
There  was  a  go;)u  veil  of  water  within  the  enclosure,  traces  of  which 
are  yet  to  oe  soen.  jnst  at  the  tdge  of  the  south  side  of  the  canal. 

Of  the  fort  al;  this  period,  which  was  the  same  built  by  the  order 
of  General  Wayne,  in  1794,  Captain  McAfee  said :  "  It  is  delight- 
fully situated,  on  an  eminence  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Miami  of 
the  Lake,  immediately  below  the  formation  of  that  river  by  the 
junction  of  the  St.  Mary's  from  the  southwest  with  the  St.  Joseph's 
from  the  north.  It  is  well  constructed  of  block  houses  and  picket- 
ing, but  could  not  resist  a  British  force,  as  there  are  several  eminen- 
ces on  the  south  side,  from  which  it  could  be  commanded  by  a  six 
or  nine  pounder." 

During  the  siege,  the  garrison  lost  but  three  men.     From  subse- 


General  Ilarriaomh  Mm^ementa. 


atf) 


qncnt;  informiitioTi,  it  was  belioved  that-,  the  Indian  loss  was  about 
twenty-live.  Hight  woro  si'cn  to  full.  One  Indiiin  w.is  liillcd  at  ft 
ilif(l:ince  of  throe  hundred  yards,  wliilc  standing  in  the  St.  Mary's 
rivi-r.  A  soldier  by  the  name  of  King,  with  a  long,  heavy  rille, 
liri'd.  iuid  the  ball  took  ofTcct  in  tlio  i>ack  of  the  savage,  between  his 
siioiilderH,  and  lie  fell  into  the  water. 

Tile  second  day  following  tho  arrival  of  tlm  army  at  Fort  Wayne, 
(Iciu'ral  Harrison  sent  out  two  detachments,  with  the  view  of  des- 
troying the  Indian  villages  in  the  region  of  country  lying  some  miles 
;iroiuid  Fort  Wayne,  the  first  division  being  composed  of  the  regi- 
ments under  Colonels  Fx'wis  and  Allen,  and  Captain  Carrard's  troop 
of  horse,  under  General  i'ayne,  accomjianied  l)y  (ieneral  Harrison. 
Tiie  second  division,  under  Colonel  Wells,  accompanied  by  a  battal- 
ion of  his  own  regiment  under  Major  Davenport,  (Scott's  regiment,) 
the  moini ted  battalion  under  Johnson,  and  the  mounted  Ohio  men 
luuler  Adams.  These  exjieditions  were  all  successful ;  and  after  the 
ivlurn  of  the  divisions  under  Payne  and  Wells,  General  Harrison 
sent  them  to  destroy  Little  Turtle  Town,  some  twenty  miles  north- 
west of  the  fort,  with  orders  not  to  molest  the  buildings  formerly 
erected  by  the  United  States  for  the  benefit  of  Little  Turtle,  whoso 
I'rienilsliip  for  the  Americans  had  ever  been  f  rm  after  the  treaty  of 
r.rocnvillo.  Colonel  Simrall  most  faithfully  performed  the  task 
assigned  him,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  19th  returned  to  the  fort. 

In  addition  to  these  movements,  (says  Mr.  Brice,)  General  Har- 
rison took  the  precaution  to  remove  all  the  undergrowth  in  the 
locality  surrounding  the  fort,  extending  towards  tho  confluence  of 
the  8t.  Joseph  and  St.  Mary,  to  where  now  stands  Rudisill's  mill, 
and  westward  as  far  as  St.  Mary,  to  the  point  where  now  stands  the 
Fort  Wayne  College ;  thence  southeast  to  abo  ut  the  point  of  the 
residence  of  the  late  Allen  Hamilton,  and  to  the  east  down  the 
Maumee  a  short  distance.  And  so  well  cleared  was  the  ground,  in- 
cluding a  very  large  part  of  the  entire  limits  <  >f  the  present  site  of 
the  city  of  Fort  Wayne,  that  it  was  said  by  tho  se  who  were  here  at 
that  early  day,  and  to  a  later  period,  a  sentinel  "on  the  bastions  of 
the  fort  looking  westward,  could  see  a  rabbit  running  across  the 
grounds  as  far  as  so  small  an  object  was  discernibli  'to  the  naked  eye." 
The  seclusive  points  were  thus  cut  off,  and  the  t  idians  now  had  no 
longer  any  means  of  concealing  their  approach  up(  >n  the  fort.  Some 
thirty  or  forty  acres  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  •  Cole  farm,  extend- 
ing to  the  junction  of  the  rivers,  and  just  opposite    the  Maumee,  was 


3YB        Colonel  Johnmn  hgain  visits  Fort  Wai/ne. 


then  known  as  ulie  Pnblic  Mejidow,  which  of  course  whs  then,  as  it 
had  louj^;  bof'ore  boon,  a  considfrablc  open  spac'c.  The  soldiers  were 
thus  readily  enabled  to  ol)serve  th;  ajiin'oaeli  of  any  liosrile  movc- 
nieut  against  the  lort,  and  lo  open  the  batteries,  witli  lorniidable  ef- 
fect, upon  any  advance  that  uiighc  be  made  .iganist  the  garrison, 
from  any  direction. 

On  the  hi\\  of  June,  181 ,'),  the  regiment  under  Colonel  Rieliiird 
M.  Johuson  being  tiieii  at  lAn't  Meigs,  took  up  its  line  of  niarcli  For 
Fort  Wayne.  Wiien  the  troops  readied  Shane".-"  erossiug  on  the  !Sl. 
Mary's,  al)out  forty  miles  from  Fort  Wayue,  they  were  halted  and 
drilleil  for  some  time,  and  here  remained  over  night.  Heavy  rains 
having  but  recently  fallen,  the  St.  Mary's  was  found  impassable;  and 
on  the  followiug  morning  a  rude  bridge  was  formed  over  this  stream 
by  felling  trees  across  it,  upon  whieh  the  army  crossed  with  tlicir 
baggage  and  guns,  while  their  horses  were  gotten  over  by  swimming 
them  by  the  side  of  the  fallen  timber.  The  remaiiuler  of  the  route 
to  Fort  Wayne  proved  very  diilicult;  "all  the  llats  and  marshes," 
says  McAfee,  "being  covered  with  water,  and  the  roads  very  miry." 
Reaching  the  fort  on  the  7th  of  June,  it  was  found  that  the  boats 
]iad  all  gained  the  common  landing  place,  at  the  liase  of  the  hill, 
just  below  the  garrison,  in  safety ,  but  one.  which  had  stranded  on  a 
sand  bar  a  short  distance  above,  and  in  sight  of  the  fort ;  and  while 
attempting  to  get  the  boat  olf,  the  boatmen  were  tired  \\\)o\\  by  some 
Indians  lurking  near,  and  two  of  the  boatmen  killed,  while  the 
third,  in  attempting  to  reach  the  shore  was  drowned. 

Arriving  a  little  in  advance  of  the  regiment,  Colonel  Jolmson 
and  staff,  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  to  get  ready,  mounted  their 
horses  and  crossed  to  the  boat.  The  Indians  at  once  fired  upon 
their  advance,  and  then  retreated.  The  spies  having  now  suggested 
that  the  Indians  were  considerably  stronger  than  the  party  under 
Colonel  Johnson,  a  pursuit  was  deferred  until  the  arrival  of  the 
regiment,  when  a  chase  was  imme<liately  commenced  and  continued 
for  some  ten  miles;  but  rain  beginning  to  fall  heavily,  the  party  was 
compelled  to  return  to  the  fort,  without  having  gained  sight  of  the 
Indians,  Further  pursuit  was  made  in  the  direction  of  the  south- 
east shore  of  Lake  Michigan ;  and  after  several  days  employed  in 
this  service,  discovered  the  Indian  villages  everywhere  deserted,  the 
warriors  being  in  the  vicinity  oi  Maiden. 

Alter  a  few  days  stay  at  Fort  Wayne,  the  regiment  under  John- 
son proceeded  down  the  Maumee,  with  an  escort  of  provisions,  to 


Fort  Waiin^—\%V^-\^. 


37*7 


L'li,  as  it 
iers  were 
lie  move- 

iiun'isoii. 

1  lliebiird 
nuii'ch  for 
an  the  St. 
uiltod  and 
oiivy  rains 
58ii\>k' ;  ami 
shis  stvi'am 

with  their 

swiinmini; 
1'  the  vontf 
1  marshes" 

very  iniry." 
it   the.  boats 

of  the.  hill, 

•uwleil  on  ;\ 
and  \vliii<; 

)0U  by  some 
,  while  tk 

>1  Johnson 
)unted  their 
fired  upon 
w  suggested 
):irty  umler 
rival  of  tiie 
d  continued 
ie  party  w^ 
sight  of  tlie 
)f  the  south- 
employed  in 
deserted,  tire 

under  John- 
irovisions,  if 


Fort  Defiance.  The  provisions  were  placed  in  boats,  with  a  number 
of  men  to  man  them,  while  tlie  troops  continued  their  way  along  the 
road  oi)ened  by  General  AVinchester,  on  the  north  side  ot  the  AFau- 
meo.  encamping  every  night  with  the  boat.s.  lieacl\ing  Fort  Defi- 
ance Colonel  Johnson,  in  pursuance  of  a  suggestion  made  by  Gen- 
eral llarri.son,  was  contemplating  a  movement  against  the  enemy 
upon  the  river  Raisin;  but  while  arranging  the  plans  of  this  move- 
ment, an  express  arrived  from  General  Clay,  commanding  at  Fort 
Mei<i,s.  witli  information  that  tlie  British  and  Indians  threatened  to 
invest  that  place  again,  and  with  a  request  that  Colonel  Johnson 
would  march  his  regiment  there  immediately  for  its  relief.  Orders 
to  march  were  promptly  given ;  and  such  was  the  zeal  and  activity 
of  both  ofhcers  and  men,  that  in  half  an  hour  they  were  all  ready 
to  move,  and  commenced  crossing  the  Maumee  opposite  the  fort. 
The  heads  of  the  column  were  then  drawn  \\\<  in  close  order,  and 
the  Colonel,  in  a  short  and  impressive  address,  instructed  them  in 
their  chities.  At  ten  o'clock  on  the  same  night  the  regiment  arrived 
opposite  Fort  Meigs,  •'  without  molestation,"  says  M'Afee,  "  and 
encamped  in  the  open  plain  between  the  river  and  the  hill  on  which 
the  British  battcies  had  been  erected.'''  Colonel  Johnsons  subse- 
quent movements  and  gallant  services  have  been  noticed  in  previous 
jiages. 

hi  his  History  of  Fort  Wayne,  Mr.  Brice  says  :  "The  old  fort, 
as  oritjinally  built  by  order  of  General  Wayne,  in  1794,  had  with- 
stooil  the  ravages  of  time,  and  the  efforts  of  th  •  Indians  to  destroy 
it  remarkably  well.  From  the  period  of  General  Hamtramck's  oc- 
oupatioii  of  it,  after  the  departure  of  General  Wayne,  to  its  final 
evacuation,  in  IHJO,  it  had  been  in  charge  of  m.any  commandants. 
After  the  resignation  of  Captain  Uhea,  in  iSlJi,  Captain  Hugh 
Moore  assumed  command  ;  who.  in  181.*?,  was  superseded  by  Joseph 
Jenkinson.  In  the  spring  of  fH14,  M.ijor  Whistler  became  its  com- 
mandant, who,  in  turn,  was  superseded  by  M.ajor  Josiah  II.  \'o8e, 
who  continued  in  comm.nud  until  its  final  evacuation.  I'.fth  of  April, 
'■^'O''  In  IS  14,  while  under  command  of  Major  Whistler,  the  post 
I  was  repaired  and  strengthened. 

"In  1815,"  continues  Mr.  Brice, '"  a  few  houses  began  to  appear 
home  fligtance  from  the  fort,  but  usually  in  range  ot  the  bastions, 
jfo  that  in  case  of  attack  tliey  might  easily  be  destroyed,  or  the 
lenemy  driven  away.  One  of  these  was  built  r4^ont  the  center  of 
phat  is  now  Barr  street,  near  the  corner  of  Columbia,  which,  some 


378 


Fort  Wayne  and  Allen  Coiuiti/. 


years  afterwards,  heino;  removed  from  its  former  locality,  formeri  a 
part  of  the  old  Washington  Hall  bnilding,  on  the  south-west  coriior 
of  Columbia  and  Barr  streets,  destroyed  by  lire  in  IH.l.S. 

'*  Among  those  who  came  to  this  point  in  ISl."),  were  Mr.  Boinie, 
grandfather  of  L.  T.  Bourie;  Dr.  Turner,  Dr.  Samuel  Smith.  iVom 
Lancaster,  Ohio ;  and  John  P.  Hedges  returned  hero  from  Cincin 
jiati,  whither,  auu  to  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  he  had  gone  after 
che  battle  of  the  Thames.  The  following  year  (ISKi)  Dr.  Troviu 
came. 

Allen  county  was  named  at  the  suggestion  of  General  Tipton,  in 
honor  of  Colonel  John  Allen,  of  Kentucky,  a  distinguished  lawyer, 
who  met  hij  death  at  the  massacre  of  the  River  Raisin.  The 
county  presents  the  following  area  : 

Square  miles (i54.:?5 

No.  of  acres 410,607.08 

"In  1816,  Indiana  having  been  admitted  as  j  State,  in  comjilianoo 
with  an  act  of  Congress,  this  part  of  the  State,  then  a  portion  ot 
Knox  county,  was  represented  by  John  Badolet,  John  Uoneliel. 
John  Johnson,  William  Polk  and  Benjamin  Parke,  all  now  deceaseil. 
The  seat  of  government  of  Kno.x  county  was  at  Vincennes,  which 
had  for  several  years  been  the  capital  of  the  Indiana  Territory ;  and 
all  judicial  matters  relating  to  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Wayne  >vere 
settled  at  Vincennes  up  to  1818,  when  this  portion  of  the  State. 
extending  to  Lake  Michigan,  was  embraced  in  Randolph  county,  oi 
Avhich  Winchester  was  the  county  seat  up  to  the  formation  of  Allen 
county,  in  182;>.  Among  those  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade  at  this 
point,  and  at  what  is  now  South  Bend  in  \^'Z\,  were  Francis  Com- 
paret,  with  the  Pottawotamies.  at  the  latter  place,  and  Ale.xis 
Coquillard,  with  the  Miamis,  at  the  former.  William  G.  and  George 
W.  Ewing  arrived  here  in  18!22,  and  began  to  trade  with  the  Indians, 
En  route  for  the  Mississippi,  General  Lewis  Cass,  and  the  Indian 
historian.  H.  R.  Schoolcraft,  made  a  short  stop  at  this  point  in  June, 
1822,  reaching  here  in  a  canoe  by  way  of  the  Maumee,  from  Detroh, 
whence  their  frail  vessel  was  hauled  across  the  Portage  to  Little  Uiver, 
from  whence  they  proceeded  on  their  journey  to  the  Father  ot 
Waters." 

In  May,  1822,  a  land  office  \eas  established  in  Fort  Wayne,  anil 
Joseph  Holman,  of  Wayne  county,  was  appointed  Register,  anil 
Captain  Samuel  C.  Vance,  Receiver.  On  the  22d  of  October,  18io, 
a  public  sale  of  the  lands  in  the  district  commenced,  the  miuiiniini 
price  being  fixed  at  Sl.t*5  per  acre.  At  iJiis  sale.  Messrs.  McCorkle, 
of  Piqua,  Ohio,  and  Barr,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  becanic  the  pur 
chasers  of  that  portion  ot  the »city  marked  on  the  maps  "  Old  Fl;i! 
of  Fort  Wayne."     The  purchasers  reserved  suitable  lots  forchurcli, 


Fort  Wayne  and  Allen  County. 


379 


(t  cornor 

•.  Bouvie, 
ith.  from 
II  Cincin- 
one  at'ter 
r.  Tvevill 

Tipton,  in 
>a  lawyer, 
sin.     The 


C,54.'3r) 
,607.08 

compUanco 

portion  ol 

ni   Beueliel. 

w  decease! 

;nnes,  wHieli 

rritory,  ami 

Vayne  ^vere 

f  the  State, 

)h  county,  ol 

ion  of  Allen 

trade  at  tins 

Francis  Com- 

and   Alexis 

and  George 

11  the  Indians. 

|d  the  InAiaa 

Lint  in  Jun^ 

ltronil)«^i"^^i^' 
jiAttleUivev, 

Aw  Father  ot 


Wayne, 

ke^wtev, 


and 
awl 
)ctoher,  l^-^> 
I  the  miuimuffl 
svs.  McCorkle, 
k-a:r.e  the  pw 
La  "  Old  Plat 
lots  for  churcb. 


school  and  burial  purposes,  to  be  donated  when  required  for  those 
geveral  uses.     The  late  Judge  Hanua  subsecpiently  became  the  pur- 
chaser of  the  interest  of  Barr  and  McCorkle.    John  W.  Dawson, 
Esq.,  in  his  Fort  Wayne   Times  in  IBoS,  said :     '•  In  the  old  school 
house,  many  of  Miose,  then  young,  but  now  past  middle  life  who  yet 
live  here,  many  dead,  and  others  absent,  had  their  early  training  for 
usefulnes ;  and  many  there  experienced  that  joy  only  once  known 
in  a  life-time;  while,  perhaps,  nearly  every  teacher,  who  there  disci- 
plined the  youthful  mind,  has  gone  to  his  final  account,  and  soon 
liere  to  be  entirely  forgotten.      This  old  school  house  was  built  of 
brick,  in  I S25,  and  was  then  (piite  large  enough  for  all  needed  pur- 
poses.   It  was  only   one   story   in    height,   and  served,  for  many 
years,  not  only  as  a  school  house,  but  as  a  place  of  religious  worship, 
town  meetings,  Masonic  installations,  political  speeches,  &c.     J.  P. 
Hedges  was  among  the  first  teachers  in  this  old  pioneer  school  house. 
Henry  Coo[ier,  Es([.,  is  claimed  as  the  first  school  teacher  of  the 
place.'    Under  the  authority  of  an  act  of  the  Indiana  Legislature  of 
18'23,  the  county  of  Allen   was  org.anized,  and  in  1824  the  seat  of 
justice  established  at  Fort  Wayne.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
first  officers  elected  :     Anthony  L.  Davis,  Clerk ;  Allen  Hamilton, 
Sherift ;  Samuel  Hanna  and  Benjamin  Cnshman,  Associate  Judges ; 
Joseph  Holman,    Treasurer ;    H.    B.  McKeen,    Assessor ;    W.   T. 
Daviss,  Overseer  of  the  Poor;  R.  Hars,   Inspector   of  Elections; 
Israel  Taylor,  Joseph  Troutner  and  Moses  Scott,  Fence  Viewers. 

The  following  forms  the  list  of  commissioned  Justices  of  the 
Peace  of  Allen  county,  for  1 8/2 : 

Wayne  Township  and  C<7//,  James  E.  Graham  ;  Adams,  H.  Bitten- 
ger,  William  Stewart. Samuel  C.  Freeman,  and  Daniel  Uyan  ;  Al/oit, 
5^iinon  B.  Stouder;  L(dr,  Henry  Keeler;  /'M  Hirer,  William  B. 
Shoaf ;  Pern/,  Henry  Wilkison  and  Wm.  J,  Mayo ;  (^edar  Creek,  I. 
W.  Beard;  ^7.  Joseph,  John  Brown;  Mif/rn,  Daniel  M.  Frisby; 
>'imng field,  Francis  Cosgrove  and  Nathan  B.  Hale ;  Scipio,  H.  W. 
Hide;  Maumvf,  Robert  B.Shirley;  .7ar/(;.vo?i,  Frederick  Mead  and 
John  McMillen  ;  Jeferson,  Francis  Roy  and  John  Nail;   Monroe, 

^Mlliam  Dickinson  and  A.   A.  Baker;    Madison,  Silas  Work  .and 

I  Thomas  Mcintosh  ;  Mtiviiin,  Harvey  K.  Turner  and  Hiram  Coleman  ; 

iPkasani,  M.  Mineheart;  hafaiielte,  Henry  S.  Kelsey  and  John  A. 
Bowser;  Adams,  Samuel  H.  Eveland,  and  John   Dougal ;    Wash- 

mgton,  Ephraim  Irey. 


I 


380 


List  of  County  and  City  Offix;iah. 


County  Officers. — Clerk,  Wm.  S.  Edsall;  Auditor,  Ilonry  J. 
Riidisill ;  Treasurer,  John  Ring;  Sheriff,  Chas.  A,  Zollinger ;  Re- 
corder, John  M.  Koch  ;  County  Commissioners,  John  Begue,  John 
C.  Davis  and  Jacob  Hillegas  ;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Edward 
O'Rourke,  (Joseph  S.  France,  Proseiuting  Attorney  elect :)  Surveyor, 
W.  H.  Goshorn;  Coroner,  John  P.  ^Witers;  School  Examiner, 
James  H.  Smart ;  Court  House  Janitor,  A.  M,  Webb. 

The  first  and  last  city  officers  of  Fort  Wayne  are  given  below- 
beginning  with  the  organization  of  the  municipal  government,  iu 
1840,  and  closing  with  the  current  year  : 

18i()— Mayor,  Geo.  W.  Wood  ;  Recorder,  F.  P.  Randall ;  Attor- 
ney, P.  P.  Randall ;  Treasurer,  Geo.  F.  Wright ;  High  Constable, 
Samuel  S.  Morss ;  Collector,  Samuel  S.  Morss ;  Assessor,  Robert 
E.  Fleming;  Market  Master,  James  Post:  Street  Commissioner, 
Joseph  H.  McMaken ;  Chief  Engineer,  Samuel  Edsall ;  Lumber 
Measurer,  John  B.  Cocanour.  Aldermen,  Wm.  Rockhill.  Thom-is 
Hamilton,  Madison  Sweetser,  Samuel  Edsall,  Wm.  S.  Edsall,  Wm, 
L.  Moon. 

Officers  of  t»^;e  Fort  Wayne  City  Government  fok  1873. 
— Mayor,  Franklin  P. Randall;  Clerk,  Sum.  P.  Freeman  ;  Treasurer, 
John  A.  Droegenioyor ;  Civil  Engineer,  Charles  S.  Brockeiirklsfo; 
Cliief  Engineer  of  Fire  Department,  Thomas  Maiuii:^  ;  Miirkrt 
Master,  Wm.  Schneider;  Street  Commissioner,  B.  L.  P.  Williinl; 
Marshal,  Chas.  Uplegger ;  Chief  of  Police,  M.  Singleton;  Cuiiii- 
cibnen,  O.  P.  Morgan,  Charles  McCnlloch,  John  W.  Bull,  II.  H. 
Putnam,  T.  Hogan,  Henry  Stoll,  Louis  Dessaner,  A,  II.  Carkr, 
James  Lillie,  0.  E.  Bradway,  C.  Becker,  Wm.  Tegtnieyei',  Gor^'e 
Jacoby,  H.  Schnelker,  G.  H.  Wilson,  S.  T.  Hanna,  C.  Tremnitl  ami 
J.  Shoepf. 

The  original  City  Charter  was  written  by  Hon.  F.  P.  Randall,  anJ 
passed  by  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  incor- 
porating the  city  of  Fort  Wayne,  approved  February  22.  1 840,  and 
provided  for  the  election,  by  the  [)eople,  of  a  President  (or  Mayor,) 
and  six  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  (or  Common  Council.) 
and  the  election  of  General  Officers  by  said  Board,  or  Council. 

The  progros.g  in  material  wealth  of  Allen  county  and  Fort  Wayn^ 
may  be  approximately  measured  by  the  following  statement,  gatherta 
from  the  books  of  Henry  Rudisill,  Esq.,  County  Auditor: 


■'^''"il('...J 
Ail:ims 

Vm.  \\\ 

•'■"'kiioii. 

''''ff'cr.soii.J 

'"■''■'■lyclte. 
wke 

•^I'ulison,., 
■^'aridii...'.' 

■Vii.-M) ;; 

Moiii-(„, 
Iii;is;i,il.., 


I M.  .r, 


'>i<'|)ii. 


Progress  in  Population  and  Wealth. 


381 


1840— Tiixablo  viUimtion  of  real  property  in  Allen  countj' $  821,662 

Taxable  valuation  of  personal  property  in  Allen  connty 234,932 

Taxable  valuation  of  real  properly  in  Fort  Wayne 367,336 

Taxable  valuation  of  personal  property  in  Fort  Wayne 134,933 

1850— Taxable  valuation  of  real  property  in  Allen  county 1,800,103 

Taxable  valuati(m  of  personal  property 595,830 

Taxable  valuation  of  real  property  in'Forl  Wayne 604,439 

Taxable  valuation  of  personal  property  in  Fort'Wayne :'.81,476 

1800— Taxable  valuation  of  real  property  in  Allen  eounty 4,952,385 

Taxable  valuation  of  personal  proiierty 1,950,695 

'faxable  valuation  of  real  jjroperty  in  Fort  Wayne 1,449,300 

Taxable  valuation  of  i)ersonal  property 814,870 

1872— Taxable  valuation  of  real  property  in  Allen  county 10,210,824 

Taxable  valuation  of  personal  property 3,057,352 

Taxable  valuation  of  real  property  in  Fort  Wayne 4,191,715 

Taxai)le  valuation  of  personal  jiroperty 2,:!58,845 

The  growth  of  Allen  eounty  durinj»  a  period  of  forty  years  is 
exhibited  in  the  following  census  returns  : 

ISO 996 

Ist'tO .  5,942 

1850 16,719 

18(10 29,328 

1870 43,494 

And  of  the  city  and  several  townships  in  the  county,  during  three 
decennial  periods,  in  the  following  table  : 


TOWNSUirS  AND  CITIE8. 

1870 

ISfiO 

1850 

Allditf 

906 
2388 

912 

1713 

1217 

19400 

202 
1445 
1471 
1309 
1278 
1319 

394 
1183 
1479 

g;!0 

1280 
1280 
420 
1749 
1373 
1628 

876 
1773 

539 

Ailains 

1013 

New  Haven 

Cedar  Creek 

1>!  River 

1-128 

1003 

10319 

93 

1061 

1320 

951 

919 

1358 

1()4 

786 

610 

814 
655 

l"i)it  Wayne 

■lacksoii ...                 

4283 

Ji'tt'crson 

568 

Lifiivi'lte 

524 

Luke 

578 

M:i(lisoil 

561 

Jlaridii 

1095 

Maunve 

93 

Milan 

361 

MOMI'df 

414 

Moiiroeville 

I'lITV 

1180 
1207 
346 
1505 
1005 
1487 

842 

i'liiiiant 

658 

!>iil)ii)    

178 

^I'lin^ffield 

702 

!->l.  •Inseph 

\\;isliinu:ti)n 

748 
1805 

382 


Fort  Wayne — Churches,  /Schools,  c^c. 


Churches. — There  are  twenty-two,  namely  :  Three  Presbyterian ; 
three  Catholic;  four  Lutheran;  four  Methodist;  two  Protestant 
Episcopal;  one  Baptist;  one  Congregational;  one  Bethel  (Evan- 
gelical Association ;)  one  Jewish  Synagogue,  and  two  German 
Reformed. 

Nkvspapkrs. — Four,  namely  :  The  Fort  Wayne  Soitiurl,  (daily 
and  weekly,)  Dumra  &  Fleming,  editors  and  proprietors  ;  the  Fort 
Wayne  (iazatte,  (daily  and  weekly,)  McNiece  &  Alexander,  editors 
and  proprietors ;  Indiana  Slants  Zei7?«///,  (tri-weekly  and  weekly,) 
John  D.  Sarninghausen,  editor  and  proprietor ;  Fort  Wayne 
Itejmblicnn,  (weekly,)  W.  R.  Steel,  editor  and  proprietor;  Fort 
Wayne  Journal,  (weekly,)  Thomas  S.  Taylor,  editor  and  proprietor: 
and  the  Volksfretmd,  (weekly,)  the  Volksfreund  Publishing  Com- 
pany, proprietors. 

Public  School  Department. — Board  of  Education  :  Oliver  P. 
Morgan,  President;  John  S.  Irwin,  Treasurer;  Pliny  Hoagland, 
Secretary;  James  H.  Smart,  Superintendent.  In  addition  to  the 
High  and  Training  Schools,  which  occupy  one  building,  there  are 
nine  others,  namely  :  The  JetFerson,  Clay,  Washington,  Hoagland, 
Hanna,  Harmer,  Bloomingdale  and  East  and  West  German  Schools. 
These  schools  are  all  under  very  efficient  management,  and  are  con- 
ducted satisfactorily  to  the  public.  About  2,500  pupils  were 
enrolled  the  current  year. 

There  is  also  the  Fort  Wayne  College,  and  three  private  schools. 
the  latter  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  under  the  auspcies  of  tlic 
Catholic  Church. 

Benevolent  Institutions. — There  are  eight  Masonic  urgani 
zations:  Fort  Wayne  Couimandery  No.  4;  Fort  Wayne  Council 
No.  4 ;  Fort  Wayne  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ;  Wayne  Lodge  No.  25,  F, 
&  A,  M. ,  Summit  City  Lodge,  No.  170;  Home  Lodge,  No.  34:': 
Sol.  D.Bay  less  Lodge,  No.  359,  and  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottiisii 
Rite. 

The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  are  represented  iu  four 
Lodges:  Fort  Wayne  Lodge  No.  14;  Harmony,  No.  19;  Con 
cordia,  No.  228,  and  Summit  City  Encampment,  No.  10. 

The  Israelites    have    four  societies   which   are   well  sustained. 
nemely  ;     The  Independent  Order  Benai  Beritli ;  Jewish  Poor  Kurni 
Society ;  Ladies'  Hebrew  Benevolent  Society,  and  Hebrew  Literary  i 
Association. 


Fort  Wayne  in  1834. 


383 


y  tenan ; 
otestant 
[  (Evan- 
German 

id,  (<laily 
thi-  Fort 
sr,  ecVilors 
I  weekly,) 
t  Wayne 
ior;    Fori 
(vouvietor; 
,bmg  Com- 

:  Oliver  P. 
Hoagland, 

ition  to  the 

g,  there  ave 

1,  lloagland, 

nan  Sc\\ools. 

and  are  con- 
pupils  were 

vate  scbools. 
jpcies  of  the 

sonic  organi 
lync  Council 

Ige,  No.  34'i: 
Jpted  Scotfwli 

denied  iu  io« 

f  o.  19  ;  tJoB- 

Jell  sustained. 
Lli  roor  Vuni 
Ibrew  I^'terarj 


The  Independent  Order  of  Red  Men  sustain  two  Lodges;  the 
Good  Templers  one,  and  the  Typo^^'raphical  Union  one. 

Tlic  Frcneh  citizens  have  a  nourishing  organization  known  as  the 
Lafayette  Benevolent  Society) 

The  Catholics  liave  several  charitable  and  literary  institutions, 
ainoiip:  the  most  huncficient  of  which  is  a  Charitable  Hospital 
o8tabli.sh(i(l  in  the  large  building  formerly  used  as  a  hotel,  and  known 
as  the  liockhill  House. 

Tlie  young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  the  Allen  County 
Bible  Society  have  each  a  large  membership. 

The  foregoing  is  all  that  could  conveniently  be  obtained  in  regard 
to  the  religious,  literary  and  benevolent  establishments  of  Fort 
Wayne,  without  exhibiting  a  discrimination  tiiat  would  have 
suhjeuted  the  writer  to  censure — some  having  furnished  full  data 
Avhile  others,  engrossed  in  business,  neglected  to  atford  the  infor- 
mation retpiested. 

A  copy  of  the  Fort  Wayne  Scnliiiel,  by  Tigar  &  Noel,  (the  first 
paper  established  in  the  Maumee  Valley,)  dated  August  iJO,  1834,  is 
funiislied  by  Mayor  Randall.  A  glance  at  the  advertisements, 
and  other  mutter  in  this  number,  indicate  some  of  the  general 
features  of  the  business  as  it  then  existed,  and  a  digest  is  here 
furnislied : 

S.  &  H.  Hanna  tJt  Co.  advertise  that  they  are  engaged  in  the 
commission  business,  and  that  they  will  receive  in  storage  and  sell 
all  kinds  of  produce,  "  and  attend  to  the  storage  and  forwarding 
Imsinoss  generally."' 

Then  appears  a  prospectus  for  the  Ohio  Farmer  and  Western 
llorliriil/uris/,  published  twice  a  month,  "  on  fine  paper  and  new 
type,'"  by  S.  Medary,  Batavia,  Clermont  County,  Ohio— concluding 
with  the  admonition  "  that  all  letters  to  tlie  editor  must  be  post 
paid.'' 

I  Samuel  Edsall  "  respectfully  informs  the  inhabitants  of  Fort 
Wayne  and  the  public  in  general,"  tliat  he  is  engaged  in  the  car- 
penter and  joiner  business. 

John  B.  Richardville  notifies  all  concerned  that  he  is  adminis- 
Itrator  of  the  estate  of  Joseph  Richardville,  late  of  Miami  county, 
[Joceased. 

David  Coles  offers  for  sale  '"that  valuable  propeity  on  the 
jMaumoe  liiver,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Fort  Wayne,  consisting 
lot  a  mill  establishment  and  mill  site,  a  portion  of  which  is  bottom, 


384 


Fort  Wayne  in  1834. 


I 


and  the  balance  first  rate  upland.    There  is  an  excellent  and  con- 
venient spring  ot  water  on  it." 

Thomas  Johnson  and  Lucien  B.  Ferry  insert  their  law  cardp. 

W.  G.  &  G.  W.  Ewing  "  having  prepared  a  commodious  ware- 
house, will  receive  and  sell  all  kinds  of  produce,  and  attend  to  the 
storage  and  forwarding  business  generally."  They  furthernioro 
promise  the  highest  price  in  cash  and  nierchaudiHo  for  lurs  aiiil 
l)eltries. 

The  St.  Joseph  Iron  Works,  which  appear  to  have  been  under 
the  management  of  A.  M.  Hurd,  advertise  business  in  their  line. 

Comparet  &  Coquillard  notify  "all  persons  indebted  to  the  firm 
by  book  account  to  call  and  make  settlement ;  and  those  who  are 
indebted  by  note  of  hand,  are  ro(|uested  to  call  and  pay  the  same.' 

Ebbert  &  Co.  "  inform  their  friends  and  the  public  in  general 
that  they  have  commenced  the  cabinet  and  chair  making 
business  " — their  shop  being  "  on  Columbia  street,  one  door  east  of 
Joseph  Morgan's  store,  and  nearly  opposite  the  printing  office." 

Ebbert  &  lihinehart  announce  that  "they  continue  to  carry 
on  the  carpenter  and  joiner  business  in  all  their  various  brandies." 
"  and  hope  by  a  strict  attention  to  business,"'  &c.,  <fec. 

John  B.  Dubois  "  returns  his  thanks  to  his  numerous  friends  lor 
the  liberal  encouragement  bestowed,''  &c.,  and  "  informs  them  ami 
the  public  in  general  that  he  will  continue  the  tailoring  business  ai 
his  old  stand  adjoining  the  Exchange  Coffee  House.'" 

An  apprentice,  between  1 4  and  1 6  years  of  age  was  wanted  by  Mr, 
Tigar  in  the  Sentinel  otUce. 

"  Good  strong  beer,  for  sale  at  the  Fort  Wayne  Brewery,  by  the 
barrel  or  gallon,  cheap-''''    Signed,  Comparet  &  Coquillard. 

The  co-partnership  of  Work  &  Cron,  (Henry  Work  and  Isaiali 
Cron,)  was  dissolved  July  16,  1834. 

Comparet  &  Coquillard  advertise  for  hops  and  deer  skins. 

T.  Pritchard  oft'ers  the  highest  price  in  cash  for  old  brass  and  I 
copper. 

"  Many   voters "   request   the    announcement   of  the    following  j 
names  as  suitable  persons  to  fill  the  offices  in  the  village  :     Corpop, 
ation  Trustees,  John  B.  Bourie,  L.  G.  Thomson,  James  Barnett,  Jolm 
B.  Dubois   and   L.   B.    Wilson;  and   for   Library  Trustees,  J.  A.| 
Aughinbaugh,  L.  V.  B.Noel,  Thomas  Johnson,  Wm.  H.  Wallace, H 
Rudisill,  Milo  Kumsey  and  Marshall  L.  Wines. 

The  publishers  state,  editorially,  that  they  "  have  been  disappointei  j 


Fort  Wayne  in  1834. 


885 


aiul  con- 

ivcls. 

ua  ware- 
nd  to  tlio 
.•thermovo 
•  turs  and 

)('en  under 
ir  line, 
to  the  firm 
isc  who  are 

the  same." 

in  general 
iv     making 
;loor  east  of 
r  office." 
lue  to  carry 
ns  \)vanche8." 

s  friends  tor 
ms  ti>em  aiul 
,r  business  ai 

Wanted  by  Mi' 

jwery,  ^y  * 
Kd. 

[k  and  Isaiali 

skins. 

>U1  brass  d 

the    follo\viii?l 

ige:     Covpor 

Barnett,Jota| 

Irustees,  J'  ^' 

ll.  Wallace, B' 

n  disappoint*! 


in  receiving  their  supply  of  paper ;  thoreforo,  no  paper  will  be  issued 
from  their  office  next  week." 

The  following  statement  of  the  number  of  votes  given  at  the 
Presidential  election  in  1834,  and  at  the  elections  in  1831  and  1832, 
is  offered  by  the  editor  as  gratifying  proof  of  the  rapid  increase  of 
population  in  this  part  of  the  State  : 


COUNTIES. 


Allen 

Lngrange.. 

Elkhart 

St.  Joseph. 
Laporte.... 

Total.. 


18-34 


'dm 

364 
446 

482 


lasa 


324 
87 
189 
244 
165 


1801 


909 


1831 


208 
unorganized. 

183 

123 
unorganized. 


513 


Ten  dollars  reward  is  offered  by  Joseph  Gronauer  for  the  recovery 
of  a  horse  that  left  his  premises. 

Horatio  N.  Curtis,  Tlios.  P.  Quick,  William  Gordon,  Robert  W. 
Clemmer,  George  Platter,  Samuel  Hughes,  Kobert  Murphey,  Henry 
Hughe.',  Andrew  Clemmer,  E.  V.  Spurrier,  AVm.  Banks  and  James 
Phillips,  date  an  advertisement  from  Cranesville,  Williams  county, 
Ohio,  and  appear  to  have  a  controversy  with  a  firm  at  Fort  Wayne 
who  had  sold  each  of  them  Fanning  Mills. 

Fresh  groceries  at  the  William  Tell  Coffee  House,  No.  7  Commer- 
cial Row,  are  advertised. 

D.  Burr,  Commissioner  of  Contracts,  cautions  the  public  against 
the  purchase  of  draft  No.  78,  drawn  on  the  Commissioner  of  the 
Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,  and  directed  to  James  B.  Johnson,  Fund 
Commissioner  of  Canal  Board,  and  made  payable  to  Daniel 
McGillycuddy. 

D.  Burr,  Samuel  Lewis  and  James  B.  Johnson,  Commissioners  of 
the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,  serve  a  notice  upon  George  Conner,  to 
the  effect  that  they  have  "requested  S.  Noel,  Magistrate,  to 
issue  his  warrant  to  the  Sheriff  to  summon  a  jury  to  meet  on  the 
east  part  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  No.  3,  Township  30 
north,  of  range  12  east,  at  10  o'clock  A.  m.,  30th  September,  to 
I  ascertain  the  damages,  if  any  you  may  have  sustained  by  the  con- 
[struction  of  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal." 

Anthony  L.  Davis  has  placed  his  notes  in  the  hands  of  S.  Noel^ 

[Esq.,  for  immediate  collection. 

85 


386 


Fort  Wayne  in  1834. 


Thomas  Johnson,  Clerk  jiro  tern.,  notified  the  qualified  voters  ol 
the  town  of  Fort  Wayne  "  that  there  will  bean  election  at  the  houac 
of  Colonel  Sutton  field  on  ^londay,  the  1st  of  Sei)tembernoxtfortli(! 
purpose  of  electing  live  trustees  of  the  corporation  of  said  town;' 
Dated  August  11,  1834. 

D.  Pickering  announces  that  an  election  will  be  held  for  tlii' 
purpose  of  electing  *•  five  delegates  for  the  Allen  county  library  for 
the  ensuing  year." 

Matthew  Griggs  advertises  reliable  property  for  sale,  connisting  of 
"lots  Nob.  117  and  118  on  the  original  plat  of  the  town  of  Fort 
Wayne.  On  lot  No.  118  there  are  comfortable  buildings  which  rent 
for  one  hundred  and  forty-four  dollars  per  annum.  Lot  No.  118  is 
on  the  corner  of  Barr  and  Berry  streets — 150  feet  on  Barr  and  60 
feet  on  Berry.  For  terms  enquire  of  the  subscriber,  three-fourths  of 
a  mile  south  of  Fort  Wayne,  or  of  D.  H.  Colerick,  in  Fort  Wayue." 

S.  &  H.  Hanna  &  Co.  advertise  "  new  goods,  flour,  pork,  butter, 
lard,  brandy,  rum,  wine,  molasses,  tea,  coffee,  mackerel,  shad,  Ames' 
shovels,  Collins  «&  Co.'s  axes,  table  knives  and  forks,  log  chains,  cut 
spikes,  tow,  linen,  counterpanes,  needles,  pins,''  &c. 

Samuel  and  James  Hunter  inform  the  public  that  the  persons 
who  vend  wind  mills  made  at  John's  Mills  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Bowser,  sometimes  represent  to  the  people  that  the  mills  are  the 
work  of  our  establishment  at  this  place.    This  is  not  true,"  &c. 

One  hundred  laborers  are  wanted  by  Isaac  Whicher  to  whom 
highest  wages  in  cash  will  be  given  for  labor  on  sections  57  and  IK 
of  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal. 

Isaac  Spencer  announces  that  he  has  received  a  new  stock  o'j 
summer  and  fall  goods. 

Eumsey  &  Stophlet  advertise  that  they  have  removed  their  eho 
to  the  new  building  No.  14,  Commercial  Row,  Columbia  street. 

Lucien  P.  Ferry  gives  notice  that  he  has  taken  out  letters  t 
administration  on  the  estate  of  Louis  Godfroy,  deceased,  formerblj 
Huntington  county,  Indiana. 

V.  Armitage  offers  ten  dollars  reward  to  the  person  who  k| 
return  his  stray  horse  to  Col.  Suttenfield's  stable. 

F.  D.  Lasalle  &  Co.,  make  a  call  upon  those  indebted  to  themi't'j 
payment. 

Henry  Work  offers  the  highest  price  for  hides  and  skins,  and  statsj 
that  he  manufactures  l^oots  and  shoes  at  his  tannery. 


Fort  Wayne  in  1872. 


387 


roU-rs  ol' 
he  ho\i3t^' 
xt  Tor  Uic 
id  town." 

d  for  t\ii' 
Library  for 

,n«i8tin?;  o( 
vu  of  Vorl 
which  rent 
t  No.  118 13 
Barr  and  60 
>e-fourths  of 
ort  Wayue." 
pork,  butter, 
shad,  Ames' 
)g  chains,  cut 

;  the  persons 
rection  of  ^^• 
mills  are  the 
true,"  &c. 
r  to  whom  tk 
,n8  57andli: 

new  stock  oi  I 

)ved  their  M 
Lbia  street. 

out  letters « 
ted,  formerly' 

erson  wbo  «! 
Ited  to  them«: 
|8kins,andst#l 


T.  Pritchard  advertises  the  William  Tell  Coffee  House  and  Read- 
ing Room,  No.  7,  Comnu'rcial  Kow,  Columbia  street. 

Hhoc'a  and  Wm.  C.  Cushiuau  gives  notice  that  the  books,  notes, 
l)onds,  and  every  other  evidence  uf  liability  to  the  estate  of  Dr. 
Hriijiimin  Ciislitnun  have  been  placed  in  thehandsof  D.  II.  Colerick 
for  iniini'diate  suit  and  collection. 

Jacob  Cox  announces  to  the  public  that  he  has  opened  a  saddler's 
sliop  in  Commercial  Kow,  No.  3,  and  notifies  the  citizens  that  they 
can  be  furnisbed  with  lire  luuikets,  it'  iinmediare  application  be 
miidc;  and  adds  the  signiticant  suggestion  that  *' tbo  ordimmce  is 
about  to  expire." 

Oiu'  hundred  uolbu's  is  utFered  in  ;ui  lulvfiti.stMnenf.  signed  "  Wni. 
T,  Biirry.  Po-sUnabter  General,  by  II.  Kiidijsill,  P.  M.,  for  the  arrest 
and  delivery  to  the  United  States  Marshal  at  Indiatnipidis,  or  secured 
in  any  jail  within  loO  miles  of  Fort  W'ayne,  of  Wni.  McCoy,  charged 
with  robbing  the  United  States  mail,  and  who  broke  jail  at  Fort 
Wayne,  on  Friday,  the  14th  of  May,  183-i.  Said  McCoy  is  17  years 
of  age,"  &c. 

Henderson  &  Kincaid  suggest  that  they  will  have  a  small  sum  of 
money  to  lend,  providing  those  indebted  to  them  will  call  and  settle 
their  accounts  soon  ;  if  not,  they  will  inevitably  have  to  borrow. 

NOTES  ON  THE   BUSINESS   OF   FOIIT   WAYNE   IN    1872. 

It  is  a  subject  of  regret  that  a  more  satisfactory  view   of  the 
business  of  Fort  Wayne,  as  it  now  exists,  could  not  have  been  pre- 
sented in  these  pages.    In  December,  1871,  a  Board  of  Trade,  one  of 
the  chief  purposes  of  which  was  to  make  an   annual  exhibit  and 
publication  of  the  business  of  the  city,  was  organized ;  its  officers 
and  committees  were   judiciously    selected,    and   its  membership 
embraced,  so  far  as  enrolled,  the  best  business  men  of  the  city  ;  but 
the  first  year  not  having  terminated,  it  is  too  late  to  receive  for  use 
in  this  work  the  benefit  of  the  valuable  statistics  which  the  forth- 
1  coming  first  annual  report  will   doubtless  present.      The  writer 
devoted  much  time  and  effort  to  the  work  of  gathering  the  necessary 
Istatistics;  but  finally,  through  the  pressure  of  personal  demands 
jnpon  the  time  of  railway  managers,  manufacturers,  bankers,  mer- 
jchants,  &c.,  to  whom  application  was  made,  many  of  them  were 
Innable  to  communicate  the  facts  so  desirable  to  present  a  view  of 
Itheir  several  industries.    The  best  presentment,  however,  from  the 


388 


Fort  Wayne  in  1872. 


imperfect  liglit  attiiiiuible,  is  licre  given,  prol'iiced  by  a  liwl  oC  tin 
oniccrsof  the  Kort  Wiiyiic  Uoiird  of  Tnule : 

President,  \,  P.  Kdgertoii;  \st    Vice  President,  .).  11.  Bass;  'id 

Vice  President,  K.  (r.  McN  iece ;  Hccrntar]!,  V\  S.  Shurick ;  Trcamm, 

Chas.   McCuUoch;  Directors,   fS.   Gary   Kvaiis,   h>.  V>.  lioml,  A.  ('. 

Trentman,  A.  P.  Etlgerton,  J.  II.  Hass,  A.  Waring,  S.  Tlianliotisoi' 

R.  G.  McNiece,  Jolm  Orl!',  Chas.  i\IcCnlloch  and  F.  S.  Siuirick. 

The  following  list  of  members  of  the  Hoard  will  coiistitnto  soiul- 
thing  of  a  business  landmark  for  future  times: 

Same  of  Members.  Lvninfiin. 

Alexander  D.  S fSa/.clto  Co. 

Anderson  T.  P Piano  (leiikTs. 

Aveliue  House Hotel. 

Bash  Sol Hash  &  Co.,  dealers  in  f..r.s,  wool,  hides,  &t, 

BiiHS  John  H Fort  Wnyne  Maehine  Works. 

HaylessSol.  D Attorney-at-law. 

Beaver  A.  C Beaver,  iMilkr  ilcCo.,  planing  mill. 

Becker  Jacob Oppenheimer  A;  Beclter,  com.  merchants, 

Bell  R.  C Attorney-at-law. 

Bond  C.  I) Prosidint  Ft  Wayne  National  Rank. 

Bond  J.  D Cashier  Ft.  Wayne  National  Hank. 

Boeger  Rudoli)h Miller  &  Boegcr,  flour,  feed,  &c. 

Bond  S.  B President  Allen  Hamilton  &  Co.'s  bank. 

Bowser  J.  C Bowser  &  (-o.,  machinists. 

Beach  Frederick Morgan  i\5  Beach,  hardware. 

Biddle  L.  M Druggist. 

Becker  Chris Shitcrmeister,  Becker  &  Bond,   steam  lime 

marble  works 
Bond  Henry  W Shetermeister,   Becker  &  Bond,  steam  lime 

marble  works. 

Bull  John  W Proprietor  Mayer  House. 

Boltz  F.  F Groceries. 

Braudrif!  A,  D Braudri)F&  Roberts,  hardware. 

Brackenridge  J Judge  Criminal  Court. 

Carter  Wm Stove  dealer. 

Clark  Jos.  M Merchant  tailor. 

Clark  Jno.  H Clark  &Rhincsmith,  plnclumbor  dealers 

Cochrane  John Cochrane,  Humphrey  &  Co.,  builders. 

Case  W.  H Humphrey  &  Case,  Unseed  oil. 

Colerick  David  H Attorney-at-law. 

Coombs  Jno.  M Iron  dealer. 

Carry  E Root  &  Co.,  dry  goods. 

Dumni  R.  D Dumm  &  Flcmming,  daily  (Sentinel. 

Dreir  Bros Druggists. 

Davezac  Peter Grain  dealer. 

EckertFred Butcher. 

Edgerton  A.  P President  Gas  Co. 

Edgerton  H.  H Secretary  Gas  Co. 

Edsall  W.  S County  Clerk. 

Evans  S.  Cary President  Merchants'  National  Bank. 

Evans  A.  S Evans  it  Co.,  wholesale  dry  goods. 

Edgerton  J.  K Attorney-at-law. 

Ewing  Geo.  W Ewing,  Smith  &  Co.,  tobacconists. 


Fort  Wat/nem  18Y2. 


389 


■  (>r  iiu,' 

rcasnm, 
d,  A.  C. 

•iek. 

it'J    SOUK'- 


1,  hiaes,  &c. 


11. 
:;rclianl9. 

uk. 


1.8 


blink. 

Hleam  Hmc 
steam  Vimc 


Inr  dealers 
luiUlets. 


ttiael 


Bank 

I)0d3. 


Mama  of  Membert.  DtuiineM. 

First  National  Hank J.  ]>.  Niittinim,  Prcsklenf. 

Fort  Wayne  ISiilioniil  Hunk ('.  I).  Hiiiid,  I'rcHidont. 

Fleming  Win Duinin  vV  b\,  daily  iSeutinel. 

FiH-llinj:t'r  J.  M (Jnx^i'ricH,  iV-c. 

Fl.  W.  Macii.  iVCivr  Wlicel  W'kH..J,  H.  ]<ass,  I'ropriotor. 

Ft.  Wayne  Savings  Hunk ...Ino.  Hongli,  TreiiHurer. 

Foster  IJrotliers Dry  (loodw. 

Frank  M Friink  i\:  Tliauhonflor,  dry  goods, 

(tosiiorn  J.  S CMvii  fimiiiccr,  <,'onlriiclor,  etc. 

OorlmurC.  E Siipt.  I*.  Ft.  W.  it  C.  Uy. 

lliunilton,  Allen  it  Co Bunkers. 

Iliimiltiin  Montgomery lluestia  ct  H.,  wholesale  grocers. 

Hamilton  A.  II 

llumiilirey  it  Case ...Linseed  oil. 

Ilanna  S.  T Heal  estate,  &c. 

ilanna  H.   T Heal  estate,  itc. 

lloirman  Hros Walnut  lumber  dealers  and  manuractiirers. 

Haskell  Wash Produce  &  commission  mcrcbuut. 

Iliiltcrsley Hrass  works,  itc. 

Harper  IJros Hatters. 

HillO.  L Piano  dealer. 

Hill  Jno.  E.  Jr Flouring  mill. 

Hoagland  Pliny Vice  President  Ft.  Wayne  National  Bank. 

Hoiii;li  .John Heal  estate,  insurance,  itc. 

Huestis  A.  C Iluestis  &  11.,  wholesale  grocers. 

Ihnnplu'ey  Geo Cochrane  II.  &  Co.,  builders. 

Hiinl  0.  1) Sasli,  door  and  blind  manufacturer. 

Irwin  Jno.  S C!asliier  Merchant's  National  Bank. 

Iildiuga  llirnm U.  S.  pensicm  agent. 

■limes  Wm.  H Attorney. 

Kamm  J.  J Postmaster. 

KeilBros Books,  stationery,  wall  paper,  «.tc. 

Lamley  Moses Jjamley  i.t  Hosehthol,  cigar  manufacturers. 

Lingcnf'elsor  Bros Trunk  it  valise  manufacturers. 

LmvryUoljt .Judge  Circuit  Court. 

McCulloch  F.  II McC.  &  Hichey,  hardware,  &c. 

McCulloch  Charles Cashier  Allen 'Hamilton  «t  Co. 

-McDoujciiU  Juo Carpet  dealer. 

McKay  Neil McKay  &  Goshoru,  contractors. 

McKinnie  Henry Eating  hotel. 

-McNieceR.  G Daily  Gazette. 

Markley  Aaron Markley,  Scrader  &  Co.,  boots  and  shoes. 

JJaycr  Andrew Mayer  it  Grotfe,  jewelers. 

Meyer  Bros.  &  Co Druggists. 

Miller  ,lno.  M Furniture  manufacturer. 

Moon  Goo.  R U.  S.  Collector's  office. 

Morgan  0.  P Morgan  it  Beach,  hardware. 

Murray  K Murray  it  B.,  machinists. 

Myers  W.H Physician  and  surgeon. 

jModerwellH Shirt  manufacturer. 

Neiseiter  C.  B Harness,  saddles,  &c. 

Neiseiter  Conrad Trunks,  valises,  »tc. 

Nidlinger  .lacob Clothing. 

"iikley  &  Son Hardware. 

Okls&Sons Spokes,  hubs,  &c. 

Orir  John Flouring  mills. 

[Urtrc OrffC.  &Co.,drygood3. 


i 


390 


Fort  Wayne  in  1872. 


A'07»««  of  Membera.  Dmimsa. 

Paul  Wm.  &Son Groceries  and  provisions. 

Pfeiffer  J.  C.  &  Co Flouring  mill. 

Kandall  F.  P Mayor. 

Read  &  S»n Livery  and  sale  stable. 

Read  Moses Flour,  feed  and  produce. 

Reid|A.D Reid,  Waring  &  Nelson,  Ft.  W.  Plow  Works. 

Root  L.  B.  &  Co Dry  Goods. 

Rurod«  E.  C Root  &  Co.,  dry  goods. 

Rudisill  H.  J County  Auditor. 

Sarnighausen  Jno Stoats  Zeitung. 

Shoan  Sam'l  H Saddles,  harness,  »fcc. 

Shurick  J.  S Stave  manufacturer. 

Siemou  Bros Stationery,  books,  &c. 

Sinclair  Samuel  E Attorney. 

Slack  Thos.  A Agent  Empire  Line  Co. 

Schurick  F,  S Agent  Associated  Press. 

Smart  J.  H Superintendent  public  schools. 

Smick  S.  S Agricultural  implements,  &c. 

Steel  W,  R .^t^diior  Republican. 

Stockbridge  N.  P Stationery,  books,  &c. 

Sturgis  House C.  B.  Cumpston,  proprietor. 

Sutermeister  A ....Sutermeister,  B.  &  B.,  marble  works. 

Schuckman  Juo Wilson  S.  &  M.,  hardware. 

Trentman  B Trentman  &  Son,  wholesale  grocers. 

Trentman  A.  C Trentman  &  Bon,  wholesale  grocers. 

Trentman  H.  J Crockery,  china,  «fcc. 

Tresselt  Christian Tresselt,  tloagland  &  Co.,  Flouring  mill. 

Thanhouser  Sam>\el Frank  &  Thanhouscr,  dry  goods. 

Vollraer  Daniel Druggist. 

Vodermark  &  Sous Boots  &  shoes. 

Wagner  IJ.  G :  Druggist. 

Wallin  C.  E Photographer. 

Ward  H,  N Crockery,  chiua,  glassware,  «S5C. 

Western  Uuion  Tel'gh  Co C.  II.  Currier,  Manager. 

White  J.  B Fruit  house. 

Williams  J.  L..  Civil  engineer  and  contractor. 

Williams  Henry  M Hoagland,  Tresselt  &  Co.,  flouring  mill. 

Williams  Edward  P Meyer  Bhls.  &  Co.,  driiggir^ts. 

Wilson  Geo.  H Wilson  Schuckman  &  M.,  hardware,  tin,  Ac. 

Wolke  Frauk  H Wolke  &  Trentman, contbctiouersand cracker 

miinutiiclurcrs. 
Worthington  W.  W Suiiei-inleudcul  Ft.  W.,  M.  i.t  C.  Railway. 

AgricuJfiirnl  Macliiiieri/,  tfy;. — Seven  estiihlislirnents  are  engaged  in 
the  haiHllina;  of  iigricnltural  niachiiu^ry,  wliose  {iiimial  sales  exceed 
j>]  80,000.     These  goods,  howover,  are  chielly  mnnufactured  abroail. 

Bakeries. — Ten  are  reported.  The  vahie  of  the  raw  material  con- 
sumed and  aggregate  profits,  would  imdve  a  good  exhibit,  if  they 
could  be  ascertained. 

Bank  and  Banker!^. — Statistica  of  this  important  element  that 
exercises  so  great  power  on  the  business  of  a  community,  couUl  not 
be  ascertained.  There  are  five  institutions,  however,  and  all  sub- 
stantial.   The  Fort  Wayne  National  Bank  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 


Fort  Wayne  in  1872. 


391 


most  solid  institutions  in  Indiana — having  existed  prior  to  its  or- 
ganization under  the  National  Banking  act  during  many  years,  un- 
der a  State  Charter,  and  organized  and  managed,  chiefly,  by  Hon. 
Hugh  McCulloch,  late  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury,  and 
now  principal  of  a  leading  banking  house  in  London.  Then  there 
is  the  Merchant's  National,  the  Bank  of  Hamilton,  Allen  &  Co., 
the  Fort  Wayne  Savings  Bank  and  the  First  National  Bank. 

Band  Saw  Mill. — [See  "Black  Walnut  Lumber  and  Sawed  Chair 
Stuff."    Also,  "  Saw  Mills."] 

Boarding  Houses.  — Thirty-six. 

Boiler  Makers. — Three,  employing  in  the  aggregate  a  capital  and 
manual  force  that  renders  it  one  of  the  most  important  industries 
of  Fort  Wayne.  Statistics  of  one  of  these  appears  under  the  head  of 
"Stationary  Steam  Engines,  Boilers,''  &c.,  the  establishment  of  J.  C. 
Bowser  «&  Co. 

Booh  Binders. — Two,  Dumm  &  Fleming  and  Davis  &  Bro. 

Books  and  Stationery. — Four  well-stocked  establishments. 

Boots  and  Shoes. — Thirty-five ;  the  stocks  being  mostly  imported. 

Black  Walnut  Lumber  and  Sawed  Chair  Stuff. — Hoffman  Bros. 
employ  in  this  industry  sixty  hands,  and  produce  an  annual  value 
amounting  to  $125,000. 

Car  Wheels. — The  establishment  of  John  H.  Bass  gives  employ- 
ment to  eight  hundred  hands  in  the  manufacture  of  car  wheels, 
boilers,  &c. 

Carpets,  Oil  Cloths,  &c. — Two  houses  are  engaged  exclusively  in 
this  trade. 

Carriages  and  Wagons. — Six  establishments  manufacturing  exten- 
sively. 

Chair  Stuff. — One  by  J.  R.  Hoffman  &  Bros. 

Children^ s  Carriages. — Three  firms  engaged  in  this  manufacture. 

Cigars  and  Tobacco. — Twelve  establishments,  the  larger  number 
of  which  manufacture  cigars. 

Clothing. — It  is  estimated  that  twelve  clothing  establishments 
make  annual  sales  amounting  to  8250,000,  and  that  about  twenty 
percent,  of  this  amount  Is  manufactured  in  Fort  Wayne. 

Drugs,  Medicines,  iCc. — Fifteen  stores,  one  of  which,  (Meyer, 
Bros.  &  Co.,)  wholesale  to  a  large  amount,  and  the  store  of  II.  G. 
Wagner  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  business  houses  in  the  city. 

Dry  Goods. — Nine  estabhshments,  one  of  which  sells  only  at 
wholesale. 


392 


Fort  Wayne  in  1872. 


Other  Stores. — Six  Hour  and  feed,  one  variety,  nine  liquor  and 
wines,  twelve  sewing  machine  agencies,  two  periodical  depots,  twelve 
millinery,  twelve  notions,  four  looking  glasses,  five  harness,  saddlery, 
&c.,  four  hair  work,  jewelry,  tStc,  six  hats  and  caps,  one  hoop  skirts 
and  corsets,  four  fur  dealers,  ten  furniture,  fourteen  gentlemen's  fur- 
nishing goods,  five  fruit  dealers,  five  fancy  goods,  eight  stove  and 
hardware,  four  china,  glass  and  queensware,  one  dental  goods,  and 
one  tin  and  glassware. 

Groceries. — Three  wholesale  and  sixty-eight  retail  houses.  The 
sales  during  the  current  year  of  one  of  these  houses  is  estimated  at 
$800,000. 

Two  establishments  trade  in  guns,  pistols,  «ic.,  seven  in  hides,  pelts 
and  furs,  four  in  horse  collars,  one  in  knitting  machines,  one  in  lap 
window  shades,  six  in  leather,  findings,  &c.,  five  in  lime,  plaster  and 
cement. 

Gas  WorTcs. — The  Fort  Wayne  gas  works  use  thirteen  miles  of 
street  main,  and  supply  six  hundred  and  six  customers.  There  is 
probably  no  establishment,  either  in  Europe  or  America,  which  con- 
tains in  its  management  so  large  a  degree  of  science  and  intelligent 
business  skill  as  that  which,  chiefly  under  Mr.  H.  H.  Edgerton,  sec- 
retary of  the  company,  controls  the  Fort  Wayne  gas  works. 

Hotels. — There  arc  twelve  well-conducted  hotels,  namely:  The 
Mayer,  Aveliue,  American,  Harmon,  European,  Exchange,  Fox, 
Hedekin,  Old  Fort,  Phillips,  Robinson  and  Union. 

L'on,  Steel  and  Heavy  Hardware. — The  estimated  sales  of  these 
lines  of  goods,  made  by  two  firms,  exceed  annually  $750,000,  a  con- 
siderable proportion  of  which  is  at  wholesale. 

Photographers. — The  city  contains  five  photograph  galleries.  One 
of  these,  under  the  management  of  J.  A.  Shoaff,  produces  works  of 
art  equal  to  those  issued  from  the  best  establishments  in  the  United 
States,  The  proprietor  has  devoted  his  life  to  his  profession,  and  is 
owner  of  ShoaflTs  Automatic  Solar  Camera,  and  other  improvements 
which  enable  him  to  produce  with  marked  accuracy  miniature  or 
life-size  likenesses.  The  photographs  from  which  were  engraved  the 
likenesses  of  Messrs.  A.  P.  Edgerton,  Pliny  Hoagland,  J.L.  Williams 
and  Wm.  S.  Edsall,  were  executed  by  Mr.  Shoaff*. 

Ploivs. — The  Fort  Wayne  Steel  Plow  Company,  have  invested  a 
capital  of  $65,000,  and  give  employment  to  thirty-five  hands.  The 
company  have  the  capacity  of  making  10,000  plows  annually,  equivii- 
lent  to  a  gross  pro.  act  of  $100,000  in  value.  . 


Fort  Wayne  in  1872. 


393 


lor  and 
3,  twelve 
jaddlery, 
)p  skirts 
len'sfur- 
itove  and 
oods,  and 

ses.    The 
imated  at 

lides,  pelts 

one  in  lap 

plaster  and 

n  miles  of 
There  is 
which  con- 
i  intelligent 
Igerton,  sec- 

iS. 

mely.    The 
lange,  I'ox, 

lies  of  these 
>,000,  a  con- 

lleries.  One 
ces  works  of 
..  the  United 
■ssion,  and  is 
nprovements 
miniature  or 
engraved  tk 
.L.^Yillianl3 

Ive  invested  a 

hands.    Tlie 

lually,  eq«i^'^- 


a 


Saw  Mills. — Four  saw  mills  produce  nearly  six  millions  feet  of 
lumber  annually. 

The  owners  of  two  that  manufacture  the  larger  proportion  of  this 
amount,  are  Hoffman  Bros.,  wlio  make  use  of  an  invention,  a  patent 
for  which  was  secured  by  one  of  them,  and  the  proprietorship  of 
which  exists  in  the  firm,  that  is  of  sufficient  public  value  to  render  a 
special  mention  justifiable.  The  invention  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant that  has  been  made,  relating  to  the  lumber  product,  during 
the  present  century.  It  is  known  as  Hoff'man's  Patent  Band  Saw 
Mill,  and  the  following  are  some  of  its  features :  It  is  a  new  appli- 
cation of  the  principle  of  the  Band  Saw,  heretofore  in  use  only  for 
scroll  sawing,  to  a  purpose  that  makes  it  successful  in  converting 
into  lumber  the  largest  logs  that  are  gathered  from  the  forest.  An 
elaborate  description  of  it  cannot  here  be  given,  but  the  following 
points  are  justly  claimed  for  it : 

1st.  Saving  of  Lumber.  Ordinary  saws  cut  five-sixteenths  of  an 
inch  saw-kerf,  while  many  in  actual  practice  cut  three-eights.  This 
Band  saw  cuts  oisrE-TWELFTii.  In  sawing  1,000  feet  of  inch  boards,  a 
saw  cutting  five-sixteenths  of  an  inch  will  turn  312  feet  of  lumber, 
into  sawdust.  This  saw,  cutting  one-twelfth  of  an  inch  kerf,  makes 
83  feet  into  sawdust.  This  shows  a  saving  of  229  feet  of  lumber  on 
each  thousand  feet  of  inch  boards  sawed.  In  sawing  thinner  lumber 
the  saving  is  greater.  In  valuable  timber  the  saving  in  sawdust 
alone  pays  the  first  cost  of  the  mill  in  six  months. 

2d.  Saving  of  Poivcr.  Twelve-horse  power  is  all  that  is  required 
to  cut  5;000  feet  of  hard  wood  lumber,  or  8,000  feet  of  soft,  per  day. 

3d.  Making  Better  Lumber.  "With  this  saw  can  be  made  boards 
of  any  required  width,  limited  only  by  the  size  of  the  log.  They  leave 

no  offset. 

4tli.  Freedom  from  Danger. — Every  year  scores,  if  not  hundreds, 
of  mi'!  are  killed  or  maimed  by  circular  saws.  These  saws  are  per- 
fectly safe. 

Stalionary  Steam  Engines,  Tubular  and  Fluid  Boilers,  TanTcs  and 
Saw  Mills. — The  house  of  J.  C.  Bowser  &  Co.,  use  raw  material  to 
the  amount  of  $75,000,  manufacture  annually  u  value  of  $200,000, 
and  employ  an  average  force  of  seventy-five  hands. 

This  lirm,  the  members  of  which  consist  of  Messrs.  Jacob  C.  Bow- 
Iser,  Joseph  K.  Prentiss  and  Daniel  M.  Falls,  are  each,  in  his  sphere, 
tnoroughly  practical  and  energetic  business  men  ;  and  as  evidences  of 
[the  remarkable  success  of  their  enterprise,  it  may  be  stated  that  their 
jwork  is  shipped  chiefiy  to  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Massachusetts, 
liuid  other  States  east ;  thus,  by  reason  of  the  character  of  their  goods, 


39 


Fm^t  Wayne  in  1872. 


coming  into  successful  competition  with  establishments  founded 
when  the  Maumee  Valley  was  comparatively  a  wilderness.  The  per- 
son who,  even  twenty  years  ago,  would  have  suggested  that  an  estab- 
lishment for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest  iron  machinery  would 
one  day  spring  up  at  what  was  then  the  small  town  of  Fort  Wayne, 
and  ship  their  work  to  the  Atlantic  States,  would  have  been  consid- 
ered but  a  small  remove  from  insanity.  Yet  the  fact  exists,  and  to 
business  men  of  their  stamp  is  the  city  of  Fort  Wayne  largely  in- 
debted for  its  unexampled  prosperity. 

Watches,  Clocks,  Jetoelrt/,  Solid  and  Plated  Silver  Ware,  d-c.—Ym 
jewelry  establishments  make  sales  amounting  annually  to  $200,000, 
The  house  of  Messrs.  Geo.  J.  E.  Mayer  and  F.  Voirol,  opposite  the 
Fort  Wayne  and  First  National  Banks,  Main  street,  is  among  the 
most  reliable  and  extensive  in  Indiana,  and  justly  noted  for  the  pure 
quality  of  their  goods. 

The  city  also  contains  eight  lumber  yards,  five  livery  stables,  four- 
teen meat  -larkets,  five  saddlery  and  harness  stores  and  shops,  eleven 
barber  shops,  and  ten  confectionery  establishments. 

Among  the  manufacturing  establishments  not  heretofore  enumer- 
ated, are  the  following:  One  flax  mill;  one  linseed  oil  mill;  four  marble 
manufactories;  three  mattress  manufactories;  one  mustard  manufiw- 
tory;  one  paper  mill;  one  paper  box  factory;  one  organ  factory;  one 
pottery;  the  Fort  Wayne  agricultural  works,  manufacturing  reapers 
and  mowers;  six  breweries;  two  brass  foundries;  four  broom  factories; 
four  candy  factories;  ten  bakeries;  four  cooper  shops;  one  basket 
maker;  thirteen  blacksmith  shops;  two  establishments  manufactur- 
ing trunks,  valises,  etc.,  and  giving  employment  to  thirty-six  hands; 
two  chair  factories;  fourteen  dressmakers,  one  hat  and  cap  establish- 
ment, employing  eleven  hands;  four  planing  and  flooring  mills,  one 
of  which  employs  eighty-five  men,  and  tui'ns  out  an  annual  product, 
including  building  material,  amounting  to  $80,000;  one  spice  mill; 
one  woolen  mill;  one  spoke  and  hub  factory;  two  manufactories  of 
staves  and  heading;  three  tanneries;  one  umbrella  maker;  five  up- 
holsterers; three  vinegar  factories;  and  two  establishments  thatraau- 
ufacture  window  blinds  and  shades. 

Standing  upon  the  cupola  of  the  Court  House,  and  looking  over 
the  city,  and  counting  the  chimney  or  "  smoke  stacks,"  one  discov- 
ers that  there  are  t^venty-nine  manufacturing  establishments  in  Fort 
Wayne  operated  by  steam. 


ents  founded 
2SS.  The  per- 
that  an  estab- 
hinery  would 
Fort  Wayne, 
J  been  consid- 
exists,  and  to 
ne  largely  in- 

ire,  cC-c— Five 
f  to  $200,000. 
,  opposite  the 
is  among  the 
d  for  the  pure 

'  stables,  four- 
l  shops,  eleven 

)fore  enumer- 
1;  four  marble 
iard  manure- 
n  factory;  one 
■uring  reapers 
oom  factories; 
ps;  one  basket 
3  manufactur- 
rty-six  hands; 
cap  establish- 
ing mills,  one 
nual  product, 
me  spice  mill; 
nufactories  of 
aker;  five  up- 
ints  that  man- 
looking  over 
"  one  discov- 
raents  in  Fort 


;^- 


'~2''t^^t^ 


^ 


2Z^ 


ck,^^J^ 


Pioneer  Notes —  William  S.  Edmll. 


395 


Transportationr-Railroads. — Primarily,  and  when  the  North 
West  was  only  inhabited  by  Indian  tribes'and  scattered  settlements 
of  French  and  English  traders,  clustered  around  military  posts,  the 
town  Avas  the  entrepot  for  a  trade  of  considerable  magnitude  be- 
tween Lake  Erie  and  the  country  west  and  south,  and  also  was  the 
gate-way  of  the  early  commerce  that  floated  down  to  it  on  tlie  St. 
Mary's,  in  flat-boats  and  pirogues.  These  primitive  and  expensive 
means  of  transport  were  succeeded  by  the  canal,  opened  in  1843, 
and  this  by  the  railroad  system.  It  would  be  a  matter  of  public  in- 
terest to  trace  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  several  railroad  lines, 
which  have  exercised  an  influence  so  powerful  in  securing  the  rapid 
concentration  of  population  and  wealth  at  Fort  Wayne.  A  dilligent 
and  patient  effort  to  obtain  the  necessary  statistics  was  made,  but 
tailed  chiefly  by  reason  of  the  refusal  of  the  local  manager  of  the 
tirst  established  and  most  important  road  (the  Pittsburg,  Fort 
Wayne  &  Chicago,)  to  furnish  the  necessary  statistics,  although  a 
clerical  force  was  tendered  free  of  chai'geto  the  company.  The  ap- 
plication made  to  W.  F,  Ray,  Master  Mechanic  of  the  Toledo, 
Wabash  &  Western  Railway  Company,  was  more  successful,  and 
the  substance  of  his  communication  is  appended : 

The  value  of  the  shops  at  Fort  Wayne,  at  present,  is  about  $275,- 
OOO,  but  these  will  be  increased  in  extent  and  value  soon. 

The  number  of  men  employed  is  about  300 ;  what  proportion  of 
them  have  families  residing  in  Fort  Wayne,  I  cannot  say,  but  should 
judge  as  many  as  two  thirds,  and  half  that  number,  or  as  many  as 
one  hundred,  own  their  houses  where  they  live,  and  many  own  lots, 
intending  to  build  on  them. 

In  addition  to  the  two  great  lines  mentioned,  the  following 
named  roads  have  Fort  Wayne  us  one  of  their  terminating  points  : 
Gran<l  Rapids  &  Indiana ;  Michigan  Lake  Shore ;  Fort  Wayne,  Jack- 
9on  jfc  .Saginaw ;  Fort  Wiiyne.  Muncie  &  Cincinnati;  Cincinnati, 
Richmond  &  Fort  Wayne.  The  seven  lines  now  in  operation,  and 
others  projecteil,  are  probably  destined  to  place  Fort  Wayne  the 
iirst  in  the  list  of  Indiana's  cities. 

Recurring  to  the  era  of  the  first;  settlement  of  the  Maumee  Val- 
ley by  the  Anglo  Saxon  race,  there  will  be  tound  much  of  value  and 
interest  in  the  reminiscences  which  follow  : 


NOTES   UEOARDtXQ   THE   EDS.iLL  FAMILY. 

An  early  pioneer  of  Fort  Wayne,  and  identified  with   measures 
that  secured  its  first  public   improvements,   iuclnding  canal,    mud 
jtiirnpike  and  plank  road  enterprises,  as  well  as  those   involving   im- 


396 


Pioneer  Notes —  William  S.  Edsall. 


portant  commercial  schemes,  and  who  is  yet  living,  is  William  S. 
Edsall,  the  present  county  clerk  ot  Allen  county,  and  the  fourtli 
son  of  Peter  and  Catharine  Edsall,  who  emigrated  ironi  Orange 
county,  New  York,  in  the  Year  1812.  The  family  then  consisted 
of  the  parents  and  four  children.  They  reached  Pittsburg  by  wag- 
ons, at  which  point  they  embarked  aboard  a  flat  boat,  to  which  tlie 
family  and  goods  were  transferred,  and  descended  the  Ohio  river  to 
Cincinnati.  Here  they  landed,  and  the  crew,  securing  the  craft  to 
a  large  tree  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  encamped  near  the  shore. 
During  the  night,  and  in  a  heavy  Avind  and  rain  storm,  the  tree  was 
uprooted,  and,  falling  upon  the  boat,  iorced  it  to  the  river  bottom, 
carrying  with  it  nearly  every  vestige  of  their  outfit,  including  even 
the  bible,  containing  the  family  record.  From  thence  they  proceed- 
ed lip  to  where  Miamisburg,  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  now  stands, 
and  rented  a  small  piece  of  ground,  and  with  the  limited  means  lett, 
bought  the  necessary  farming  utensils  and  seeds  for  putting  in  a 
crop.  They  remained  upon  this  rented  land  two  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Darke  county,  near  Greenville,  where  they  resided 
pending  the  negotiations  of  the  treaty,  concluded  at  Greenville,  July 
5i2,  1814;  at  which  place,  by  keeping  a  shanty  boarding  house,  tliey 
recuperated  sufficiently  to  get  up  respectable  trains,  and  removed 
to  St.  Mary's,  Ohio,  (now  Auglaize  county,)  and  during  the  treaty- 
making,  resulting  in  several  treaties,  [hitherto  cited  in  this  volume] 
made  at  that  town  with  sundry  tribes  of  Indians  in  the  montlis  of 
September  and  October,  1818,  the  family  a  second  time  resorted 
to  the  boarding  house  business,  and  were  sufficiently  rewarded  to 
enable  them,  in  1819,  to  purchase  an  eighty  acre  tract  of  land  on 
the  south  side  of  Shane's  prairie,  three  miles  south  of  Shane's  Cross- 
ing; and  here  the  husband  and  liather  died,  in  1822.  When  the  Ed- 
salls  located  on  the  prairie,  the  families  they  found  there  were  the 
Dennisons,  Chivingtons,  Kocbucks,  William  li.  Hedges  and  An- 
thony Shane.  In  the  meantime,  since  leaving  New  York,  five  chil- 
dren had  been  added  to  the  household.  The  widowed  mother,  de- 
siring to  execute  the  oft-expressed  Avish  of  her  husband  to  secure 
an  education  for  her  children — that  beinor  the  sole  aim  of  the  life  of 
herself  and  husband,  of  Avhom  she  was  now  bereft — removed,  lu 
1824,  to  Fort  Wayne. 

Reaching  this  place  at  the  date  mentioned,  Avith  a  family  of  children 
now  increased  to  nine — six  sons  and  three  daughters — she  proposeil 
to  her  three  eldest  sons,  namely :  Samuel,  John  and  Simon,  that 
they  go  out  from  her,  and  make  free  choice  of  their  several  trades. 
and  stipulate  for  education  as  part  consideration  for  their  servicc- 
this  form  of  apprenticeship  then  being  in  conformity  Avith  the  law 
and  custom  of  the  country.  The  youngest  of  the  three  named. 
Simon,  devotedly  attached  to  his  mother,  declined  to  leave  her,  on 
the  ground  that  his  choice  Avas  that  of  farming,  and  furthermore 
that  his  energies  Avould  be  required  at  home  to  aid  in  sustaining  his 
mother  and  the  younger  members  of  the  family  in  their  rugged  ways 


Pioneer  JVotes —  William  S.  JSdsall. 


397 


Yilliam  S, 
the   Ibiirtk 
m   Orange 
I  consisted 
rg  l>y  ^vag- 
)  which  llie 
ihio  river  to 
the  craft  to 
■   the  Bhore, 
[,he  tree  was 
vcv  bottom, 
lading  even 
hey  proceed- 
,  now  stands, 
d  means  lett, 
•  putting  in  a 
ars,  and  tlien 

they  resided 
eenville,  July 
g  house,  tliey 

and  removed 
ng  the  treaty- 
1  this  volumol 
the  montlis  of 
time  resorted 

f  rewarded  to 

act  oi"  lao'^  O" 
^hane'8  Cross- 
^Vhen  the  Ed- 
there  were  tlie 
idges  and  An- 
ork,  five  chil- 
id  mother,  de- 
band  to  secure 
,  of  the  lite  of 
, removed,  in 


of  life— Ids  junior  brother,  William  S.,  being  then  only  thirteen  years 
of  age,  and  supposed  to  be  too  young  to  contribute  anything  beyond 
the  amount  necessary  to  support  himself. 

In  accordance  with  this  arrangement,  mutually  agreed  upon  by 
the  mother  and  children,  Samuel,  the  eldest,  made  choice  of  the  car- 
penter and  joiner  trade,  and  was  apprenticed  to  Colonel  Hugh  llan- 
na;andJolm,  the  second,  was  apprenticed  to  John  JMcAUister, 
tailor. 

Tlio  business  life  of  William  S.  commenced  under  the  circum- 
stances hereinafter  mentioned  : 

In  1826,  a  corps  of  United  States  Topographical  Engineers,  under 
command  of  Col.  James  Shriver,  Avas  detailed  to  survey  a  route  for 
the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal.  In  May  or  June  of  that  year  the  sur- 
vey was  commenced  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  but  little  progress  had 
been  made,  when  the  whole  party  was  prostrated  by  sickness,  and 
Colonel  Shriver  soon  afterwards  died  in  the  old  Fort.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  assistant,  Colonel  Asa  Moore,  under  whose  direction 
the  survey  was  prosecuted  during  the  years  1826  and  1827,  down 
the  Wabash  to  the  mouth  of  Tijjpecanoe,  and  continued  along  the 
Maumee  in  18l27-li8,  until  Col.  Moore  also  fell  a  victim  to  disease. 
dying  in  his  tent  at  the  head  of  the  Maumee  rapids,  on  the  4th  of 
October,  1828.  ]\[r.  Edsall  was  an  attache  of  this  engineer  coi'ps, 
auJ  sutt'ored  from  the  prevalent  diseases  of  the  country. 

FORT  WAYXE   I2f    1822. 

During  tlie  residence  of  the  Edsall  family  on  Shane\s  prairie,  the 
senior  and  his  three  eldest  sons,  viz  :  Samuel,  John  and  Simon,  in 
1819  and  1820,  made  trips  to  Fort  Wayne  in  the  summers  of  those 
years,  and  cut  and  cured  hay  for  the  subsistence  of  the  stock  of  the 
traders  at  that  point.  The  hay  was  obtained  from  the  extensive 
prairie  west  of  the  Fort.  The  wants  of  the  traders  required  large 
quantities  of  hay  to  subsist  the  stock  of  their  Indian  customers,  who 
would  congregate  at  the  place  during  the  winter  months  for  pur- 
poses of  trade.  As  exhibiting  the  general  features  of  the  prairie  at  that 
period,  it  is  stated  that  the  principal  portion  of  the  grass  was  cut  in 
places  where  the  water  covered  the  surface  from  six  to  fifteen 
inches,  and  the  saturated  herb  was  then  placed  on  litters,  and  trans- 
lerred  to  the  higher  ground  for  the  purpose  of  curing.  A  portion 
of  that  same  ground  is  now,  though  wet,  tolerably  adapted  to  pur- 
i  poses  of  tillage,  and  is  susceptible  of  reclamation  by  drainage  into 
the  sources  of  the  Wabash,  and  will  ultimately  become  the  most  fer- 
I  tile  portion  of  Allen  county. 

These  summer  trips  of  Mr.  Edsall   and   his   sons   to  Fort  Wayne 

[were satisfactorily  remunerative,  furnishing  a  market  for  the  surplus 

farm  products,  which  they  would  carry  to  the  Fort  Wayne  market 

on  the  outward  trips,  and  the  hay   enterprise,  realizing  sufficient  to 

[afford  considerable  recompense.    These  visits  impressed  Mr.  and 


^98 


Pioneer  Notes —  William  S.  KdsalL 


Mrs.  Edsall  so  favorably  ren;arclin{»  Fort  Wayne  tliat  they  concluded 
it  was  destined  to  become  an  important  point,  favorable  to  the  great 
purpose  they  had  in  vie\v  of  educating  their  children;  and  a  removal 
had  been  contemplated  before  the  death  of  Mr  Peter  Edsall,  which 
occurred,  as  before  stated,  in  1H22.  After  his  deatli  the  three  sons 
pursued  the  custom  of  their  father,  in  spending  the  hay-makiiig  sea 
son  at  Fort  Wayne. 

In  the  summer  of  18:i;{,  the  elder  brother  being  at  Fort  Wayne, 
Jacob  Gundy,  a  neighbor, was  passing  their  house,  on  Shane's  prairin, 
with  a  load  of  bacon  for  the  Fort  Wayne  market,  and  it  was  agreed 
that  Wm.  S.  should  accompany  him  ami  ascertain  ihe  condition  of 
his  brothers.  The  distance  was  forty  miles,  and  tlie  tri|)  to  the  Fort 
occupied  ten  days — there  being  no  regidar  r()a'l.e.vce[)t  the  old  trail 
of  Gen.  Wayne  and  fallen  timber  fieqiit'titly  interposing  ohstaoks 
in  following  it,  and  rendering  it  necessary  to  out  new  pasHages 
Between  Shane's  jirairie  and  the  Fort,  therc^  wa;^  only  one  house,  and 
that  on  the  Twenty-Four  Mile  Creek,  occ'Ui)iod  by  George  Ayres, 
a  British  deserter.  Cupt.  Uiley  however,  was  residing  at  WilLsliire, 
on  the  oppo-ite  bank  of  the  river. 

Reaching  Fort  Wayne,  the  junior  Edsall  found  occuj)ying  the 
block  houses  within  the  tort,  Gen.  John  Tipton,  Indian  Agent  Jos, 
Holman,  Iteceiver,  and  Samuel  U.  Vance,  Register  ot  the  UniteJ 
States  Land  Office;  two  taverns,  kept  respectively  by  Colonel  Alex- 
ander Ewing  and  Colonel  William  SutteuHeld — the  tbrmer  situateJ 
on  the  south  side  of  Columbia  street,  corner  of  Barr,  and  the  latter  i 
on  the  opposite,  or  diagonal,  corner  of  the  same  streets;  and  totbl 
proprietors  of  these  two  taverns  Mr.  Gundy  sold  his  freight  of  ha-, 
con.  The  merchandise  business  was  principally  in  the  hands  oftliej 
licensed  Indian  traders,  namely:  Comparet  &  Coquillard,  agentso 
the  American  Fur  Company  ;  Colonel  Alexander  Ewing,  and  his  I 
sons,  Wm.  G.  and  George  W. ;  George  Hunt,  Chief  Richardville, 
James  Barnett,  Samuel  Hannaand  Thomas  Forsyth;  a  retail  ginger  | 
bread,  candy  and  beer  establishment,  kept  by  the  father  of  the  I 
Xenas  Henderson,  (the  latter  being  a  lad  at  the  time.)  The  lattBJ 
establishment  occupied  the  site  on  Columbia  street,  where  no»j 
stands  the  hardware  store  of  B.  W.  Oakley  &  Son.  Among 
then  residents  of  the  place,  and  connected  with  the  Indian  traJil 
were  Francis  Aveline,  alias  St.  Jule,  father  of  the  late  Francis  JJ 
Aveline,  who  built  the  Hotel  in  the  city  now  known  by  the  faffliij 
name ;  James  Peltier,father  of  Louis  Peltier,  now  a  resident  of  Foi 
Wayne;  John  Baptiste  Bruno,  Richard  Chobert,  Francis  and  Cliarii 
Minnie,  John  Baptiste  Bourie,  father  of  the  late  John  B.  Boiirf 
Josei)h  Barron,  John  P.  Hedges,  John  B.  Bequett,  (an  Indian  tricij 
et  manufacturer,)  John  Baptiste  Durett  and  Antoine  Gamblin. 

Among  the  farmers  of  the  neighborhood  Avere   Captain  HackH 
(son-in-law  of  the  distinguished   Captain   Wells,)  who   cultivai 
very  imperfectly  a  few  acres,   which  now  constiLute  the  northij 
margin  of  the  city,  and  whose  house  stood  upon  the  ground  n 


Fionetr  .Notes—  William  >S'.  Edmll. 


399 


concludeil 
,0  the  great 
I  ft  removal 
Isall,  wbirfi 
.  t.hrt'o  Hoiih 


t  wuH  agreed 
.  couiVilionot' 
m  to  the  Fon 
t,  the  o\«\  ivail 

new  pawi^ages^ 
one  house,  and 
leortic  Ayvo?. 
,g  lit  WUlsluvt, 

occnpying  jl« 
lan  Agont  Jos^ 
,.  ot  t\ie  Un'^«^ 
Y  Colonel  AleS' 
iomner  situated 
and  the  laUet 

eets;  andtoik 

s  iVclght  ot   a- 
'aie  hands  oftfe 

nUlavd,  agenM 

Lf  llichardville. 

\.  a  retail  gin&* 
rather  of  the  to 

I  me.)    Thelat 
reet!  wheret^^ 
'      Among  twL 
.he  Indian  m 
L  late  l^rancis 
vnbythe    aj 
a  resident  of  M 
rancisandChH 

(an  Indian  H 
^ine  Gan*; 

l>)  who  culti 
'nte  the  nonte 
the  gvounti'' 


the  foot  of  Calliouu  street,  ou  the  north  bank  of  the  St.  Mary's. 
Anion <T  tlie  names  above  nientioutd,  one  of  the  most  fur-siglitod 
iiiul  philanthropic,  \va3  that  of  James  IJarnctt.  Disco verini?,  clearly, 
ivca  in  the  nule  condition  of  the  country  in  which  he  lived,  that 
Fort  Wayne  was  destined  to  become  a  city  of  importance,  lie  gave 
freely  of  his  time  ami  energies  to  every  scheme  that  was  devised  to 
flivo  the  place  a  start  in  the  race  of  business  life;  and  no  appeal  for 
the  exercise  of  Christian  charity  was  ever  made  to  him  without  meet- 
ing with  a  generous  response. 

He  ]>agsed  through  Fort  Wayne  a  few  years  after  the  close  of  the 
last  war  with  Great  Britain,  driving  a  lot  of  hogs  for  the  use  of  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Dearborn.  lie  subsequently,  as  before  mentioned, 
established  himself  in^business  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  actively  engaged 
inevirv  well-dcviued  enterprise  designed  to  promote  the  pui)lic 
prosperity. 

The  writer  is  informed  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  that  at  the 
time  this  survey  was  made,  there  were  only  six  white  families  resi- 
dent of  the  whole  district  between  Fort  Wayne  and  the  mouth  of 
the  Tippecanoe  river — a  distance  of  J'U  miles.  Thes^were  Champ- 
ion Helvey,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Salamonie  with  the  Wal)ash  ; 
Major  Harsh,  (brother-in-law  of  Col.  iNTcCorkle,  one  of  the  origituil 
proprietors  of  Fort  Wayne,)  who  occui)ied  a  tenement  on  the  old 
treaty  ground  where  Wabash  now  stands;  Benjamin  Chamberl-in, 
residing  at  the  mouth  of  Fel  river,  op{)osite  Logansport;  Major 
Daniel  Bell,  then  on  the  ground  upon  which  is  now  Logansport; 
Mis.  Hicks,  at  the  mouth  of  Rock  creek,  twelve  miles  below  Logans- 
port, and  an  old  Mr.  Baum,  at  the  mouth  of  Deer  creek,  now  the 
town  of  Delphi. 

The  widow  Edsall  occupied  a  cabin  on  the  banks  of  the  St.  Mary's, 
near  where  the  county  jail  is  now  located,  and  which  was  near  the 
usually  traveled  route  of  the  Indians  trading  at  the  rival  establish- 
iments  of  Wm.  G.  &  George  W.  Ewing,  Barnett  &  Hanna,  Francis 
Comparet  and  Alexis  Coquillard.  In  the  seasons  when  the  Indians 
jcame  to  trade,  they  would  generally  encamp  on  the  opposite,  or  north 
[Bide  of  the  St.  Mary's,  and  cross  over  and  spend  a  portion  or  the 
ifhole  of  the  day  on  the  Fort  Wayne  side.  Canoes  were  in  demand 
^0  ferry  the  Indians,  and  also  fre(iuently  the  traders,  and  young  Ed- 
ill  discovered  an  opportunity  of  making  some  money  for  the  use  of 
[he  household  by  the  establishment  of  a  ferry.  Among  others,  the 
Swings,  on  their  visits  to  the  Indian  camps,  were  frequently  his  cns- 
^mers;  and  Wm.  G.  Ewing,  after  some  acquaintance,  thus  formed, 
proposed  to  the  boy  that  he  engage  with  himself  and  brother,  ;ind 
5come  instructed  in  the  mysteries  of  trade  and  commerce.  The 
[roposition  was  highly  acceptable  to  the  lad,  but  he  referred  it  to  his 
jother,  and  an  arrangement  was  concluded,  and  in  October,  1827,  at 
leage  of  sixteen  years,  a  contract  was  made,by  which  he  entered  their 
|rvice,and  continued  until  18.32,  spending  the  last  two  years  with 
2orge  W.  Ewing,  at  Logansport.    In  the  spring  of  the  last  named 


400 


Piomer  Notes —  William  S.  J^JthaU. 


year,  havinj]f  attained  his  majority,  tlio  Ewings,  desirous  of  continu- 
ing business  relations  with  ]\Ir.  Kdfiall,  iiroposod  to  liiin  either  ;i 
partnership  or  an  outlit  of  a  stock  of  {joous,  they  to  share  the  iirofits 
of  tiie  business,  in  caso  he  chose  the  latter.  Accordingly  ho  elected 
to  have  charpo  of  a  stock  of  goods,  an<l  scloetcd  Huntington  as  thi 
location.  His  customers  were  principally  Indians  and  canal  con- 
tractors. Near  the  close  of  the  year  IH.'J'-J,  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  postmaster  at  Huntington,  and  in  the  spring  of  183;},  was 
elected  clerk  and  recorder  of  the  county,  to  which  was  then  attached 
for  judicial  purposes,  the  counties  of  Wabash  and  Whitley,  and  in 
IH.'ih  resigned  all  these  oflices,  closed  his  business,  and  returned  tn 
Fort  Wayne,  and  entered  into  co-partnership  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness with  liis  brother,  the  late  Major  Samuel  Edsall.  This  firm  con- 
tinued until  1839,  when  the  Ewings  offered  Wni.  S.  Edsall  a  third 
interest  in  tlieir  widely  extended  business,  which  olfer  he  aocepted. 
Tlu*  newly-formed  partnership  of  Ewing,  Edsall  &  Co.,  and  its  con 
nections,  extended  over  a  large  area  of  country — the  policy  beinj^to 
not  only  hold  the  fur  trade  with  their  old  Indian  customers,  who 
had  removed  west  of  the  Mississippi,  but  to  establish  relations  with 
other  fur  dealers,  throughout  the  country.  This,  and  other  firms, 
with  which  they  were  in  close  alliance,  were  in  competition  with  the 
American  Fur  Company,  and  the  strife  between  them  for  the  trade 
became  so  great  that  furs  advanced  to  a  price  that  inflicted  consider- 
able losses  upon  the  rival  companies.  During  this  co-partnership, 
in  the  spring  of  1839,  Mr.  Edsall  made  a  horseback  visit  connected 
with  the  business  of  the  firm  from  Fort  Wayne  to  Chicago,  Joliet, 
Ottawa,  Rock  Island  and  Dubuque,  thence  to  Galena  and  Madison, 
the  })resent  capital  of  Wisconsin.  At  this  period,  after  leaving  Ottv 
wa,  he  would  frequently  ride  thirty  miles  M'ithout  finding  a  human 
habitation  ;  waste  places  then,  that  are  now  covered  with  populous 
towns  and  cultivated  fields. 

The  firm  of  Ewing,  Edsall  &  Co.  dissolved  its  business  in  1841, 
The  partnership,  by  reason  of  the  competition  already  referred  to, 
had  been  unsuccessful.  After  the  dissolution  of  the  firm,  and  Mr. 
Edsall  having  retired  with  blighted  prospects  and  exhausted  le- 
sources,  applied  for  and  received  the  appointment,  in  1843,  of  Regis- 
ter of  the  United  States  Land  Office  in  Fort  Wayne,  and  held  this 
place  until  1848.  In  1846,  however,  he  had  again  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  his  brother,  Major  Edsall,  in  the  mercantile  and  milling 
business,  which  they  conducted  until  1849. 

At  this  period  the  Edsalls,  realizing  the  necessity  and  great  ad- 
vantages to  the  trade  of  Fort  Wayne  of  a  road  which  would  open 
commuuicatlon  with  the  settlements  north  and  south,  originated  '• 
project  for  the  construction  of  a  plank  road  from  Fort  Wayne  to 
Bluffton.  In  this  work  they  had  the  hearty  co-operation  of  all  thf  j 
business  men  of  the  city,  who  were  generous  in  their  aid  by 
stock  subscriptions.  Although  the  road,  from  its  inception  to  its  I 
completion,  occupied  about  two  years,  it  proved  an  enterprise  ot 


Pioneer  Noten—  William  S.  E^lsall. 


401 


tf  contimi- 

rn   either  ;» 

>  tlio  nrotitH 

^  ho  elected 

igton  as  tht 
canal  con- 

the  appoiut- 

)f  183il.  was 

lien  attached 

itlcy,  and  in 
returned  tn 

•cautile  busi- 

:iusi\rmcnn- 

dsall  a  third 

r  he  accepted, 

I  and  its  con- 

olicy  being  to 

istomors,  who 

relations  with 

I   other  firms, 

tition  with  tli.' 

1  for  the  trade 

icted  consider- 

;o-partner8hip, 
isit  connected 
hicago,  Joliet, 
and  Madison, 
V  leaving  Otta- 
ding  a  hnman 
jwith  populous 

piness  in  1841. 

|ly  referred  to, 

Ifirm,  and  Mr. 

exhausted  le- 

1843,  of  Regis- 

\  and  held  tliu 

[med  a  partner- 

'     and  milling 

I  and  great  ad- 
Jh  would  open 
|i  originated  f. 
krt  Wayne  to 
Ition  of  all  tje 

\  their  aid  by 
Leption  to  Its 

'    enterprise  ot 


greater  value  to  the  busijiess  intcro.sts  of  Fort  Wiiync  than  any  pub- 
lic iniprov(Mneiif,  except  the  WaliJiali  and  Erie  canal,  that  had  liither- 
to  been  uiuh'Ttuken, 

On  the  3d  of  July,  185.'{.  the  l>ri)ther.s  iMlsall  onlerod  into  a  con- 
tract with  the  Liikc  Kric.  Wiihiisli  it  St.  Louis  1{.  H.  Company,  for 
the  !j;radiiig,  niaM(»iiry  and  liiruishiny  the  ties  lor  turty  si'voii  miles 
of  the  road,  from  the  Ohio  State  line  to  the  Wabash  river,  two  miles 
west  of  llmiliugtori;  and  iminrdiately  commenced  the  erection  of 
shantie:^,  the  colleeiioii  oi' alabuntig  luaio,  and  other  prepuralious 
lor  the  execution  of  their  contract.  Having  completed  their  pre- 
liminary arraii,i;einent.s,  they  were  inform. 'd  by  the  Compuny  that, 
owni^'  to  the  monetary  crisis  then  existiuij,  they  wouM  iu)t  i»c  I'li- 
abled  to  inakt^  jjaymcuts  before  the  following  spring.  Undismayed 
liv  this  intelligence,  which  resulted  in  the  suspension  of  the  work 
by  some  of  Llic- other  contractors,  the  Kdsalls  availed  themselves  of 
their  credit,  and  maiie  successlul  appeals  to  the  public  spirit  of  the 
inerchants  <tr  Fort.  Wayne  to  atford  supplies  to  sustain  the  lal)oivr3 
upon  the  work,  ami  they  proceeded  witii  undiminished  vigor  ami 
regularly  met  the  claims  of  their  creditors.  Hut  in  the  following  sea- 
son the  cholera  scourge  appeared  in  fearful  form,  extending  along  the 
whole  line,  and  sweeping  olf  in  multitudes  overseers  and  workmen. 
Added  to  this,  labor  and  provisions  suddenly  ap|)reciated  ;  and  Hour, 
which  tlie  Edsalls  the  previous  year  bad  shippeil  to  Atlantic  markets, 
realizing,  when  sold,  from  ^4.75  to  8.").0()  ])er  harrt'l,  was  now  worth, 
delivered  along  the  line,  $'.). 00  per  barrel,  ami  lahor,  which,  when 
they  commenced  their  work,  could  be  readily  had  at  75  cents  per 
day,  now  commanded  81.25.  Notwithstanding  all  these  discourage- 
ments, they  struggled  on,  and  completed  their  contract  in  the  spring 
of  1806,  having  a  large  uuli([uidated  claim  against  the  company,  i)ut 
owing  no  laborer  a  dollar. 

Stating  here  what  might  have  been  previously  mentioned,  that 
Wm.  S.  Edsall  was  a  contractor  on  the  Wnbasii  and  Erie  caind,  and. 
also  recapitulating  what  has  been  mentioned,  tliat  hiinsidfand  brother 
originated  the  sclieme  for  bridging  what  was  then  an  impassalde 
swamp  between  Fort  Wayne  and  Jiliilftou  ;  their  joint  etl'orts  and 
sticritices  to  secure  a  second  railroad  to  Fort  Wayne;  it  will  be  dis- 
covered that  the  city  and  county  are  cousiujrably  uidebted  to  the  en- 
terprise and  public  spirit  of  these  gentlemen  for  tlie  commercial  im- 
portance the  city  has  now  attained. 

Concluding  this  sketch,  it  may  here  be  stated  that  Major  Edsall 
closed  his  useful  life  in  February,  18Go,  and  that  the  sui)ject  oi'  this 
sketch,  although  never  having  enjoyed  but  a  single  day  of  school 
priviletfes,  has  l)een  enabled,  in  the  uattle  of  life,  to  successfully  com- 
pete with  the  merchant  princes  of  the  land,  and  yet  is  a  citizen  of 
Fort  Wayne.  In  18G8,  returning  to  his  old  home  from  Chicago, 
where  he  had  passed  the  preceding  three  years  inactive  I)usines8  life, 
the  Democratic  Convention  of  Allen  county,  in  .hnie,  ISTO,  con- 
ferred upou  him  the  nomination  for  county  Clerk.     The  only  oppo- 

26 


402 


Pioneer  Notes — Dr.  John  Mvans. 


sition  ticket,  organized  by  a  "  Reform  Party,"  also  placed  him  in 
nomination  ;  and  thus,  without  any  compromise  of  manhood  or 
principle,  he  received  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  people  of  Allen 
county  for  the  office  hen  )\v  fills  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people  and 
advantage  to  the  public  interests.  , 

DR.  JOHN  EVANS. 

The  family  of  this  gentleman  was  widely  known  to  the  old  citi- 
zens of  the  upper  Maumee  Valley.  He  had  studied  his  profession 
under  the  instruction  of  the  doctors  Spencer,  of  Kentucky,  and 
Rush,  of  Philadelpliia;  and  commpnced  practice  at  Washington, 
Fayette  County,  Ohio,  about  the  year  1814 ;  and  also  conducted,  in 
separate  rooms  of  the  same  building,  the  mercantile  business  and 
an  apothecary  store.  On  the  27th  of  May,  1818,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabetli  Taylor,  of  Bainbridge,  Ross  County,  Ohio. 

The  Evans  family  were  among  tlie  early  settlers  of  Kentucky. 
Samuel  Evans  (father  of  Dr.  John,)  removed  to  Ohio  from  Bourbon 
County,  Kentucky,  when  the  latter  was  about  17  years  old.  Will- 
iam Taylor  (father  of  Elizabeth,  who  married  Dr.  Evans,)  was  the 
first  settler  between  the  Ohio  river  and  Chillicothe.  He  moved  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Kentucky  when  his  daughter  Elizabeth  was  about 
three  months  old,  and  from  Kentucky  to  near  Bainbridge,  Ross  Co., 
Ohio,  when  she  was  six  or  seven  years  of  age. 

Dr.  Evans  and  family  (now  consisting  of  hi.i  wife  and  two  daugh- 
ters,) removed  from  Washington,  Fayette  County,  to  Defiance,  in 
February,  1823.  They  started  in  a  large  double  sleigh,  but  the 
snow  failing,  they  were  compelled,  on  the  second  day,  to  abandon 
their  sleigh,  and  resort  to  wagons.  The  family  reached  Judge  Na- 
than Shirley's,  on  the  Auglaize  river,  one  mile  above  Defiance,  on 
the  last  day  of  February.  Their  first  location  was  at  Camp  No.  3, 
five  miles  below  Defiance,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Maumee, 
in  a  double  log  cabin ;  and  here,  Samuel  Carey  Evans,  their 
first  son,  was  born,  April  10th,  1823.  During  the  summer, 
the  doctor  built  a  frame  house  at  Defiance,  into  which  he  re- 
moved his  family  in  the  month  of  November  of  that  year.  He  made 
the  first  brick  and  the  first  lime  that  was  manufactured  in  Defiance, 
a  part  of  which  wa^  used  in  the  construction  of  his  own  house;  and 
the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  surplus  lime  and  brick  netted  an 
amount  that  paid  the  entire  cost  of  his  house. 

In  this  same  year.  Foreman  Evans,  his  brother,  also  removed  to 
Defiance. 

The  late  Judge  Pierce  Evans  (cousin  of  Dr.  John,)  removed  to 
the  head  of  the  rapids  of  the  Maumee,  and  resided  there  during  the 
year  1822  and  in  1823,  and  then  removed  to  the  farm  below  Defiance, 
now  occupied  by  his  son,  Rinaldo  Evans. 

When  Dr.  Evans  reached  Defiance,  there  were  no  ^ihysicians  on 
the  river  nearer  than  Fort  Wayne  above,  and  Maumee  City  below, 
and  his  professional  visits  often  extended  to  the  first  named  place, 


Pioneer  NoUS'^Dr.  John  JSvans. 


403 


jd  him  in 
inhood  or 
!  of  Allen 
leople  and 


e  old  citi- 
profession 
itucky,  and 
^■ashington, 
inducted,  in 
asiness  and 
larried  Miss 

f  Kentucky, 
om  Bourbon 
3  old.  Will- 
,ns,)  wa8  the 
}  moved  from 
th  was  about 
Ige,  Ross  Co., 

i\  two  daugli- 
Defiance,  in 
eigh,  but  the 
to  abandon 
■d  Judge  Na- 
Defiance,  on 
Camp  No.  3, 
[the   Maumee, 
Evans,   their 
the    summer, 
hich  he   re- 
ar.   He  made 
a  in  Defiance, 
_n  house;  and 
lick  netted  an 


vedto 


30  remo 


^  removed  to 
're  during  the 
telow  Defiance, 

.hysicians  on 
le   City  below, 
named  place- 


to  St,  Mary's,  on  the  St.  Mary's,  and  to  the  head  of  the  Maumee 
rapids.  There  being  no  well-made  roads,  no  bridges  over  the 
streams,  and  facilities  for  ferriage  at  points  remote  from  each  other, 
it  is  difficult  to  convey  to  the  mind  of  the  medical  practitioner  of 
this  day  in  adequate  view  of  the  formidable,  ard  often  dangerous, 
obstacles  that  Dr.  Evans  was  compelled  to  encounter  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  professional  duties.  The  first  relief  from  this  exhaust- 
ing toil  was  afforded  by  the  arrival,  at  Defiance,  of  Dr.  Jonas  Colby, 
in  1832. 

In  1824  he  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  of  Hunt  &  Forsyth,  of 
Maumee  City,  which  were  brought  up  on  pirogues.  This  was  the 
first  store  of  considerable  importance  that  contained  goods  adapted 
to  the  wants  of  the  white  settlers,  although  staple  Indian  goods 
(except  whiskey)  were  included  in  his  general  stock. 

When  the  family  removed  to  Defiance,  there  were  no  regular 
Church  services ;  and,  until  the  Court  House  was  erected,  no  suita- 
ble house  for  worship.  The  Methodists,  however,  held  services  at 
short  intervals,  sometimes  in  private  houses,  and,  when  the  weather 
was  favorable,  in  the  adjacent  groves.  The  first  Presbyterian  cler- 
gyman was  Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  (father  of  Mrs.  Wm.  A.  Brown,  now 
living  at  Defiance). 

During  his  residence  in  Defiance,  Dr.  Evans  possessed  more  fully 
the  confidence  of  the  Indians  than  the  majority  of  those  who  had 
had  dealings  with  them.  He  acquired  this  confidence  by  profess- 
ional ministrations,  by  fairness  in  trade,  and  refusing  their  applica- 
tions for  intoxicating  drinks.  When  the  Indian  men  and  women 
would  visit  town,  and  the  former  obtain  liquor  of  mercenary  tra- 
ders, and  become  drunken  and  crazed,  a^.i  their  brutal  nature 
aroused,  the  latter  would  gather  up  the  tomahawks  and  knives  of 
the'r  lords,  and  deposit  them  about  the  premises  of  their  friend.  Dr. 
Evans.  On  one  occasion,  the  chief,  Oquanoxa,  of  Oquanoxa's  town, 
on  the  Auglaize  (now  Charloe,  Paulding  County),  brought  one  of 
his  daughters  to  the  doctor  to  be  treated  for  some  malady  which 
had  baffled  the  skill  of  the  Indian  "  medicine  man."  She  was  re- 
ceived into  the  doctors  household,  and  in  due  time  restored  to 
health.  As  an  equivalent  for  this  service,  the  chief  made  the  doc- 
tor a  present  of  an  Indian  pony. 

In  1838,  with  a  view  of  affording  his  children  opportunities  for 
obtaining  better  educational  facilities,  he  temporarily  removed  to 
Troy,  Ohio,  and  continued  there  until  the  fall  of  1840,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Port  Wayne,  and  engaged  actively  in  commercial  pursuits, 
in  partnership  with  his  son-in-law,  John  E.  Hill.  During  his  resi- 
dence in  Troy,  he  had  continued  business  at  Defiance — and  now, 
from  the  two  stores,  they  supplied  the  contractors  who  were  con- 
structing the  Paulding  County  Reservoir  with  goods  to  prosecute 
their  work.  In  1840  he  removed  the  Defiance  stock  to  Fort  Wayne, 
and  concentrated  his  business  at  that  point. 

In  the  summer  of  1842,  business  called  Dr.  Evans  to  Defiance,  and 
while  there  he  was  seized  with  an  illness  that  would  have  induced 


404 


Pioneer  Notes — Dr.  Jghn  EvanSi 


ail  ordinary  person  to  remain  and  receive  medical  treatment ;  but  his 
indomitable  will  had  determined  him  to  make  an  effort  to  reach  his 
family,  at  Fort  Wayne.  Leaving  Defiance  on  horseback,  he  had 
traveled  only  about  a  mile,  and  reached  the  house  of  Thomas  War- 
ren, when  the  intensity  of  his  sufferings  arrested  his  progress,  and 
he  remained  at  the  house  of  Warren  two  or  three  days.  Meantime, 
believing  himself.  doul>tless,  that  his  case  was  critical,  he  despatched 
a  messenger  to  Fort  Wayne,  to  notify  his  family  of  his  condition. 
On  the  message  Iving  communicated  to  the  family,  his  son,  Samuel 
Carey  Evans,  immediately  started  to  meet  his  father ;  and,  reaching 
his  bedside,  discovered  the  alarming  symptoms  of  the  case,  and  at 
once  dispatched  a  second  messenger  to  Fort  Wayne  to  summon  Dr. 
S.  G.  Tiiompson,  and  also  to  notify  his  mother  and  other  members 
of  the  family,  of  his  father's  condition.  The  intelligence  being 
communicated.  Dr.  Thompson  and  Misi<  Merica  Evans,  second 
dau{jhter  of  the  doctor,  at  once  sat  out  on  horseback,  and,  notwith- 
standing the  bad  condition  of  the  roads,  reached  Mrs.  Hilton's  (to 
whose  house,  in  order  to  secure  more  comfortable  quarters.  Dr.  Ev- 
ans iuid  been  removed,)  witliiu  eight  hours  after  leaving  Fort  Wayne. 
Dr.  Evans,  by  this  time  becoming  fully  conscious  that  he  could  only 
survive  a  few  hours,  dietiited  the  following  as  his  last  will  and  testa- 
ment (Dr.  Thompson  acting  as  amanuensis),  and  which  embodied  a 
distribution  of  his  estate,  adjusted  upon  such  nice  principles  of  jus- 
tice and  affection,  that  no  word  of  complaint,  or  of  discord,  was  ever 
uttered  by  the  parties  affected  by  it : 

'■I,  John  Evans,  being  weak  in  body,  but  sound  in  mind  and 
memory,  knowing  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  the  certainty  of 
death,  do  make  and  )tublish  tiiis,  my  last  will  and  testament,  hereby 
revoking  all  loriner  wills.  First — I  commit  my  soul  to  God,  who 
gave  it,  !i.nd  my  body  to  the  earth,  to  be  buried  at  Fort  Wayne,  in 
such  manner  as  my  family  may  direct.  And  I  hereby  appoint  my 
daughter,  Merioii.  and  my  sons,  Carey  and  Rush,  together  with  Al- 
len Hamilton,  Hugh  McCuUochand  Pierce  Evans,  as  my  Executors: 
and  it  is  my  desire  that  the  three  last  named  Executors  shall  per- 
mit my  sons,  Carey  and  Jl'ish,  to  continue  the  mercantile  business 
until  all  my  just  debts  are  paid  ;  after  which,  it  is  my  desire  that 
my  beloved  wife  sliall  have  one-third  of  all  my  personal  and  real 
estate  during  her  life;  and  desire  that  my  daughter,  Eliza  Hill,  shall 
receive  nothing  more  until  my  other  children  have  received  one 
thousand  dollars  each.  After  which,  J  wish  the  balance  of  my  prop- 
erty e(iu;illy  distributed  annnig  my  children.  And  I  further  desire 
that  my  children  shall  provide  for  Alcy  Cumberland  [a  faithful  col- 
ored servMut  of  the  family.]  so  long  as  she  may  live;  and  it  is  my 
special  re(|ne8t  tt>at  my  friends,  the  three  last  named  Executors,  will 
not  make  any  public  sale  of  property,  but  permit  my  sons  to  sell  at 
private  sale  to  tlie  lu'st  advantage.  Signed,  sealed  and  delivered, 
this  10th  day  of  August,  A.  D.,  1842.  "JOHN  EVANS. 

"S.G.  Thompson.  >  „-.,      ,    „ 

"A.  G.Evans,       S 


Pioneer  Notes — Dr.  John  Evans. 


406 


buthifi 
each  his 
he  had 
as  War- 
i-ess,  and 
eantime, 
spatched 
ondition. 
I,  Samuel 

reaching 
56,  and  at 
nmon  Dr. 

members 
ncc  bein^ 
as,  second 
i,  notwith- 
Iilton'8  (to 
rs,  Dr-  Ev- 
'ort  Wayne. 

could  only 
[1  and  testa- 
embodied  a 
;iples  of  jus- 
M>d,  was  ever 


Having  performed  this  last  earthly  dnty,  his  remaining  moments 
were  consecrated  to  the  service  of  his  Maker,  and  in  endearing  ex- 
pressions of  affection  for  the  two  members  of  his  family  who  were 
present,  and  in  messages  to  those  who  Avere  unavoidably  absent.  On 
the  following  day  (11th  of  August,)  his  death  occuneci. 

And  thus,  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years,  the  honorable  career 
of  Dr.  John  Evans  was  brouglfit  to  a  close  in  the  very  prime  of 
his  manhood.  No  death  that  occurred  in  the  valley  during  that 
year,  produced  a  more  general  or  profound  regret.  The  physician 
whose  skill  had  prolonged  the  lives  of  multitudes,  was  unable  to 
heal  himself. 

An  obituary  of  the  Fort  Wayne  Times,  dated  September  17, 1842, 
appears  below : 

"On  the  evening  of  the  11th  ult.,  near  Defiance,  Ohio,  Dr.  John 
Evans,  of  this  city,  breathed  his  last,  in  the  49th  year  of  his  age. 
The  removal  of  this  highly  respectable  and  enterprising  citizen  from 
the  sphere  of  his  earthly  labors  has  excited  the  deepest  sympathy, 
and  the  siucerest  regrets  among  a  numerous  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances;  and  has  cast  a  deep  shade  over  the  hopes  and  hiipjii- 
ness  of  a  disconsolate  wife  and  bereaved  family.  He  is  now  no 
more— all  that  was  mortal  rests  within  the  portals  of  the  tomb ;  but 
his  memory  will  ever  live  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him.  His 
weight  of  character,  his  great  moral  worth,  and  exemplary  deport- 
ment in  each  and  every  relation  of  life,  will  be  remembered,  his  vir- 
hies  admired,  and  his  memory  cherished,  as  long  as  the  qualities 
that  adorn  human  nature  shall  be  held  in  proper  estimation. 

"At  a  very  early  period  in  the  settlement  of  north-western  Ohio, 
Dr.  Evans  located  at  Defiance.  The  extended  practice  and  the  ex- 
traordinary degree  of  favor  which  he  there  obtained,  are  sutRcient 
evidence  of  his  eminent  merit.  It  may  be  said  with  truth,  in  the 
beautiful  language  of  the  poet : 

" '  None  knew  him  but  to  love  liim, 
"  '  None  named  him  but  to  praise' 

"After  having  passed  the  meridian  of  life  in  the  practice  of  a  la- 
borious profession,  he  removed  his  family  for  a  short  period  to  Troy, 
Ohio,  and  thence  to  this  city,  with  a  view  of  establishing  his  sous 
in  the  mercantile  business,  and  reposing,  durinc:  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  in  the  midst  of  his  beloved  family,  and  in  the  enjoyment 
of  an  honorably-acquired  competence.  He  went  to  Defiance  about 
the  commencement  of  the  month  (August)  {ox  the  purpose  of  trans- 
acting some  business.  While  there  he  felt  unwell,  and  fearing  an 
attack  of  disease,  he  started  for  home ;  but  before  proceeding  far 
his  progress  was  arrested  by  a  most  severe  attack  of  bilious  pneu- 
monia, which  terminated  his  earthly  existence  on  the  seventh  day 
following.  During  his  short  but  painful  illness  he  was  composed 
and  resigned — he  expressed  a  desire  to  live  only  on  account  of  his 
family.  He  aroused  from  the  stupor  of  approaching  dissolution  to 
assure  them  of  his  entire  willingness  to  meet  his  Maker.  As  his  life 


406 


Pioneer  Notes — S.  Carey  Evcms. 


had  been  honorable  and  useful,  his  death  was  peaceful  and  happy." 
Mrs.  Evans,  widow  of  Dr.  John  Evans,  is  yet  living,  in  a  remar- 
kably sound  condition  of  health  and  mind,  alternately  making  her 
home  with  her  surviving  son  and  daughters  (Samuel  Carey  EvanB, 
and  Mrs.  John  A.  Hill,  and  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Rudisill).  She  has 
vived  her  affectionate  husband,  and  one-half  her  children. 


sur- 


Samuel  Carey,  son  of  Dr.  John  Evns,  may  be  justly  classed 
among  the  pioneers  of  the  Maumee  Valley.  His  father  left  him 
stocks  of  goods  at  Fort  Wayne— one  owned  by  John  Evans  &  Co., 
(Edmond  Lindenberger  being  the  junior  partner,)  located  on  the 
corner  of  Calhoun  and  Columbia  streets ;  and  the  other  store  in  the 
n  ame  of  Evans  &  Hill,  Culumbia  street,  on  the  premises  now  occu- 
pied  by  Morgan  &  Beach,  hardware  dealers. 

Samuel  C.  and  William  Rush  Evans  settled  the  estate  of  their 
father,  commencing  their  work  at  the  date  of  his  death,  in  August, 
1843,  and  making  a  final  settlement  in  the  summer  of  1845.  In  the 
fall  of  the  last-named  year,  the  two  brothers,  with  Pliny  Hoagland, 
engaged  in  business  at  Fort  Wayne,  on  the  corner  of  Calhoun  and 
Main  streets,  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  C.  Evans  &  Co.,  and  con- 
tinued one  year,  when  Mr.  Hoagland  retired  from  the  partnership ; 
but  the  firm  name  remained  until  the  fall  of  1847,  when  a  sale  was 
made  to  T.  K.  Brackenridge  &  Co.,  the  partners  closing  with  about 
sufficient  assets  to  meet  liabilities ;  and  S.  Carey  Evans  going  to 
New  York  to  engage  in  trade,  and  the  two  brothers,  at  about  the 
same  date,  organized  a  firm  at  Defiance,  under  the  name  of  W.  E. 
Evans  &  Co.,  which  prosecuted  business  about  two  years  without 
realizing  any  profit.  In  April,  1853,  the  firm  of  R.  Evans  &  Co. 
was  instituted — consisting  of  Rinaldo  Evans,  and  S.  Carey  Evans— 
and  engaged  in  mercantile  business  on  the  corner  above  mentioned, 
and  continued  until  the  first  of  August,  1855.  This  firm  was  sue- 
.cessful — transacting  a  cash  business,  and  promptly  meeting  every 
engagement ;  and  at  the  settlement  of  the  partners,  $4,159,  in  goods 
and  other  assets,  were  divided  between  them. 

The  firm  of  S,  C.  Evans  &  Co.  (the  junior  partner  being  John  M. 
Foellinger,)  commenced  business  in  August,  1855,  at  the  stand 
named  above,  and  continued  until  September  1, 1860 ;  when  the 
firm  of  S.  Carey  Evans  &  Co.  was  re-organized  and  removed  to  Ken- 
dalville  (the  firm  now  being  S.  Carey  Evans  and  W.  Rush  Evans). 
The  junior  member  died  here  in  April,  1862,  and  the  business  there- 
after was  conducted  by  S.  Carey  Evans  until  September  1, 1865, 
when  he  closed  his  mercantile  business  at  Kendalville,  and,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1866,  returned  to  Fort  Wayne,  and,  on  that  date,  assumed  the 
Presidency  of  the  Merchants'  National  Bank,  to  which  position  he 
had  been  elected,  and  which  place  he  yet  holds.  Few  important 
enterprises,  of  value  to  Fort  Wayne,  during  his  residence  in  the 
city,  are  not  connected  with  his  name,  by  the  material  aid  and  other 
epcouragement  he  hag  afforded.    This  is  partioalarly  true  of  the 


id  happy." 
a  remar- 
aking  her 
•ey  Evans, 
le  has  sur- 


ly classed 
sr  left  him 
ans  &  Co., 
;ed  on  the 
store  in  the 

now  occu- 

te  of  their 

in  August, 

!45.  In  the 
Hoagland, 

ilhoun  and 
).,  and  con- 

artnership ; 
a  sale  was 

with  about 
18  going  to 
about  the 
le  of  W.  R 
sars  without 
Ivans  &  Co. 
rey  Evans- 
mentioned, 
•m  was  sue- 
eeting  every 
59,  in  goods 

ing  John  M. 

-t  the  stand  ^^__^ 

) ;  when  the   ■  ^^^-^^^^Z^^-^^.-f  \^yy^^ 

ived  to  Ken-   ^  ^  J^   ^  ^f 

Lish  Evans). 

siness  there- 

ber  1,  1865, 

md,  in  Jan- 

assumed  the 

position  he 

^  important 

ence  in  the 

id  and  other 

true  of  the 


di 
bo 
M 
Fr 
pla 
to 

nes 

on 

Bar 

bus: 
B 


was, 
Ti've 
Mea 
char 
that 
knoi 
M 
true 
the  1 
took 
to  i 
As 
JohnI 
Josej 
catedl 
and 
flour 
thefii 

tj; 

startel 
Jishedl 
churcf 
as  ten) 
readyj 
accord 


Pioneer  Notes — Henry  Hudisill. 


401 


Fort  Wayne,  Jackson  &  Saginaw  Railroad;  which  important  enter- 
prise, it  is  generally  conceded,  was  secured  to  the  city  through  his  ener- 
gy and  judicious  management  as  a  contractor  for  the  whole  portion 
of  the  work  within  the  State  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Evans  is  a  good  type 
of  the  business  men  of  Fort  Wayne,  and  inherits  the  business  saga- 
city of  his  father. 


HENRY   BUDISILL. 

Early  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  North-Eastern  In- 
diana, and  of  Fort  Wayne,  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was 
born  in  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1801.  His  father  (says 
Mr.  Brice,  in  his  history  of  Fort  Wayne,)  subsequently  removed  to 
Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania ;  and,  at  the  age  of  14,  Henry  was 
placed  in  a  mercantile  establishment  in  Shippinsburg,  in  that  State, 
to  be  thoroughly  educated  in  all  the  diiferent  branches  of  that  busi- 
ness. Three  years  afterwards  he  removed  to  Chillicothe,  Ohio  (then 
on  the  borders  of  western  civilization),  as  an  employee  of  Messrs. 
Barr  &  Campbell,  who  were  then  largely  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  at  that  and  other  points,  east  and  west. 

He  remained  with  this  firm  until  1824,  when  he  removed  to  Lan- 
caster, Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  and 
was  subsequently  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Johns,  who  still  sur- 
vives him.  In  1839  he  moved  to  Font  Wayne,  and,  as  the  agent  of 
Messrs.  Barr  &  McCorkle,  the  original  proprietors  of  tlie  town,  had 
charge  of  their  real  estate  interests  until  181-37 ;  and  while  acting  in 
that  capacity,  cleared  and  cultivated  a  large  portion  of  what  is  now 
known  as  the  "  old  flat,"  and  "  Hanna's  Addition"  to  Fort  Wayne. 

Mr.  Rudisill  was  of  an  active  and  energetic  temperament,  and  a 
true  representative  of  the  men  who,  under  Providence,  have  made 
the  western  country  what  it  now  is,  and,  with  unselfish  aim,  always 
took  an  active  and  important  part  in  every  movement  that  tended 
to  advance  the  interests  of  the  county  and  city  in  which  he  lived. 
As  early  as  1836,  he,  in  connection  with  his  father-in-law,  Mr. 
Johns,  commenced  the  improvement  of  the  water  power  of  the  St. 
Joseph  river,  at  the  point  where  the  St.  Joseph's  mills  are  now  lo- 
cated, one  mile  north  of  Fort  Wayne,  and  built  there  a  saw-mill, 
and  the  first  flouring  mill  capable  of  manufacturing  merchantable 
flour  in  Northern  Indiana.  A  few  years  later  he  put  in  operation 
the  first  machine  for  carding  wool  that  was  ever  used  in  Allen  coun- 
ty; and,  some  years  subsequent,  in  company  with  Mr.  L.  Wolke,  he 
started  the  first  mill  for  making  oil  from  flax-seed ;  and  also  estab- 
lished the  first  woolen  factory  in  north-eastern  Indiana.  So,  too,  in 
church  and  educational  matters,  and  in  such  public  improvements 
as  tended  to  develop  the  resources  of  the  county,  he  was  always 
ready  and  willing  to  aid,  and  contributed  freely  to  their  support, 
according  to  hie  ability. 


408        Pioneer  Notes — Mrs.  Laura  Suitenfidd. 


Bc'iiifj  of  fierman  dosccni,  iiiid  lor  a  niiTiil)er  of  yoarp  I  he  only  one 
ill  the  city  who  could  speak  l)uth  hm^Uiiji^c'y,  he  soon  Itecunit'  the 
counsoUor,  friend  and  helper  of  niuny  who  oiime  from  the  old  world 
l(»  make  this  portion  of  the  new  their  home;;  and  there  are  many  in 
the  county  to-day  who  can  date  lluir  first  stei)s  in  tluir  course  of 
prosperity  to  his  assistance  and  advice. 

Mr.  Rudlsill  served  as  postmaster  during  the  two  terms  of  the  ad- 
ministration of  President  Jackson  ;  and  a  term  of  three  years  as 
Commissioner  of  Allen  County. 

Injured  by  a  fall  while  su])erinteiiding  some  W(»rk  at  one  of  his 
mills,  his  spine  became  alfected,  causing  i)artial  paralysis,  and  subse- 
(juent  death,  in  February,  1858,  leaving  a  widow,  who  now  occupies 
the  homestead  embracing  the  margin  of  the  acres  which  were  cleared 
for  military  jiurposes  l)y  General  Wayne,  in  1794,  and  afterwards 
by  Oenerai  Harrison,  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  njjrightness,  kind- 
ness, and  affability  in  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow  citizens,  early 
won  for  him  a  host  of  friends,  who  will  ever  cherish  for  him  a  kind- 
ly memory  and  regard.  In  his  i)rivate  social  intercourse,  he  was  nii 
less  happy  in  winning  the  aflection  and  esteem  of  every  one  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact ;  and  it  is  a  consolation  to  liis  family  and 
friends  to  know  that  his  true  piety  and  earnest  Christian  faith  have 
prepared  for  him  u  rich  reward  in  that  better  world  to  which  he  has 
gone. 


MRS.  LAURA  SUTTENFIELD. 


"  But  few  of  the  pioneer  mothers  of  Fort  Wayne,"  says  Brice, 
"  survive  among  us  to  tell  the  adventures  of  the  past ;  one  of  whom 
is  Mrs.  Laura  Suttenfield,  now  [iu  1872]  in  her  78th  year.  Mrs.  L, 
was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1795,  and  came  to  Fort  Wayne  in 
1814,  by  way  of  the  St.  Mary's  river,  then  much  navigated  by  flat 
boats.  It  was  soon  after  the  arrival  of  herself  and  hnsljand.  that 
the  old  fort  was  removed,  and  a  new^  one  erected  on  its  site,  in  the 
building  of  which  her  husband,  Colonel  William  Suttenfield,  took 
an  active  part.  From  the  time  of  lier  first  a;  rival,  her  family  made 
the  fort  their  home,  and  resided  in  it  for  several  years.  Ever  atten- 
tive and  amiable  in  her  disposition,  she  early  won  the  esteem,  not 
only  of  those  Avithin  the  garrison,  but  of  sti'angers  visiting  the  post, 
then  so  famous  in  the  northwest.  Her  memory  of  e  irly  events,  even 
at  her  advanced  age.  is  remarkably  clear.  Her  husband.  Colowl 
Suttenfield,  now  dead  many  years,  was  a  patriotic,  kind-hearted 
mr.ii.  For  some  time  after  his  removal  to  this  point,  he  was  a  non- 
commissioned officer  of  the  fort.  At  an  early  period  of  the  Strug 
gles  in  the  west,  he  Avas  engaged  in  the  recruiting  service,  and  for 
many  months  after  his  arrival  here,  was  mainly  employed  in  bring- 
ing provisions  from  Piqua,  and  other  points,  on  pack-horses,  and 
usually  had  three  or  four  men  to  accompany  and  aid  him  in  bis  per- 


Pioneer  Notes — Colonel  George  W.  Munng.       409 


ilous  and  bunleriHome  duties  back  and  forth  to  the  sottloincnts.  The 
first  house  (a  substantial  log  editioe,)  thai  was  built  in  what  is  now 
the 'old  flat,'  was  encted  liy  him  at  the  northwest  corner  ot  l>arr 
and  Columbia  streets,  just  opposite  of  T.  1>.  lb dekin,  in  which  his 
family  resided  ibr  many  ye;irs.  lli  r  recollections  of  Goneral  dohn 
H.  Hunt,  Colonel  John  Tipton,  Major  B.  F.  I^tickniy,  and  Colonel 
John  Johnson,  are  very  clear. 


COLONEL  GKOKGE  W.  EWING. 

No  family  connected  with  the  early  business  of  the  new  States 
and  Territories,  and  the  prominent  cities,  west  of  the  Alleohenies, 
was  more  conspicuous  than  that  of  the  I'lwings,  or  occupied  a  lar- 
ger space  in  the  public  mind.  In  th  ir  day  and  gener.ition,  they 
achieved  distinction  in  the  halls  of  legislation,  in  courts  ot  justice, 
and  in  leading  marts  ot  trade  in  i\merica  and  liuropo. 

In  the  Fort  Wayne  (UiZiilc,  of  ,lune  0,  iN(;(;,  !ip)»ears  an  obituary 
notice  of  the  survivor  of  these  eminent  brothers,  George  W.  Ewing; 
which  was  prepared  by  l?yrum  D.  Miner,  Esq.,  who  was  then  })riu- 
cilial  and  managing  executor  of  the  estate,  and  which  is  re-publish- 
ed below : 

"  We  are  again  called  upon  to  record  the  demise  of  an  old  and 
valued  citizen,  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  energetic  pioneers 
of  the  northwest.  Colonel  George  W.  Kwing,  the  subject  of  this 
obituary,  departed  this  life  at  the  residence  of  Dr.  Charles  E.  ^>tur- 
gis,  in  Fort  Wayne,  on  the  aOth  of  May,  INOO,  in  the  God  year  of 
his  iige. 

"As  the  Ewinir  family,  of  whom  he  was  th"  surviving  male  nu^m- 
ber.  have  been  identified  with  the  early  settlement  of  this  country, 
it  is  proper  at  this  time  that  a  historical  record  should  be  perpetu- 
ated of  thorn;  and  a  few  extracts  from  a  history  of  the  family,  writ- 
ten by  the  deceased,  will  not  be  out  of  place. 

'' His  father,  Colonel  Alexander   Ewmg,  was  of  Irish  parentage. 

and  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1  TO.'?.     At  the  age  of  1 6  years,  actuated 

[by  the  spirit  of  patriotism  which   filled    the   heart  if  every   true 

American,  he  repaired  to  Philadel])hia,  where  he  enlisted  in  the 

1  Continental  army,  and  served  during  the  Kevolutionai'y  struggle. 

"In  l/«7,  he  was  engaged  in  a  trading  exnedition  in  what  was 
then  called  the  far  North \'.  est,  and  erected  a  trading  po^t  on  Butfalo 
jcreek,  where  now^  stands  the  city  of  Butfalo.  A  t'ew^  y^  ars  later, 
jhaving  been  very  prosperous  in  that  business,  he  purchased  lamis  on 
Ithe  Genesee  flats,  near  a  small  village  called  Big  Tree,  and  in  the 
jneighhothood  of  Geneseo,  Livingston  connty.  In  18(2,  he  removed 
^0  the  River  Raisin,  in  th<'. \State  of  Michigan,  and  settled  where  now 
ptands  the  City  of  Monroe. 
"In  1807,  he  moved  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  settled  in  the  town 
1  Washington,  now  called  Piqua,  remaining  there  and  at  Troy  un- 


II 


410       Pioneer  Notes — Colonel  Oeorge  W.  Eiving. 


til  1822,  when  he  made  his  final  removal  to  this  vicinity,  where,  on 
the  '27th  day  of  January,  1827,  he  departed  this  life,  and  was  buried 
at  a  spot  Bclectod  by  himself,  near  the  northwest  corner  of  Pearl 
and  Cass  streets,  in  this  city. 

"  The  mother,  Charlotte  Griffith,  was  of  Welch  parentage,  a  lady 
of  great  excellence  and  moral  worth.  She  survived  her  husband 
until  the  1 3th  day  of  March,  1843,  when  she  departed  this  life  at 
Peru,  Indiana.  It  has  been  written  of  her  that  slie  had  died  as  she 
bad  lived,  in  peace  and  with  good  will  to  all,  and  a  firm  believer  in 
the  Christian  religion.  Her  life  had  been  a  virtuous  and  well-spent 
one,  and  she  died  without  reproach,  respected  and  esteemed  by  all 
who  knew  her.  The  issue  of  this  marriage  was  :  Sophie  C,  relict 
of  Smallwood  Noel,  Esq. ;  Charles  W.,  formerly  President  Judge  of 
the  8th  Judicial  Circuit  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  born  at  the  village 
of  Big  Tree,  above  referred  to  ;  William  G.,  formerly  Judge  of  the 
Probate  Court  of  Allen  County,  Indiana ;  Alexander  H.,  a  success- 
ful merchant  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  George  W.,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  who  was  bom  at  Monroe,  Michigan.  Lavinia,  deceased, 
married  to  the  Hon.  George  B.  Walker,  of  Logansport,  was  born 
at  Piqua,  Ohio.  Louisa,  widow  of  the  late  Dr.  Charles  E.  Sturgis, 
of  this  city,  was  born  at  Troy,  Ohio. 

"  In  the  year  1827,  the  two  brothers  formed  the  well  and  widely 
known  firm  of  W.  G.  &  G.  W.  Ewing.  By  their  articles  of  co-part- 
nership, all  their  estate,  of  every  name  and  nature,  became  and  con- 
tinued to  be  the  common  property  of  the  firm,  until  the  11th  'loyo' 
July,  1854,  when  the  co-partnership  ceased  by  the  deatli  of  William. 
During  all  that  time  the  brothers  reposed  in  each  other  the  utmost 
confidence,  and  no  settlement  of  account  ever  took  place  between 
them.  They  had  many  side  partnerships  and  branches — Fort  Wayne 
being  the  headquarters  of  all.  William  S.  Edsall  was  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Ewing,  Edsall  &  Co.,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Richard 
Chute,  and  the  firm  name  was  then  changed  to  Ewing,  Cliute  &Co. 

"  At  Logansport,  Hon.  George  B.  Walker  was  a  partner.  There, 
the  celebrated  firms  ot  Ewing,  Walker  &  Co.,  and  Ewings  i 
Walker,  had  their  business  house,  and  at  LaGro,  Indiana,  the  firm 
was  Ewings  &  Barlow.  At  Westport,  Missouri,  a  very  extensive 
business  was  transacted  under  the  firni  name  of  W.  G.  <fc  G.  W.  Eff- 
ing ;  and  many  branches  were  located  in  Michigan,  Iowa,  Kansai 
Minnesota  and  Wisconsin.  In  fact,  their  business  extended  over! 
considerable  portion  of  both  Continents — their  names  being,  inthii 
country,  familiar  in  every  considerable  town  and  hamlet  betweci 
the  Alleghenies  and  the  Kocky  Mountains.  Their  employees  wer« 
numerous,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  proved  faithful  and  trust 
worthy. 

"At  the  death  of  William  G.  Ewing,  George  W.  Ewing  devoteJ 
his  whole  energies  in  the  work  of  winding  up  the  immense  businen 
of  the  old  partnerships  ;  and,  with  the  assistance  of  his  former  coHj 
fidential  agents,  Messrs.  Miner  &  Lytle,  succeeded,  on  the  10th « 


Pioneer  Notes —  Colonel  George  W.  Ewing.      411 


itage,  a  lady 
ler  husband 
this  life  at 
i  died  as  she 
I  believer  in 
id  well-spent 
Bemed  by  all 
hie  C,  relict 
lent  Judge  of 
it  the  village 
Judge  ot  the 
H.,  a  success- 
subject  of  this 
inia,  deceased, 
»ort,  was  bora 
Les  E.  Sturgis, 

3II  and  widely 
Lcles  of  co-part- 
L'came  and  con- 

ath  of  William- 

-ler  the  utmost 

place  between 

B__Fort  Wayne 

as  a  member  0] 

ded  by  Kichaii  ] 

,g,  Clmte&Co. 

.artner.    There, 

and   Swings  4 

ndiana,  the  hm 

very  extensive 

Iowa,  Kansas. 
Extended  oveM 
tea  being,  in  t"" 
hamlet  betweffl 
employees  vfe« 
^hful  and  trusii 

Ewing  devote^l 
mmensebuBinea 
■^his  former  COB 
on  the  10th  ^ 


October.  Ift65,  in  making  a  full,  final,  and  complete  settlement  to 
ihe  satisfaction  of  the  administrators  (Hon.  Hugh  McCulloch  and 
Dr.  Charles  E.  Sturgis),  and  the  legatees  of  his  brother's  estate; 
which  settlement  was  confirmed  at  the  March  term,  1866,  of  the 
Common  Pleas  Court  of  Allen  County,  Indiana,  and  the  business 
relating  to  the  estate  of  William  G.  Ewing  closed  finally. 

"Colonel  Cieorge  W.  Ewing,  the  subject  of  this  obituary,  00m- 
raenced  his  business  career  by  establishing  a  trading  post  among 
the  Shawanee  Indians,  at  the  place  where  now  stands  the  village  of 
Wapaukonnetta,  in  Auglaize  county,  Ohio.  Wo  next  find  him  at 
the  Miami  treaty  of  1S2G,  where  he  laid  the  foundation  of  his  future 
prosperity,  and  at  nearly  all  the  subsequent  treatit'S  with  the  Indi- 
ans in  Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan  and  Illinois,  he  attended  and  took  a 
prominent  position.  In  1828,  he  married  Miss  Harriett  Bouric,  and 
in  1830,  with  other  citizens  of  Fort  Wayne,  removed  to  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Wabash  and  Eel  rivers,  and  there  founded  the  prosper- 
ous and  growing  city  of  Logansport. 

"In  the  year  1839,  he  removed  with  his  familv  to  Peru,  Indiana, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  October,  1846,  when  he  moved 
to  St.  Louis,  where,  on  January  24.  1H47,  his  wile  departed  this  life. 
He  continued  to  reside  at  St.  Louis  until  the  death  of  his  brother 
and  business  partner,  William  G.,  when  it  became  necessary  that  he 
return  to  Fort  Wayne,  and  take  charge  of  the  headquarters  of  the 
lute  firm. 

"On  the  27th  of  December,  1865,  he  was  stricken  down  by  an 
i  attack  ot  bilious  pneumonia,  from  which  he  partially  recovered, 
iw'en  heart  disease  intervened,  and  ho  lingered  along  until  the  date 
i  before  mentioned,  having  suffered  intense  agony  of  body  and  mind 
|forfive  months,  when  death  put  an  end  to  his  existence. 

'So  far  as  he  could  do  so,  he  arranged  his  worldly  affairs  to  his 
Uatisfaction,  and  after  many  long  and  earnest  consultations  with  the 
iRt.  Rev.  Bishop  Luers,  he  was  baptised,  and  partook  of  the,  Holy 
ISaorament,  and  put  his  trust  in  the  Dispenser  of  all  good.  From 
jthat  time  he  appeared  to  lose  his  usual  sternness  of  manner,  to  be- 
come entirely  resigned  and  composed,  and  finally  seemed  to  fall 

sleep,  and  quietly  passed  away, 

"At  his  particular  request,  made  on  his  death-bed,  he  was  buried 
conformity  with  the  rites  of  the  Cjitholic  Church — his  body  being 

deposited  in  his  own  lot  at  the  Lindenwood  Cemetery,  near  Fort 

"^ayne. 
"Thus  has  passed  away  another  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  coun- 

/•   There  are  but  few  remaining,  and  it  is  saddening   to  contem- 
|late  that,  in  a  few  years  more,  those  noble  men  and  women  will  all 
jave  gone  to  their  final  resting  place." 
B.  D.  Miner,  Esq.,  who  furnished  the  foregoing  sketch,  commenc- 

ti  his  residence  at  Fort  Wayne  in  1835,  and  his  business  relations 

^ith  the  Messrs.  Ewing  began  in    1838,  and  terminated   with  the 

Bath  of  Colonel  George  W.  Ewing,  in    1866.    The  intimate  busi- 


412 


Oth£r  Pioneers. 


nc88  nnd  hocial  rolations  that  had  existed  hetweon  tlio  two,  may  h 
mforred  from  tho  subjoined  provision  contained  in  the  will  of  Mr 
Ewinu;: 

'•  In  view  of  the  lonpj  and  intimate  relations  existing  bctwoon  mv 
tfelf  and  my  worthy  friend,  liynini  T).  Miner,  I  will  and  heqiieatfc 
to  him  the  sum  ot  twenty-tive  hundred  dollars  ()$"i.r)0(»,)  in  unim 
proved  real  estate  in  Allen  County,  Indiana,  to  bo  selected  by  him 
self  and  his  co  executor  hereinafter  named,  or  such  o*^ or  person's* 
may  execute  this  my  last  will  and  testament.     Anil  iew  of  hii  j 

lont;  and  intimate  connection  with  my  general  b  ..ess,  it  isnivl 
will  and  desire  that  he  shall  be  my  active  executor,  and  give liii 
personal  attention  to  settling  up  and  protecting  ii:y  estate,  and  ear 
rying  out  tho  provisions,  meaning,  and  intention  ol"  this  ray  my  bi 
will  and  testament;  and  m  consideration  thereof  I  will  and  direct 
tliat  he  shall  leceive  from  my  estate,  in  addition  to  what  the  Cour 
shall  allow  him  for  his  services  as  my  executor,  tho  sum  of  tivoiiuD 
dred  dollars  (§.'')()(>)  per  annum  for  the  term  of  ten  years,  should  k 
continue  so  long  my  active  executor," 

Another  provision  appointed  Mr.  Miner  and  William  A.  Ewinj 
Esq.,  executors  of  the  will.  The  first  named  having  rosicfiieil  ic 
I  HO!),  his  co-executor  has  now  sole  charge  of  the  trust  and  e.xecutioi 
of  the  will  of  Col.  Ewing, 

'The  monument  in  Lhidenwood  Cemetery,  although  the  finest  that 
adorn-!  that  beautiful  city  of  the  dead,  was  scarce'"  necessary !c 
perpetuate  Colonel  EAving's  memory  with  the  pres'  jenerationof 
Fort  Wayne,  who  will  never  forget    one  whoso  <,  interprisj 

and  liberality  contributed  so  much  to  place  the  busiu  j  of  thecityl 
upon  the  solid  foundations  it  now  occupies. 

It  may  lie  jiroper  here  to  add  tli.at  Mr.  Miner,  above  referred  to, 
has,  during  many  years.  Iieen  a  ))ublic-8pirit('d  citizen  of  Fort  W.m 
representing  the  County  ot  Allen,  in  IHCH  and  IBGii,  in  the  Indiaiii| 
House  of  Uepresentatives,  and  also  holding  other  responsible  officii' 
and  judiciary  positions. 


John  1*.  Hedsjes  is  now  one  of  three  of  the  oldest  inhabitants rtl 
siding  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Wayne.  In  181'i  he  was  a  ck'rk(^j 
.John  H.  Piatt,  Commissary  (Jeneral  lor  furnishing  supplies  fortkl 
Northwestern  Army,  and  in  th.at  capacity  visited  the  place  in  pwl 
suance  of  an  order  of  General  Hill,  to  examine  and  report  the  rvl 
tions  in  the  Fort.  His  residence,  however,  in  Fort  W.ayne,  ooul 
menced  directly  after  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  of  Greenvillciil 
1814.  At  this  treaty  his  father.  Samuel  P.  Hedges,  and  himselU'l 
sued  rations  to  the  Indians,  under  the  orders  of  the  Commissionenr 
and  Indian  Agents.  At  this  date  there  were  no  white  families rtl 
siding  near  the  Fort.  Several  single  pei  ":ons,  however,  nameljj 
George  and  John  E.  Hunt,  Peter  Oliver,  and  Perry  B.  Kirchevii 
were  at  the  place — the  two  first  named  with  a  store  of  goods, 


the  two,  mny  he 
the  will  of  Mr 

iiig  botwoon  my 

11   and  l)equeatli 

J;i,f)00,)  in  unim 

Bolectod  by  him 

ofhf^r  person?  Si 

u  'lew  of  hii 

b      ..CSS,  it  isniyj 

itor,  and  givf  liij  j 

Y  estate,  and  car 

thiw  my  my  last 

'   will  and  (iirecll 

what  the  Coun| 

sum  of  fivcliuii 

years,  should  he 

illiam  A.  Ewinj, 
•ving  resijjned  it  I 
ast  and  executioii 

iph  the  finest  tht 
se'"'    necessary  tc  I 

generation  oi 
*,  mterprisfl 
8iu    3  of  thocitjl 

bove  referred  10 
n  of  Fort  Wayntl 
)'J,  in  the  Indianil 
'esponsible  otiiciil 


38t  inliabitantsrti 
e  was  a  clerk  if| 


snpplios 


for  tlj| 


the  place  in  pu'l 
id  report  theril 
ort  Wayne,  ooiijI 
■  of  Greenvillo.isj 
is,  and  himsoli.Ll 
le  Comniis8ioneii| 
white  families  f^l 
lowever,  nainelj] 
rry  B.  Kirchevii 
,ore  of  goods,  ' 


Pioneer  Notes — Pliny  Hoagland. 


413 


the  last  named  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  ]\[ajor  Stickney,  Indian 
Agent.  The  old  French  traders  had  removed  during  the  early  part 
of  the  war  to  Detroit.  In  iSlf),  liouis  Jjourie  and  family.  Charles 
and  James  Peltitr  and  their  lamilies.  returned  to  the  fort.  Colonel 
William  Suttenfield  belonged  to  the  first  Kegiment  United  States 
Intantry,  under  Colonel  Ilunt,  ami  was  a  corj'oral  in  the  company 
of  Major  Whistler,  commandant  of  the  fort.  The  only  survivors 
i  among  those  who  were  residents  here  in  1815,  are  Mrs.  Suttenlield, 
I  Mi8,  Griswold  (formerly  Mrs.  Peltier),  and  Mr,  Hedges. 


Among  the  pioneers  not  hitherto  mentioned,  are  the  following  : 

John  G.  Mayer,  born  in  Betzenstein.  Bavaria,  April   5,  1810 — ar- 

irived  in  New  York  in  18.'?!).  and  in  Fort  Wayne  in    184.>,  and  who 

Iwill  be  remembered  as  the  popular  postmaster  during  tlie  administra- 

Itions  of  Pirrce  and  Buchanan;  Madison  Sweetser,  who  rem(»ved  to 

Fort  Wayne  in  18;)2,  and  has  been  among  the  most  prominent  of 

Jtslmsiness   men;  General  Hyacinth    Lasst'llo,  Avho.it  is    claimed, 

cas  the  first  white  person  born  at  the  place  in  1778;  Allen  llamil- 

|toti.  who  established  himself  in  business  in  Fort  W^ayne  in  182;»,  and 

diose  name  and  successful  business  career  are  yet  clear  in  the  rec- 

t)llections  of  all  the  old  citizens ;  Henry  Tilbury,  who  settled  three 

ailrs  east  of  Fort  AVayne,  on  the  Ridge  road,  in  Adams   township, 

|ii  l^'2'S;  Mrs.  Emeline  Griswold,  who  was  burn  at  Detroit  in  IT'.tii, 

uul  romoved  to  Fort  Wayne  in  1 807,  with  her  grand-parent  s,  Ba])tiste 

lalooh  and  wife;  J.  and  B.  Trentman,  Jacob  .and  ,1.  M.  Foclinger, 

Meyer,  George  Meyer.  H.  Kierinan.   Joim  Orf    H.  Schwegman, 

^r,  C.  Schmitz,   Henry    Baker.  Jacob  Fry,  B.  I'hillips,  C.  Morrell. 

Xill,  Louis  Wolkie,  S,  Lau,  A.  Pint/,.  Kev.   Dr.  Sihler,   George 

liller.  E.  Vodemark,  C.  I'iepenbrink.  D.  Wehmer,  Charles  and  L. 

laker,  Ciiarles  Muhler,  Peter  Keiser  and  many  others. 


PLTNY   HOAGLAND. 

iThcre  are  few  now  in  active  life  who  have  been  more  ]>rominent- 
jassoeiated  with  canal,  railroad,  city  imi)n)vi'nH'nt,  and  the  school 
ll  other  important  interests  of  North- Western  Ohio,  and  North- 
Vtern  Indiana.  I  linn  Mr.  Ho.agland. 

|(.'ominemung  professional  life  as  an  engineer  on  the  Sandy  and 
|aver  canal,  in  the  spring  of  1835,  he  engaged,  three  years  later, 

'■'^),  ill  the  same  employment  on  the  Ohio  [lortion  of  the  Wabash 
[ll  Krit'  Canal. 

lo  continued  in  this  service  until  the  completion  of  the  work  in 

'•'.  wiien  he  was  j)laci'(l  in  charg<'  not   only   of  the   canal,  but  ot 
Western  Reserve  and  JMaumee  roail,  which  position  he  retained 

til  he  removed  to  Fort  Wayne.     During  this  service  of  seven 


414 


Pioneer  Notes — PUny  Moagland. 


years,  and  embracing  a  period  when  the  malarious  diseases  of  the 
country  were  often  very  malignant,  he  was  unremitting  in  the  dis 
charge  of  his  official  trust,  regularly  visiting  and  inspecting  every 
portion  of  the  works  confided  to  his  charge. 

In  the  fall  of  1845,  he  removed  to  Fort  Wayne,  where  he  yet  re- 
sides, and  where,  as  before  stated,  he  has  taken  a  leading,  though 
undemonstrative  and  unostentatious  part,  in  all  the  schemes  that 
have  proved  beneficial  to  the  interests  of  the  city  and  country.- 
When  the  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  road  had  been  partly  constructed 
between  Pittsburg  and  Mansfield,  that  company  were  hesitating  re 
garding  the  route  they  would  adopt  when  they  formed  their  con 
nection  with  the  Cleveland,  Columbus  and  Cincinnati  road  at  Crest 
line : — whether  they  would  form  a  Chicago  or  Cincinnati  alliance 
and  during  the  time  they  v,  ere  thus  deliberating,  Mr.  Hoagland  haf 
pened  to  be  at  Wooster,  wnere  he  met  J.  R.  Strahan,  William  Ja 
cobs,  and  others  interested,  to  whom  he  urged  the  Chicago  route  ai 
the  one  that  would  result  most  beneficially  to  the  interests  of  the 
corporation.    He  immediately  wrote  to  Judge  McCuUoch,  stating 
the  condition  of  matters,  and  suggesting  the  adoption  of  prompt 
measures  by  the  citizens  interested  in  the  prosperity  of  Fort  Wape 
to  rally  in  behalf  of  the  Chicago  route.     His  foresight  and  efforts 
were  finally  appreciated,  and  the  road  moved  westward  from  Crest 
line,  until  it  finally,  after  hard  struggles  and  sacrifices,  reacheJ 
Chicago. 

The  concurrent  legislation  of  Indiana,  in  1S51,  rendered  necesM 
ry  to  perfect  the  arrangements  authorized  by  the  Ohio  enactmenti 
of  the  previous  year,  was  obtained  chiefly  through  the  efforts  of  Mr. 
Hoagland ;  and  the  corporation,  then  known  as  the  Ohio  and  Indi 
ana  Railroad,  connecting  Crestline  and  Fort  Wayne,  was  organized, 
Mr.  Hoagland,  Judge  Hanna  and  William  Mitclaell  becoming  con 
tractors   for  constructing  the  whole  road  from  Crestline  to  Fort 
Wayne,   a  distiance  of  131  miles,  except  furnishing  the  iron.   Th( 
letting  occurred  on  the  28th  of  January,  1852,  and  the  contract  wsi 
completed  en  the  Ist  of  November,  1854.    In  a  history  of  the  ei 
terprise  and  its  early  trials,  published  under  authority  of  the  Con 
pany,  it  is  stated  that  "  these  contractors  commenced  and  prosecui 
ed  their  work  w  lib  such  commendable  energy  as  to  have  it  reaiijl 
for  passing  trains  over  the  whole  road  on  the  first  of  Novembei 
1854."     From  the  inception  of  the  Ohio  and  Indiana,  now  a  partd 
the  Pittsburg,  Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago  Railway,  until  the  presetij 
time,  Mr.  Hoagland  has  been,  with  the  exception  of  a  single  ytvi 
a  director;  and  also,  since  1866,  has  held  the  position  of  direcw 
on  the  Hoard  of  the  Grand  Rapids  Railroad  Company. 

In  1856,  Mr.  Hoagland  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House 
Representatives  of  the  Indiana  Legislature,  and,  in  1863,  a  mtm' 
of  the  State  Senate.  Judge  McCulloch,  after  his  appointment  s 
the  office  of  Comptroller  of  the  Currency,  resigned  his  position 
President  of  the  Fort  Wayne  branch  of  the  Bank  of  the  State 
Indiana ;  and  Mr.  Hoagland  was  elected  his  successor,  and  accept) 


liseases  of  the 
ling  in  the  dis 
jspecting  every 

here  he  yet  re- 

[leading,  though 

e  schemes  that 

and  country.- 

tly  constructed 

e  hesitating  re 

med  their  con- 

ti  road  at  Crest 

innati  alliance; 

Hoagland  hap- 

an,  William  Ja 

Chicago  route  as 

interests  of  the 

CuUoch,  stating 

ption  of  prompt 

^  of  Fort  Wape 

sight  and  efforts 

ivard  from  Crest- 

icrifices,  reached  j 

rendered  necessj 
Ohio  enactment!  I 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  I 
e  Ohio  and  Indi- 
;e,  was  organized, 
11  becoming  cod 
'restline  to  Fon 
g  the  iron.   Tbl 
I  the  contract  vsil 
istory  of  the  m 
)rity  of  the  Con 
;ed  and  proseciiij 
to  have  it  mii 
■St  of  Novembtij 
,na,  now  a  parti 
until  the  presetl 
of  a  single  yf*! 
isition  of  direcli^l 
pany. 

of  the  House  (j 
a  1862,  a  menil* 
3  appointment; 
id  his  position  I 
k  of  the  Stale  ( 
isor,  and  accept*! 


T/v-^     ^^-M-^l- 


J,  Ji.l/U^^- 


Pioneer  Notes — Jesse  L.  Williams. 


416 


the  appointment,  resigned  his  seat  in  the  State  Senate,  and  held  the 
position  until  the  organization  of  the  Fort  Wayne  National  Bank, 
under  the  National  Banking  Law,  when  he  declined  the  offer  of  the 
Presidency  of  the  Institution,  but  accepted  the  place  of  Vice-Presi- 
dent— an  oflioe  which  he  continues  to  hold. 

During  his  service  in  the  City  Council,  commencing  in  1865,  the 
system  of  sewerage,  one  of  the  best  and  most  ample  enjoyed  by  any 
city  in  the  country,  was  commenced  at  his  instance,  and  prosecuted 
to  completion.  Permanent  street  grades,  and  the  Nicholson  pave- 
ment, also,  commenced  during  his  term.  These  public  improvements 
being  secure,  he  declined  a  re-election.  To  his  influence,  as  much 
as  to  that  of  any  other  person  connected  officially  with  the  system, 
the  public  schools  of  Fort  Wayne,  including  not  only  their  manage- 
ment, but  their  buildings,  everywhere  regarded  as  models,  have  been 
placed  in  a  condition  by  which  they  are  recognized  as  holding  a 
front  rank  among  the  educational  establishments  in  the  State. 

In  the  several  oflScial  trusts  committed  to  him — and  they  have 
been  various,  and  began  when  he  attained  his  majority,  and  continue 
until  the  present  date — the  official  places  he  has  held  have,  in 
every  instance,  sought  him.  He  may  have  asked  the  vote  of  an 
elector  for  a  friend,  but  never  for  himself  He  has  much  faith  in 
old  fashions,  in  the  political  and  moral  integrity  of  the  olden  time, 
and  in  old  friends.  Unfortunately  for  the  country,  the  proportion 
of  public  men,  now  in  service,  of  his  stamp  of  character,  is  not  as 
I  large  as  in  other  and  better  days. 


^(yC-^'^^t^    9 


JESSE   L.   WILLIAMS. 

[The  subjoined  sketch  of  the  public  services  of  this  gentleman,  is 
gathered  chiefly  from  the  work  of  Charles  B.  Stuart,  published  in 
Jl8?l,  and  entitled  "  Lives  and  Works  of  Civil  and  Military  Engi- 
neers of  America."     The  scope  of  the  operations  of  Mr.  Williams 
ed  the  bounds  of  local  limits,  and  became  national.    In  other 
pages,  the  public  are  indebted  to  much  that  invest  this  work  with 
historical  value,  to  an  unpretending  pamphlet  of  Mr.  Williams,  en- 
ttled, "  A  Historical  Sketch  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
fort  Wayne,''  having  originally  been  delivered  before  the  congrega- 
lion  of  that  church  in  the  form  of  a  lecture.    In  connection  with 
pis  brother,  the  late  Micajah  T.  Williams,  of  Cincinnati,  and  one  of 
be  original  proprietors  of  Toledo,  no  two  persons',  as  will  be  dis- 
overed  elsewhere  in  this  work,  were  more  closely  identified  with 
be  early  public  improvements  undertaken  by  Ohio  and  Indiana.] 

Jesse  L.  Williams,  who,  for  a  period  of  over  forty  years,  has  been 
onnected  with  the  rise  and  progress  of  public  works  in  the  States 


41 G 


Pioneer  Notes — Jesse  L.  Williams. 


of  Ohio  and  Indinna,  was  born  in  Stokes  County,  in  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  on  ilie  Gth  of  May,  1807.  His  parents,  Jesse  Wil- 
liams and  Sarah  T.  Williams,  of  whom  he  is  the  youngest  son,  were 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

About  the  year  1814,  his  parents  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
For  some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812,  uncertainty  at- 
tended every  business  enterprise.  This  involved  the  father  in  pecu- 
niary losses,  which  prevented  him  from  securing  for  his  young  son 
the  most  I'avorable  opportunities  for  securing  a  liberal  education. 
In  his  early  youth,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one  of  the  pupils 
of  the  Lancasterian  Seminary  at  Cincinnati,  and  afterwards  at  other 
places  ot  residence  in  villages,  or  on  the  farm,  he  had  only  the  small 
educational  advantages  ottered  in  such  locations,  for  the  portions  of 
time  his  other  avocations  would  allow. 

After  he  had  chosen  a  profession,  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
his  mind,  one  of  th ,  most  marked  traits  of  which  appears  in  it« 
power  of  concentration  on  a  single  object,  was  zealously  djvoted  tn 
an  investigation  of  those  branches  of  knowledge  which  seemed  to 
have  the  most  direct  relation  to  the  profession  of  his  choice.  In  the 
course  of  his  studies,  his  varied  duties  in  engineering,  location  and 
construction,  enabled   him  to  combine  practice  with   theory.     It 
seems,  indeed,  th.at,  trained  up  amidst  ])ioneer  society,  he  is,  in  a 
great  degree,  like  many  others  in  the  west,  in  every  profession,  self 
made  and  self-educated.     The  few  years  which,  under  more  favora- 
ble circumstances,  he  might  have  passed  in  college,  were  eraployeiil 
necessarily  in  tilling  the  soil.     A  vigorous  constitutioi)   thus  acquir- 
ed, with  habits  of  industry,  temperance  and  untiring  energy,  were] 
the  compensatory  advantages  ;  and  with  these  sustaining  and  giv-i 
ing  .ambition,  he  was  doubtless  encouraged  in  his  early  manhood  to  I 
believe  that  success  ".nd  honorable  distinction  in  his  profession,  were! 
not  beyond  his  reach. 

Although  he  has  often  been  heard  to  regret  (he  want  of  opporj 
tunities  and  leisure  in  early  life  for  the  acquisition  of  higher  attain 
ments  in  general  learning,  yet,  as  tested  by  the  demands  of  a  lonsl 
varied,  and  successful  professional  career,  it  would  seem  that  thel 
lack  of  early  adv.antages  has  been  m.ainly  overcome.  Ills  acqiiire-l 
ments,  theoretical  .'uitl  ])raclical,  under  the  guidance  of  a  sound arnij 
discriminating  judgment,  have  been  adequate  to  the  faithful  (ILh 
charge  of  tlie  difficult  and  complex  duties  of  the  various  officiii| 
stations  in  which  he  has  been  placed. 

The  year  1^25  was  marked  ])y  an  achievement  in  practical  scienctj 
and  statesmanship  which,  for  the  times,  was  bold  and  far-reachini'l 
in  results.  The  completion  of  water  communication  between  Labi 
Erie  and  tide-water,  placed  tlie  State  of  New  York  in  a  greatly  ail 
vanced  position,  .attracting  the  attention  of  the  Union.  Other  Statwl 
caught  the  spirit  of  internal  improvement.  Ohio  accepted  it  aslifl 
mission  to  extend  the  line  of  artificial  water  communicatiou  frotl 
the  Lakes  to  the  Oliio  river. 


Pioneer  Nutea — Jesse  L.  Williams. 


417 


the  State  of 
1,  Jesse  Wil- 
est  son,  were 

jinnati,  Ohio, 
I  certainty  at- 
ather  in  pecn- 
As  young  m 
i-al  education. 
ot  the  pupils 
v\rarcVs  at  othei 
only  the  small 
ihe  portions  of 

jighteen  years, 
appears  in  lis 
iisly  djvoted  to 
lich  seemed  to 
,  choice.  In  tte 
ig,  location  acd 
iUi  theory.    « 
iety,  be  is,  ma 
r  proiession,  seit- 1 
^er  more  favora- . 
were  employed 
[,ion  thus  acquit- 
ng  energy,  were 
taininc:  and  m 
Lvly  manhood  t«  I 
profession,  wen 

P  want  of  oppot 
(of  higher  attara 
Lands  of  a  Ion? 

a   seem  that  tte 
'  e.    His  acqitin 

e  of  asoundanJ 
the  faitldul  dH 

|e   various  oftcftl 

,  practical  scienwl 
I  and  tar-reaclwi 
l„„  between  LakJ 
Ik  in  a  greatly  ^\ 
Ion.  Other ^tat«l 
laccepteditasli 
limunicatiou  t^l 


It  was  imder  tlie  inspiration  of  the.se  works  of  Internal  improve- 
ment, great  for  their  day,  tliat  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  then  en 
tlie  farm  in  Indiana,  Avas  permitted,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  to  take 
a  subordinate  place  among  the  corps  of  engineers  which,  early  in. 
the  year  18r2rl,  liad  been  detailed  iu  charge  of  Samuel  Forrer,  Civil 
Engineer,  to  make  the  first  survey  of  the  Miami  and  Erie  Canal  from 
Cincinnati  to  the  Maumee  IJay.  In  this  corps  his  position  was  that 
of  rodman,  an  ^  pay  nine  dollars  per  month.  The  line  of  the  sur- 
vey, fur  the  distance  ot  half  its  length,  lay  through  an  unbroken 
wilderness.  On  one  continuous  section  of  forty  miles,  no  white 
wan  was  found. 

Mr.  Williams  conlniucd  to  serve  iu  the  corps  of  engineers,  under 
Mr.  Forrer,  in  the  final  location  and  construction  of  the  Miami  and 
Erie  Canal,  and  had  charge,  as  assistant,  of  the  heavy  and  difficult 
division  next  to  Cincinnati,  lie  was  present  at  the  form.al  breaking 
of  ground  in  Ohio  by  DeWitt  Clinton,  and  with  other  youthful  en- 
gineers in  the  sei'vice  of  the  State,  it  was  his  fortune  to  take  the 
hand  of  that  great  man,  and  to  receive  from  him  kind  and  encour- 
aging counsel,  prompting  to  perseverance,  and  expressive  of  ardent 
iiopes  that  the  young  engineers  in  his  presence  might  attain  honor- 
able distinction  in  their  chosen  profession,  which  was  at  that  time 
so  intimately  related  to  the  growing  enterprise  of  the  country. 

Owing  to  sickness  of  the  principal  engineer  during  the  latter  half 
of  1827,  his  active  duties  were  temporarily  extended  over  the  whole 
work  between  Cincinnati  and  Dayton. 

In  the  spring  of  1828,  the  Chief  Engineer  of  Ohio,  David  L.  Bates, 
appointed  Mr.  Williams  to  take  charge  of  the  final  location  of  the 
Canal  from  Licking  Summit,  near  Newark,  to  Chillicothe,  including 
I  the  Columbus  side-cut,  and  after  the  line  Avas  located  and  placed 
under  contract  the  construction  between  Circleville  and  a  point 
south  of  Chillicothe,  was  committed  to  his  supervision.  Among  the 
jworks  on  this  division  which  required  in  their  construction  great 
[care  and  skill,  were  the  dam  and  aqueduct  across  the  river  Scioto. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1830,  the   Canal  Commissioners  of  Ohio  ap- 
|pointed  a  Board  of  Engineers  to   examine  and   decide   the  very 
responsible  question  of  supplying  with  water  the  summit  level  of 
lie  Miami  and  Erie  Canal,  wliether  by  a  system  of  artificial  reser- 
voirs, or  by  long  feeders  from  distant  streams.    Mr.  Williams,  then 
twenty-three  years  old,  was  appointed  one  of  this  Board.     Keser- 
yoirs  wore  recommended  for  the   main   supply,  one  of  which  (the 
IiTcer  County  Keservoir)  is  still  in  advantageous  use,  covering  fif- 
ecn  thousand  acres,  and  is  probably  the  largest  artificial  lake  any- 
^'here  known, 
l^arlyin  18;J2,  Mr.  Williams  was  invited  by  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners of  the  Wabash  and  Eric  Canal,  to  take  charge,  as  Chief 
(ngineer,  of  the  location  and  construction  of  that  important  work, 
|ien  about  to  be  commenced  by  the  State  of  Indiana.  The  appoint- 
pnt  was  accepted. 

37 


toi 


418 


Pioneer  Notes — Jesse  L.  Williams. 


The  following  letter  from  Governor  Dinican  ircArHnir,  of  Ohio. 
addressed  to  Governor  W.  Noble,  of  Indiana,  avus  probably  one  of  the 
causes  that  led  to  the  choice  of  Mr.  "Willliams : 

CiiiuJCOTiiE,  February  25,  183"2. 

8iu:  Having  been  informed,  tlirough  Mr.  llidgway,. of  Colum- 
bus, that  the  Board  of  Canal  Commissioners  of  Indiana  wish  to  em- 
])loy  a  skillful  engineer  to  conduct  the  construction  of  your  canal, 
I  am  induced  to  recommend  to  you  Jesse  L.  Williams,  Esq.,  who  is 
now  resident  engineer  on  this  part  of  our  canal,  as  a  gentleman  well 
(jualitied  for  that  important  trust,  lie  has  had  much  experience  in  the 
business,  having  been  constantly  engaged  in  engineering  since  tiie 
commencement  of  the  canals  in  Ohio.  For  integrity,  judgment, 
and  strict  attention  to  business,  he  has  not  been  surpassed  by  any 
engineer  who  has  been  employed  on  our  canals.  As  his  business  is 
now  drawing  to  a  close  in  this  State,  1  am  informed  that  5'our  Canal 
Board  may  procure  the  services  of  ]\Ir.  Williams  for  a  reasonable 
compensation.      1  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

DUKCAN  xMcAUTHUK. 
His  Excellency. 

Governor  W.  Nobij:. 

In  183-1,  Mr.  Williams  was  appointed,  w'ith  William  Gooding  a< 
associate  engineer,  to  survey  the  Wliitc  Water  Valley,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  determining  the  practicability  of  constructing  a  canal  througli 
that  valley  to  Lawrenceburg  on  the  Ohio.  Their  joint  report  wasi 
made  to  the  Legislature,  and  published  among  the  documents  01 
the  session  of  l!S34-35.  At  this  session,  the  Legislatiirc  passed  anj 
act  authorizing  the  making  of  surveys  and  estimates  for  canals  anJl 
railroads  in  almost  every  part  of  the  State. 

The  several 'Surveys  of  new  canals  in  Indiana,  ordered  by  thoLej-l 
islature  in  1835,  were  placed  under  his  general  supervision,  in  addi' 
tion  to  his  charge  of  construction  on  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canalj 
and  throughout  th.at  year  his  professional  duties  were  exceediiiglj 
diversified  and  laborious.  Still,  they  were  regarded  by  him  as  inj 
tensely  interesting.  A  single  exploring  party,  engaged  under  liiil 
directions,  in  ascertaining  in  advance  of  the  surveyers,  and  fortlieirl 
guidance,  the  relative  heights  of  various  summits,  and  of  the  watetj 
courses  for  the  supply  of  the  canals,  ran  accurately  a  continuous  1 
of  levels  six  hundred  miles  in  extent  between  e.arly  spring  and  tli(j 
succeeding  autumn.  More  than  five  hundred  miles  of  definite  locJ 
tion  of  canal  lines  were  made  by  the  different  location  parties,  aM 
estimates  thereof  were  reported  to  the  Legislature  in  Decerabe'l 
1838,  by  the  respective  Engineers  under  whose  especial  charge  tliwj 
surveys  were  made,  with  the  gener.al  advice  of  Mr.  Williams. 

On  the  passage  of  a  law  authorizing  a  general  system  of  intcrinl 


Pioneer  Azotes — Jease  L.  Williams. 


419 


was 
iding 


ap- 


ry  25, 1B3-2. 
ay,.of  Colum- 
la  wish  to  em- 
of  vour  caml, 
3,  I'^sq.,  ^vllO  is 
Tentlomun  wdl 
mevience  in  the 
enng  since  ll)t' 
i-ity,  .iudsment, 
u-passed  by  any 
his  business  is 
that  your  CaMl 
or  ft  reiisonaolf 


McAirniuK- 


improvement,   ajiproved  January  27,   1830,  ]\Ir.  Wniiams 
pointed  Chief  Engineer  of  all  tlie  canals  of  the  State,  inclut 
Wabash  and  Erie  Canal. 

At  tliis  period,  he  had  under  his  charge  the  several  canal  routes, 
amounting  to  about  eight  hundred  miles,  portions  of  which,  on 
each  work,  were  in  progress  of  location  and  constructio||,  In  Sep- 
tember, 1H37,  the  Chief  Engineer  of  railroads  and  turn])ikes  having 
rcsi^riu'd,  these  works  (also  under  like  progress,)  were,  by  action  of 
the  State  Uoard  of  Interniil  Improvement,  placed  under  the  charge 
of  Mr.  Williams  as  .State  Engineer;  his  supervision  then  embraced 
more  than  1,.'!00  miles  of  authorized  public  works.  Afterwards, 
when  tlie  appointing  power  was  changed,  ho  was  elected  by  the 
Legislature  to  the  same  position,  and  continued  therein  until  1841, 
wlicn  the  prosecution  of  the  public  works,  except  the  Wabash  and 
Erie  Canal,  was  entirely  suspended. 

Perple.xiug  duties,  and  great  labors  and  responsibilities  were  nec- 
essarily attached  to  the  position  which  ho  so  long  occupied,  as  State 
Engineer  of  Indiana.  The  general  ])rinciples  of  every  survey  and 
location ;  the  plans  of  every  important  structure,  and  the  letting  of 
all  contracts,  came,  in  their  order,  under  his  supervision. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1838,  no  less  than  lo 
imhlic  lettings  of  contracts  took  jjlace  by  order  of  the  Board  of 
Internal  Improvements.  These  lettings,  which  were  held  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  Indiana,  at  intervals  of  about  two  weeks,  embraced 
portions  of  each  work  included  in  the  general  system  of  internal 
improvements  which  had  been  adopted  by  the  State.  With  such 
thcilities  for  travelling  as  belonged  to  that  period,  a  punctual  attend- 
ance at  the  numerous  letlings,  and  the  making  of  necessary  prepara- 
tions for  those  meetings  of  contractors,  must  have  taxed  the  mental 
and  physical  energies  of  one  man  in  no  small  measure.  It  was  com- 
piited  at  the  time  by  those  who  felt  some  interest  in  such  matters, 
tliat  the  journeyings  of  the  State  Engineer,  performed  mainly  on 
horseback,  during  the  three  months,  amounted  to  at  least  three 
thousand  miles.  These  facts  illustrate,  in  some  measure,  the  difli- 
I  ciilties  that  were  encountered  and  overcome  by  the  pioneers  in  the 
1  earlier  improvements  of  the  western  country. 

After  March,  1840.  Mr.  Williams,  in  addition  to  his  duties  and 
I  responsibilities  as  State  Engineer,  became,  by  appointment  of  the 
jLogislature,  ex-ofUcio  member  of  the  Board  of  Internal  Improvc- 
jiiieut,  and  acting  Commissioner  of  the  Indiana  division  of  the  Wa- 
Ibash  and  Erie  Canal.  In  the  discharge  of  the  various  duties  of 
Itheso  stations,  he  acted  for  a  period  of  about  two  years,  having 
joharge,  also,  of  the  selections,  management  and  sales  of  the  canal 
llands. 

It  may  be  of  historic  interest  to  state  that  the  grant  of  alternate 
Bcctions  of  land  by  Act  of  Congress  of  March  3,  1827,  to  aid  in  the 

iiiiihling  of  the  W\abash  and  Erie   Canal,  was  the   initiation  of  the 
pand  Grant  policy,  which  has  since  given  a  financial  basis  to  so 


4L>0 


Pioneer  Notes — JcsfiC  L.  Williams. 


nimiy  of  tlio  Icndiiii;  puLlic  woilvs  of  tlio  oomitry.     As  Stale  Eugi 
neur,  the  public  works  in   every  jiart  of  the  State  Avero   under  iiis 
general  charge,  from   1h;]0  to   181'i,  ami  his  special  supervision  of 
tlio  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal  was  continiiod  during  this  period. 

The  prostration  of  State  credit  that  followed  the  iinancial  revul- 
sion of  1810,  cheeked  the  ])rogreB8  of  works  in  tlio  United  States. 
From  lHl*>io  1H|7,  the  subject  ot  this  memoir  was  occupied  in 
mercantile  and  niaiiufacturing  pursuits  at  Fort  Wayne,  IJelbreloav 
ing  the  capitol  of  the  State  ot  Indiana,  ho  was  oilered  the  Presi- 
dency of  the  Madison  and  Indianapolis  Railroad,  then  about  to  liu 
completed  ;  the  offices  of  I'resident  and  Chief  Kngineer  being  unit- 
ed in  one. 

Alter  iive  years'  suspension,  an  arrangement  was  matured  for  llio 
completion,  to  the  Ohio  river,  of  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,  and 
through  this,  as  a  basis  providing  lor  the  adjustment  of  the  Internal 
Improvement  debt  of  the  State.  In  1H17,  the  entire  canal,  with  its 
canals,  passed  into  the  iiands  of  a  Board  of  Trustees,  rcprcseuting 
both  tlie  State  and  the  holders  of  lier  bonds.  The  law  creating  this 
trust,  and  providing  for  the  adjustment  of  the  State  debt,  and  tlio 
completion  of  the  canal,  recpiired  the  appointment  of  "  a  Chief  Eu 
gineer  of  known  and  established  character  for  experience  and  intcg 
rity."'  To  this  responsible  position  Mr.  Williams  was  appointed,  in 
June,  1S47,  at  that  date  resuming  the  charge  of  this  work,  after  iive 
years'  retirement.  He  yet  occupies  this  position,  with  tlie  sanction 
of  tlie  Trustees  and  that  of  the  Governor,  thus  makingliis' profess- 
ional charge  ot  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal  extend  over  a  period  of 
thirty-four  years,  having,  at  the  Bame  time,  official  connection  willi 
important  railroads  during  the  last  17  years. 

In  February,  1854,  ho  was  appointed  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fort 
AVayne  and  Chicago  Railroad,  M'hich  position  was  held  up  to  the  time 
of  the  consolidation  with  the  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  and  Ohio  ami 
Indiana  Railroads,  in  185G.  From  that  date  to  1871,  fifteen  years, 
he  has  been  a  director  of  the  Pittsburg,  Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago 
Railroad. 

In  July,  1801,  Mr.  Williams  w.is  appointed  by  President  Lincoln 
a  director  of  the  Union  Pacilic  Railroad,  on  the  part  of  the  Gov- 
ernment. The  term  being  but  one  year  under  the  law,  he  was  re- 
appointed each  succeeding  year  until  the  work  was  completed,  in 
1869,  receiving  commissions  from  three  successive  Presidents. 

As  a  member  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Location  and  Con- 
struction, the  important  engineering  questions  connected  with  tlio 
location  and  plan  of  this  work  across  the  mountain  ranges  of  tlic 
Continent,  came  within  his  sphere  of  duty,  and  called  into  exerciso 
the  professional  experience  which  forty  years  of  public  service  ena- 
bled him  to  wield.  The  engineers  of  the  Com])any,  themselves  no 
doubt  competent,  appear  to  have  entertained  a  high  respect  for  tlie 
judgment  of  Mr.  Williams.  This  was  also  the  case  with  the  Score 
tary  of  the  Interior,  to  wdiom  he   frequently   reported,  and  who  i 


Pioneer  Notes — Jcs.hc  L.  Willuonx. 


421 


lived  for  the 

)  Canal,  and 

the  Internal 

mal,  ^vilU_ilj 
rcprcseulint; 
creating  tliis 
debt,  anel  the 
"  a  Chief  Ku- 
ICC  and  intc^j;- 
appointed,  in 
ork,  after  five 
I  the  sanction 
Y\\\%'  profess- 
or a  period  of 
iincction  willi 


adopted  his  suggostionH,  and  presented  them  to  Conf^rcss  in  his  of- 
tiiinl  report. 

The  oflicial  communications  and  jotters  of  ^\r.  Williams,  written 
during  this  service,  arc  of  dcv.'p  interest  as  illustrating  the  character 
of  the  country  traversed  by  the  route,  and  the  formidable  natural 
obstacles  which  presented  themselves,  and  oceui)y  several  pages  of 
Mr.  Stuart's  volume.  The  documents  referred  to,  also  bear  evidence 
that  the  recommendations  of  ]\lr.  Wiirams  were  highly  valued  by 
the  Government. 

On  the  IDth  of  January,  1  SCO,  jVIr.  Williams  was  appointed  Re- 
ceiver of  the  Grand  l^ij)ids  and  Indiana  Kailroad,  by  the  United 
States  Court  for  the  AVestern  District  of  Michigan. 

This  work,  three  hundred  and  twenty-live  miles  long,  is  designed 
to  connect  tho  city  of  Fort  Wayne,  and  the  region  farther  south, 
with  Little  Tr.averso  J]ay  and  the  Straits  of  M.'ickiiuiw.  In  tho  dis- 
tribution of  the  lands  granted  by  Congress  to  tho  State  of  Michi- 
gan, this  work  was  endowed  with  a  v:ilua))!e  land  grant.  Tho  work 
was  commenced  many  years  ago.  A  failure  to  negotiate  its  bonds, 
the  natural  result,  perhaps,  of  a  ])remature  beginning  in  a  district  of 
country  so  little  settled  at  that  time,  had  caused  very  serious  linan- 
cial  embarrassments,  and  a  suspension  of  the  construction,  Avith 
only  twenty  miles  in  running  order.  Other  and  rival  interests  were 
watching  the  haltmgs  of  this  work  in  expectation  of  draining  a 
transfer  of  the  land  grant  for  their  beneiit. 

Under  the  law  of  Michigan,  a  failure  to  complete  twenty  addi- 
tional miles  by  July  1,  18(51),  extending  northward  into  the  i)incrie8, 
torfoitcd  actually  the  land  grant,  valued  at  seven  millions  of  dollars. 
The  stake  was  large,  the  work  to  be  done  remote  from  pottlemcnts, 
and  the  time  only  some  fifty  d.ays  after  the  yielding  of  the  frost. 

The  court,  for  tho  })rotection  and  benefit  of  all  the  interests  in- 
volved, had  ordered  the  Receiver  to  borrow  money  by  pledge  of  the 
land,  and  build  the  road  as  required  by  law.  Seldom  has  so  large  a 
I'l'sponsibility  been  laid  on  any  one  ;  for  no  provision  was  made  for 
a  second  effort  to  recover  the  l.ajul  grant,  if  lost  by  a  single  day  in 
the  time  of  completion.  Much  interest  was  felt  along  the  line,  and 
with  capitalists,  who  had  already  invested  largely  on  tlic  security  of 
the  land  grant  and  the  road. 

The  following  telegram,  sent  eight  days  before  the  time  fi.Kcd  by 
jllie  statute,  announced  the  result  of  the  effort: 

'•'GuAND  Rapids,  Juno  22,  18G9. 
To  His  Excdlcnctj,  the  Governor  of  Michiijan  : 
"Tho  last  rail  of  the  twenty  miles  was  laid  last  evening. 

"  J.  L.  WILLIAIMS;' 

l>y  further  orders  of  the  Court,  ?dr.  William^-',  as  lieceiver,  was 
nulhorizcd  and  directed  to  build,  and  put  in  good  running  order,  the 
tiitire  remainder  of  the  line  between  Fort  Wayne  and  tlie  iMuskc- 


422 


Pioneer  A'otes — Jesse  L.  WilUama. 


gon  rivor,  ji  (TiHtancc^  of  200  niik'.s.  Jn  addition  to  the  diiticH  iiml 
rcsnoiisibililicH  ordinarily  lu'longiiiu  to  u  linancial  triiKt  like  lliis,  ho 
Imd  alno  the  j)r<)ri's.sioiial  cliaru;(s  as  Dirt'cliiig  JCiiifinccr,  ol"  tliii  work. 
Tlioso  Hovcral  dulios  won;  f'oniid  so  cxacitiiii:;  as  lo  Icavo  no  tiinolor 
tlio  proper  i)erfonnanco  of  ll'e  racifio  Kaihoud  diilics;  and  inlJctd 
\w\\  li^OJ),  lie  resigned  liis  position  as  Govoininent  Director  of  tlmi 
road. 

After  being  relieved  from  duty  under  the  Govcrnnient.  he  ilcvo 
tod  liis  whole  time  and  onerccii  s  to  the  eompletion  of  lhe'J((0  miks 
of  the  Grand  Uapids  and  Indiana  llailroad  north  of  Fori  Wayne, 
and  opened  it  for  traflic  early  in  0(  tober,  IS^O.  One  hundred  nml 
fixty  miles  of  track  was  laid,  besides  closing  tip  a  large  part  of  lliu 
gi'ading,  delivery  of  cross  ties,  etc.,  from  the  middle  of  Apiiltothc 
l.'Uh  of  September,  1.S7U,  a  rate  of  progress  which  has  not  pcrliaps 
been  ecjualled  on  any  other  woik.  excejit  on  the  I'acitic  roads. 

The  professional  life  of  ls\\\  Williams  has  been,  in  a  remarkaliji; 
degree,  full  of  useful  activity.  It  is  honorably  and  inse|)arably  idcn- 
lified  with  many  of  the  great  public;  enterprises  which  hav(;  allectcil 
important  changes  in  the  condition  of  the  country.  Commencin,' 
at  a  time  when  the  superior  ailvantages  for  carrying  on  of  iiilaiil 
trade  and  commerco  by  means  of  canals  were  attracting  universil 
attention  to  their  construction,  he  will  probably  close  it  long  al'kr 
this  kind  of  im])rovemcnt  has  become  secondary  in  importance  (i;;;- 
ccpt  in  pecidiar  localities,)  to  another  of  still  higher  perfection— t!i(j 
railroad.  Indeed,  it  maybe  eaid  that,  in  tlie  legion  west  of  tin' 
Allegheny  mountains,  ho  has  witnessed  the  oriijiii,  Ihc  (jrucl-i,  //'• 
inafvrHy,  and  the  decline  of  /fie  miKil  ,'<iis!ein. 

Turning  his  attention  early  to  railroad  construction,  he  has  devoi' 
ed  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  ])rofes8ional  labors,  mainly  in  aiiiiiiL' 
forward  to  successful  completion  some  of  the  most  prominent  r.i:l 
roads  in  the  country. 


ALFllKI)    1'.    EDGERTON. 

Mr.  Edgerton  was  born  at  Plattsburg,  Clinton  county,  New  Yoii. 
Janu.ary  11,  181:5.  lie  first  appeared  before  the  public  as  tlioedilor 
of  a  newspt^per  in  IKV.I,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  removed  to  Nnf 
York,  where  ho  engaged  in  commercial  pursuits.  In  the  f))riii},' ci 
1837,  lie  removed  to  Ohio,  to  take  ch.arge.  as  n  •  ^ 

Hicks  it  Co,,  and  of  the  American  Land  Co: 
a  Land  Office  at  Ilicksville,  in  what  ' 
a  part  of  Defiance  county.     At  this 
the  lands  of  Hicks  &  Co  ,  and  of  the  A     irican 
Rold  by  him.     He  became  purchaser  of  the  Ian 
to  about  3T,00()  acres,  in  1S'>2.     A   larger   m         .         ,1 
occupying  cultivated  and  valuable  farm,s  in  iS'orth-Western  Ohii 
dorived  their  titlc.g  IhrongU  Mf  Edgerfon  than  froiri  any  other  snnr 


.■iiuls  oil 

ahlishoJ 

^u.         nty,  ml 

'07.         .lores  Pi  I 

.d  Co.iipauy  ivcKj 

.  unsohl,  ainouiukj 

\]){'\'  of  jieopK",  ii">'j 


,  like  Uiis.  ho 
of  Uu^  work. 
1  no  tiino.  I'ov 
;  anil  inOclii 
•cctor  ol"  lli;ii 

c\it,  lu'  (It'VO 
thi'*2iH»  miles 
Vorl  Wayiu', 
hnii'lviMl  mill 
(ff  psirt  of  till' 
^f  ApiUtollu' 
[\s  not  pcvliaiw 
lio  voadB. 
^  u  romtivlinlil' 
sci»ar;ibly  'uUi'- 
;\i  hiU'i!  iiiVectiMl 
Coiniuencliv^ 
jr   on  of  inhii'l 
[Ltin;^  universi;! 
;c   it  lont;;  alter 
im\>ortancc  («x- 
perfoction— tli*i 
ion  west  of  lilt' 
//ic  (jruirlh,  //ii 

,i,,holr.\s(lcvot. 

imaiuly  in  aiiVuu 

prominent  vasl 


Lnty,NewAoii 
l)lic,  iisthccditol 
fiemoved  to  ls^^< 
lln  iho  Pi^rins^fil 

;ililii-llt"l 

nty,noM 
^y^J  acveso'ij 

nsoia,  umounliv.; 
,r  of  peopl.M'"*! 
lUi-Westcrn  < 
anv  other  sowfl 


h 

Mr. 
Con 
faik 
ces  ( 


rioneer  Notes — Alfred  P.  Kihjerton. 


423 


except-  directly  through  the  Federal  or  State  Govcrrimcnls,  and  no 
Land  Agent  Las  ever  been  more  forbearing  or  liberal  in  arrange- 
ments with  ac'ual  settlers,  struggling  to  secure  for  themselves  the 
ownership  of  iho  acres  they  cultivated. 

In  1845,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  Ohio,  from  the  territory 
which  then  embraced  the  present  Counties  of  Williams,  Deliance, 
Paulding,  Van  Wert,  Mercer,  Auglaize,  Allen,  Putnam,  Henry,  and 
part  of  Fulton.  Up  to  this  time,  althougli  accustomed  to  express, 
on  proper  occasions,  decided  political  convictions,  he  had  not  been 
active  in  caucusscs  and  conventions,  aiid  was  only  known  to  the 
people  of  the  district  as  a  sagacious  and  upright  business  man.  The 
public  <|uestions  of  that  period  involved  complicated  matters  relat- 
ing to  finance,  the  State  banking  system,  metulic  or  paper  money, 
the  public  debt,  public  credit,  and  kindred  issues ;  and  regarding 
these  matters,  the  public  mind  was  greatly  stirred.  IMulfeasance  on 
the  part  of  the  financial  officers  of  the  State,  and  an  unlawful  and 
useless  sacrifice  of  the  public  stocks,  by  hypothecation  to,  and  col- 
lusion with,  banks  and  bankers,  Avere  among  the  charges  upon  which 
the  dominant  or  Whig  ]>arty  had  been  arraigned  by  the  Democrats. 
The  recognized  leader  of  the  AVhig  party,  Avas  the  late  Alfred  Kel- 
Icy,  who  had  been  identified  with  the  public  improvement  and  finan- 
cial policy  of  the  State,  in  various  oflicial  relations,  since  the  origin 
of  the  public  debt,  and  the  commencement  of  the  canal  system. 
On  the  minority,  or  Democratic  side,  several  Senators  appeared  as 
champions  of  the  cause  of  the  minority.  Mr.  Ivelley  had  developed 
his  tinancial  policy — had  introduced  bills  to  sanction  it  by  legisla- 
tion—had unmistakably  beaten  his  ant;)gonists,  and  was  master  of 
the  field.  Mr.  Edgerton  had  been  an  attentive  and  patient  observer 
of  p.i'^siiig  events,  but,  except  voting  Avhen  questions  came  up,  had 
taken  no  part  in  the  debate.  "When  the  conflict,  however,  was  ap- 
proaching a  close,  ho  unexpectedly  appeared  in  the  arena,  and,  in 
clear  and  logical  speeches,  electrified  the  body  by  the  accurate 
knowlcUj,  he  evinced  of  details  regarding  the  finances  of  the  State, 
pointing  out  d.amaging  discrepai.cies,  which  had  been  overlooked  in 
previous  discussions,  in  the  accounts  and  reports  of  various  depart- 
ments of  the  State  Government ;  and  producing,  altogether,  an  en- 
tirely new  bill  of  indictment  against  the  Whig  party,  in  their  man- 
agement of  the  fiscal  business  of  the  State.  The  battle  which,  on 
the  part  of  the  Whigs,  was  supposed  to  have  been  fought  and  won, 
was,  it  now  became  manifest,  just  commenced ;  and  Mr.  Kelley  soon 
iound  in  Mr.  Edgerton  a  foeman  more  worthy  of  his  steel  than  he 
cxpectod,  or  ever  hoped  to  encounter,  while  the  Democrats,  from 
that  time  forward,  recogm7,ed  iMr.  Pklgerton  as  their  leader. 

In  18.")0,  after  the  close  of  his  brilliant  career  in  the  State  Senate, 
Mr.  Edgerton  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Kcprosentativcs  of  the 
Congros'  of  the  United  States,  and  again  elected  in  185r).  Why  ho 
failed  as  a  candidate  in  185(),  is  partly  explained  in  the  reminiscen- 
ces of  JJ}-,  Mott,  of  Toledo,  -which  appear  in  succeeding  pages. 


424 


Pioneer  Notes — Alfred  P.  Juhjerton. 


During  ilic  Thirty-Second  Congross,  lie  was  virtually  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Claims,  perlbrminp  the  ohief  burclcn  of  the 
labor  of  that  committee,  and  during  the  Thirty-Third  Congress  was 
its  Chairman. 

His  duties  at  the  head  of  this  im|)ortant  Committee  were  j)cr- 
formed  with  diligence  and  fidelity.  lie  gave  searching  examination 
to  every  claim  entrusted  to  his  Committee,  and  from  his  carefully- 
])rcpared  reports  and  logical  conclusions,  protecting  alike  the  fede- 
ral Treasury  and  extending  even-handed  justice  io  worthy  claim 
ants,  no  successful  appeal  Avas  ever  taken.  This  labor  ailbrdcd  him 
less  time  to  engage  in  the  current  debates,  yet,  when  occasion  oll'er- 
ed,  he  would  enter  this  field,  and  his  opinions  never  failed  to  com- 
mand the  respect  of  the  House 

From  185o  to  1H5(),  he  Avas  transfer  or  finnncinl  .agent  of  the 
State  of  Ohio,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  kept  his  ofiice  at  CI 
Be.aver  street. 

In  1857,  he  removed  to  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  twenty-four  miles 
from  his  r^  sidence  at  Kicksville,  but  retained  his  citizenship  in  Ohio 
until  1802. 

In  1858,  he  was  one  of  the  Committee  to  investigate  the  de- 
falcation in  the  Ohio  State  Treasury. 

In  1850,  in  connection  Avith  Hugh  McCulloch  and  Pliny  Iloas- 
land,  he  became  lessee  of  the  Indi.ana  canals,  from  tho  Ohio  Stati' 
line  to  Terre  Il.aute,  and  assumed  tho  position  of  general  manager, 
and  continued  this  position  until  1SG8. 

In  January,  18G8,  he  was  nominated  as  the  Democratic  candidate 
for  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Imliana,  with  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  for 
Governor. 

The  Democratic  ticket  was  defeat^'d  by  nine  hundred  and  sixty- 
one  votes. 

Outside  of  his  positions  in  the  Ohio  Senate  and  in  Congress,  Mr, 
E.  Avas  Senatorial  Delegate  to  the  JJaltimore  Ccmvcntion  in  1848, 
from  Ohio,  and  to  the  Chicago  Convention,  in  18G1,  from  the  Stale 
of  Indiana.  He  h;is  always  ))ecn  a  Democrat;  but  since  18(58  liiiJ 
not  been  in  politics,  jireierring,  as  he  has  always  done,  a  busincsj, 
and  not  a  political  lield  of  operations. 

Mr.  E.  could  never  become  a  successful  actor  in  tlic  school  of  poli- 
ticians, by  Avhich  the  unAvorthy,  through  more  craft  and  liargain, 
often  Avin  their  way  to  power.  Ilenco,  he  has  often  rejected  the  sn;'- 
geslions  of  friends  to  enter  tho  arena  as  a  candidate  for  olUeial  plac>. 
and  has  inllexibly  maintained  what  has  been  of  more  value  to  him  j 
than  all  else,  an  element  of  ciiaractor  wliich  he  never  placed  mwr.  j 
the  market — his  own  self  respect. 


7. 


\ 


ly  Chairman 
)arclcn  of  the 
Coiigvess  was 

Lcc  were  jicr- 
y  examination 
his  carefully- 
,ike  the  redo- 
worthy  claim 
:  alVordcd  him 
occasion  offer- 
failed  to  com- 

agcnt   of  the 
;ii8  office  at  CI 

onty-four  miles 
izenship  in  Ohio 

2stigate  the  dc- 

1(1  riiny  Ilea- 

tho  Ohio  SlaU' 

pncral   manager, 

)cratic  candidate 
v.  Hendricks  for 


111 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THK   OHIO    I'OKTION   OF  THE    VALLEY. 

Having  conchulcd  our  notes  regarding  tlic  Indiana  portion  of  the 
Maumee  Valley,  we  now  return  to  Northwestern  Ohio,  and  arrange 
the  several  Counties,  as  near  as  practicable,  according  to  the  dates 
of  their  respective  organizations.  Tho  first  were  formed  during  tho 
same  year,  April,  1820;  and  wc  commence  with 

WOOD   COUNTY. 

In  important  events  that  are  incorporated  in  the  history  of  tho 
United  States,  AVood  County  I.as  been  the  theatre  of  transactions 
of  high  interest,  the  most  prominent  of  which  has  already  been  des- 
cribed in  preceding  pages.  For  a  considerable  period.  Fort  Meigs, 
now  Porrysburg,  was  the  business  mart  of  the  lower  portion  of  the 
Maumee  V^alley,  and  AVood  County  was  the  mother  of  many  Coun- 
ties,  its  jurisdiction  extending  west  to  the  Indiana,  and  north  to  the 
idred  and  sixty-  H  Michigan  State  lino.    Tbe  commission  of  Amos  Sjiafford,  "  of  j\Ii- 


n  congress,  Mr. 
,-(-ntion'  in  If^-i!^- 
,  from  the  Stale 
t  since  1808  haJ 
[lone,  a  business, 

Ihe  school  of  poll- 
l-aft  and  bargain, 
1  rejected  the  si'^M 
]  for  oiVunal  plac?. 
re  value  to  hun 
Kvr  placed  upor.] 


ami,  in  Erie  District,  State  of  Ohio,"  as  deputy  postmaster,  bears 
date  the  0th  of  June,  1810,  and  was  signed  Gideon  Granger,  Post- 
master General.    In  the  year  1810,  the  old  post-oilice  between  tho 
river  Raisin  and  Lower  Sandusky,  and  between  the  head  of  tbe 
Maumee  Bay  and  Fort  Dearborn  (now  Chicago),  Avas  at  Fort  Meigs 
j— Almon  Gibbs  being  postmaster.    Ilis  compensatiou  for  that  year, 
laccordingto  the  official  records  of  the   Post   Office   Department, 
I  amounted  to  !^14.28.     It  may  be  proper  hereto  mention  that  both 
Uides  of  the  river,  and  then  embracing  an  area  ecjual  to  more  than 
[the  present  surface  of  both  Wood  and  liiicas  Counties,  was  known 
[as  Fort  Meigs,  and  that  the  post-office  of  that  name  was  located  on 
[the  northern,  or  Maumee  City  bank  of  the  river. 
I   Among  the  historical  incidents  omitted  in  a  previous  chapter,  is 
llhefact  that,  on  the  7th  of  April,  1790,  Brigadier-General  Wilkin- 
|fcnn  despatched  two  messengers  (Freeman  and  Gerard,)  from  Fort 
^\ashiiigton  to  the  Indians'on  the  Maumee;  but  they  were  captur- 
i|^d,  ;ind  being  taken  for  spies,  were  murdered  near  the  rapids  of  tho 
Ifiver,  and  the  efTorts  of  the  government  resulted  in  but  little  sue- 
^t'S5,  ill  so  far  as  the  dircpt  desire  for  peace  M'as  concerned. 


426 


Wood  Count i/~-lH\2~lb. 


After  the  close  of  the  war,  several  persons  presented  their  claims 
for  property  taken  and  destroyed  by  Indians  in  the  summer  and  full 
of  1812,  and  in  1813,  a  list  of  wliosc  names,  and  some  of  the  prop- 
erty lost,  are  here  appended : 

James  Carlin,  "one  dwelling  house,  or  cahin,  burned — estimated 
value,  $110.00  ;  one  blacksmith  shop,  $55.00 ;"  and  then  is  inchided 
the  loss  of  a  colt,  •'  two  years  old,  taken  by  Wyandot  Indians,"  and 
the  valuation  of  $30.00  afhxed.  Following  these,  in  the  schedule  of 
losses,  occurs  a  barn  and  two  out-houses;  another  dwelling  house; 
"a  horse,  taken  from  Oliver  Armstrong,"  valued  at  $00,00;  "  wheat 
of  six  acres  in  the  barn  burned;  4  tons  of  hay;  clothing  and  bed- 
clothing,  burned  or  stolen,  making  a  total  charge  against  the  gov- 
ernment of  §5'-25. 

(Similar  bills  were  tiled  by  William  Carter;  by  George  Blalock; 
by  James  Slawson  ;  by  Amos  Spatford ;  t^amuel  II.  Ewing;  Jesse 
Skinner,  Daniel  Hull,  Thomas  Dick,  Samuel  Ewii.g,  William  Pe^ 
tcrs,  Ambrose  Ilicox  and  Richard  Sifford.  The  aggregate  of  these 
claims  exceeded  four  thousand  dollars — a  small  amount  compared 
with  the  late  "war  claims." 

In  support  of  these  claims,  "a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  wiw 
resided  at  and  near  the  Miami  Eapids,  prior  to  the  late  war  (1812),  | 
met  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Amos  Spalford,  on  the  evening  of  No- 
vember 8,  1815,"  and  appointed  a  Committee  to  wait  upon  Genera!' 
William  Henry  Harrison,  on  his  way  to  Detroit,  and  request  of  hira 
such  information  and  certificates  as  the  said  General  may  have  in | 
his  possession  respecting  the  corn  that  was  found  standing  in  posj- 
ession  of  the  inhabitants  on  his  arrival  at  this  place,  in  the  winter| 
of  181:3;  which  corn  was  made  use  of  by  the  army  under  his  coni-i 
maud.     Said  meeting  appointed  Amos  Spafibrd  and  Ca]itain  Duiikl 
Hull  a  Committee  to  wait  upon  General  Harrison.     1'he  rcsideiitil 
and  claimants  at  this  meeting  were,  Daniel  Purdy,  James  Ca 
Jesse  Skinner,  William  Peters,  Baptiste  Mommeny,  Amos  Spalfonlj 
Thomas  ]\[cllrath,  David  Hull,  Samuel  H.  Ewing,  Samuel  Ewirf 
George  Blalock,  and  William  Carter — twelve  in  all. 

On  the  24th  of  Xovember,  1815,  Amos  Spafibrd  was  appointaj 
agent  and  attorney  for  William  and  Samuel  Charter,  Daniel  IMi 
William  I'e^ers,  Samuel  H.  Ewing,  Thomas  Mcllrath,  Chloe  Hicdj 
Samuel  Ewing,  WilHam  Skinner,  James  Carlin,  Stacey  Stu(l(lani| 
Jacob  Wilkinson,  and  John  Redoad.  Said  Spatford  was  empoffer;| 
to  visit  Washington,  and  apjdy  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  Ste] 
for  indemnity  for  the  loss  of  their  property. 

Amos  -patrord  was  also  collector  for  many  years,  and,  in  181j 
made  to  me  Treasury  Department  "a  statement  (^f  the  foes  a' J 
emoluments  of  the  collector's  otiice  at  the  port  of  Miami,  in  J 
year  1H14.'*  In  this  statement  he  credits  himself  for  amount  ofif 
ary  $2.50  ;  expenses  for  office  rent,  $10,  and  fuel  and  statimitl 
S15.75.  To  this  statement  is  a])pended  the  form  of  an  afllAi] 
duly  signed,  bnt  followed  by  the  explanatioi)  that  'Uhere  beiiijj 


Perrydmyg — Fvemont — How  Named.  42 T 


ofticji'  '■'.'Tiilly  uuLliorizcd  to  ndininistor  oafhs  notirer  than  sixty  or 
.seventy  iiiilrs,  I  liavo  not  becMi  able  to  attend  to  that  part  of  thc' 
duly  ii.s  the  law  requires."' 

Ucf^ardiii^  the  origin  of  the  name  given  to  Perrysburg,  and  the 
tdwii  opposite  Fremont,  the  following  letter  from  the  Commissioner, 
ui'  the  (ieneral  Land  Ollice,  possesses  interest: 

"■Washington  City,  April  J;?,  1810. 
"Dkar  Friend: 

"As  you  will  have  a  town  on  the  Miami  of 
i'liio,  it  will  be  well  to  think  of  the  name  it  is  to  bear.  The  act 
(Iocs  not  give  a  name.  Who  is  to  christen  it?  I  wish  yon  would 
Ihiiik  on  the  subject,  and  let  me  have  your  wishes.  For  my  part,  I 
will  barely  suggest  to  you  that,  if  it  would  be  named  Perryville,  or 
IVrrytown — or  in  some  other  form,  which  may  always  remind  us  of" 
the  victory  of  Erie — it  would  be  good  policy.  We  ought  to  make 
the  beet  pr(<fit  we  can  of  the  blood  of  our  countrymen,  which  ha« 
Ir'ou  .shed  for  the  contirmation  of  our  Independence. 

"If  it  were  left  to  me  to  name   the   town  at  Lower  JSandusky,  I 
.-iiould  name  it  in  honor  of  the  gallant  youth,  Col.  Croghan, — and 
would  say  it  should  be  OroghanviUe. 
*'I  believe  it  is  in  your  power  to  give  the  names. 
"I  am  respectful! V  vouis, 

■■  "     ^'JOSIAII  MEIGS. 
'■A.  Si'Ai'roiiD,  Esq." 

Tlie  fol]ov.'ing  letter,  written  more  than  tifty  years  ago,  by  a  high- 
ly esteemed  citizen,  yet  living,  will  convey  some  idea  of  the  country 
apd  its  prospects,  as  they  then  existed,  and  as  they  appeared  to  many 
of  the  most  far-sighted  men  of  that  time  : 

"Fort  Mkic.s,  Oth  February,  1S2--2. 
'^DearSiu: 

"Feeling  considerably  interested  in  the  measures  proposed 
ill  Congress  relative  to  this  section  of  country,  and  not  doubting 
your  willingness  to  attend  to  any  representations  that  might  be  com- 
miinicated,  I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  a  few  lines  to  you  on 
I  ilio.^e  subjects. 

.  'I  understand  it  is  in  contemplation  to  so  alter  the  route  of  the 
jgreat  eastern  mail  to  Detroit,  that  it  ehali  not  pai-s  this  place,  but 
Ipi  by  Port  Lawrence,  nine  mile.s  below,  on  the  ]Maumee  river.  Also, 
|to  establish  aland  oliiee  at  the  river  Ilaisin,  in  Michigan,  for  the 
i^iile  of  buuls  in  this  vicinity.  Also,  to  remove  the  port  of  entry  to 
ll'ort  Tiawrence.  And,  also,  I  ])resumc,  from  a  motion  of  Mr,  Sib.- 
I'V,  to  open  a  road  under  the  ])rovisions  of  the  Brownstown  treatv. 
}iii(  from  Sandu.'^ky  to  Fori  J/eigs,  according  to  the  tprms  of  said 
^ivaty,  but  from  iSandusky  to  I'ort  Lawrence. 
'J  have  been  astonisheil  at  the  fact  th^.t  one  dplcgate  f}'qp>  Michi- 


428  Pioneer  Notes — Letter  from  Dr.  Iloriitio  Conant. 


gau  should  bo  ablo  to  have  the  brain,  not  only  of  a  majority  of  Con- 
jG;rcss,  but  even  of  a  considerable  part  of  the  Ohio  JU'prcsentatives; 
but  i'rom  the  success  attending  his  motions,  I  am  obliged  to  admit 
the  fact  as  true. 

"  Port  Lawrence  has  no  claims  to  notice  by  Congress,  much  less  to 
be  honored  by  the  proposed  sacrifices.  Tlio  river  IJaisin  has  no 
claim,  in  any  sluipe,  superior  to  Fort  Meigs;  and  in  point  of  situa- 
tion for  a  Land  Otlice,  or  any  other  business,  far  inferior.  It  'm 
within  little  more  than  thirty  miles  of  the  huul  ollice  at  Detroit.— 
Fort  !Meig8  is  not  within  one  hundred  miles  of  any  ollice,  except 
that  at  Detroit,  and  is  seventy-five  miles  from  that. 

"Respecting  Port  Lawrence,  there  is  not,  nor  has  there  been  for 
years,  nor  is  tliere  likely  to  be,  more  than  tliree  Engl'>h  families,  in- 
cluding all  within  three  miles  of  the  place;  and  \\liatever  public 
business  is  done  there,  must  be  done  by  one  man,  who  is  already  In- 
dian agent  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  Aliehigan.  The  distance  pro- 
posed to  be  saved  by  altering  the  route  of  the  mail,  ought  not  to 
come  in  competition  with  the  increased  risk  in  crossing  the  Man- 
nice  river,  which  in  that  placs  is  very  wide,  and  open  to  the  unbro- 
ken surges  of  Lake  Erie.  The  same  olijection  "will  lie  witli  increas- 
ed weight,  against  opening  a  military  road  to  cross  the  river  tlieiT. 
It  might  as  well  cross  the  mouth  of  the  Iniy,  or  any  other  part  of 
Lake  Erie. 

"If  there  was  any  business  done  at  the  place,  or  was  likely  to  bf, 
I  should  not  so  much  object  to  the  Customs  Collector's  office  being 
removed  there;  but  at  iiresent  I  should  esteem  it  ridiculous  to  en- 
tertain the  idea. 

"I  did  not  sujipose  it  entirely  necessary  to  make  all  the  abow 
statements  to  you,  sir;  but  it  was  dillicult  to  say  less,  and  say  iuiy- 
thing.  You  must  pardon  the  ajiparent  hasto  and  carelessness  with 
which  this  is  written,  as  I  have  just  returned  from  a  week's  absence, 
and  the  mail  is  on  the  point  of  being  closed. 

"'  Yours,  very  I'cspectfulh', 

IIOIIATIO  CONANT. 

"  IIox.  Ethan  A.  Browx, 

"  Senator  in  Conyress.'* 

The  first  session  of  the  Commissioners  of  Wood  County  was  helil 
in  the  upper  story  of  Almon  Cibhs'  store,  on  the  1:2th  of  Apiil, 
I'S'lO. — Samuel  H.  Ewing.  Daniel  Ilublx'll,  and  John  Pra}',  Com- 
missioners— Daniel  llubbell  acting  as  ckrk  of  the  Board.  At  this 
session,  William  Pratt  was  api)ointed  County  Treasurer.  At  tin' 
session  of  May  .0,  1S20,  Seneca  Allen  was  aj)pointed  Cierk  to  the 
Commissioners,  and  David  Hull  entered  into  bond  as  Sheriff,  Sam- 
uel Vance  and  Poter  C.  Oliver  signing  their  names  to.,  his  ofllcinl 
liond.  C.  J.  McCurdy,  Esq.,  ])r(.'sentcd  an  order  of  the  Court  mak- 
ing him  an  allowance  of  twenty  dollars  as  compensation  for  his  scr- 


Conunt. 


jority  of  Con- 
prescntativos; 
crf'd  to  lulmit 

!,  much  less  to 
{aisin  luis  iiu 
)oiut  of  situH- 
iiforior.  It  i.; 
at  Detroit.- 
'  office,  except 

there  been  for 
^h  famiUcs,  in- 
liatevev  public 
0  is  ah-eudy  hi- 
le  distance  pro- 
,  ought  not  to 
sino  the  Man- 
t  to  tlie  unbvo- 
ie  with  increas- 
the  river  thcro. 
V  other  part  of 


rioncer  Notes—  ] Vood  Count)/  iti  1820-23.       429 


I  as 


»3  likely  to  be, 
3  onicc  being 
iculous  to  en- 

i\ll   the  abow 

ss,  and  say  auv- 

irelessness  villi 

week's  absence, 


0  COKANT. 


Jdunty  waslK'lJ 
1-^th  of  Apvil. 
ihn  Pray,  Coin- 
lloarcl.  Atllji^ 
iisurer.  At  the 
Id  Clerk  to  the 
las  Hheriff,  Sam- 
to. his  oilin;il 
jthe  Court  mak- 
ttion  for  his  ser- 


vices as  prosociitinp;  attorney  for  Wood  County.  Tlionias  11.  ^Ic- 
Knigbt  was  allowed  $23  iov  services  as  Clerk  of  the  Court  at  the 
May  term,  iyr}();  and  for  ivceiving  returns  of  poll-books,  and  certi- 
Iviiig;  election  of  County  olliccrs,  an  tuhlitioual  allowance  of  8."j. — 
JIunt  &  l'or.<ylh  were  allowed  a  bill  fur  stationery,  amounting  to 
SlG.r>'.l,  and  Almon  (Jibbs,  for  use  of  Court  House  for  one  year, 
fi'oin  May  ;>,  1<S".M),  the  sum  ol  SIO.  Seneca  Allen,  Auditor,  was 
allowed  §1  for  ])ublishing  in  the  Columbus  Gazette  the  rates  of  tax 
on  land  for  road  purposes,  (ieneral  John  E.  Hunt  was  allowed 
Sll.v'5  for  services  as  lister  of  taxable  ])roperly.  and  house  appraiser. 
David  Hull  was  ajipointeil  County  CoUi'ctor.  This  session  of  thu 
Commissioners  was  held  at  Maumee.  The  names  of  Samuel  Vance 
and  Aurora  Spalford  a])pear  as  sureties  on  the  oilicial  bond  of  Wil- 
liam Pratt,  County  Treasurer;  and  the  uames  of  Thomas  K.  ilc- 
Knight  and  Almon  Gibl.s  as  sureties  on  t.ie  oflicial  bond  of  Seneca 
Allen,  who  had  l)oen  chosen  Auditor  of  Wood  County  by  joint  bal- 
lot of  the  General  As8eml)ly  of  Ohio. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  held  on  the  1:3th  of  August, 
IS'JO,  a  petition  was  presented  from  sundry  citizens  of  ]")ama!:cus, 
Henry  County,  pi-aying  to  be  attached  to  the  township  ot  Auglaize; 
whieh  was  read  and  granted.  At  the  session  held  December  l"-.*tli, 
1820,  Daniel  llubbcll,  John  E.  Hunt,  and  John  Pray  appeared  as 
Conuiiissioners.  The  Commissioners,  at  their  session  held  at  Mau- 
mee on  the -ith  of  March,  1822,  appointed  Thomas  W.Powell  Au- 
ditor of  the  County  for  the  then  ensuing  year.  June  o,  1822,  the 
Commissioners  appointed  Walter  Colton  Treasurer  of  the  County. 

A  special  session  of  the  Board  was  held  in  Perrysburg,  March  J<.>, 
18'2;5, '"convened  for  the  purpose  of  attending  to  the  erection  and 
repairs  of  the  public  buildings  of  the  county.''  At  this  session  the 
(!onimissioners  were  John  Pray,  Samuel  Spafibrd  and  Hiram  P. 
Barlow.  The  Board  examined  Ihc  county  jail,  "  which  had  been 
removed  from  the  town  of  Maumee,  and  erected  in  the  town  of  Per- 
rysburg, agreeable  to  a  certain  contract  entered  into  for  that  ])ur- 
liose  with  Daniel  llubbell.'' 

The  Board  ordered  that  so  much  of  the  township  of  Auglaize  as 
is  contained  in  the  unorganized  county  of  Henry,  be  sot  off  and  or- 
Iganized  into  a  township  by  the  name  of  Damascus;  that  so  much 
of  the  township  of  AVayneslield  as  is  included  in  the  unorganized 
jconnty  of  Hancock,  bo  set  off  and  organized  in^o  a  township  by  tlic 
name  (if  Eindhiy,  aud  that  the  election  lor  township  officers  be  liokl 
|oii  the  lirst  day  of  July,  A.  I).  182:5,  at  the  house  of  Wilson  N'ance, 
jin  the  said  township.  And  it  was  further  ordered  that  so  much  of 
jthe  towiudiip  of  Waynestield  as  is  included  in  the  organiz'jd  County 
|('t'  Wood,  and  lying  and  being  on  the  south  of  the  south  channel  of 
[tlie  Maumee  river,  from  the  west  line  of  the  County  to  the  line  be- 
tween the  original  surveyed  townshi})  in  Nos.  one  and  four  in  the 
'nited  States  lieserve ;  thence  the  north  channel  to  the  State  line, 
besotolf  and  organized  into  a  to\vn;diip  by  the  name  of  Perrysburg; 


430  Pioneer  Notes —  Wood  County  in  IS^o. 


and  that  tlie  election  for  township  odlccrs  bo  hehl  on  tlie  lOth  iluv 
of  June,  A.  I).  1S23,  at  Ihe  I'-^iise  of  tSunuiel  .Spalfui'd,  in  said  town- 
ship. 

The  Board  of  Commissioners  at  their  June  session,  lS2o,  fixed 
the  rate  of  taxation  of  stock  as  follows:  on  liorses,  mares,  luiiic!, 
and  asses  of  three  years  old  and  njjwards,  the  sum  of  thirty  cents 
per  head;  on  all  neat  cattle  of  tlreej-ears  old  and  upward?,  thesnin 
of  ten  cents  per  liead,  and  on  al!  other  property  luatle  suhjcet  to 
county  levies  the  sum  of  one  ha'.f  of  one  per  cent,  on  the  appruisuil 
value  thereof. 

James  H.  Slawson  presented  a  ])etition  to  the  Board  asking  tin.' 
ap))ointnient  of  viewers  to  examine  and  lay  out  a  County  road  com- 
mencing at  the  river  in  front  of  tract  No.  2H,  of  tlu;  United  Stutis 
lieserve  of  twelve  miles  square  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the  Mi- 
ami of  Lake  Erie  in  said  County;  thence  on  a  direct  line  as  tlie  na- 
ture of  the  ground  will  admit,  "to  the  saw-mill  of  Levering  &  Stew- 
art, on  Swan  Creek. 

The  Board  at  their  session  of  j\Iarch,  \f<-2\,  nuule  a  seltlemoiit 
with  Daniel  Hubbell  and  Ciuy  Nearijig  iVu*  erecting  the  Court 
House  at  Perrysburg. 

The  County  was  named  from  the  brave  and  chivalrous  Colonel 
Wood,  a  distinguished  officer  of  engineers  in  the  war  of  1SI;2. 

The  lirst  Court  was  the  May  term,  1820.  Xo  civil  cases  api)L'ar  0:1 
record — the  State  of  Ohio  appearing  as  plaintilf  tv*?.  Thomas  (uiinor, 
George  Jones  and  Lsaac  liichardson,  for  resisting  the  sheriif,  (Joo:'<:e 
Patterson,  for  assault  and  battery,  etc.  The  County  was  then  in 
the  Third  Judical  Circuit,  and  George  Tod,  father  of  the  late  Gov- 
ernor David  Tod,  M'as  President  Judge,  and  Horatio  Conant,  Sam- 
uel Vanct  and  Peter  G.  Oliver  were  assovnaLc  Judges.  '•  The  follow- 
ing named  gentlemen,  good  and.  legal  citi/Ans  of  said  County.'' com- 
posed the  grand  jury  :  William  IL  Bostwlek  (foreman),  Aaron  Gran- 
ger, John  T.  Baldwin,  Parri.s  M.  rium,  Aurora  S[)airord,  Jeromiali 
Johnston,  William  Pratt,  Bichard  Gunn,  Collister  Ilaskins,  E|)!i- 
raim  H.  Leming,  Josephus  Tilor,  ])aniel  Murray,  John  Ilollistci'. 
Norman  L.  Freeman,  and  John  J.  Lov.'tt  (15). 


Pao{ii{ESs  IN  Taxahle  WEAi/rn.— In  1826,  tlio  value  of  lamls, 

including:  houses,  returned  as  a  basis  for  taxation,  amounted  to.  !?!0,7l^4  lH  | 

Value  of  town  lots  and  buildin;^s 28,'2;!0  I 

Value  of_^persoual  propert}' 31,953  (JO  | 

Total  valuation it^.SS.SSOii'l 

In  ISaO-vidueof  hinds ;?:5S,158  tf)| 

town  lots a7,33JnJ 

pcrsonal.property ir),881i«[ 

Total  valuation '. m:^''^^ 


J Vood  County — Sta list ics. 


481 


IiilSlO— VJiliio  of  laiuls $i39i),073  00 

town  lots 210,214  00 

"  "         persunal  property 03,082  00 

Total  viiliuUioa $577,991)  00 

In  1850-v:iluo  of  lands $890,730  00 

value  of  town  lots 107,00:}  00 

"  "  valiu;  of  personal  properly 190,844  00 

Total  viilimtion $1,195,183  00 

111  18G0— value  of  hintls $2,353,143  GO' 

town  lots 253,100  00 

personal  property 800,170  00' 

Total  valuation !$3,40e,418  GO 

III  IbTO-valuc  of  lands $2,621,271  00' 

town  lots 800,25(5  00 

"  personal  property 1,809,690  00 

Total  valuation $4,737,217  00 

In  1873-value  of  lauds $5,675,274  00 

town  lots 515,047  00 

"  personal  property 2,253,740  00 

Total  valuation $3,444,001  GO 


lu^to'.    *  10,704  01 1 
"^88^1^'*  I 

;;;;;;;;     ir,,88i'w 


The  following  is  a  comparative  statement  of  real  and  personal  estate  in  the 
piinciiial  towns; 

In  I860— value  of  real  and  personal  estate  in  Perrvsburg $171,363  00 

In  1870-value  of  same ". ; 263,730  00 

In  1872-value  of  same 859,732  00 

111  18t!0— value  of  real  and  personal   estate    in  Grand  itapids...  33,503  00 

In  l8T0~value  of  same 83,210  00 

!nl8T2-value  of  same 131,302  00 

In  18()0— value  of  real  and  personal  estate  in  Uowling  Green 61,896  00 

In  1870-value  of  same 154,090  00 

In  1872— value  of  same 261,292  00 

In  1870— value  of  real  and  personal  estate  in  llaskins 27,586  00 

In  1872-value  of  same 71,131  00 


Population.— The  folio  ring  exhibits  the  progress  of  Wood  County  in  pop- 
ulation; though  the  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that,  when  organized,  the  Coun- 
jty  embraced  the  larger  portion  of  the  Ohio  area  in  the  Mauuiee  Valley  : 

[in  1820 , 733 

lnl830 1,102 

I  In  1840 5,357 

In  1850 9,157 

In  18110 17,886 

1111870 24,596 


432 


1  Vood  Co  u  n  Uj — Stat  id  ies. 


Tbo  followiug  census  ruturiis  mftrk  the  jiroijre.ss  of  lh(!  lowiishipa  iiml  the 
towns : 


TOWNI  AMD  TOWHIUirt. 


lilooni 

CcntrcM/O 

Howling  Urei'n  (a). 

FifcdoMi 

Henry 

.lackson 

I/ikc 

LilKTly 

MUUllt'town 

Iliwkins 

]\Iilt()n 

Montgomery 

I'erry ". 

I'erry.sbiir;^ 

Perrysburi; 

I'liiin  (a) ■. 

Portage 

Troy 

Washington 

Webster 

AVcston 


18TD 


l.'WJ 

1108 

i;5;{i 

Wl 

1)()U 

i()8;j 

!)71 

OS.") 

4r,i 

y47 

144 

1120 

r)r)i 

Uli.') 

oii;-, 

12',>1 

052 

!.'4:! 

14(i4 

075 

KWC) 

ir,7r) 

i;):;:j 

vi\n 

4100 

28;l4 

I8;jr) 

14i)l 

ino 

i:!oo 

KKli) 

83;{ 

1057 

S!)H 

i;;2i 

!^yD 

W;i 

071 

1833 

185» 

ltJ60 


18S0 
(158 

yr)7 
:)'ji 

71 
l.Vi 

2;!ii 
"I'4i 

17;:) 

111.9 
4!I2 

4();i 
ri.')!) 

-,04 
540 


(a)  Of  Bowluig  Green  :  471  in  Centre,  and  435  in  Plain. 

And  of  Wood  Connty,  from  1S20,  when  its  jurisdiction  enibractd  a 
porticniof  Northwestern  Oliio,  down  to  1870,  including  the  intermcdiali' 
nial  periods : 

In  all  the  vast  region  mentioned,  the  County 'of  Wood, 

In  ]8'.30,  had  a  population'of 

In  1830,        "  "        "     

In  1840,        "  "  

In  1850.        "  "  

In  1800,        "  "  

In  1870,        "  "  ; 


Iiir;,'(r 
dccc'i!- 


And  the  area  between  each  jjcriod  of  the  Federal  census 
continually  ditninishing — some  of  the  daughters  of  old  Wood 
^y  now  excelling  her  in  population  and  wealth. 


,     732 

.   1,090 

.  5,3^0 

9,139 

17,8S:J 

24,553 

lei  lip; 
CO  nil- 


pKiiuYSBUua  IX  lS3o. — In  the  lirst  number  of  the  Miami  of  tlic 
Lake,  Jessup  AV.  Scott,  editor,  issued  December  11,  1833,  the  mar- 
riage, at  Lower  Sandusky,  on  the  JiJid  of  November,  1833,  by  11.  J. 
Harmon,  Esc[.,  of  John  C.  Sjjink,  of  Perrysburg,  to  iliss  (Jhristiiiiui 
Smith,  of  the  former  place,  is  announced. 

The  death  of  Chloe,  only  child  of  J.  S])a(rord,  of  rerrysburg, 
aged  two  years,  which  occurred  on  i,tho  Gth  of  December,  lt)33,  n 
also  published. 


P&vrynhvrg  in  1838. 


433 


vnsliips  tinil  tk 

1850 

"ir.-'i 

3                   ,!.)l 

•:             ■■^4t 

4           n;i) 

-  1   s 

151) 540     - 

I  ciubrufal  a  large 

...     '?:« 

..  1,090 

...  r),3i"> 

.    9,139 

.  17,8S! 

'24,553 

leral  cousus  beiuK 
f  old  AVood  coun- 

Ithe  Miami  of  iIh' 
1,  1833,  the  imr- 

ler,  I833,by    I.  J' 
Jiliss  Chnstwii'' 

Id,  of  Perrysbuvg, 
ocember,  1B33,  is 


The  udvovtisi'iH  ooiisist  of  S.  Spink  &  Co.,  who  announce  now 
in)o(h  " clu'iipcr  tlijin  tiio  clu'iiiH-.st,.'' 

William  Marsliall  issucn  an  iittHclinicnt  from  tlic  Justice'  Court 
of  llonitio  Conant,  Ks(|.,  a  .histiiv  of  tlie  Peace  of  WayneKiield 
towiisliiit,  Wood  Ct)unty,  Ohio,  a^'ainst  the  goods,  chattids,  etc.,  of 
Mit'liiii'l  Ireland,  an  ahsi'nL  debtor. 

llollister  t'^.  Wendell  have  on  hand   Kusshi  and  Swede  iron,  En- 
glish blistered  steel,  etc. 
"  (}.  B.  Al)ell  &  Co.,  advertise  Hour  and  meal. 

Win.  Kowler  it  ('o.  advertise  dry  j^^oods. 

J.  C.  Sjjink  and  ,1.  W.  Scott  insert  their  law  cards. 

The  aniiounceinent  is  made  that  the  Auditor's  and  Mayor's 
otlici'S  had  been  removed  to  the  room  up  stairs,  over  Spink  & 
Cd.'s  store,  L(niisiana  avenue,  l)etweeii  Front  and  Secoiul  streets. 

R.  A.  Forsyth  t!t  Co.  date  an  advertisement  at  "  Maumee  V^illage, 
r)cccml)er  11,  1833,"  in  whicli  they  say  that  they  \\i\.\\\  lately  receiv- 
t'll  from  New  York  a  full  HU}»j>ly  of  dry  goods,  groceries,  hardware, 
ciitk'rv,  and  all  other  articles  usually  found  at  the  best  country 
storos,' which  they  offer  the  jnil)lic  on  favorai)le  terms. 

John  llollister  &  Co.  olfer  at  auction  sak',  at  the  city  of  Sandus- 
ky, on  the  1 1st  of  .January,  1.834,  the  schooner  (luerriere,  of  fifty 
tons. 

John  Hollister,  H.  A.  Forsyth,  and  D.  Wilkinson,  advertise  for 
200  sound  white  oak  knees,  for  which  one  dollar  will  be  paid,  deliv- 
ered at  David  Wilkinson's. 


Business  at  PEiiRYSiiriiU  in  1838.— On  the  18tli  of  August, 
1838,  H.T.  Smith  issued  the  first  number  of  The  Ohio  Whir/,— a 
joiiriKil  thai  succoetled  .1.  11.  McBride's  Miami  of  the  Lake. 

In  the  HV/zV/aiipeai'san  ;idvertisement  of  A,  Smith,  township  clerk, 
who  announces  tluit  sealed  jiroposals  will  be  received  at  G.  Beech's 
stjiv,  for  grubbing,  ditching,  and  turnpiking  1.50  rods  on  the  Mc- 
I'utcheonvdle  or  Columbus  road,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Per- 
ryshurg.  Also,  the  grading  of  the  hill  on  the  road,  near  Key's  resi- 
dence. 

Lorin  R.  Austin,  Henry  Darling,  and  Addison  Smith,  school  ex- 
aminers, have  an  official  notice 

Leonard  Blinn  cautions  the  jniljlic  iigainst  the  purchase  of  a  note 
of  hand  made  payable  to  Daniel  Fickle. 

George  Powers  invites  his  debtors  to  call  and  settle. 

J.  Maiming  Hall  advertises  merchandise.  D.  W.  Christian  in- 
vites utt«ntion  to  his  stock  of  cabinet  ware,  etc.;  and  Peck  &  Gris- 
jwuld  enumerate  sundry  leading  articles  of  merchandise.  Joseph 
[Creps  and  Henry  Zigler  offer  at  a  bargain  that  tract  of  land  and 
j  tavern  stand,  situated  four  miles  east  of  Perrysburg,  on  the  San- 
I dusky  turnpike,  containing  eighty  acres.  T.  Eudesill  says  that  he 
liiis  just  received,  from  the  eastern  cities,  new  goods,  which  he  was 
[tlien  opening  at  the  old  stand  of  S.  Spink,  and  recently  occupied  by 

28 


434 


BmvUng  Oreen  in  1872. 


Hall  Si,  Uudcsill.    (Jcorgo  Powers  lulvertiscH  dry  goods,  Imrchvure' mid 
books. 

Amoiifi;  Mif  Itiw  curds  iin'  tlioso  of  J.  IMirdy,  (of  Muiislicld,)  iiml 
W.  V.  Way,  David  Allen.  Henry  Bennett,  John  M.  May,  SainiulM. 
Young,  J.  C.  Spink,  iind  A.  (Jollinberry,  Iwiiac  Stetson,  and  Horace 
Sessions,  of  Deliuiice  N.  Dustin  is  tin;  only  physician  who  atlvw 
tised. 

David  Creps  advertise.s  leather,  T.  C.  Woodruff  wants  25,000 
bushels  1)1"  ashes.  Walter  l'»uell  nd'crs  his  services  as  a  pii'nter,  gla- 
zier, etc.  (J.  'W  Wooilrutr  was  in  the  hardware  trade.  J.  Ilollistcr 
&  Co.  were  dailv  receiving  [urge  supplies  of  produce,  which  they 
offered  low   Cnr  cash. 

The  sl(  atnboats  (Jommodore  0.  11.  Perry,  f'ajtt  David  Wilkinson; 
Anthony  Wayne,  Oajit.  Amos  Pratt ;  and  Pochester,  are  advertised 
as  making  regular  ti'ips  Ixfween  Perrysburg  and  liuH'alo;  the  Caro- 
line, Captain  C.  Perry,  between  IVrrysburg,  Manmee,  Toledo,  Man- 
hattan and  Cleveland  ;  and  the  Sun,  (D.  K.  Bennett,  master,  between 
Toledo,  Mauniee  and  Perrysburg. 

Sidney  C.  Sloane,  County  Auditor,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Commissioners  of  VVood  County,  offers  at  public  sale  several  lots  in 
Perrysburg. 

Bowling  Green,  tbe  seat  of  justice,  contains  Congregational, 
Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches;  a  well-conducted  jmblif 
school  system  ;  a  newspaper  otlice,  from  which  the  Wood  Couiitv 
Svntinch  M.  P.  lirewer,  editor,  is  issued;  one  Lodge  of  Masons, one 
private  bank;  three  hotels;  five  dry  goods,  five  grocery,  two  boot 
atul  shoe,  two  ])rovision,  three  drug,  and  two  hardware  stores;  one 
photograph  gallery;  two  millinery  establishments;  two  jewelers; 
one  ])laning  mill  and  sash  factory;  two  wagon  and  carriage,  and 
four  blacksmith  slio]is;  one  ashery;  three  livery  stables;  two  meat 
markets,  and  two  bakeries. 

The  town  is  situated  very  near  the  geographical,  as  well  as  tlie 
centre  of  population  and  wealth  of  Wood  County.    Its  public  htiiM- j 
ings,  including  Court  House  and  jail,  are  new  and  substantial  stnif- 
tures,  the  former  l)uilt  by   private  enterprise,  without  charge  up 'ii  l 
the   County   Treasury,  and   they  will  compare  favorably  with  tlie| 
average  of  county  bnildiiigs  in  Ohio. 


BuSFNKss  AT  Perhysuurg  11^  1H72. — In  the  foregoing  tables. it  | 
appears  that  the  population  and  taxable  wealth  of  Perrysburg  have 
steadily  incrensed.     The  town  contains   seven    churches,  viz:  three] 
Methodist  Episcopil,  one   Presliylorian,  one   Catholic,  one^ Baptii-t, 
and  one  Lutheran;  a  Masonic  Lodge  (one  of  the  most  flourishing iij 
the  State) ;   Good  Templars  and  Sons  of  Temperance  Lodges;  we'l 
conducted  public  schools,  in  elegant  and  substantial  buildings,  anii 
an  excellent  parochial  school,  under  the  management  of  the  Catlioj 
lies  ;    one  newspaper — the   Perrysburg  Jouvi^dl— James  TimmoDJJ 
editor;  one  bank;  two  hotels  ;  and  of  stores,  seven  dry  goods;  tffol 


Perryshurg  in  1872. 


435 


uvnlwarL'  and 

iu\8lii'l(l,)  mill 
ly,  SiiimiL'lM. 
u  ami  Uonue 
n  who  iidvir- 

wants  25,000 

,.    ,).  UoUistcr 
e,  which  thi'V 

viil  Wilkinson;  • 
,  iirc  aiivevtiscil 
liilo ;  the  Civro- 
[.,  ToU'tlo,  Man- 
master,  between 

iircction  of  the 
e  sevi-ral  lots  in 

Coiigvegatioo;\l 
nuluctcd  pulilif 
e  Wooil  County 
^  of  Masons,  one 
rocery,  two  l)Oot 
jiiv  stores;  one 
;  two  jewelers; 


viul  carnage, 


and 


al.les;  two  meat 

as  well  iis  tlie 

Itspnhliclwil''- 

substantial  strue- 

Lut  charge  upnii 

l^-orably  with  tie  | 

j-poroinp;  tables,  it  I 
rerrysburgbave 

lrche8,viz:  lhm| 
)lic,  one,BaptiM, 

,st  flourishing  iM 
Ice  Lodges;  wel 
lal  buildings,  f  I 
Lnt  of  the  Catlio- 
[James  TimmonM 
dry  goods  ;tv« 


drug;  two  flour  and  feed  ;  two  Imrdwaro  ;  one  boot  and  shoe  ;  bIx- 
teon  urocory  ;  ono  knittinj;  machiiu-  depot,  and  one  liouse  selling  ag- 
ricultural machinery  and  mi|»K'Jnt'iitH. 

Otinanutactiirint''.  there  is  ono  hub  and  spoke;  two  of  boxes ; 
two  of  staves  and  iuwiinj^s;  ono  oi  bowls;  ono  tannery  ;  one  grist 
mill;  three  saw  nulls;  ono  shin<ijlo  factory;  two  planing  mills  ;  two 
maiuifacturors  of  furniture;  ono  ot  veneering;  two  of  wagons,  and 
two  of  wuj^nns  and  carriages;  ono  ashery ;  three  blacksmitn  shops; 
two  saddle  and  harness  shops,  two  go.id  meat  markets,  and  one 
cigar  factory. 

Til  town  also  contains  ono  grain  elevator,  and  two  warehouses. 
The  Coiu't  House — the  ancient  judicial  sanctuary  of  Wood  County 
— was  tlestroyed  by  Hro  in  the  summer  of  |N71  ;  but  a  new  and 
mire  elegant  building  is  now  being  erected  on  tlie  grounds  of  the 
former  structure. 


Captain  David  Wilkinson,  born  FoI)rnary,  1800,  sailed  up  the 
Maumee  river,  on  his  first  visit  to  the  valley,  in  May,  1815,  as  a  hand 
onboard  tin;  vschooui'r  Blaiik  Siuike,  a  vessel  of  about  25  tons  bur- 
den, coniinandrd  l)y  liis  uncle,  .lacob  Wilkinson,  and  owned  by  his 
father  and  said  uncle.  lie  was  then  a  boy,  agi-tl  about  15.  The  passen- 
gers were  immigrants,  who  I'inbarked  at  Cleveland,  and  their  destina- 
tion was  for  the  valleys  of  thoriver.s  Maiimee  and  Raisin;  and  among 
those  for  Uie  latter  was  the  family  of  Mulhollen,  who  kept  the  noted 
tavern  at  Vienna  some  years  later;  also,  a  Mr.  Hunter  and  family, 
Scott  Kohb,  and  a  Mr.  Hopkins,  who  settled  on  land  a  little  above 
the  present  village  of  I'erry.sburg.  The  schooner  landed  her  passen- 
gers and  cargo  I'roni  the  bayou,  at  the  ui)per  end  of  town,  there  be- 
ing rlicn  no  wharf  or  other  artificial  facilities  lor  commerce.  It  was 
a  wild  forest  when^  IVrrysburg  now  stands.  David  Hull  and  Thos. 
MeElrath  were  there,  trading  with  tin;  Indians,  aiul  keejjiug  taverns 
in  log  iiouses  on  the  hill-side,  between  Fort  Meigs  and  the  river. — 
Halsey  Leamming  then  lived  in  a  log  house  near  where  Mrs.  Ladd 
now  resides, — Thomas  Leamming,  hiij  brother,  residing  witli  him. 
Jessi'  Skinner  and  family  lived  on  the  Hats  near  the  river,  on  the 
tract  immediately  east  of  P] her  Wilson's  farm;  Thomas  IDicks,  a 
biichelor  Irishman,  on  the  same  tract ;  and  Samuel  Ewing  on  the 
Key  tract,  near  the  river. 

Port  Meigs,  at  this  time,  was  occupied  by  about  40  soldiers,  under 
the  command  of  a  Lieutenant;  Almon  Gibbs  being  quartermaster. 
The  government  was  then  about  abandoning  the  Fort,  and  Captain 
Wilkinson  took  to  Detroit,  on  his  return,  four  heavy  pieces  of  can- 
non, and  the  remainder  of  the  military  stores. 

The  fishing  business  was  tlusn  an  important  interest,  and  regular- 
ly carried  on  by  the  use  of  seines. 

Tlie  vessel  luimed  made  two  trips  that  season  into  the  river  from 
Cleveland  ;  and  on  the  second  trij)  came  for  a  load  of  fish.  Captain 
Jacob  Wilkinson  made  two  trips  with  his  vessel  in  the   following 


436      Pioneer  Notes — Captain  David]  Wilkinson. 


vear,  181G,  and,  abont  the  first  of  September  of  that  year,  built  a 
liouse  between  the  Fort  and  tlie  river,  near  David  Hull's.  This  lo- 
cation was  afterwirds  laid  out  into  a  town,  and  called  "Orleans  of 
the  North." 

About  the  1st  of  June,  1817,  William  and  John  Hollister  arrived 
with  a  stock  of  goods  from  Bulfaio,  and  smarted  a  store  at  Orleans. 
Joshua  Chappel,  in  April,  1817,  and  several  families,  came  as  pas- 
sengers that  year  on  the  schooner  Black  Snake,  then  under  com- 
mand of  Capt.  David  Wilkinson,  which  schooner  continued  its  trips 
until  the  close  of  the  navigable  season  of  1818,  but  was  commanded 
that  year  by  her  part  owner,  Capt.  Jacob  Wilki    wn. 

In  1818  Capt.  Daniel  Hubbell  bought  a  controling  interest  in  the 
schooner  Pilot,  l)uilt  in  Cleveland,  and  Capt.  David  Wilkinson  took 
command  of  her,  and  run  her  the  seasons  of  1818-19,  betwi'en  the 
foot  of  the  rapids  and  Buffalo.  She  took,  as  freight,  from  the  towns 
at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  funs,  fish  and  corn;  and  brought  back  pas- 
sengers, merchandise,  salt  and  lumber.  David  W.  Hawley  came 
from  Black  Rock  in  1817,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  built  the  first 
frame  house  in  Perryslnirg.  This  house  was  built  on  the  side  hill, 
between  tiie  saw-mill  and  Front  street.  Thomas  E.  McKnight  mov- 
ed to  Perrysburg  in  1821,  from  Wooster,  Ohio,  and  built  a  log  liouse 
and  oHice  on  Front  street.  Between  1821  and  1825,  a  log  house  wa? 
put  up  on  the  corner  of  the  lot  where  Peak's  drug  store  now  stands; 
one  on  the  lot  where  Creps'  store  is,  and  one  on  the  corner  ^where 
the  Presbyterian  Church  stands. 

In  1825,  Samuel  Sputtbrd  built  the"Spafford  Exchange"  hotel, 
now  known  as  tlie  "Norton  Exchange."  In  the  same  year.  Judge 
J.  H.  Jerome  built  the  frame  house  now  owned  by  Getz,  and  near 
the  Houston  store.  la  182G,  the  Court  Houi^-e  and  jail  were  built. 
William  and  John  Hollister  buiit  a  frame  store  in  1820,  on  the 
ground  now  occupied  by  Dr.  Peck's  hardware  store,  and  iu  the 
spring  of  1827,  removed  their  goods  into  it.  Frank  Hollister  con- 
tinued to  tru-le  in  the  old  .store  at  Orleans.  They  also  built  a  ware- 
house and  doc'''  at  the  foot  of  Loui.^i'ana  avenue,  on  the  easterly  siJf' 
Their's  ^vas  the  only  store  in  Perrysburg,  until  the  fallof  1833, 1 
whea  William  Fowler  established  a  store  in  the  frame  building  near 
the  old  Court  House.  The  next  store  was  opened  by  Shibnah  SpiiiU 
(brother  of  John  C),  in  the  sjjring  of  18.'J4.  Joseph  Creps  movec 
into  Perrysburg  in  the  spring  of  1833,  and  the  same  year  built  the  I 
brick  tavern  afterwards  known  as  the  Baird  Hou.se. 

In  18:28  a  two-story  Irame  tavern  was  built  on  Front  street,  near-i 
ly  opposite  the  Ex 3haMge.  by  Wm.  Bij^ger.  In  1834,  or  1835,  Kel 
logg  &  Wheeler  l)uilt  and  opened  a  frame  store  building,  on  tliecor 
ner  of  Front  sUeet  and  Louisiana  avenue,  on  the  ground  now  occiij 
pied  by  Hit  cock'.-;  store,  which  constituted  the  fourth  store  iuPerf 
rysburg  in  183.5.  The  next  store  was  opened  liy  Gilbert  Beach  ainil 
C.  C.  Bennett.  In  1836,  George  Powers  opened  a  store,  and  in  ff^'i! 
J&mes  M.  Hall  and  Tobias  Rudisill  appeared  with  a  stock  of  goods.! 


hinson. 


,at  year,  built  a 
tluli's.  This  lo- 
,led  "  Orleans  of 


Hollister  arrived 
store  at  Orleans, 
ies,  came  as  pas- 
,hen  under  com- 
Dii tinned  its  trips 

was  commanded 
1. 

ig  interest  in  the 
L  Wilkinson  took 
-19,  between  tlie 
t,  from  the  towns 
)rousht  back  pas- 
ST.  Hawlcy  came 
ear  built  the  first 

on  the  side  liill, 
.  McKnight  mov- 

built  a  log  house 
5,  a  log  house  was 
store  now  stands; 
,he  corner  j^where 

Exchange"  hotel, 
same  year,  Judge 
)y  Getz,  and  near 
d  jail  wei-e  built 
i  in  182C,  m  the 
store,  and  in  tht 
nk  Hollister  con- 
also  built  a  ware- 
in  the  easterly  side, 
1  the  fall  of' 1833, 
ame  building  near  j 
by  Shibnah  Spink 
jeph  Creps  moveill 
me  year  built  tlif| 
se. 

Front  street,  near- 
.884,  or  1835,  Kel' 
Kilding,  on  the  cor  I 
ground  now  occii- 
'ourth  store  in  M 
Gilbert  Beach  anj 
L  store,  and  in  l^^''' 
I  a  stock  of  goods. 


//^V//fi^  ({y 


r*»2 


Pioneer  Notes —  Willard  V.  Way  and  Others.     437 


Dr.  George  W.  Wood  cume  in  the  spring  of  1828, — the  first  phy- 
sician who  settled  in  Perrysbnrg.  (Tiu'  iirst  kiwyers  iippear  in  the 
reminiscences  of  Hon.  Thos.  W.  Powell.] 

Ciipt.  David  Wilkinson  [who  communicates  these  notes  to  Willard 
V.  Way,  Esq.,]  continned  his  connection  with  different  vessels  in  the 
Maumee  river  trade,  until  1828,  when  he  remnvrd  his  family  to  Per- 
rysbnrg.  During  tliis  period,  he  had  connnanded,  suecessively,  the 
Black  Snake,  Pilot,  Nancy  Jane,  President,  Superior,  (Juerriere,  and 
Eagle.  The  Eagle  was  a  schooner  of  (iO  tons,  bnilt  at  Port  Ijaw- 
reiice  [now  Toledo,]  in  1828.  at  a  cost  of  *;5.0()().  (,'apt.  Wilkinson 
connnanded  her  until  May,  1835  ;  during  which  time 'she  paid  I'or 
herself  five  times  over,  clear  of  all  ex])enses. 

Leaving  the  Eagle  at  this  date  (May,  18)55),  Capt.  Wilkinson  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  new  steamer  "  Commodore  Perry."  in 
which  position  he  continued  untd  the  sj)ring  of  18+.  when  he  as- 
sumed command  of  the  steamer  "Snperior."  in  which  position  he 
continued  until  the  close  of  the  lake  navigation  of  1852,  which 
closed  hir  long  and  honorable  marine  servici'  \\\w\\  th.e  lakes. 


Willard  V.  Way  (to  whom  is  due  that  the  writer  of  this,  and  in 
this  place,  acknowledge  oljligations  lor  mnch  of  historical  value  em- 
bodied in  these  i)ages,)  was  born  at  Springfield,  Otsego  county,  New 
York,  August  2.  1807,  and  came  to  Perrysburg  to  reside  on  the  13th 
April,  1831,  having  spent  part  of  the  previous  year  at  Painesville, 
Ohio.  He  commenced  his  law  studies  with  Hun.  H.J.  Kedileld,  in 
LiRoy,  New  York,  and  finished  his  reading  with  Messrs.  Matthew^s 
&  (Judge)  Hitchcock,  in  Painesville,  Ohio,  and  came  from  there  to 
Perrysburg  at  the  time  al)ove  stated.  Mr.  Wav  married  Miss  So- 
phia" Hodge,  of  Buffalo,  New  York,  May  -^0,  "1835.  He  has  been 
successful  in  business  life,  and  now,  at  t'.ie  age  of  05,  is  in  good 
health,  and  among  the  most  respected  citizens  of  Perrysburg. 


William  Ewing.  whose  family  have  been  hitherto  mentioned,  was 
til  ■  sen  of  Samuel  H.  and  Sally  P.  Ewing,  and  was  born  near  where 
Clyde,  Oliio,  now  stands,  while  the  family  were  on  the  route  remov- 
!ni:  from  Monroe  county,  New  York,  to  the  Maumee  x'ww,  in  May, 
i'^l'.*.  Of  a  familv  of  eleven  cliildren,  consisting  of  tw^o  boys  and 
ii'iif  jriris,  Judge  William  Ewing,  the  subject  of  this  notice,  is  one 
'  ■  t'  "  survivors.  After  the  breaking  out  of  tlu'  war  of  1812,  the 
;iiiiily  left  for  Belli'fontaine,  now  Logan  county,  Ohio,  and  returned 
aiier  the  close  of  the  war. 


Aaron  S.  Dresser  emigrated  to  Poi  uige  titwnship.  Wood  County, 
f'littheast  quarter  of  section  twenty-five,  in  June.  1824..  He  entered 
'upland  at  the  Bucyrus  office,  in  May.  1834.  The  names  of  those 
"I'li  in  the  township,  who  had  prei'eded  him,  were  Callister  llas- 
l\iii8,  Joseph  Cox,  Jacob  El)erly,  and  a  few  others,  probably.  A  road 
^^iis  partly  cut  out  to  Peri^sburg,  covered  most  of  the  year  by 
ftuter. 


438 


Early  liistorg  of  Mercer  County. 


MERCER  COUNTY. 

Coeval  with  the  formation  of  Wooil  County,  and  under  the  same 
legislative  enactment,  was  that  of  Mercer  ;  thousjh,  for  judicial  ]inr- 
poses,  it  remained  with  Darke  until  1824.  The  county  was  named 
from  General  Hugh  Mercer,  a  Virj2;inia  olHcer,  who  fell  at.  Prince- 
ton, during  the  colonial  rebellion,  Jan.  3,  1777.  In  historic  interest, 
the  county,  as  originally  formed,  possesses  mattf^r  of  rare  value.  St. 
Clair's  battle  was  fought  on  the  line  of  this  and  Darke  countv,  in 
1791,  and  the  trace  of  Wayne  is  yet  discernible  tlnoiigli  the  countv, 
leading  from  Fort  Recovery  to  P\irt  Adams.  Simon  (lirty,  at  one 
time,  lived  on  the  right  bank  of  the  St.  Mary's  (now  witliin  Au- 
glaize county),  and  between  the  river  and  canal.  The  ancient  tort. 
St.  Mary's,  built  by  Wayne,  occupied  the  west  bank  of  the  river. 

In  the  official  report  of  General  Wayne,  ilated  "  Head-Quarters, 
Greenville,  7th  July,  1794,"  the  following  is  extracted : 

"  It  wonld  also  appear  that  the  British  and  savages  expected 
to  find  the  artillery  that  were  lost  on  the  4th  of  November,  1791, 
and  hid  by  the  Indians  in  the  beds  of  old  lallen  timber,  or  log.?, 
which  they  turned  over  and  laid  the  cannon  in,  and  then  turned  the 
logs  back  into  their  former  berth.  It  was  in  this  artful  inaimrrtliat 
we  found  them  deposited.  The  hostile  Indians  turned  over  a  great 
number  of  logs,  during  the  assault,  in  si-arch  of  those  cannon,  and 
other  plunder,  which  they  had  probably  hid  in  this  manner,  after 
the  action  of  the  4th  November,  1791.  I  th<'r('ri)re  have  reason  to 
believe  that  the  British  and  Indians  de])endod  much  upon  this  artil- 
lery to  assist  in  the  reduction  of  that  ])ost;  foi'tunate'ly,  they  scrv.vl 
in  its  defence.  The  enclosed  copies  of  the  ('xamination  of  the  Pot- 
tawotomy  and  Shawanee  prisoners,  will  demonstrate  thhs  fact;,  that 
the  British  have  used  every  possible  exertion  to  collect  the  sava,,'es 
from  the  most  distant  nations,  with  the  most  solemn  iromiscs  of 
advancing  and  co-operating  with  them  against  the  legion,  nor  have 
the  Spaniards  been  idle  upon  this  occasion. 

*'  It  is  therefore  more  than  probable  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant 
when  we  shall  meet  this  hi/dra  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Grand  Glaizo 
and  Roche  de  Bout,  without  being  able  to  discriminate  between  tlie 
white  and  red  savages.  In  the  intrrim,  I  am  in  hourly  expectiilion 
of  receiving  more  full  and  certain  intelligeine  of  the  number  and 
intention  of  the  enemy." 

The  earliest  settlement  of  Mercer  County  wa.s  made  at  Fori  Ee- 
covery,  in  1818,  the  first  family  being  that  of  Mr.  Snnison.  luaboat 
1822,  Peter  Studabaker  came  to  the  plice,  marrie  I  a  daugfi^er  ni 
Mr.  Simison,  and  resided  at  the  place  until  18/54,  when  he  removed 
to  Indiana.  The  next  settlers  appeared  in  about  1S28,  und  wt.v 
composed  of  the  families  of  David  Anderson,  Diiniel  Freenniu,  Oeo. 
Arbaugh,  William  Monev,  James  Cummings,  and  William  and  .las'. 
McDarne'ii.  In  1833,  the  familes  of  John  G.  Hiake  (tir.st  Jiisticot' 
the  Peace  Irx,  Gibson  township,  which  office  he  held  twenty-ono  cou- 


The  Slain  of  St.  Claires  Army, 


439 


secntivo  years),  Alexander  Grant,  George  Painter,  and  Ht-nry  Lipps, 
also  f-ettled  in  the  inioliliorhuod. 

The  remains  ol"  the  ctlicicrs  who  had  l)ecn  buried  in  their  uniforms, 
were  disinterred  and  hurieil  in  the  ccmetei'v  in  I8:j8. 

It  will  he  remembered  that  General  Anthony  Wayni .  while  in  tlie 
nccii]>aM(;y  of  Fort  Ki'covei-y,  in  I7'.)-1,  oileivd  a  re\v;iril  lor  the  col- 
lection of  the  renniins  of  the  sokliers  that  had  peri.shed  during  the 
unfortunate  canipai<,Mi  of  St.  Clair.  Hetweeii  500  and  (iOi)  .skulls 
were  collected,  in  the  vicinity,  and  interred  in  a  irrave  witliin  the 
walls  of  'he  .stiickiule.  l)iirin<j:  the  .summer  of  IS,')],  n  fivsliet  cut  a 
in'W  eliaiun  1,  aiul  I'xpo.sed  .some  of  the  ri'inain.s  of  thi.s  sepullure.— 
The  f;u!t  hecomini;-  known  to  the  citizen,'^,  they  assembled  and  ex- 
Immed  ;dl  the  remains  that  could  be  found,  and  placed  the  most  of 
tluni  in  thirtt"n  l)lack  walnut  cotlins,  and  extended  a  general  invi- 
tation to  the  surviving  soldiei's  from  this  and  oth'.r  States,  who  had 
participated  in  the  campaigns  <»f  ilarnnir.  St.  Clair,  and  Wayne,  to 
join  tlieni  in  the  fuiu'rai  ceremonie.-  of  a  final  interment  in  the  cem- 
etery, on  the  loth  of  September,  1851.  In  accordance  with  this  in 
vitiition,  iieople  from  Virginia,  Kentuckv  ami  Ohio,  numljering  at 
least  5,00(1,  assembled  on  the  ground  on  the  day  na. m/d,  and  })artici- 
patwl  ill  the  funeral  ceremonies.  The  principal  addres.s  on  the  oc- 
casion was  made  iiy  Judge  Bell  iinv  Storer,  of  Cincinnati. 

From  the  Western  Sllindard  (Ci-lina,  Sept.  IH.  1851.) 

The  lOth  of  Sepietnber,  1851,  will  long  de  remembered  by  those 
who  participated  in  paying  the  sad  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the 
stain  of  St.  Clair's  army,  recently  discovered  at  Fort  Recovery.  The 
morning  was  clear,  bright,  and  warm,  and,  as  the  sun  arose  and  cast 
his  beams  over  the  plain,  made  sacired  by  the  blood  of  that  brave 
band,  every  avenue  leading  to  the  village  was  crowde. i  with  human 
beings;  so  that,  by  ten  o'clock,  the  concourse  numbered  from  4,000 
to  5,000  .soiils. 

It  may  be  proper  at  this  time  to  state^  that,  on  the  morning  of 
the  7th  of  July  last,  a  human  skull  was  discovered,  partly  covered, 
in  one  of  the  streets  of  Fort  R<'COvery,  and  adja'^Mit  to  the  ground 
upon  which  Inul  been  erected  the  fort  bearing  that  name.  Recent 
heavy  rains  had  washed  off  the  earth.  The  discovery  induced  a 
search,  and  the  result  was,  that  the  skeletons  of  some  sixty  persons 
«ero  exhumed,  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  The  citizens  of  Re- 
covery held  a  meeting  the  next  day,  and  resolved  to  re-inter  the 
bones,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  make  suitable  arrangements  for 
the  occasion. 

The  fore  part  of  the  day  was  (occupied  in  placing  the  bones  in  the 
coffins — thirteen  having  been  ))ro>ided  by  the  committee.  rei)resent- 
iiigeach  State  in  exi.'-tence  at  the  time  the  battle  was  fought.  This 
was  very  appropriate,  inasmuch  as  it  is  believed  that  every  State  in 
the  Union  was  represented  in  that  battle. 

While  the  coHins  were  being  Jilled.  the  peo[ile  had  an  opportunity 
to  examine  the  bones, — many  of  which  l)ore  marks  of  the  bullet  and 


440 


The  Slain  of  St.  Clair's  Army. 


tomahawk.  We  handled  a  number  th  at  had  been  perforated  by  a  bullet, 
and  had  also  a  gash — smoothly  cut  by  the  tomahawk ;  and,  in  dif- 
ferent parts,  marks  made  by  a  sharp  instrument  were  discernible, 
said  by  old  soldiers  present  to  have  been  produced  by  the  scalping 
knife.  We  saw  a  number  of  relics  that  were  found  on  and  near  the 
battle-field,  such  as  a  sword,  iron  and  lead  balls,  knives,  ramrods, 
etc.  The  sword  was  about  three  feet  long,  and  had  a  heavy  brass 
guard  around  the  hilt.  The  blade,  on  the  edge  and  back,  and  the 
guard,  bore  evident  marks  of  a  desperate  conflict,  being  literally  cut 
in  gaps  and  gashes. 

The  committee  of  arrangements  appointed|officers  of  the  day,  and 
a  procession  wes  formed  under  the  direction  of  Gen.  James  Watson 
Riley,  assisted  by  several  aids.  One  hundred  and  four  pall  bearers, 
selected  from  the  diiferent^counties  represented,  headed  the  process- 
ion in  charge  of  the  cofiin,  and  were  followed  by  the  soldiers  pres- 
ent, ladies  and  citizens,  which  formed  a  column  a  mile  long,  and 
marched  to  the  stand  erected  on  the  soath  side  of  the  village,  in  full 
view  of  the  battle  ground,  where  an  oration  was  pronounced  by  Hon, 
Bellamy  Storer,  who  was  invited  for  the  occasion. 

The  speaker's  introductory  referred  to  the  scenes  enacted  on  th'it 
very  ground,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1791 — contrasting  the  then 
horrible  wilderness  with  the  present  civilized,  cultivated  and  flour- 
ishing appearance  of  the  country.  He  dwelt  on  the  position  of  St. 
Clair's  army  at  the  time  of  the  attack  ;  the  position  of  the  enemy— 
their  advantages,  and  the  fatal  results  of  the  conflict, — paying  a 
merited  tribute  to  the  brave,  though  unfortunate  commander,  and 
his  more  unfortunate  men.        *  *  *  *        *    ^^^ 

speaker  made  a  beautiful  allusion  to  the  thirteen  coffins.  They  did 
not  contain  the  bones  of  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  or  Kentii.ckv, 
or  Pennsylvania,  or  Maryland,  or  the  Carolinas,  or  any  other  par- 
ticular section,  but  were  the  representatives  of  the  whole  uniox, 
engaged  in  a  common  conflict  in  defence  of  the  rights  of  the  Amer- 
ican Compact.  Their  names  and  locality  are  unknown.  Hetivej's 
register  alone  can  record  their  deeds  of  valor  and  patriotism,  and 
show  where  or  to  whom  they  lielonged.  They  died  a  common  and 
martyr  death  for  the  Union  we  live  to  enjoy,  and  which  it  is  our 
duty  to  protect,  and  our  highest  honor  to  cling  to  and  perpetuate 
Under  it,  man  may  be  independent  of  everything  but  his  God.  Not 
so  in  the  old  world.  There  confusion  and  commc  tion  prevail;  po- 
litical and  religious  tyranny  reign  ;  and  the  American  mission  is  to 
infuse  the  principles  of  LilxM'ty  into  the  masses  of  Europe,  by  liv- 
ing up  to  our  privileges  as  Americans — every  man  being  independ- 
ent of  everything  but  his  God — preventing  everything  that  lia-  ii 
tendency  towards  disunion,  or  Llie  mitigation  of  a  single  stripe  or 
star  on  our  national  flag.  Universal  education,  and  the  advance- 
ment of  science,  are  the  sure  foundations  of  our  perpetuity.        * 

*  *  *         Our  limited  space  will  not  admit  a  more  full 

report  of  Judge  Storer's  speech.  The  Judge  was  followed  by  Geu. 
Bell,  President  of  the  day,  in  a  short,  patriotic  speech. 


Mercer  Co. — First  Session  of  Commissioners.     441 


.  by  a  bullet, 
and,  in  dif- 
cliscernible, 
he  scalping 
mcl  near  the 
es,  ramrods, 
heavy  brass 
a,ck,  and  the 
;  literally  cut 

the  day,  and 
imes  Watson 
•  pall  bearers, 

the  process- 
soldiers  pres- 
Lile  long,  and 
village,  in  full 
meed  by  Hon. 

lacted  on  that 
iting  the  then 
,ted  and  flour- 
position  of  St. 
f  the  enemy- 
iot,— paying  a 
.mmander,  and 
I    *        *    Thi* 
,ns.    They  did 
^  or  Kentucky, 
'any  other  p!> 

,VII0LE   UNION, 

L  of  the  Amek- 
>wn.  Heavea's 
[patriotism,  and 
ii  common  and 

[hich  it  is  o«f 
Ud  pcrpetuati-. 
t  his  God.  Is^'t 
hn  prevail;  po- 
^n  mission  is  to 
Europe,  by  hv- 
)eiug  independ- 
ling" that  ha  n 
single  stripe  or 
d  the  advantt'- 

petuity.       *    I 
tmitamorefull| 

llovved  by  Geu. 

ph. 


Gen.  Haines,  from  the  committee  on  resolutions,  reported  a  series 
urging  Congress  to  appropriate  money  to  erect  a  monument  at  Fort 
Recovery,  and  one  at  Greenville.  Committees,  composed  of  citizens 
of  the  different  counties  represented,  were  appointed  to  solicit  con- 
tributions for  the  furtherance  of  that  object.  Messrs.  Benjamin 
Linzee,  J.  W.  Riley,  H.  F.  Junnemann,  and  two  othirs,  whose 
names  we  did  not  learn,  were  appointed  on  the  part  of  Mercer 
County. 

The  procession  was  then  re-formed  in  the  order  it  came  to  the 
stand,  and  moved  to  the  burying  ground  nn  the  south  side  of  the 
village,  and  the  coffins  were  deposited  in  *  .io  grave,  divided  off  with 
boards,  each  division  or  vault  containing  two  coffins. 

The  last  act  being  performed,  the  people  left  the  cemetery,  each 
persuaded  that  he  had  performed  a  patriotic  duty.  It  is  true,  we 
could  not  revive  or  benefit  those  dry  bones ;  but  their  history  is  the 
foundation  of  our  history.  St.  Clair's  defeat  wa^^  an  entermg  wedge 
to  the  attainment  of  the  blessings  we  now  enjoy.  Let  us  remem- 
ber those  patriots  with  grateful  hearts,  and  by  doing  honor  to  iheir 
memoiy,  "  instil  into  the  masses  of  the  old  world  the  principles  of 
liberty." 

The  first  session  of  the  County  Commissioners  was  held  at  St. 
Mary's,  the  original  county  seat,  April  17,  1824.  Commissioners, 
Lucas  Van  Ansdall,  Ansel  Blossom  and  Thomas  Scot^ 

At  the  June  term  of  the  same  year,  John  P.  Hedges  was  appoint- 
ed Treasurer  pro  tem.,  and  executed  V^nds,  and  appointed  Samuel 
Hanson  as  deputy,  who  agreid  to  collect,  for  Jiov  dollars,  "  all  the 
taxes  of  both  Mercer  and  Van  Wert  counties." 

The  total  valuation  of  the  lots  in  Willshire  was  returned  for  tax- 
ation this  year  at  ^28.14;  Shanesville,  -^20.87— taxes,  $10.42;  Dub- 
lin township,  S48.0G;  St.  Mary's,  §7(1.70.  The  valuation  of  the  lots 
in  ISt.  Mary's  was  uniformly  one  dollar,  and  the  tax  five  mills  on 
each  lot.  The  burden  of  the  taxation  fell  upon  Shanesville,  by  rea- 
son, probably,  of  a  bad  system  of  valuation. 

At  the  same  term,  .John  Manning  was  appointed  Treasurer  pro 
/«//.,  and  was  req\iired  to  execute  bond  in  the  sum  of  fiw  hundred 
dolhirs. 

At  the  June  session  of  1825,  Isaiah  Dungan,  Solomon  CaiT,  and 
j  Ansel  Blossom  appeared  as  Commissioners.  A  settlement  was 
made  with  John  P.  Hedges,  Treasurer  of  Mercer  county,  lor  the 
Iperiod  commencing  at  the  June  session,  1824,  and  ending  .lune  0, 
I iH'-i."),  and  the  Auditor  was  "directed  to  issue  an  order  in  favor  of 
jthe  said  John  P.  Hedges  for  two  dollars  and  ninety-one  cents,  being 
jhis  legal  per  centage  on  seventy-two  dollars  aiid  seventy-five  cents, 
received  nud  paid  over  by  W".  B.  Hedges,  for  John  P.  Hedges.'' 

An  order  was  issued  to  W.  B.  Hedges,  Auditor,  for  paper,  and 
Bne  day's  services,  $2.  The  Commissioners  drew  $2.25  each  lor 
Itheir  services  during  the  session. 


442  Mercer  County — First  lerm  of  Court. 

An  abstract  of  the  list  ot  taxable  property,  within  the  comity  of 
Mercer,  and  the  attached  c(»unty  of  Van  Wert,  for  the  year  1S;W, 
returned  l)y  A.  R.  IIunterjAssessor,  showed  eleven  merchants  having 
an  agjjjregate  capital  invested'in  merchandise  amounting  to  $'i,(;5:!,- 
75.  One  of  these  returned  a  capital  of  two  dollars  and  seveuty- 
iive  cents. 


The  first  term  ot  Mercer  Coimty  Common  Pleas  was  held  at  St. 
Mary's,  in  February,  IH'if).  by  Hon.  Joseph  H.  Crane.  President 
Judge,  and  by  Associate  Judges  .lames  Wolcott.  Thomas  Scott  and 
Joseph  Greer.  Tlie  chancery  case  of  Samuel  Dungan  /'.•.•.  Edmund 
Gilbert  was  disposed  of.  The  second  term  was  held  in  April,  1H27, 
and  only  one  case  was  entered  u])on  the  docket,  and  that  an  admin- 
istration one.  Two  years  subsequeut,  in  April,  18:^9,  the  third  term 
was  held  in  the  county.  At  this  term,  Hon.  Georg'3  il  Holt  ap- 
peared as  President  Judge,  and  Joseph  Greer,  John  Manning,  and 
William  B.  Hedges,  as  Associates.  The  disposal  of  two  chancery 
cases  cleared  the  docket.  There  is  not  to  be  fovmd  a  State  ease 
upon  the  calendar  until  severjil  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
county — the  very  light  docket  exhibiting  only  business  now  coming 
before  the  probate  ct)urt,  and  at  some  terms  a  chancery  case  or 
two. 

Anthony  Shane,  Wm.  B.  Hedges,  Colonel  A.  K.  Hunter,  John  P, 
Hedges  (now  a  resident  of  h'ort  Wayne),  David  Wprk,  John  \). 
Ralston,  Joel  F.  Moore,  Abraham  Shindeldecker,  Wm.  Frysinger, 
Joseph  Hinkle,  Joseph  Harp,  Ruel  Roeliuck,  and  John  Rhotz  (who 
built  the  first  fiouring  mill  in  the  township,  on  the  St.  Mary's),  were 
early  residents  of  Dublin  townsldp.  Most  of  the  foregoing  are  now 
dead.  Later,  from  ]83o  to  IH.'JH,  Calvin  W.  Alexander,  Dr.  John 
Barks  (the  first  ])hysician),  \\c\.  Abraham  F.  Miller,  Rev.  Cornelius 
B.  Whitley,  Rev.  Wm.  Henry  H.  Sanft  (the  three  latter  each  black- 
smiths an(l  preachers,  and  yet  living).  Judge  Hayes,  Judge  Greer, 
Moses  Collins,  Jolin  Chivington.  and  l<]li  (^ompton  settled  in  the 
township  and  are  properly  classed  among  the  pioneers. 

John  ilaneline,  John  George,  Samuel  Himter,  Amos  Stansberry. 
Benj.  Nickels,  A.  Bonnafield,  ;iul  William  Carroll,  were  pioneersot 
Centre  township. 

In  Washington  township  in  18.39,  Wm.  Sprigg,  John  Betz,  Knos  | 
Hillory,  John  Wickerman.  Mr.  Adair,  James  Q.  Grimes,  were  resi- 
dents. 

In  Recovei'y  township,  in  18J53,  the  following  were  residents:-] 
John  Simison,  Willi.im  Jam  -s,  John  S.  McDowell,  Peter  Studel* 
ker,  John  Millef,  David  Freeman.  David   Anderson,  Wm.  Money. 
James  Bufford,  Jeremiah  Brookes,  Richard  Sco(t,  Alexander  Scoaj 
John  S.  MiDowell,  John  G.  Blake,  and  David  Beardslee. 

Justin  and  Wm.  Hamilton,  Richard  ]*almer,  Jeremiah  Coyle  (wli 
laid  out  the  town  of  Mendon),  Isaac  < 'oyle.  an<l  George  Wills*| 
were  among  the  earliest  citizens  of  Union  township. 


rt 


Mercer  Courity — Pioneer  Notes. 


443 


the  county  of 
he  year  IS;^;5, 
i-cbantB  having 

iuo-  to  SriJ'W.- 
^  anil  sevtJiity- 


vas  held  at  St, 
rane.  Presitlent 
loinas  Scott  and 
ran  vs.  Edrauiul 
I  in  April,  IH'i", 
[  that  an  admin- 
9,  the  third  term 
.(r<3   V'.  Holt  ap- 
in  Manninij;,  ami 
of  two  chancery 
md  a  State  case 
ranization  of  the 
ne88  now  coming 
chancery  case  or 

Hunter,  John  P. 

Work.  John  D. 

W'm.  Frysinger, 

LTohnllhotz(who 

'  St.  Mary's),  were 
toret?oingarenow 

:xander,  Dr.  Jolm 
n-  Uev.  Cornelius 
^latter  each  black- 
.es.  Judge  Greer, 
U  settled  in  tbe 

neers. 

Amos  Stansherry, 
were  pioneers  ot  j 

I  John  Betz,'l''.D<"| 
Jrimes,  were  mi- 

[were  residents;-! 
all  Peter  Studel* 
U,Wm   Money, 
Alexander  btou. 

^.ardslee. 

fvemiah  Coyle  ;H 

George  V^M 
lip. 


The  first  {jrist  mill  built  in  Mercer  county,  was  erected  by  David 
Anderson,  on  the  Wabash  river,  in  Recovery  township,  near  the  old 
fort,  in  1880.     William  McDowell  <|uarried  and  dressed  the  stone. 

The  first  settler  of  Union  township  was  Isaiah  Duncan,  who'canie 
into  it  about  the  year  1818,  and  settled  near  the  present  town  of 
Mendon.  Justin  Hamilton  came  about  18^0;  and  in  1S2'<.',  Andrew 
Coyle,  and  Thomas  Parrott.  and  their  families.  The  oldest  white 
person,  now  living,  born  in  Union,  is  Andrew  C'.,  son  of  Thom.as 
Parrott.  About  1S27,  Peter  Coyle  and  George  Willnon  became  cit- 
izens. In  1831,  or  18.35*,  Judge  Justin  Hamilton  and  Thomas  Par- 
rott laid  out  the  town  of  Mendon.  Among  the  pioneers  of  Union 
township,  were  also  Abel  Wright,  James  Wright,  Edward  Upton, 
Samuel  Shepard.  D.  F.  Parrott.  now  a  resident  of  Celir.a,  removed 
to  the  township  with  his  father,  George  Parrott,  in  1830.  John  Van 
Gundy  erected  the  first  mill. 

A  writer  who  published  his  communications  in  the  Mercer  Coun- 
ty Standard,  in  April,  1871,  states  that  "  long  before  the  locution  of 
the  Mercer  County  Keservoir,  some  hardy  adventurers  bought  and 
settled  within  the  prairie,  now  forming  the  Reservoir,  among  whom 
were  Thomas  and  Joseph  Coate,  Messrs.  Mellinger,  Large,  Hugh 
Miller  and  others,  all  on  the  South  side.  On  the  north  side  were 
Messrs.  Sunday,  Crockett,  Bradley,  Judge  Linzee,  IloUiiigsworth, 
Nichols,  Gipson,  Hull,  Konipf,  Pratt  and  the  Rev.  Asa  Stearns,  ail 
good  men — noble  specimens  of  the  frontier. 

"In  1830,  Mitchell,  an  engineer,  ran  the  first  line  around  the  Res- 
ervoir—Samuel Forrer,  now  living  in  Dayton,  was  the  Commission- 
er. [See  thfir  report  to  the  Ci'neral  Assembly,  where  they  say  the 
bank  could  be  constructed  for  -I^OOjOOO.  ]  Subsequently,  in"  1837,  it 
was  run  again  by  Barney  and  Forrer,  compassing  a  cireumfl'ivncc  of 
18,000  acres.  In  the  same  year  all  the  timber  outside  the  ]U'airie 
was  let  for  deadening,  which  was  done  by  the  cuntraetors  of  the 
several  locutions.  When  the  west  bank  was  let  to  (iiddings.  Step- 
son &  Holtsbeckor,  it  was  let  from  a  point  south  of  Celina a  distance 
of  120  rods,  at  37  cents  per  cubic  yurd,  and  was  to  be  wharfed  with 
good  white  oak  plank,  tv/o  inches  thick;  Henry  L.  Johnson,  late 
sheriff  of  Mercer  county,  sawed  the  lumber. 

"Justin  Hamilton,  the  member  of  the  legislature  from  the  county, 
iiitroiluced  a  resolution  in  that  body  which  was  passed  unanimously, 
'  That  no  water  should  be  let  into  the  Reservoir  before  the  same 
should  be  cleared  of  timber  and  the  j)arties  jiaid^  f(jr  their  land.' 
This  resolution  was  in  force  when  we  cut  the  bank. 

"There  was  then  an  appropriation  of  $20,000  to  pay  us  for  our 
lands,  but  it  was  squandered  by  the  oilicers  and  bank  speculators. 

"AVhen  the  banks  were  finished  and  the  water  let  in.  it  sut)nierged 

all  but  an  acre  for  Mr.  Sunday,  with  34  acres  of  wheat ;  1.')  acres  I'or 

I  Mrs.  Crockett ;  the  whole  of  "Thomas  Coate's  ;  00  aeivs  with  several 

[thousand  rails  for  Judge   Holt,  of  Dayton,   who  ovned  a  farm  two 

I  miles  ea^t  of  Celiua ;  19  acres  for  Judge  Linzee ;  nearly  40  acres  for 


444       Mercer  County — The  Reservoir  Irouhles. 


Abraliani  Pratt,  with  all  the  rails  thereto  belonging,  and  the  whole 
of  Mc'llinger'H  except  a  few  acres  around  the  house,  besides  great 
damages  to  others  on  the  south  side  too  numerous  to  enumerate 
here. 

"  This  outrage  on  the  part  of  the  oflRcers  of  the  State  was  too  much 
to  be  borne  by  the  gritty  bloods  of  Mercer  county.  Wars  have  been 
proclaimed  on  less  j)rt'tenses.  America  declared  her  independence 
and  refused  to  pay  a  >small  tax  on  her  tea,  which  of  itself  was  not 
oi)pressive,  but  it  was  oppressive  in  principle,  and  the  people  would 
not  be  taxed  without  the  consent  of  their  own  Legislatures.  Mercer 
County  followed  the  example,  and  declared  that  she  would  not  be 
imposed  upon  by  me  thieving  birds  of  Ohio. 

"  On  the  J}d  of  May,  184.'?,  a  meeting  was  held  in  Celina,  Samuel 
Rueknian,  County  Oommissioufr,  acting  as  president.  It  was  re- 
solved that  Benjamin  Linzee,  Esiq.,  should  go  to  Piqua,  the  head  of 
the  Board  of  Public  Works,  and  lay  our  grievances  and  an  addresf 
before  them.  Spencer  and  Kansom  returned  a  sneering  answer: 
*  Help  yourselves  if  you  can.'  On  the  Tith  of  May,  the  nu-eting  sent 
Linzee  back  with  the  declaration  that  ii"  they  did  not  pay  us  for  our 
laiuls  and  let  olf  the  watt'r,  that  we  would  cut  the  bank  on  the  15th. 
The  rei)ly  came  back  :  -The  Picjua  Guards  will  be  with  you  and  rout 
you  on  that  day  "  The  muttering  tJuinder  around  the  Keservoir 
was  not  only  loud  but  deep — every  person  was  excited.  On  the 
morning  of  the  loth,  by  7  o'clock,  more  than  one  hundred  people, 
with  shovels,  .spades  and  wheell)arr.tws  were  on  the  spot,  ready  for 
work.  The  ))la('e  selected  was  the  strongest  one  on  the  bank,  in 
the  o\l  beaver  channel.  Our  object  was  not  to  damage  tlie  State; 
and  the  dirt  was  wheeled  back  on  the  bank  on  each  wide.  Item- 
ployed  the  men  one  day  and  a  half  before  tlie  cutting  was  completed: 
it  was  dug  ,«ix  feet  below  the  level  of  th  water,  and  a  flimsy  breast- 
work was  made  to  bold  the  water  back.  When  the  tools  were  taken 
out  and  all  ready,  Samuel  Rueknian  said  ;  '  Who  will  start  the 
water ':"  '  I,'  said  John  S.  '  I,'  said  Henry  L.,  and  in  .i  moment  \\k 
meandering  waters  were  hurling  us  down  fifty  yards  below  the  buuk. 
It  was  six  vveeks  before  the  water  subsided. 

"  As  soon  as  this  was  known  at  headquarters,'jvvarrants  were  issued 
for  the  arrest  of  all  who  assisted  in  the  work.  Thirty-four  of  tlic 
leaders,  comprising  all  the  county  officers,  judges,  sheriff,  clerk 
auditor,  treasurer,  his  deputy,  recorder  and  surveyor,  merchants  iind 
farmers  were  arrested  and  bound  over  to  the  next  term  of  court.  A 
foolish  idea,  for  the  court  assisted  in  the  work.  But  the  grand  jnry 
refused  to  find  a  bill  of  misdi'meanor,  and"'so  the  matter  rested.  It 
cost  the  State  817,000  to  repair  the  damages. 

"I  think  it  proper  to  record  the  names  of  those  who  resisted  the 
opj)ressive  movement, s  of  the  State,  in  cutting  tlH»  west  bank  oftlk 
Mercer  County  Reservoir:  Judge  Robert  Linzee,  J.  S.  Hor.stou. 
Frank  Linzee,  clerk  of  the  court;  Joseph  Carlin,  sheriff;  Fred.  Schro- 
der, auditor  ;  L.  D.  McMahon,  recorder ;  B.-Linzee,^deputy  treasu- 


es. 


Mercer  County — Its  Pioneers. 


445 


id  the  whole 
esides  great 
io  enumerate 

^ras  too  much 
irs  have  been 
iiicU'pemlence 
golf  was  not 
people  would 
ures.  Mercer 
would  not  be 

lelina,  Samuel 
t.  It  was  re- 
la,  the  head  of 
nd  an  addrest 
ering  answer: 
ii>  meeting  sent 

pay  ns  t'oi'  <'W'' 
ik  on  the  15th. 
Lh  you  and  rout 

the  lleservoir 
Loited.  On  the 
undred  people, 

spot,  ready  for 

,  the  bank,  in 

iiage  the  State; 

ih  side.    Item- 

wati  completed; 

a  tlimsy  breast- 
tools  were  taken 
^  will  start  the 
[n  a  moment  thi- 

below  the  bank. 


lants  were  issued 
liirty-four  of  tlk' 
sheriff,  clerkN 
merchants  mill 
Ivm  of  court.  A 
It  the  grand  jun 
liatter  rested,  h 

J  who  resisted  tlie 
Iwestbankoftk 

.  J.  S.  Houston. 
lriff;Fred.Schro- 

.,  deputy  treasu- 


rer; S.  Ruckman,  commisBioner ;  IT.  Trennry,  R.  Mowry,  Porter 
Pratt,  Ellis  Miller,  M.  D.  Smith,  Allen,  a  faveVn  keeper,  Eli  Denni- 
son,  John  Sunday  and  all  hia  family,  the  Crockett  boys,  Hritton  and 
son,  Abm.  Miller  ami  Dr.  Beaucluimp,  from  Montezuma;  Matthew 
Frank,  Gray,  Ellis,  Hugh  Miller  ami  a  hundred  others  who  came 
through  curiosity  or  some  other  purpose,  with  Thomas  aiul  Jobe])h 
Coats." 

The  some  correspondent  thus  refers  to  the  late  Judge  Robert 
Linzee : 

"He  was  from  Athens,  Ohio,  wliere  he  had  held  thirty-two  com- 
missions from  the  Government.  When  Ohio  was  a  territory,  he  was 
appointed  a  marshal  by  Jefferson.  He  subsequently  served  as  sher- 
iff, judge,  and  four  terms  in  the  legislature  of  Ohio.  He  was  over  77 
years  of  age  at  his  death,  and  was  buried  in  full  communion  with 
the  Masonic  order.  Few  men  were  endowed  by  nature  with  a  nobler 
principle.  A  mind  decisive,  iiulependent,  intelligent  and  lionesl, 
and  with  colloquial  powers  ecjual  to  the  most  fluent.  It  is  said  by 
those  who  have  seen  Gen.  Jackson,  that  his  head  and  countenance 
were  similar  to  that  illustrious  personage." 

And  he  also  makes  the  following  reference  to  other  pioneers : 

"Andrew  Crockett,  formerly  from  Athene,  Ohio,  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  General  Assembly;  entered  a  large  tract  of  land  and  set- 
tled near  Cclina,  acted  several  terms  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  died 
at  a  ripe  old  age,  highly  .respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
one  of  those  fortunate  individuals  who  was  associated  through  life 
with  an  excellent  companion  whose  benevolence  and  kindness  of 
heart  predominated  with  every  lady-like  virtue. 

"But  there  is  no  man  to  whom  the  friends  of  Celina  is  indebted 
for  their  county  seat  more  than  to  the  late  James  Watson  Riley,  who 
was  the  son  of  the  famous  sea  captain,  James  Riley,  who  shipAvrecked 
on  the  shores  of  Africa.  Young  Riley  came  with  his  father  to  assist 
in  sectionizing  the  counties  of  Northwestern  Ohio,and  ])art  of  Indi- 
ana. He  was  a  fast  and  accurate  surveyor,  a  ready  writer  and  calcu- 
lator; his  latitude  and  departure  columns  seldom  needed  correction; 
his  eye  as  an  engineer  was  singularly  adapted  to  close  work.  He  was 
the  first  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Mercer  county,  and  early  em- 
barked with  all  his  means  in  the  civilization,  settling  and  improving 
Northwest  Ohio. 

"There  are  two  respectable  gentlemen  now  residing  in  Celina, 
who  were  among  the  first  settlers,  that  deserve  on  this  occasion  hon- 
orable notice — they  are  Henry  L.  Johnson  and  Dr.  Miller.  Johnson 
was  employed  to  build  and  put  in  motion,  the  first  steam  mill,  and 
has  made  Mercer  county  his  residence  ever  since,  with  the  exception 
of  some  three  years.  He  served  his  second  term  as  sheriff, 
which  office  he  filled  with  signal  ability.  Dr.  Miller  was  then  a 
young  man,  and,  I  believe,  the  first  schoolmBster,  and  when  he  had 
completed  his  studies,  he  chose  the  honorable  profession  of  a  phy- 
sician, and  has  attained  in  it  an  enviable  proficiency. 


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WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


446  Me-^cer  Comity — First  Cowrt  at  Celina. 


"The  county  seat  was  removed  to  Celina,  and  the  first  Court  was 
held  in  1840.  Wm.  L.  Helfe ostein  presided,  with  Linzee,  Hays  and 
Parks,  associates;  Riley,  clerk;  Alex.  Steadman,  sherifi";  E.  M, 
Phel[)8,  treasurer  ;  L.  D.  McMahon,  auditor;  E.  A.  McMahon,  (sub- 
sequertly  a  Jud^e  of  the  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  Circuit,  and  now  a 
resident  of  Rochester,  Minnesota,)  recorder ;  J.  S,  Houston,  county 
surveyor,  and  Starbuck,  State's  attorney. 

"  Two  lawyers,  Smith  and  Welch,  and  a  German  doctor  by  the 
name  of  Herrchell,  were  the  first  of  their  profession  who  settled  in 
Celina.  Joseph  Carlin  was  the  first  sherifi'  elected  by  the  people 
after  the  establishment  of  the  county  seat.  He  is  yet  living,  and 
bus  retirv^d  to  his  farm,  north  of  Celina.  Trenary  and  Mowry,  both 
excellent  men,  n/w  dead,  were  the  first  blacksmiths.  Johnson,  now 
sherifi:,  was  the  first  carpenter. 

"  The  Mercer  County  Advocate,  Whig  in  politics,  was  the  first 
newspaper  published  in  Celina.  It  was  started  August  4,  1848, 
by  L.  G.  Smith  and  J.  S.  Millard.  The  Western  Standard,  Demo- 
cratic in  politics,  was  started  the  same  year  by  a  joint  stock  compa- 
ny, and  has  been  continued  ever  since,  although  a  little  over  a  year 
ago  it  dropped  the  name  of  "  Western,"  and  substituted  "  Mercer 
County"  instead,  while  the  Advocate  lived  but  little  over  a  year. 

"  While  this  country  was  yet  claimed  by  the  Indians,  years  be- 
fore the  purchase  of  1817,  some  hardy  pioneers  made  Fort  Recovery 
their  residing  place  ;  some  for  the  purpose  of  trading,  others  for  an 
easy  mode  of  liie  congenial  to  their  disposition.  Among  these,  as 
most  prominent,  wao  Samuel  McDowell,  Peter  Studabaker,  Daniel 
Freeman,  John  Simison,  and  subsequently  Stone,  Money,  Blake, 
Beardslee,  etc.,  all  of  whom  have  left  numerous  and  honorable  de- 
scendants, prospering  in  the  various  avocations  of  life. 

"Samuel  McDowell  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  in 
1791,  and  was  ot  Gen.  Butler's  regiment  at  the  disasti'ous  defeat  of 
St.  Clair.  When  the  retreat  was  sounded,  all  that  could  rushed  pell 
mell  on  the  back  track  in  shameful^confusion.  McDowell  was  among 
those  who  covered  the  retreat,  and  kept  the  enemy  in  check,  A 
horse  came  dashing  by,  which  he  caught,  and  seeing  a  yonth  limp- 
ing along,  assisted  him  to  mount,  by  which  he  soon  gained  the  tront, 
and  thus  saved  his  life.  Many  years  afterwards,  as  McDowell  was 
traveling,  and  had  registered  his  name*  in  the  tavern  in  which  he 
was  to  tarry  for  the  night,  a  stranger,  who  by  accident  saw  it,  and 
that  he  was  from  Recovery,  Ohio,  entered  into  conversation  with 
him,  and  soon  found  he  was  the  generous  soldier  who  assisted  him 
to  escape  the  savage  massacre.  The  surprise  was  mutual.  The  stran- 
ger took  him  to  his  house  and  made  him  a  present  of  a  splendid 
suit  of  clothes,  which  Mc  always  wore  on  the  anniversary  of  that 
day,  and  the  4th  of  July.  McDowell  lived  to  be  over  eighty  years 
of  age,  and  died  near  Recovery,  a  few  years  ago,  highly  respected 

"  Studabaker,  Simison,  Freeman,  John  G.  James,  and^McDoweU, 
were  good  hunters  and  farmers,  fine,  jovial,  generous,  hospitable 


Mercer  Covnty — Pionem-  Notes. 


447 


pstCourt  was 
;ee,  Hays  and 
leriff;  E.  M. 
jMahon,  (sub- 
it,  and  now  a 
,u8ton,  county 

lector  by  the 
ivho  settled  ill 
by  the  people 
^et  living,  and 
i  Mo  wry,  both 
Johnson,  nuw 

),  was  the  first 
LUgust  4,  1848, 
andard,  Demo- 
It  stock  compa- 
tie  over  a  year 
ituted  "  Mercer 
!  over  a  year, 
dians,  years  be- 
5  Fort  Recovery 
g,  others  for  an 
k.mong  these,  as 
idabaker,  Daniel 
Money,  Blake, 
honorable  de- 

ife. 

United  States  in 

istrous  defeat  of 
ould  rushed  pell 
uwell  was  among 
ly  in  check,    A 
y  a  yonth  Ump- 
gained  the  tront, 
McDowell  was 
.rn  in  which  he 
lent  saw  it,  and 
:)nversation  with  i 
rho  assisted  him 
utual.  The  stran- 
nt  of  a  splendid 
liversary  of  that 
,ver  eighty  ytaw 
lighly  respected. 
.  Ind^McDowJ 
lerous,  hospitable 


specimens  of  a  backwoods  life,  scorning  base  actions,  and  holding  in 
the  highest  asteem  a  life  of  independence,  truth  and  honor. 

"Esquire  Blake  acted  many  years  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  with 
fine  ability,  generous  to  a  fault,  and  benevolent  in  all  his  associa- 
tions. Dr.  1  air,  as  a  physician,  was  well  thought  of,  and  what  would 
have  been  his  proficiency,  had  he  but  lived,  and  acted  in  a  larger 
field,  cannot  now  be  known. 

"  George  Aabaugh  settled  near  where  Macedon  now  is,  at  an  ear- 
ly day ;  cleared  up  a  farm,  raised  a  large  and  respectable  family, 
many  of  whom  still  reside  in  that  neighborhood.  He  died  at  a  very 
advanced  age,  but  a  short  time  ago. 

"Montezuma  was  laid  out  by  William  Beauchamp,  who  acted  for 
many  years  as  a  physician.  Although  not  educated,  he  was  a  good, 
useful  citizen,  and  a  very  clever  man,  and  did  much  good  in  his  pro- 
fession. 

"  Abram  Miller  entered  a  quarter  section  of  land  near  the  town, 
and  afterwards  was  the  first  merchant  and  dealer  in  furs,  and  also 
the  first  postmaster.  The  first  person  whose  axes  resounded  in  the 
forest,  were  George  Fair,  Thomas  and  Joseph  Coates,  John  Ellis 
Wyatt,  and  Black.  Ab.  Worthington  and  Hugh  Miller  were  the 
most  expert  in  driving  the  sprightly  buck  through  the  forest. 

"  About  35  years  ago,  five  brothers  by  the  name  of  Frank,  settled 
in  that  neighborhood.  Matthew  and  Dennis  were  the  oldest.  They 
were  from  Germantown,  Ohio,  and  an  excellent  race  of  people. 

"  St.  Johns  is  a  highly  cultivated  and  beautiful  place.  Licen  Sni- 
der for  many  years  kept  the  tavern  there.  Stelzer  was  the  proprie- 
tor of  the  town.  Esquire  Elking,  Rineheart,  Brown,  and  a  host  of 
others,  whom  it  will  be  impossible  to  name,  composed  this  first 
happy  community,  extending,  as  it  does,  with  unvariable  beauty  far 
west  of  St.  Henry,  a  village  of  considerable  note  and  enterprise. — 
Henry  Romer  was  the  proprietor.  In  1836,  he  laid  off  the  town, 
then  a  wildei'ness.  As  when  the  queen  b"e  settles,  and  is  followed 
by  all  the  swarm,  so  when  Romer  left  his  fatherland,  hundreds  of 
families  nestled  around  him.  Every  tract  of  land  was  taken  up  and 
settled  upon.  Beckman,  Brown,  and  Suwalda  are  among  the  hon- 
orable catalogue.  Among  the  Americans  was  Grant,  Franklin, 
Richardson,  Huit,  Roberts,  and  Langdon  l^ennett,  Esq. 

"The  first  settlement  in  the  north  part  of  the  county  was  made 
at  Shanesville,  near  what  is  called  Shane's  Prairie.  In  the  war  of 
1812,  several  friendly  Indians  had  their  lodges  there.  Among  these 
were  Shane,  Godfrey,  Crescent,  Labidee,  Rushville  and  others,  who 
had  Reservations  assigned  to  them,  at  the  sale  of  Northwestern 
Ohio.  tThese  Indians  were  excellent  men,  noble  and  generous  by 
nature,  and  hospitable  to  all  classes  of  people.  Anthony  Shane  and 
Louis  Godfrey,  especially,  had  the  lofty  impress  of  their  nation,  and 
they  did  the  United  States  good  service  during  the  war.  Louis  God- 
frey was  living,  a  few  years  ago,  on  his  reservation  in  Indiana,  and 
Ihave  not  heard  of  his  death.  Anthony  Shane  died  seme  years  ago. 


448 


Mercer  County — Pioneer  Notes. 


Before  his  death,  he  gave  to  a  little  son  of  Ruel  Roebuck,  a  tract  of 
good  land  on  the  St.  Mary's  river,  because  he  was  the  first  white 
■  child  born  there.    The  balance  of  his  land  he  sold  to  William  B, 
Hedges. 

"  A  man  by  the  name  of  Madore  established  the  first  trading  post, 
and  had  Hedges  for  his  store  assistant,  who  was  then  a  young  man. 
In  those  days,  all  the  goods  and  provisions  consumed  at  Ft.  Wayne, 
Indiana,  had  to  be  taken  across  from  Piqua,  Ohio.  Large  quanti- 
ties of  flat  boats  were  constructed  at  St.  Mary's,  the  head  of  St. 
Mary's  river,  and  during  the  winter  months  hundreds  of  barrels  of 
Halt,  flour,  whiskey,  meat,  and  boxes  of  goods  accumulated,  to  be 
transported  down  the  river  at  the  opening  of  navigation.  This  gave 
life  and  vivacity  to  every  trading  post  on  the  river,  and  many  hands 
were  employed  to  carry  on  the  work. 

"  Wm.  B.  Hedges,  Jos.  Hinkle,  Madore,  Graves,  Grant,  Robuck, 
A.  R.  Hunter,  Bevington,  VanGundy,  and  David  Work,  were  the 
first  settlers  of  Shiinesville  and  vicinity.     Wm.  B.  Hedges  died  but 
a  few  weeks  ago,  at  quite  an  advanced  age.     He  was  County  Com- 
missioner, Surveyor,  and  for  many  years  Justice  of  the  Peace.   Da- 
vid Work  was  a  tanner,  and  for  many  years  did  a  heavy  and  suc- 
cessful business.    Hedges,  Work,  and  Kobuck  were  great  lovers  of 
fun.     Fire  huuting  was  a  profitable  sport,  either  for  fish  or  deer.  At 
night,  the  deer  would  gather  in  the  river  to  stamp  and  splash  water 
on  themselves  to  keep  off  the  mosquitoes  and  gnats,  and  when  a 
light  came  along,  they  would  stand  gazing  at  it  until  the  hunter  ap- 
proached close  enough  to  shoot  them  down.  Newcomers,  of  course, 
wanted  fresh  meat,  and  these  adepts  in  the  art  of  fire  hunting  by 
torchlight,  would  agree  to  show  them  for  a  certain  sum,  to  be  paid 
that  night  in  Avhisky,  how  it  was  done.     They  would  generally  sup- 
ply the  tyros  with  an  old  worthless  boat  or  canoe,  where  they  could 
be  seated,  while  their  instructors  would  have  a  pirogue  large  enough 
to  hold  themselves  and   several  deer.    All   ready — oflF  they  would 
start,  flambeau  in  hand.  They  were  most  always  successful,  as  game 
was  plenty.     When  they  wished  to  return  home,  they  would  kind' 
ly  tell  the  newcomers  that  where  they  were  the  river  had  a  large 
bayou  and  island,  and  for  them  to  keep  down  the  main  stream,  while 
they  would   make  a  little  excursion,  and   would  soon  fall  in  witli 
them  below.    On,  on,  the  newcomers  would  go,  hearing  nothing 
of  their  comrades,  and  daylight  generally  found  them  some  twenty 
miles  from  home,  and  the  next  day  they  had  the  fun  of  footing  it  i 
back.     This  was  called  "  initiating"  the  new  settlers  in  the  art  of  | 
fire  hunting. 

"  Dr.  Pulltoggle,  as  he  was  nicknamed,  loved  to  be  bell-feather  | 
on  all  public  days  and  occasions,  and  to  make  the  oration  on  the4tli  | 
of  July.     Col.  Hedges  disliked  him,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion 
outwitted  him.     On  a  certain  4th  of  July,  he  was  chosen  orator-«  | 
stand  for  the  speaker  was  erected,  and  seats  constructed  for  the  aC' 
commodation  of  the  people.    Hedges  tied  a  string  to  a  fresh  cooi  I 


^1 


Mercer  County — Eeirly  Settlers. 


449 


)k,  a  tract  of 

first  white 

William  B, 

trading  post, 
,  youag  man. 
it  Ft.  Wayne, 
jarge  quanti- 
J  head  ol  St. 
of  barrels  of 
lulated,  to  be 
on.  This  gave 
,d  many  hands 

kant,  Rohuck, 

ork,  were  the 

idges  died  but 

County  Com 

he  Peace.   Da- 

leavy  and  sue- 

great  lovers  of 

ash  or  deer.  At 

Dd  splash  water 

ts,  and  when  a 

1  the  hunter  ap- 

mers,  of  course, 

fire  hunting  by 

8UTO,  to  be  paid 

I  generally  sup- 

^here  they  could 

ue  large  enough 

^off  they  would 

jcessful,  as  game 

ey  would  kind' 

ver  had  a  large 

ain  stream,  while 

,on  fall  in  ^^ 
hearing  nothing 
■•m  some  twenty 
Fun  of  footing  it 
srs  in  the  art  ot  | 

,  be  bell-feather 
krationonthe4tb 
Ihan  one  occaBion 
Ichosen  orator-" 
TuctedfortheaC' 
to  a  fresh  coot 


skin,  and  gave  a  boy  a  quarter  to  drag  it  across  the  speaker's  stand, 
and  around  on  the  seats.  Tlie  meeting  was  largely  attended,  and 
the  Declaration  of  Indcpcndt  net;  read,  when  the  speaker  arose  with 
all  self-assurance  to  make  a  big  display.  Hedges  then  let  loose  82 
hounds,  and  they  instinctively  took  the  trail  of  the  coon  skin,  and 
such  screams  aud  "getting  up  stairs  you  never  did  see!"  Tlu'  meet- 
ing was  dissolved,  and  the  Avrath  of  the  speaker  had  no  bounds. 

"lu  an  early  day,  Shane's  Prairie  was  settled  by  hardy  adventur- 
ers, among  whom  is  old  man  Ilanzcr,  nearly  one  hundred  years  old, 
and  yet  living.  There  .are  still  living,  of  the  first  settlers,  Hinkle, 
Ilanzer,  Ilarner,  Webb,  and  Heath ;  and  among  the  ladies,  Mrs. 
Hamilton,  Mrs.  Green,  and  Mrs,  Bcvington;  and,  I  believe,  some  of 
the  Coils,  who  at  least  deserve  an  honorable  biography. 

"Among  those  who  first  entered  and  settled  on  land,  was  Dcn- 
iiiston,  Sutton,  Chivington,  Brewster,  Greer,  Hays,  Kobuck,  Coil, 
Heath,  Tullis,  Opdyke,  Hitchner,  Woods,  and  Richard  Palmer.  The 
old  fort  constructed  by  Gen.  Wayne,  the  ruins  of  which  can  yet  be 
seen  in  section  24,  is  on  the  land  ov.'ned  by  Palmer.  It  was  called 
Fort  Adams. 

'•Those  who  first  settled  on  the  Twelve  Mile  Creek  were,  Kiser, 
Hainline,  Harner,  Hamilton,  Coil,  Cook,  Parrott,  Wright,  Murlin; 
and  where  Mendon  is,  and  vicinity,  Pennabaker,  Coils,  Smith,  Ku- 
perds— a  big  generation,  tlic  old  man  still  living,  at  ninety  years  of 
age,  and  says  he  can  drop  a  deer  as  nicely  as  ever,  If  they  attempt 
to  cross  his  path.  Justin  Hamilton  was  a  good  surveyor,  a  very  in- 
telligent and  well-read  man.  He  was  twice  a  Representative,  As- 
sociate Judge  of  the  Court,  and  filled  many  minor  offices  with  abil- 
ity and  credit.  He  lived  to  be  near  70  years  of  age.  The  vacancy 
by  death  of  such  men  is  not  easily  filled. 

"  Wm.  Hamilton,  still  living,  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  nearly 
30  years.  He  is  a  correct,  intelligent  man,  in  whom  confidence  can 
be  placed.  The  Uptons,  Wirts,  Pattersons,  jMurlins,  Shepards, 
Davises  and  Cook,  are  all  good,  reliable,  honest,  industrious,  thriv- 
ing farmers. 

"Among  the  first  settlers  of  Twelve  Mile,  was  old  man  Kiser,  a 
great  hunter,  and  a  man  of  extraordinary  memory.     He  loved  the 
forest,  and  if  an  Indian  crossed  his  ]).ith,  like  Miller  and  Louis  Wet- 
zel, he  was  a  dead  shot.     John  Hainline  was  another  of  the  early 
Bottlers,  and  was  a  great  genius  in  guns,  clocks,  watches,  and  fine- 
I  edged  tools.     William  Bonifield  was  the  proprietor  of  Neptune,  and 
kept  a  hotel  there  which  was  called  the  'Half-way  House.'     His 
wife  wa^  an  excellent  Avoman,  and  well  suited  for  a  landlady,  and 
lier  house  a  home  for  the  traveler.    She  is  still  living.    Benj.  Nickel 
pvas  also  a  first  settler,  and  kept  a  good  hotel.     His  wife  was  an  ex- 
jcellent  cook,  had  fine  social  qualities,  and  generous  to  all. 
I   "There  is  no  man  who  deserves  a  higher  recommendation,  or  to 
jhe  pointed  out  to  the  youth  of  this  county  for  an  example  of  perse- 
jverance,  frugality,  honesty,  generosity,  and  every  accomplished  vir- 

2a 


450 


Mercer  County  in  1872. 


tue,  than  Stephen  Ilowick,  of  Center  township.  In  1828,  the  Lords 
and  landholders  of  England  held  a  meeting,  in  which  Arthur 
Wellsley  (Lord  Wellington,)  was  president.  The  great  ohject  of 
that  meeting  was  to  send  off"  to  America  all  the  surplus  youth,  they 
paying  the  expenses  ot  their  transportation.  This  notice  was  pub- 
lished throughout  the  kingdom.  Stephen  Ilowick,  then  a  youth, 
embraced  the  opportunity  and  came  to  America.  The  first  money 
he  earned  (S'28.00),  was  near  Lancaster,  Ohio.  He  then  married  a 
first-rate  lady  of  that  vicinity,  when  he  moved  to  St.  Mary's,  and 
spent  one  summer  in  a  brick-yard  with  Mr.  Blue.  He  then  had 
money  enough  to  buy  lorty  acres  of  land  in  Center  township,  when 
he  settled  upon  it,  improved  it,  was  industrious,  saving  and  money- 
making.  Now  he  owns  not  less  than  500  acres  of  land,  a  large 
brick  house  to  live  iu,  and  a  brick  barn  and  stable  walled  in  by  a 
brick  fence,  and  a  steam  saw-mill." 

Shanes  ville  was  laid  out  by  Anthony  Shane,  Juno  23,  1820 — be- 
ing the  oldest  town  in  the  County. 

Fort  Recovery  was  platted  in  1836. 


Mercer  County  has  been  well  governed  since  its  organization 
down  to  the  present  time.  It  is  out  of  debt,  and  its  obligations 
were  never  at  a  discount.  Few  counties  in  the  State,  and  especially 
those  for  so  long  a  period  sparsely  settled,  can  make  a  more  satis- 
factory finanoial  exhibit.  The  Court  House,  a  fine  structure,  was 
huilt  in  1867,  at  a  cost,  including  furniture,  of  $43,000. 


Mercer  County  Officers,  1871-72.— Probate  Judge,  R.  G, 
Blake ;  Kecorder,  J.  G.  Perwessel ;  Auditor,  T.  G.  Touvelle ;  Clerk, 
J.  W.  DeFord ;  Treasurer,  G.  W.  llundabaugh ;  Prosecuting  Attor- 
ney, Keepers  Alberry ;  Prosecuting  Attorney  elect,  W.  F.  Miller; 
Sheriff,  Thornton  Spriggs ;  County  Surveyor,  Marcus  Schuyler. 


The  valuations  of  property,  for  purposes  of  taxation,  in  the  early 
history  of  the  county,  have  been  given  in  preceding  pages. 
The  valuation  of  1871  is  exhibited  below  : 

Lands $2,834,8001 

Towns  and  Villages 215,210  W I 

Chattel  property 1,095,330  f" 

Total  value ^ $4,lo5,24fl( 

The  population   of  the  County,  at  different  periods,  wad  as  fo 
lows: 

In  1830 ],1D . 

Iu  1840 8,2;; 

In  1850 1M 

Iu  18C0 \m 

In  1870 m 


Allen  County — Its  Formation. 


451 


j8,  the  Lords 
bich    Arthur 
eat  object  of 
s  youth,  they 
Lice  -was  pub- 
:hen  a  youth, 
e  first  money 
len  married  a 
t.  Mary's,  and 
He  then  had 
ownship,  when 
ng  and  money- 
i  land,  a  large 
walled  in  by  a 


its  organization! 
I  itB  obligations 
.e,  and  especially 
Ke  a  more  satis- 
ke  structure,,^^'a9 
OOO. 

tc  Judge,  R.  G; 
Touvelle ;  ^-^le^"! 
roBOCUting  Attor- 
ct,  W.  :F.  Miller; 
CU8  Schuyler. 


Auglaize  County,  erected  in  1848,  took  off  some  of  the  most  pop- 
ulous and  wealthy  territory  of  Mercer,  which  will  explain  the  ap- 
parent diminution  in  population  between  the  periods  of  1840  and 
1850. 

The  population  of  the  several  sub  divisions  of  Mercer  County,  at 
different  periods,  were  officially  reported  as  follows : 


TOWNS  AND  T0WNBHIP8. 

1870 

1860 

1850 

Black  Creek 

1087 

1801 

1255 

96 

1599 

73 

246 

8:J1 

1100 

i2a4 

153 
894 

1557 
859 
779 

1876 
386 
305 
105 

1118 
89 

1475 
164 

1148 

913 
1044 
1153 

iasi 

"654 

946 

1U35 

"6.38 

1003 

307 

508 

184S 

"8i6 


1228 
"95*8 

49() 

Butler 

220 

Center 

491 

Neptune 

Dublin 

914 

Mercer 

Shane's  Crossing 

Franklin 

357 

Oibsnn 

485 

Granville 

J)'ort  Henry 

564 

Honewell 

290 

Jefferson 

493 

Celina 

223 

Liberty 

182 

Marion 

1426 

CUickasaw 

Kopel , 

8t.  John's 

Recovery 

59(} 

Fort  Recovery 

Union 

746 

Mendon 

Washington 

456 

Celina,  the  seat  of  justice  of  Mercer  county,  is  a  pleasantly-loca- 
ted town,  having  good  church  and  educational  establishments,  and  a 
grist-mill  constantly  propelling,  by  steam,  when  water  power  fails, 
tour  run  of  stone,  and  a  saw-mill  connected ;  also,  one  water-mill, 
operating  three  run  of  stone,  and  a  saw-mill  connected  with  it;  two 
steam  planing-mills ;  two  manufactories  of  cabinet  ware ;  one  of 
shingles;  one  of  staves  and  headings;  one  flax-mill,  and  one  brew- 
ery. A  well-managed  and  responsible  private  bank  is  in  operation, 
and  the  several  lines  of  dry  goods,  hardware,  drugs,  groceries,  etc., 
are  fully  represented. 

ALLEN  COUNTY.  , 

This  County  was  formed  April  1,  1820,  from  Indian  territory,  and 
named  in  honor  of  a  Colonel  of  that  name  in  the  war  of  1812.  It 
was  temporarily  attached  to  Mercer  for  judicial  purposes,  and 
hence  it  is  deemed  proper  that  its  pioneer  history  follow  that 
County. 


452 


Allen  County — Pioneer  Notes. 


The  writer  is  chiefly  in(lcl)ted,  for  the  narration  following  this,  to 
an  address  made  by  T.  PI  Cunningham,  Esq.,  before  the  Pioneer 
Association,  at  Lima,  September  22,  1871  : 

"  Fifty  years  ago,  the  territory  which  now  constitutes  the  County 
of  Allen,  was  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness ;  I  say  almost,  for  on 
the  banks  ot  the  Auglaize  river,  in  the  neighborhood  of  where  once 
stood  the  village  of  Hartford,  a  settlement  was  commenced  by  the 
whites,  about  the  year  1817.  To  the  young,  these  fifty  years  appear 
a  long  time;  but  there  are  men  and  women  about  me,  who  can  look 
back  over  a  period  longer  than  that,  and  realize  how  swiftly  these 
years  have  flown,  freighted  as  they  were  with  sorrows  and  hopes, 
keen  disappointments,  and  truest  joys.  Births  and  deaths  alternated 
with  the  days,  and  memory  is  crowded  with  shadowy  forms  who 
lived  and  died  in  the  long  ago ! 

"  Allen  county  is  a  portion  of  that  division  of  the  State,  common- 
ly known  as  Northwestern  Ohio.  This  section  was  the  last  opened 
for  settlement  by  the  whites.  The  Shawanee  Indian  Reservation 
embraced  a  large  part  of  the  county,  and  the  migration  of  the  Indi- 
ans did  not  occur  until  the  month  of  August,  1832,  although  they 
ceded  their  lands  to  the  General  Government  some  time  before  — 
The  whites,  however,  had  begun  to  come  in  before  the  cession  took 
place,  and  the  red  man  and  the  white  for  years  occupied  the  coun- 
try together,  and  illustrated  the  savage  and  civilized  modes  of  life. 

"A  family  named  Russell,  were  the  first  whites  who  settled  with- 
in the  bounds  of  the  county.  On  the  Auglaize,  in  1817,  they  opened 
the  first  farm,  and  there  the  first  white  child  was  born.  That  child, 
who  afterward  became  the  wife  of  Charles  C.  Marshall,  of  Delphos, 
was  familiarly  called  by  the  neighbors  "  the  Daughter  of  Allen 
Coimty."  She  died  during  the  present  summer,  in  the  fifty-fourth 
year  of  her  age. 

"  Samuel  McClure,  now  living  at  the  ago  of  seventy-eight  years, 
settled  on  Hog  Creek,  five  miles  northeast  of  where  Lima  now 
stands,  in  the  month  of  November,  1825 — forty-six  years  ago.  He 
has  remained  on  the  farm  he  then  built  a  cabin  upon,  ever  since.— 
The  nearest  white  neighbors  he  knew  of,  were  two  families  named 
Leeper  and  Kidd,  living  one  mile  below  where  Roundhead  now 
is,  about  twenty  miles  to  the  nearest  known  neighbor.  On  that  farm, 
in  the  year  1826,  was  born  Moses  McClnre,  the  first  white  child 
born  on  the  waters  of  Hog  Creek.  Mr.  McClure's  first  neighbor 
was  Joseph  Ward,  a  brother  of  Gen,  John  Ward.  He  helped  cut 
the  road  when  McClure  came,  and  afterwards  brought  his  family. 
and  put  them  into  McClure's  cabin,  while  he  built  one  for  himself 
on  the  tract  where  he  afterwards  erected  what  was  known  as 
Ward's  Mill.  The  next  family  was  that  of  Joseph  Walton ;  they 
came  in  March,  182G. 

"Shawaneetown,  an  Indian  village,  was  situated  eight  miles  be- 
low the  McClure  settlement,  at  the  mouth  of  Hog  Creek.     A  por- 


Allen  County — Pioneer  Notes. 


453 


wing  this,  to 
the   Pioneer 

3  the  County 
most,  for  on 
f  where  once 
■need  by  the 
years  appear 
who  can  look 
swiltly  these 
'8  and  hopes, 
ths  alternated 
y  forms  who 

late,  common- 
he  last  opened 
,n  Reservation 
jn  of  the  Indi- 
although  they 
time  before - 
le  cession  toolc 
pied  the  coun- 
L  modes  of  life. 
^o  settled  with- 
",  they  opened 
rn.  That  child, 
lall,  ofDelphos, 
icrhter  of  Allen 
the  fifty-fourth 

nty-cight  years, 
»ere  Lima  now 
^ears  ago.    He 
1,  ever  since.— 
families  named 
loundhead  now 
r.  On  that  farm, 
irst  white  child 
first  neighbor 
He  helped  cut 
.ght  his  family, 
one  for  himselt 
was  known  as 
h  Walton ;  they 

eight  miles  be- 
Creek.     A  por- 


tion of  the  village  was  on  the  old  Ezekiel  Hoover  farm,  and  a  por- 
tion on  the  Breese  farm.  Mr.  McClure  and  his  little  neighborhood 
soon  became  acquainted,  and  upon  good  terms,  with  their  red  neigh- 
bors. He  says  Hai-aitch-lah,  the  war  chief,  had  ho  been  civilized, 
would  have  been  a  man  of  mark  in  any  community.  Quilna  was  the 
great  business  man  of  the  tribe  here. 

"  Soon  after  the  McClure  settlement  was  commenced,  they  heard, 
from  the  Indians  at  Shawancetown,  that  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment had  erected  a  mill  at  Wapaukonneta.  The  settlers  had  no 
road  to  the  mill,  but  Quilna  assisted  them  to  open  one.  Ho  survey- 
ed the  line  of  their  road,  without  compass,  designating  it  by  his 
own  knowledge  of  the  difterent  points,  and  the  Indian  method  of 
reaching  them. 

"  There  are  many  of  the  children  of  the  early  settlers  to  whom 
the  name  of  Quilna  is  a  household  word.  To  his  business  qualities, 
were  added  great  kindness  of  heart,  and  a  thorough  regard  for  the 
white  people.  No  sacrifice  of  his  personal  ease  was  too  much,  it, 
by  any  ettbrt,  he  could  benefit  his  new  neighbors.  I  think  this  com- 
munity have  been  ungrateful.  Some  enduring  memorial  of  him 
should  long  ago  have^been  made.  How  much  better,  and  more  ap- 
propriate, it  would  have  been  to  have  given  his  name  to  the  new 
township  recently  erected  in  our  county,  out  of  territory  over  which 
his  tired  feet  have  so  often  trodden,  in  the  bestowal  of  kindness  and 
benefactions  upon  the  white  strangers,  who  had  come  to  displace 
his  tribe,  and  efface  the  hillocks  which  marked  the  places  where  his 
forefathers  slept.  Why  cannot  we  have  Ottawa  changed  to  Quilna 
yet? 

"  In  the  month  of  Juno,  182G,  Morgan  Lippencott,  Joseph  Wood, 
and  Benjamin  Dolph,  while  out  hunting,  found  the  McClure  settle- 
ment. To  his  great  surprise,  Mr.  McClure  learned  that  he  had  been 
for  months  living  within  a  few  miles  of  another  white  settlement, 
located  on  Sugar  Creek.  He  learned  from  the  himters  there  Avere 
five  families,  Christopher  Wood,  Morgan  Lippencott,  Samuel  Ja- 
cobs, Joseph  Wood,  and  Samuel  Purdy.  It  is  his  belief  that  Chris- 
topher Wood  settled  on  Sugar  Creek  as  early  as  ISii,  on  what  is 
known  as  the  old  Miller  farm. 

"In  the  spring  of  18.31,  John  Hidenour,  now  living  at  the  age  of 
eighty-nine  years,  with  his  family;  Jacob  Kidenour,  then  a  young 
married  man,  and  David  Ridenour,  bachelor,  removed  from  Perry 
county,  and  settled  one  mile  south  of  Lima,  on  the  lands  the  fami- 
lies of  that  name  have  occupied  ever  since. 

"  The  State  of  Ohio  conveyed  to  the  people  of  Allen  county  a 
quart  section  of  land,  upon  which  to  erect  a  county  town.  The 
title  was  vested  in  the  Commissioners  of  the  county,  in  trust  for  the 
purpose  expressed.  It  was  not  a  gift,  however,  as  many  suppose. 
T«o  hundred  dollars  was  paid  for  it  out  of  the  County  Treasury, 
while  Thos.  K.  Jacobs  was  Treasurer." 


454 


Allen  County — Lima. 


The  following  preamble  and  joint  resolution  were  adopted  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  Ohio,  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  January, 
1832: 

WnEREAS,  In  conformity  with  a  Resolution  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Slate  of  Ohio,  passed  February  12,  1829,  a  site  was 
selected  for  the  scat  of  justice  for  the  County  of  Allen,  and  the  sec- 
tion so  selected,  to  wit:  Section  31,  Township  3,  south  of  Ilanf;e7 
east,  was  reserved,  except  the  west  half  of  tho  northeast  quarter 
thereof,  which  had  previously  been  sold ;  and, 

Whereas,  In  pursuance  of  an  act  passed  the  third  day  of  March, 
1831,  entitled  "An  Act  for  establishing  the  seat  of  justice  for  Allen 
County,  and  for  other  purposes,'  a  town  director  was  appointed  by 
the  Commissioners  of  said  County,  who  proceeded,  under  the  direc- 
tions of  said  Commissioners,  to  lay  out,  by  metes  and '  bounds,  one 
hundred  and  fiixty  acres  within  said  section,  and  including  the  site 
selected  as  aforesaid,  returns  whereof  have  been  made  to  the  Reg- 
ister's office,  in  Piqua,  and  to  the  Governor  of  this  'State ;  and  on 
which  tract  so  surveyed  and  returned,  the  Commissioners  of  the 
said  county  have  caused  a  town  to  be  laid  out  in  conformity  to  the 
provisions  of  the  before-recited  act ;  and,  as  it  is  now  essential  to 
the  prosperity  of  the  said  town,  and.  of  the  county  of  Allen,  that 
the  remainder  of  said  Section  be  brought  into  market,  now,  there- 
fore, 

Resolved  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  That  the 
Register  of  the  Land  Office  for  the  Piqua  District,  be,  and  he  is 
hereby  required,  after  giving  at  least  six  weeks  previous  notice 
thereof,  published  in  the  Piqua  Gazette,  Democratic  Etiqnirer,  Troy 
Times,  Bellefontaine  Gazette,  to  proceed  to  offer  at  public  sale,  to 
the  highest  bidder,  at  his  office  in  the  town  of  Piqua,  all  of  said  sec- 
tion not  already  disposed  of,  and  in  such  tracts  not  exceeding  eighty 
acres,  as  he  shall  deem  most  expedient;  provided,  that  no  part  there- 
of shall  be  sold  at  a  less  price  than  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents 
per  acre. 


"  In  the  summer  of  1831,  the  town  was  surveyed'jby  W.  L.  Hen- 
derson, of  Findlay, — the  same  gentleman  who  was  recently  promi- 
nent in  the  survey  and  location  of  the  Fremont  and  Indiana  Kail- 
road.  Patrick  G.  Goode,  at  that  time  a  distinguished  citizen  of  the 
State,  who  afterwards  became  a  member  of  Congress,  President 
Judge  of  the  Judicial  Circuit,  and  a  methodist  minister,  hnd  the 
honor  of  naming  it.  He  borrowed  the  name  from  the  Capital  of 
Peru,  South  America,  and  to  his  last  day  would  not  forgive  the  pub- 
lic for  their  resolute  abandonment  of  the  Spanish  pronunciation  of 
the  name.  It  was  pronounced  Lcma,  where  ho  took  the  name  from, 
but  our  people  insisted  upoa  the  long  /,  and  L('ma  it  has  been  to  this 
day,  and  will  continue  to  Ijo,  vs^hen,  the  walls  of  a  city  shall  stand 


Allen  County — Lima. 


455 


npon  its  foundations,  and  when  the  name  of  the  good  man  who  stood 
its  sponsor  shall  have  been  forgotten. 

"In  the  month  of  August,  1831,  a  public  sale  of  lots  took  place, 
and  during  the  following  fall  and  winter,  came  John  P.  Mitchell, 
Absolom  Brown,  John  F.  Ccle,  Dr.  William  Cunningham,  Abraham 
Bowers,  John  Brewster,  David  Tracy,  John  Mark,  and  John  Ba- 
shore,  with  their  families,  except  Brewster,  who  was  a  bachelor. — 
John  F.  Cole,  who  is  now  almost  alone  amongst  the  new  genera- 
tion of  men  who  have  come  around  him,  settled  a  mile  below  town, 
on  a  portion  of  what  is  now  the  Faurot  farm.  Enos  Terry,  a  broth- 
er-in-law of  Mr.  Cole,  settled  upon  an  adjoining  tract,  still  nearer 
town. 

"The  children  of  these  men  and  women,  who  made  this  venture 
in  the  wilderness, — some  of  them  in  the  dead  of  winter, — can  form 
no  idea  of  the  toil  endured,  the  anxiety  suffered,  and  the  struggles 
which  accompanied  the  frontier  lire  of  their  fathers  and  mothers. 
Nor  can  we,  at  this  day,  with  our  crowding  upon  each  other  in  the 
race  of  life,  contemplate,  without  wonder,  the  sympathy  they  felt 
for  each  other,  and  the  constant  mutual  aid  extended.  I  have  heard 
my  own  mother  tell  how  John  B.  Mitchell  once  walked  nine  miles 
to  a  horse-mill,  and  brought  home  on  his  back  a  bushel  of  corn  meal, 
and  divided  it  amongst  half  a  dozen  families.  This  proves  the  good- 
ness of  human  nature ;  and  I  believe  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
tlnse  persons  would  do  the  like  if  they  were  surrounded  with  the 
same  circumstances.  I  have  heard  John  F.  Cole  describe  his  travels 
through  the  woods  with  his  ox  team,  making  about  five  or  six  miles 
a  day,  and  at  night  turning  out  bis  oxen  to  find  their  own  supper, 
while  he,  covered  with  mud,  and  frequently  with  no  dry  thread  of 
clothing,  crept  into  his  wagon  and  slept  the  night  away.  They  had 
no  railroads  then,  you  know ;  I  can  recollect  back  to  the  time  when 
the  country  about  Urbana  was  called  '  the  settlement,'  whence  sup- 
plies were  drawn ;  and  it  required  several  strong  yoke  of  oxen,  and 
many  days  of  travel,  to  make  the  trip  to  and  from  'the  settlement.' 

"In  the  month  of  August,  1832,  the  Shawanees  took  up  their  line 
of  march  for  the  far  west;  away  so  far,  it  was  thought,  that  many 
generations  would  come  and  go  before  they  would  again  be  dis- 
turbed. But  one  generation  had  not  passed,  before  the  advancing 
tide  of  civilization  swept  against  and  over  them,  till,  tired  of  the 
struggle,  the  majority  of  what  remains  of  this  once  powerful  and 
warlike  tribe  have  quietly  yielded  to  the  surrounding  influences,  and 
are  learning  and  practicing  the  arts  of  civilized  life. 

"Dr.  William  McHenry  came  to  Lima  in  the  spring  of  1834.— 
There  were  then  living  in  the  villag(%  John  F.  Mitchell,  Col.  James 
Cunningham,  Dr.  William  Cunningham,  Gen.  John  Ward,  Dr.  Sam- 
uel Black,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  Charles  Baker,  James  Anderson 
David  Tracy,  Hudson  "Watt,  Miles  Cowan,  Crane  Valentine,  John 
Bashore,  John  Mark,  Abraham  Aldridge,  Alexander  Beatty.  Wm. 
Scott,  Thurston  Mosicr,  David  Keese,  Daniel  Musser,  Sr.,  Martin 


'( 


456 


Allen  County — Pioneer  Notes. 


Masser,  Daniel  MusHfr,  Jr.,  Elislm  Jolly,  Abraham  S.  Niohnlas.Rov. 
Goorj^o  Sliolden,  Eldur  William  Cliallo,  Joliii  .lackHon,  Hamilton  Da- 
vison, AinoH  Clutter,  IlobiTt  Terry,  l'\  II.  Hinkloy,  antl  Abraham 
JJowcrH.  Uov.  John  Aloxandrr,  and  i{ov.  JamoH  Fmley  wero  min- 
isters ot  the  M.  K,  Church,  upon  the  circuit  at  that  time.  Mr. Shel- 
don preacliod  to  the  ])rosbytcrians,  and  Elder  Chattee  to  the  IJap. 
tists.  Within  ])r.  Mcllenry's  recollection  of  the  person.s  named,  who 
were,  with  one  or  two  exce[)tions,  heads  of  families  then,  there  ro> 
main  in  this  vicinity  but  iMrs.  liowors,  Daniel  JNIusser,  Jr.,  Mrs.  Mus- 
Bor  (then  Mrs,  Mitchell),  Hudson  Waft,  and  Mrs.  Watt,  Elisha  Jolly 
and  i\Ir8.  Jolly,  Mrs.  VV^ard  and  Airs.  I'atrick  (then  Mrs.  Tracy), and 
jMrs.  IJashoro.  John  F.Colo  and  Mrs.  Colo  arc  still  living,  now 
and  for  many  years  residents  of  the  town;  but  at  that  timo  they 
were  upon  their  farm  below  town. 

"  Tompkins  is  in  Orc<Ton;  Baker  is  in  Marion;  Watt,  Jolly,  and 
JiloUenry  remain  in  Lima;  Valentino  is  in  JMichigan.  The  wherea- 
bouts, if  alive,  of  M  osier,  lleese,  I^icholas,  Cowan,  and  Clutter,  is 
unknown.  The  remainder  of  the  names  on  the  list  wilt  be  found  cut 
in  mnrlilc, '  in  me.moriam.'' 

"  The  first  white  citizen  of  Lima,  Avas  Absalom  Brown,  whose 
daughtei',  Marion  Mitchell  Brown,  named  aiter  the  present  Mrs. 
!Musser,  was  the  first  white  child  bom  in  the  town,  The  second  was 
Katharine  Bashore,  now  Mrs.  John  1*.  Adams.  The  first  marriage 
in  the  town  was  that  of  James  Saxon  and  Miss  Jones,  a  sister-in- 
law  of  John  Mark.  They  were  married  by  the  llev.  Mr.  Pryor,  a 
missionary  of  the  ^l.  E.  Church. 

"  As  late  as  the  fall  of  18:54,  Daniel  Musser  killed  two  deer  on  the 
present  plaL  of  Lima — one  about  where  King's  warehouse  stands, 
and  the  othtM*  about  where  the  west  Union  IScliool  house  is. 

"I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  John  Cunningham  lor  the  result  of  tlio 
census  of  Limix,  actual  count,  completed  yesterday,  September  21, 
187L  The  total  number  of  families  is  1013;  the  number  of  souls, 
4,979,  an  increase  of  between  three  and  four  hundred  since  the  cen- 
sus was  taken  in  1870. 

"  The  county  was  permanently  organized  in  June,  1831.  James 
Daniels,  John  G.  Wood,  and  Samuel  Stewart,  were  the  first  Com- 
missioners ;  then,  in  December  of  the  same  year,  Morgan  Lippen- 
cott.  and  John  P.  Mitchell  succeeded  Wood  and  Stewart.  In  1833, 
Gritliih  John  succeeded. Lipponcott.  In  1835,  James  N.Coleman, 
and  James  x\.  Anderson  came  in.  In  1834,  Henry  B.  Thorn,  John 
Brand,  and  M.  Leatherman.  In  1838,  John  Shoo!er;  ]839,J()hnM. 
AVilson;  1841.  Shadrack  Montgomery,  and  Charles  H.  Williams; 
\U-i,  C.  C.  Marshall;  1813,  Matthew  Dobbins;  1814,  Nicholas Zan- 
gleiu;  181.5,  Jacob  B.  llaller;  184(5,  Samuel  Walker;  1849,  Samuel 
Jiockhill,  William  Akermau,  and  Burgess  Dickey.  This  was  a  re- 
organization of  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  after  the  erection  of 
the  new  county  of  Auglaize,  most  of  which  had  been  taken  from 
the  territory  of  Allen.    In  1«53,  Christian  Steman  came  in.  lu  1854, 


Allen  Covnty — Pioneei'  Notes. 


457 


■licholas,  Uov. 
Hamilton  Da- 
und  Abniliaiu 
ay  wore  miu- 
no.     M  r.  Shel- 
.  to  tho  liap. 
18  immoil,  who 
.hen,  there  ro- 
Jr.,  Mrs.  Mu8- 
Lt.El'iHha  Jolly 
ra.  Tracy),  and 
ill  living,  now 
tiat  time  they 


Moses  Patterson ;  1855,  Horace  Bixby ;  185C,  Joseph  Griffith  ;  1857, 
Cadwallader  Jacobs;  1858,  Freeman  Jioll;  18A9,  A.  E.  Iladscll; 
1803,  Samuel  Ice ;  18G4,  Johnzy  Keith  ;  1805,  G.  W.  Goblo;  1809, 
James  MoBeth;  1870,  Bernard  Escho,  the  la/it  three  now  constitut- 
ing the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  tho  County." 

The  several  Auditors  of  the  county,  from  18.'JI  to  1870,  inclusive, 
were  Wm.  G.  Woods,  from  1831  to  1833;  Samuel  Black,  from  1833 
to  1838  ;  II.  D.  V.  Williams,  from  1838  to  1844  ;  John  W.  'nionias, 
from  1844  to  1840;  J.  II.  Richardson,  from  1810  to  1850;  David 
Dalzell,  from  1850  to  1^54;  Wm.  Dowling,  from  1854  to  1850  ;  B. 
Matheanv,  from  1850  to  1858  ;  O.  W.  Overmyer,  from  1858  to  1802; 
John  P.  Ilaller,  from  180:i  to  1800 ;  Wm.  Dowling,  from  1800  to 
1870;  S.  J.  Brand,  from  1870  to  the  present  year,  1872. 

The  several  Treasurers  were  Adam  White,  Dr.  Wm.  Cunningham, 
Charles  Baker,  James  Cunningham,  Thomas  K.  Jacobs,  Alexander 
Beatty,  William  Armstrong,  G.  W.  Fickol,  Shelby  Taylor,  Miles 
Vance,  Emanuel  Fisher,  W.  R.  Partello,  and  F.  J.  Lye. 

The  Recorders  were  Nathan  Daniels,  John  Ward,  John  Alexan- 
der, John  W.  Thomas,' E,  S.  Linn,  John  B.  Walmsley,  John  G.  Ri- 
denour,  Hugh  Dobbins,  J.  B.  Ilaller,  and  A.  R  Krebs. 

"The  first  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Allen  County,  was  hold  in 
a  log  cabin,  the  residence  of  James  Daniels,  near  the  crossing  of 
Hog  Creek,  at  the  east  end  of  Market  street,  in  May,  1833.  Hon. 
George  B.  Holt,  of  Dayton,  was  the  President  Judge,  and  Christo- 
pher Wood,  James  Crozier,  and  William  Watt  were  Associates.  Jno. 
Ward  was  clerk,  and  Henry  Lippencott,  Sheriff,  Patrick  G.  Goode, 
of  Montgomery  County,  was  special  prosecuting  attorney,  appoint- 
ed by  the  Court. 

"Judge  Holt  was,  in  1838,  succeeded  by  Judge  W.  L.  llelfenstein; 
he,  ill  turn,  in  1839,  by  Emery  D.  Potter.  Judge  Potter  went  to 
Congress  in  1842,  and  was  succeeded  on  the  bench  by  Myron  II. 
Tilden;  and  he  was  succeeded,  in  1845,  by  Patrick  G.  Goode,  .who 
remained  upon  the  bench  until  he  was  su))erseded,  under  the  new 
Constitution,  in  February,  1852,  by  Benjamin  F.  Metcalf.  In  1854, 
Judge  Metcalf  wda  succeeded  by  William  Lawrence,  of  Logan,  but 
in  1859,  he  again  returned  to  the  beiicli,  in  a  new-formed  district, 
aud  remained  in  office  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1805. — 
Among  the  very  many  able  men  who  have  nourished  in  this  section 
I  of  Ohio,  it  is  safe  to  say  Judge  Metcalf  had  no  superior  in  intellect- 
j  iial  qualities.  He  was  succeeded  by  0.  W.  Rose,  of  V^an  Wert,  who 
remained  upon  the  bench  but  a  few  months,  when  James  Macken- 
|zie,  our  townsman,  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  1805.        *        * 

"Suffer  me  here  to  digress  from  my  narrative  of  the  judiciary,  to 
[piiy  a  passing  tribute  to  tho  memory<,  of  one  who  came  into  our 
Imidst  about  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  He  was  known  to  almost 
|iillofyou.  I  allude  to  Mathias  H.  Michola.  To  a  brilliant  imagi- 
Jiwtioa  was  united  uhtiring  industry,  and  in  his  early  manhood  he 
Igave  as  much  promise  of  distinction  as  any  one   who  ever  came 


458         Allen  County — Its  Honored  Dead,  J^tc. 


amon]?  us.  He  was  a  brilliant  and  successful  lawyer,  and  went  to 
Congress  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven.  He  served  six  years,  in  a  most 
exciting  epoch,  but  he  survived  his  Congressional  career  only  about 
three  years. 

"The  Associate  Justices  of  our  old  court,  were,  in  addition  to  the 
ones  already  named,  Charles  Levering,  Joseph  Hoover,  John  Jame- 
son, John  Elliot,  George  B.  Shriner,  Charles  H.  Adgate,  and  John 
P.  Fay. 

"  The  Clerks  of  the  Court  were  John  Ward,  John  Alexander, 
Kichard  Metheany,  Joseph  H.  Richardson.  James  Cunningham, 
Shelby  Taylor,  John  H.  Meily,  0.  E.  Griffith,  and  Robert  Mehaffey, 
the  present  incumbent. 

"The  Sheriffs  were  Henry'  Lippencott,  John  Keller,  Alexander 
Beatty,  Charles  H.  Williams,  Hiram  Stott,  Matthias  Ridenour,  Wil- 
liam Tingle,  Samuel  Buckmaster,  Samuel  Collins,  Isaac  Bailey,  and 
J.  A.  Colbath. 

"  The  Prosecuting  Attorneys  were,  Loren  Kennedy,  AV.  S.  Rose, 
W.  L.  Ross,  George  W.  Andrews,  Lester  Bliss,  M.  H.  Nichols.  C.  N. 
Lamison,  J.  N.  Gutridge,  James  Mackenzie,  Isaiah  Pi]lars,'and  Jno. 
F.  Brotherton. 

"The  Probate  Court,  erected  by  the  Constitution  of  1851,  has 
been  presided  over  by  W.  S.  Rose,  Michael  Leatherman,  Thomas  M. 
Robb,  Charles  M.  Hughes,  and  L.  M.  Meily. 

"  Under  the  new  Constitution,  Allen  County  became  entitled  to  a 
separate  representative  in  the  General  Assembly.  Lester  Bliss  was 
the  first,  and  he  was  followed  by  Charles  Crites,  Charles  Post,  Cha«. 
C.  Marshall,  Thomas  K.  Jacobs,  John  Monroe,  R.  E.  Jones,  and 
William  Armstrong.  Michael  Leatherman,  and  Gen.  Blackburn 
represented  districts  under  the  old  Constitution.  Col.  James  Cun- 
ningham and  Charles  C.  Marshall  each  served  one  term  in  ♦^^he 
Senate. 

"  The  amount  of  the  grand  duplicate  of  1833,  was  $93,611.  The 
amount  of  the  grand  duplicate  for  1871,  is  $9,583,830. 

"In  addition  to  Lima,  thrifty  towns. have  sprung  up  in  various 
parts  of  the  county.  Section  Ten  (now  Delphos)  promised  at  one 
time  to  be  the  commercial  centre  of  the  counties  of  Allen,  Putnam, 
and  Van  Wert.  Spencerville,  once  known  as  Spencer,  then  Arcadia, 
Lafayette,  Westminster,  Bluffton  (once  known  as  Shannon),  Allen- 
town,  Elida,  Gonier,  West  Newton,  Rockport,  Maysville,  Beaver] 
Dam,  and  Cairo.     Hartford   and  Amherst,  like  the   cities  of  the 

plain,  are  known  onlv  in  history. 

«  *  «  *'4i  Id  ■»  <« 

"In  the  winter  of  1834-35,  the  United  States  Land  Office  was 
removed  from  Wapaukonnetta  to  Lima,  and  with  it  came  as  receiver 
Gen.  William  Blackburn.  I  have  seen  a  great  many  men  of  fine 
presence,  but  I  do  not  recollect  of  ever  having  met  a  finer  specimen 
of  l)hvsical  power  and  manly  bv.'anty  than  Blackburn  was  when  I 
first  taw  him.     He  was  then  in  the  full  flash  of  middle  life;  to 


Alien  County — Public  Officers  in  1872.  459 


consiclerably  more  than  six  feet  in  height,  and  weighed  over  three 
hundred  pounds.  He  was  a  military  enthusiast,  and  the  militia 
musters  of  those  days  gave  his  enthusiasm  full  vent.  He  was,  I  be- 
lieve, the  first  Major  General  commanding  the  ]2th  Division  Ohio 
Militia.  Gen.  John  Ward  was  a  Brigadier  commanding  one  of  his 
brigades.  At  Ward's  death,  he  was  succeeded  by  Gen,  William  Arm- 
strong, who  remained  in  command  until  the  whole  militia  system 
became  obsolete.  In  the  early  days  of  this  county,  general  muster 
day  was  second  only  to  the  4th  of  July,  in  the  calendar  of  great 
days.  After  the  *  troops'  were  dismissed,  it  was  the  *  common  law' 
that  all  grievances  and  personal  controversies  arising  during  the 
year,  and  which  had  been  postponed  to  general  muster,  were  to  be 
settled.  Rings  would  be  formed,  the  combatants  stepped  in,  and  the 
result  was  generally  that  both  parties  were  terribly  whipped. 

"Looking  back  over  half  a  century,  behold  what  has  been  accom- 
plished! The  immense  forests  our  fathers  and  mothers  found,  hare 
melted  away,  and  now  in  their  stead  are  ripening  fields  of  corn.  The 
cabins  they  built  are  replaced  with  comfortable  farm  mansions. 
The  corduroy  roads,  over  which  they  plodded  their  way  back  to  the 
older  settlements,  have  been  replaced  by  railroads ;  and  the  iron 
horse,  in  harness,  pulls  annually  to  the  great  markets  a  surplus  of 
products,  greater  in  value,  by  far,  than  the  grand  duplicate  of  1832. 
I  We  have  much,  very  much,  for  which  to  thank  our  Heavenly  Fa- 
rther; we  have  much,  very  much,  to  be  proud  of  in  our  history ;  but 
the  proudest  of  all,  we  should  be,  of  our  brave  ancestry,  who,  amidst 
poverty,  and  sickness,  and  privations,  laid  broad  and  deep  the  foun- 
dation of  our  present  prosperity.'' 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  Allen  county,  in  1872 : 

Probate  Judge,  L.  M.  Meily ;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  E.  A.  Ballard; 
[County  Clerk,  Robert  Mehaffey ;  Sheriff,  James  A.  Colbath ;  Audi- 
jtor.  S.  J.  Brand;  Treasurer,  F.  J.  Lye,  Jr.,  Recorder,  A.  R.  Krebs ; 
jComniissioners,  James  McBeth,  Bernard  Esch,  and  Wm.  Akerman; 
ICoroner,  G.  Feiss ;  Surveyor,  D.  D.  Nicholas. 


As  Allen  co.  is  justly  entitled  to  the  claim  of  having  the  best  jail 
building  in  Northwestern  Ohio,  if  not  in  the  State,  and  regarded  as 
p  model  structure  for  the  purposes  of  a  jail,  a  few  words  of  descrip- 
lion  may  not  be  out  of  place.  The  Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the 
Board  of  State  Charities  (1871),  makes  the  following  reference 
to  it: 

I  "The  building,  embracing  sheriff's  residence  and  oflfice,  in  con- 
nection with  the  prison,  is  constructed  after  the  general  idea  sug- 
ptt)d  by  the  Board  of  State  Charities,  in  its  report  published  for 
Ijbd.  The  Secretary  is  greatly  indebted  to  T.  J.  Tolan,  Esq.,  of 
Pelphos,  Ohio,  who  very  kindly  explained  the  plan,  and  who  has, 
pnce  then,  furnished  a  complete  copy  of  the  specificatious,  etc." 


I        ^ 


460 


Allen  County — Population. 


From  the  comprehensive  description  in  the  letter  of  Mr.  Tolan, 
above  referred  to,  the  following  is  extracted : 

"  I  have  given  the  principle  of  jail  constrnction  much  attention, 
and  by  inspecting  some  of  the  best,  as  well  as  some  of  the  worst,  I 
had  the  material  before  me  from  which  to  profit.  The  great  and 
leading  points  in  the  construction  of  a  jail,  are:  drainage,  light, 
ventilation,  safety,  cleanliness,  and  plenty  of  water, — 'all  of  which  I 
have  endeavored  to  combine  in  my  plan." 

All  the  essential  points  enumerated  above,  the  Secretary  main- 
tains, are  embodied  in  the  Allen  county  jail, — of  which  Mr.  Tolan 
was  the  architect  and  superintendent. 


The  progress  in  population  of  Allen  County  can  only  be  approximattly  as- 
certained by  the  following  table  of  the  census  returns,  as  the  act  erecting  Au. 
glaize  County  changed  its  boundaries : 

In  1880 678 

In  1840 9,019 

In  1850 19,109 

In  1860 19,185 

In  1870 


The  following  table  embraces  the  population  of  the  several  towns  and  torn 
ships  for  three  decennial  periods,  excepting  Delphos,  which,  as  the  enumera- 1 
tion  made  at  different  years,  was  included,  sometimes  in  Allen,  and  at  times  in  [ 
Van  Wert  county,  is  given  separately : 


TOWNS  AND  TOWN8HIF8. 


Amanda 

Auglaize 

Bath* 

German* 

Allentown.... 

Elida 

Jackson 

Lafayette 

Marion 

Monroe 

Ottawa* 

Limaf 

Perry* 

Richland 

Blufflon 

Sliawanee* 

Spencer 

Bpencerville. 
Sugar  Creek.. 


1870 


1376 
1690 
1254 
1462 
90 

583 
1801 

mi 
2920 
173!) 
4662 
4500 
1235 
2189 

48:) 
11  GO 
1153 

864 
1016 


1660 


1178 
1169 
1315 
1359 


isto 


607 
1344 
1508 
1008 


1682 


2100 

101H 

1514 

024 

2883 

•••»•« 

2354 



1289 

928 

1803 

089 

HiVo 

71tl 

981 

ass 

932 


1175 


756 


*In  1857,  Ottawa  from  Bath,  German,  Perry,  and  Shawanee, 
fin  1850,  the  returns  of  Lima  were  included  in  Bath  township, 


Allen  Co. — Delphos,  Lima^  ^arly  AttwneySj  Etc.  461 


:  of  Mr.  Tolan, 

much  attention, 

of  the  worst,  I 

The  great  and 

drainage,  light, 

—all  of  which  I 

Secretary  main- 
vhich  Mr.  Tolan 


The  population  of  Delphos,  in  1860,  was   included  in  the  returns  of 

Viin  Wert  County,  and  then  amounted  to 874 

In  1860  (also  embraced  in  Van  Wert  returns) 425 

In  1870  (Van  Wert  county  section  of  Delphos) 640 

In  1870  (Allen  "  "  "       ) 1,027 

1,607 


e  approximatriy  M- 
the  act  erecting  Au- 


678 
9,019 

19,185 
28,623 


veral  towns  and  town- 
,ich,  as  the  enumera- 
yien,  and  at  times  u 


Lima,  the  county  seat,  it  will  be  observed  by  the  foregoing  figures, 
has  made  fair  progress  in  growth ;  and  its  advance  in  wealth  has 
been  proportionally  greater  than  its  progress  in  population.  The 
city  has  the  advantage  of  three  important  railway  outlets — the  Pitts- 
burg, Fort  "Wayne  and  Chicago,  the  Dayton  and  Michigan,  and  the 
Louisville  and  Lake  Erie. 

Among  the  early  Attorneys  who  practiced  at  the  Lima  bar,  not 
iiitherto  mentioned,  were  Judge  Crane,  Benjamin  Stanton,  Jacob  S. 
Conklin,  Andrew  Coffinberry,  M.  B.  ("  Bishop")  Corwin,  John  A. 
Corwin,  Horace  Sessions,  John  Walkup,  Mr.  Poland,  Edson  Goit, 
and  John  H.  Morrison.  The  resident  Attorneys  were,  Lorcn  Ken- 
nedy, H.  D.  V.  Williams,  Abelard  Guthrie,  Lester  Bliss,  William  S. 
Bose,  W.  T.  Curtis,  H.  Davidson,  and  M.  B.  Newman. 

The  old  physicians,  Dr.  McHenry  and  Dr.  Harper,  are  referred  to 
in  the  address  of  Mr.  Cunningham. 

Charles  Baker,  merchant,  removed  to  Lima  in  1832,  and  erected 
the  first  frame  building  in  the  town. 

Lima  contains  Presbyterian,  Episcopal,  Methodist,  Baptist,  German 
Reformed,  Catholic,  Lutheran,  Disciple,  and  Congregational  church- 
1850     ■  eg;  two  newspapers, — the  Allen  County  Democrat,  D.  S.  Fisher,  edi- 
tor, and  the  Allen  County   Gazette,  C.  Parmenter,  editor;  three 
607     ■  liaiiks,— the  First  National,  Farmers'  Savings  and  Lima  Deposit ; 
1344     ■  four  hotels;  ten  dry  goods,  fourteen  grocery,  three  clothing,  two 
1508    ■  merchant  tailor,  four  drug,  two  hardware,  one  book  and  stationery, 
^^^     Hone  fruit  and  confectionery,  three  jewelry,  and  four  boot  and  shoe 

1       Blstores;  two  foundries;  two  furniture  manufactories;  one  hub  and 

1175    H^P^^^'^^j  one  board  paper  mill ;  one  establishment  manufacturing 
agricultural  machinery ;  two  tanneries ;  one  flax,  straw,  and  sack- 
^091    H'^S  manufactory  ;  two  wood  stirrup  do  ;  one  handle  do  ;  one  wood- 
Men  moulding  do ;  one  stave  do ;  six  wagon  and  buggy  do ;  two  steam 
jgrist  mills ;  one  steam  saw  mill ;  one  sash  and  door  factory ;  two 
928    H^l^ck  kilns;  three  grain  warehouses;  three  lumber  yards,  and  four 
pvery  and  two  sale  stables. 

7W    ■L  ^"  addition  to  the  extensive  manufactories  above  enumerated,  the 
355   H^)F.  W.  and  C,  and  the  D.  and  M.  railway  companies  have  exten- 
g   _^ive  shops  at  Lima. 

The  city  is  lighted  with  gas.    The  two  large  public  school  edifices, 
^y^xvcQ.  ^^^  ^^®  satisfactory  school  management,  are  objects  of  general  pride 

liownshlp.  ^mong  the  citizens  of  the  place. 


I860 

178 
169 
316 
359 


1682 

2106 
1514 
2383 
2354 
1289 
1802 

'Vtiio 

OS  I 
"932 


■II 


, 


462 


Allen  County — Delphos. 


Delphos  is  the  second  town  in  rank,  as  regards  population  and 
wealth  in  Allen  county.  It  already  j)088es8e8  the  advantages  of 
cheap  canal  transport,  and  of  the  facilities  afforded  by  the  Pitts- 
burg, Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago  Railway,  with  ^  good  prospect  ot 
securing,  within  a  few  months,  competing  railway  Tines. 

The  town,  different  portions  of  which  were  originally  known  as 
Section  Ten,  Howard,  and  East  and  West  Breidick — East  Breidick 
being  first  platted — was  laid  out  directly  after  the  opening  of  the 
Miami  and  Erie  Canal,  in  1845.  Subsequently,  and  as  a  result  of 
the  budget  of  territorial  compromises  following  the  erection  of  An- 
glaize  county,  the  eastern  eide  of  the  canal  came  within  the  limits 
of  Allen  county,  the  western  side  remaining  with  Van  Wert.  The 
town,  however,  at  this  time,  is  under  a  common  municipal  govern- 
ment, composed  of  the  following  named  officers :  Mayor,  C.  C.  Mar- 
shall; Recorder,  S.  D.  Chambers;  Marshal,  S.  Marshall;  Treasurer, 
Max  Woerner ;  Council,  A.  Shack,  H.  Bixbe,  H.  Lindemau,  E.  Fink, 
H.  Weible,  J.  W.  Feely,  S.  F.  Himmelright,  and  C.  H.  Whittier. 

When  it  is  considered  that  the  town  was  located  in  the  midst  of  a  I 
dense  and  wild  forest,  and  that  the  communication,  east  and 
was  over  roads  upon  which  the  timber  had  scarcely  been  cut  out,  i 
imperfectly  ditched,  its  growth,  from  1845  to  1854,  may  be  consid- 1 
ered  remarkable.  Difficult  and  expensive  as  were  the  road  and 
way  means  of  transportation,  the  town  had,  until  1854,  secured  a  j 
traHe  reaching  a  distance  of  about  twenty  miles,  northeast,  east 
southeast,  and  reaching  a  yet  longer  distance  westward,  crossing  the| 
State  line  into  Indiana.  The  only  rival  encountered  by  Delphos,  it 
the  latter  direction,  was  Fort  Wayne.  True,  population  was  sparse,  I 
and  the  surplus  farm  productions  light;  but  in  the  aggregate  itwMJ 
of  vast  importance  to  the  new  town,  and  assisted  materially  in  itil 
growth.  Farmers'  wagons  returned  with  freights  belonging  princif 
pally  to  merchants  established  in  less  metropolitan  towns.  Thfl 
event  which  occurred  to  arrest  its  growth,  was  the  opening,  in  ISSJ 
of  the  Ohio  and  Indiana  Railroad,  from  Crestline  to  Fort  Wayntl 
This  secured  markets  to  Lima  and  other  towns  on  the  east,  and  toj 
Middlepoint,  Van  Wert,  Convov,  and  several  new  stations,  on  tliij 
west,  and  left  Delphos  to  rely,  cluring  several  years,  for  its  whole  bur 
siness,  upon  a  restricted  neighborhood,  so  slow  in  its  agricnltur|!| 
development,  that  it  afforded  only  a  limited  trade.  It  is  a" 
also,  that  some  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town  failed  to  extend  ®l 
couragement  to  various  enterprises  which  would  have  enabled  it  BJ 
sooner  recover  from  its  business  paralysis.  This  charge,  howevBj 
was  never  applied  to  Messrs.  Bredeick,  Wrocklage,  and  their  associj 
ates,  who  steadfastly  pursued  a  liberal  policy.  It  is  only  within  J 
few  years,  and  since  encouragement  to  manufacturing,  etc.,*ij 
afforded,  that  regeneration,  and  a  healthy  business  activity,  \m 
manifested  themselves.  All  the  citizens  of  the  town  have  no»i( 
well-grounded  faith  in  its  future.  The  most  prominent  and 
cessful  merchants,  bankers,  artizans,  and  others,  now  residents,! 


Allen  County — The  Old  Forests,  Mo.  463 


lopulation  and 
advantages  of 
by  the  riits- 
od  prospect  oi 
les. 

lally  known  as 
-East  Breidick 
opening  of  the 
,  as  a  result  of 
erection  of  An- 
ithin  the  limit! 
ran  Wert.   The 
micipal  govern- 
ayor,  C.  C.  Mar- 
shall; Treasurer, 
idemau,E.rink, 
H.  Whittier. 
in  the  midst  of  i 
[),  east  and  vest, 
been  cut  out,  and 
.,  may  he  coneid- 
he  road  and  high- 
il  1854,  secured  a 
ortheast,  east  and 
yard,  crossing  the 

redbyDelphoa.ui 
ilation  was  sparse, 
e  aggregate  it  ^u 
[  materially  in  i" 
belonging  pnnf 
litan  towns,    m 
opening,  in  lo^M 
P  to  i'ort  Waynt 
\n  the  east,  and  J 
f  stations,  on  m 
rs,  for  its  whole hBl 

in  its  agricu  tuj 
He  It  is  f>^^m 
fled  to  extend  et| 
have  enabled  it  t»l 
is  charge,  howevtiJ 
,,and  their  _as80C!j 
It  ia  only  within 
facturing,  etc,««l 
ness  activity,  hw 

town  have  no« 
,rominent  and  sof 

nov^  residents,  aij 


controlling,  in  large  degree,  its  destiny,  commenced  their  business 
life  in  Delphos,  when  it  and  themselves  were  struggling  for  exis- 
tence. That  their  enterprise  and  foresight  have  been  wisely  directed, 
and  well  rewarded,  ample  evidence  exists  in  the  figures  reported  by 
the  census-takers,  and  in  the  general  thrift  now  everywhere  mani- 
fest. 

The  great  forests,  once  so  hated,  because  they  formed  a  stumbling 
block  in  the  tedious  struggles  to  reduce  the  soil  to  a  condition  for 
tillage,  have  been  converted  into  a  source  of  wealth.  Within  a  ra- 
dius of  five  miles  of  Dtlphop,  thirty-five  saw  mills  are  now  con- 
stantly employed  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  and  a  value,  nearly 
equaling  the  product  of  these  mills,  is  annually  exported  in  the  form 
of  timber.  Excepting  in  the  manufacture  of  maple  sugar,  and  for 
local  building  and  fencing  purposes,  no  use,  until  recent  years,  had 
been  made  of  timber,  and  its  destruction  from  the  face  of  the  earth 
was  the  especial  object  of  the  pioneer  farmers,  and  in  this  at  that 
time  supposed  good  work,  they  had  the  sympathies  of  all  others  who 
were  interested  in  the  development  of  the  country.  The  gathering 
of  the  ginseng  crop  once  afforded  employment  to  the  families  of  the 
early  settlers,  but  the  supply  was  scanty,  and  it  soon  became  ex- 
hausted. Some  eighteen  years  ago,  when  the  business  of  the  town 
was  suffering  from  stagnation,  Dr.  J.  W.  Hunt,  an  enterprising  drug- 
gist, and  now  a  citizen  of  Delphos,  bethought  himself  that  he  might 
aid  the  pioneers  of  the  wilderness,  and  add  to  his  own  trade,  by  of- 
fering to  purchase  the  bark  from  the  slippery  elm  trees,  which  were 
abundant  in  all  the  adjacent  swamps.  For  this  new  article  of  com- 
merce, he  offered  remunerative  prices,  and  the  supply  soon  appeared 
in  quantities  reaching  hundreds  of  cords  of  cured  bark ;  and  he  has 
since  controlled  the  trade  in  Northwestern  Ohio  and  adjacent  re- 
gions. The  resources  found  in  the  lumber  and  timber,  and  in  this 
bark  trade,  trifling  as  the  latter  may  appear,  have  contributed,  and 
are  yet  contributing,  almost  as  much  to  the  prosperity  of  the  town 
and  country,  as  the  average  of  the  cultivated  acres,  including  the 
products  of  the  orchard. 

The  general  resources  of  the  town,  added  to  those  already  men- 
I  tioned,  are  here  stated : 

One  newspaper  and  job  office,  from  which  is  issued  the  Delphos 
\Herald,  D.  H.  Tolan,  editor;  four  churches, — Presbyterian,  Catho- 
llic,  Methodist,  and  Lutheran.  A  largely  attended  public  school — a 
hery  flourishing  private  school,  under  the  management,  so  far  as  fe- 
Imale  pupils  are  involved,  of  the  sisters  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
[as  regards  male  pupils,  under  a  compromise  arrangement  between 
pe  Board  of  Education  and  the  Catholic  interests,  a  Normal  school, 
fn  prosperous  condition.  The  Catholic  and  public  school  buildings 
are  constructed  after  the  best  models,  and  no  necessary  expense  was 
withheld  to  render  them  adapted  to  the  purposes  to  which  they  were 
ievoted.    The  Normal  school  is  held  in  one  of  the  public  halls. 

In  manufactures  may  bo  mentioned  the  Delphos  Union  Stave 


464 


Allen  County — Delphos  in  1872. 


Company ;  the  Ohio  Wheel  Company ;  the  Delphos  Foundry  and 
Machine  shops  ;  the  Star  Handle  Manufactory ;  one  sash,  door  and 
blind  factory ;  one  Excelsior  or  wood  moss  establishment ;  a  large 
flouring  mill ;  four  wagon  and  carriage  shops ;  one  tannery — among 
the  most  extensive  in  Northwestern  Ohio ;  two  woolen  factories ;  two 
breweries;  five  blacksmith  shops;  one  distillery;  four  millineiy 
shops,  and  six  establishments  that  manufacture  boots  and  shoes. 

The  Delphos  Stone  and  Stave  Company,  with  a  capital  of  $35,000, 
is  owned  by  Delphos  capitalists,  but  the  manufacturing  executed  in 
Paulding  county. 

A  more  full  exhibit  of  the  magnitude  of  some  of  the  above  nam- 
ed manufacturing  establishments  may  be  mentioned : 

The  Delphos  Union  Stave  Company  employs  seventy-five  hands, 
and  produces  $150,000  annually  of  flour  and  sugar  barrel  staves, 
headings  and  hoops.     This  establishment,  in  the  use  of  its  raw  ma- 
terial, has  utilized  a  character  of  swamp  timber  (such  as  water  elm, 
etc.,)  hitherto  regarded  by  wild  land  owners  and  farmers  as  worse 
than  worthless.    A  thorough  test  has  established  the  fact  that  no 
timber  is  better  adapted  to  the  production  of  barrel  staves,  than  this 
once  repudiated  swamp  elm.     The  Union  Stave  Company,  employ- 
ing constantly  a  large  force  of  hands,  is  one  of  the  most  important 
manufacturing  enterprises  of  Delphos.    The  officers  of  the  Compa- 
ny are,  G.  W.  Hall.  President;  J.  Orstendorff,  Vice  President;  J, 
M.  C.  Marble,  Treasurer,  and  J.  W.  Hunt,  Secretary.  To  the  sagaci- 
ty and  energy,  primarily,  of  Messrs.  Marble  and  Hunt,  the  Delphos 
people  are  indebted  for  the  founding  of  this  valuable  enterprise;  and 
they  would  not  have  been  successful,  had  not  Mr.  Orstendorf,  actin? 
in  conjunction  with  them,  succeeded  on  a  trip  to  Indiana,  in  secur- 
ing the  aid  of  a  practical  man,  in  the  person  of  Mr.  G.  W.  Hall, 
now  President  of  the  Company,  then  in  business  at  New  Haven, 
Allen  county,  Indiana.    Mr.  Hall,  through  the  persuasion  of  Mr, 
Orstendorf,  withdrew  from  his  business  and  partnership  at  New  | 
Haven,  and,  in  the  spring  of  18G9,  concentrated  his  useful  energiea  | 
and  skill  in  the  work  of  building  up  the  great  enterprise  at  the  " 
of  which  he  now  stands. 

The  Ohio  Wheel  Company,  whose  headquarters  have  hitherto  been  I 
at  Toledo,  ascertained  that  their  interests  would  be  promoted  by  a  | 
removal  of  their  whole  manufacturing  facilitves  to  Delphos,  and  i 
increase  of  their  capital   stock  to   $200,000,  i-he  principal  part  o'j 
which  has  been  subscribed  and  is  owned  by  Delphos  citizens.    Thfif 
commence  with  the  employment  of  150  hands,  and  it  is  estimatail 
that  their  annual  sales  will  reach,  after  fully  in  operation,  half  amjlj 
lion  of  dollars.    Their  shipments  are  made  to  points  on  both 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts.    The  officers  of  the  Company  are,  Presij 
dent,  Henry  Flickinger ;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  W.  P.  Garrett;/ 
Superintendent,  Edward  Flickinger,  and  Assistant  Superintendent 
M.  A.  Ferguson.    There  are  few  manufacturing  establishments, evei, 
in  Toledo,  which  excel  the  Ohio  Wheel  Company  in  the  extent  ol 


Auglaize  County — WapauJconnetta.  465 


1  Foundry  and 

sash,  door  and 
iment;  a  large 
tvntiery— among 
n  factories ;  two 

four  milUneiy 
;s  and  shoes, 
ipital  of  $35,000. 
•ing  executed  in 

'  the  ahove  nam- 

i: 

re'nty-five  hands, 
ar  barrel  staves, 
je  of  its  raw  ma- 
ich  as  water  elm. 
farmers  as  worse 
the  fact  that  no 
A  staves,  than  this 
Company,  employ- 
le  most  important 
ers  of  the  Compa- 
rice  President ;  J. 
vry    To  the  sagaci- 
Hunt,  the  Delpbos 
ble  enterprise ;  and 
'Or8tendorf,actm? 
Indiana,  in  secur- 
»f  Mr.  G.  W.  Hall, 
,s  at  New  Haven, 
persuasion  ot  Mr. 
lartnership  at  Hw 
his  useful  energiei 
|terpriseatthehead 

5  have  hitherto  kei  I 
I  be  promoted  by  a 
toDelphos,andaii| 
principal  parU 
Lhos  citizens,  inj 
Ld  it  is  estimaW 
rperation,halfaini 

Goints  on  both  tb 
ICompanyare,irwi 
Ver,  ^V.  i*.  Garre  I 
Lt  Superintendei  I 
re8tablishment8,e«l 
iy  in  the  extent  o| 


its  business,  and  tliere  are  none  of  greater  importance  to  Delphos. 
A  contract  for  a  brick  building,  four  stories  in  height,  125x60  feet, 
has  been  let,  and  the  structure  nearly  completed.  The  primary 
cause  which  resulted  in  the  transfer  of  this  important  manufactory 
from  Toledo  to  Delphos,  existed  in  the  fact  that  Messrs.  Ferguson  & 
Risk,  who  had  been  large  lumber  and  carriage  timber  dealers,  with 
headquarters  at  St.  Mary's,  in  August,  1870,  received  such  substan- 


tial encouragement  from  John  M.  C.  Marble,  T. 


Wrocklage 


&  Co., 


and  Phelan  &  Chambers,  as  induced  them  to  remove  to  Delphos, 
and  engage  in  the  rough  dressing  of  wagon  and  carriage  stock. 
This  Company  was  organized  by  the  parties  above-mentioned,  and 
engaged  in  business  on  a  capital  of  $15,000.  The  Ohio  Wheel  Com- 
pany at  Toledo,  desirous  of  securing  the  exclusive  advantages  of  the 
tacilities  controlled  by  the  Delphos  Company,  opened  negotiations 
which  resulted  in  the  transfer  of  their  business  location  as  above 
stated. 

Aside  from  the  manufacturing  establishments  enumerated,  the 
town  contains  a  National  Bank,  under  the  directory  of  P.  Phelan, 
K.  Rnel,  L.  G.  Ralbuck,  F.  J.  Lye,  jr.,  Joseph  Boehmer,  T.  Wrocklage, 
and  J.  M.  C.  Marble ;  President,  J.  M.  C.  Marble;  Cashier,  Joseph 
Boehmer,  and  Teller,  0.  Yettinger.  There  is  also  a  Savings  Bank, 
under  the  management  of  a  Board  of  Trustees,  embracing  the 
names  of  several  of  the  most  substantial  men  of  Allen,  Van  Wert, 
and  Putnam  counties, — the  following  gentlemen  constituting  the 
Board :  P.  Phelan,  Dr.  Moses  Lee,  F.  J.  Lye,  Jr.,  T.  Wrocklage,  R. 
Reul,  P.  Walsh,  Joseph  Boehmer,  F.  H.  Stallkamp,  and  John  M. 
C,  Marble. 

The  town  also  contains  seven  dry  goods,  and  ten  family  grocery 
and  provision  stores ;  three  tine  hotels ;  six  establishments  manu- 
facturing boots  and  shoes,  and  in  the  aggregate  employing  a  large 
force;  two  hardware  stores;  three  clothing  stores,  manntacturing 
goods;  three  drug  stores,  (including  in  their  stocks,  books,  station- 
ery and  notions);  two  saddle  and  harness  manufactories ;  five  milli- 
nery establishments;  one  large  flouring  mill;  two  breweries;  two 
woollen  factories;  five  blacksmith  shops;  one  hoop  skirt  factory;  one 
tannery,  the  largest  in  Nortwestern  Ohio ;  the  Delphos  foundry  and 
machine  shops,  employing  a  capital  of  $20,000, — President,  A.  B. 
Risk;  Secretary,  J.  W.  Hunt;  Treasurer,  H.  J.  Moening;  one  dis- 
tillery, and  one  wood  moss  factory. 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 

Occupying  close  historical  relations  with  the  territory  hitherto  des- 
iCiihcd,  is  the  County  of  Auglaize,  organized  in  the  spring  of  1848. 

Wapaukonnetta  was  the  residence  of  the  noted  Shawanee  Cliie'", 
[Captain  James  Logan.    This  chief  was  a  nephew  of  Tocumseh, 


%\ 


I 


>(> 


4(36     Augtahe  County-* -^Peath  of  Captam  Logan> 


sister  of  the  latter  being  Logan's  mother.  When  the  troops  of  Win 
cliestor  occupied  Defiance,  Logan,  on  the  2ricl  of  November,  18U', 
accompanied  by  Captain  John  and  Bright-Horn,  started  a  stcoiul 
time  in  the  direction  of  the  Kapids,  resolved  to  bring  in  a  prisoner 
or  a  scalp.  Having  proceeded  down  the  north  side  of  the  Maumee, 
about  ten  miles,  they  met  with  a  British  olhcer,  the  eldest  son  of 
Colonel  Elliott,  and  five  Indians,  among  the  latter  an  Ottivwa  Chief, 
and  Winnemac,  a  Pottowatomie  Chief.  After  a  fruitless  eifort  to 
impress  upon  the  minds  of  Elliott  and  party  that  they  were  friend.s, 
on  their  way  to  communicate  to  the  British  important  information, 
Logan  gave  them  battle,  the  conflict  opening  by  Logan's  shooting 
down  Winnemac.  At  the  same  lire,  Elliott  fell ;  by  the  second,  the 
young  Ottawa  chief  lost  his  life;  and  another  of  the  enemy  was 
mortally  wounded  about  the  conclusion  of  the  combat;  at  which 
time  Logan  himself,  as  he  was  stooping  down,  received  a  ball  just 
below  the  breast-bone;  it  ranged  downwards,  and  lodged  under  the 
skin  on  his  back.  In  the  meantime,  Bright-Horn  was  also  woiuuled, 
by  a  ball  which  passed  through  his  thigh.  As  soon  as  Logan  was 
siiot,  he  ordered  a  retreat;  himself  and  Bright-Horn,  wounded  as 
they  were,  jumped  on  the  horses  of  the  enemy  and  rode  to  Winches- 
ter's camp,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles,  in  five  hours.  Captain  John, 
after  taking  the  scalp  of  the  Ottawa  Chief,  also  retreated  in  suiety, 
and  arrived  at  camp  next  morning. 

Logan's  wound  proved  mortal.  He  lived  two  days  in  agony,  which 
he  bore  with  uncommon  fortitude,  and  died  with  the  utmost  compo- 
sure and  resignation.  "More  lirmness  and  consummate  bravery 
has  seldom  appeared  on  the  military  theatre,''  said  AVinchester,  in 
his  letter  to  the  commanding  General.  *'  He  was  buried  with  all  the 
honors  due  to  his  rank,  and  with  sorrow  as  sincerely  and  generally 
displayed  as  I  ever  witnessed,"  said  Major  Hardin,  in  a  letter  to  Gov- 
ernor Shelby.  His  physiognomy  was  formed  on  the  best  model,  and 
exhibited  the  strongest  marks  of  courage,  intelligence,  good  humor, 
and  sincerity. 

On  his  death-bed,  Logan  requested  his  friend.  Major  Hardin,  son 
of  the  Colonel,  to  see  that  the  money  due  for  his  services  was  faith' 
fully  paid  to  his  family.  He  also  recjuisted  that  his  family  be  imme- 
diately removed  to  Kentucky,  and  his  children  educated  and  brouglit 
up  in  the  manner  of  the  white  people.  He  observed  that  he  hail 
killed  a  great  chief;  that  the  hostile  Indians  knew  where  his  familjl 
lived,  and  that  when  he  was  gone,  a  few  brave  fellows  might  creepj 
up  and  destroy  them. 

Major  Hardin,  having  promised  to  do  everything  in  his  power  toj 
have  the  wishes  of  his  friend  fulfilled,  immediately  obtained  perniiif 
sion  from  the  General  to  proceed,  with  Logan's  little  corps  of  Indil 
ans,  to  the  village  of  Wapaukonnetta,  where  his  family  resided,-! 
When  they  came  near  the  village,  the  scalp  of  the  Ottawa  chief  w;i|| 
tied  to  a  pole,  to  be  carried  in  triumph  to  the  Council-house;  \ 
Captain  John,  when  they  came  in  sight  of  the  town,  ordered  tkj 


troops  of  "Win 
)venibev,  1812, 
irted  a  stcoud 

in  a  prisoner 
f  the  Muumoe, 
3  eldest  son  of 
1  Ott<iwa  Chief, 
uitless  elTortto 
^ey  were  fi'ientl!=, 
nt  information, 
agan's  sliooting 

the  second, tk 

the  enemy  was 
mbat ;  at  wliicli 
ivecl  a  hall  just 
adged  muler  ih 
,'a3  also  woniuled. 
,n  as  Logan  was 
[orn,  woumled  us 

rode  to  Winclies- 
i-s.  Captain  John, 
itreated  in  siiletv, 

;s  in  agony,  which 
.he  utmost  compo- 
summate  bravery 
liid  Winchester.iu 
airied  with  all  tk 
ely  and  genenillv 
,  in  a  letter  to  Gov- 
Iho  best  model,  ami 
■nee,  good  humor, 

Llajor  Hardin,  son  I 
Services  was  iai"'- 
tis  family  be  imiM- 
Icated  and  hrougli 
V-ved  that  he  Iw'M 
^  where  his  fumii; 
plows  might  crcri' 

icrin  his  power  K' I 

^obtained  perw'=- 

[ttle  corps  onf 

family  resiaetl.- 

|e  Ottawa  chiet«l 

Jouncil-house;-* 

town,  ordered  ^ 


Auglaize  Co,--- Col  Johnson  at  Wajpmihmielia,    467 


'ir  ^ —■^■•ft ->.,^.■^. 


rrnns  of  tlic  party  to  be  fired  in  quick  succession,  on  account  of  the 
death  of  Logan.  A  council  of  the  chiefs  was  presently  held,  in 
which,  after  consulting  two  or  three  days,  they  decided  against  send- 
ing the  family  of  their  departed  hero  to  Kentncky.  They  appeared, 
however,  to  be  fully  sensible  of  tlie  loss  they  had  sustained,  and 
were  sincerely  grieved  for  his  death. 


Early  in  June,  1813,  the  mounted  regiment  of  Colonel  Richard 
M.  Johnson,  having  reached  L'ort  Meigs,  that  oflicer  proceeded  alone 
up  the  Auglaize  to  the  Indian  village  of  Wapaukonnetta,  to  procure 
some  Shawanee  Indians  to  act  as  guides  and  spies  ;  and  after  a  few 
days  returned  with  thirteen  Indians,  among  whom  was  the  half- 
breed,  Anthony  Shane,  whose  father  was  a  Frenchman, and  in  whom 
the  largest  confidence  was  placed  by  those  who  knew  him  in  the 
Northwestern  army.  Shane  had  been  an  active  opponent  of  Wayne, 
in  1794,  but  after  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  had  been  a  most  faithlul 
friend  to  the  United  States. 

Colonel  Johnson  says  that  the  place  was  "  named  after  an  Indian 
Chief  long  since  dead,  but  who  survived  years  after  my  intercourse 
commenced  with  the  Shawanees.  The  chief  was  somewhat  clnb- 
foofed,  and  the  word  has  reference,  I  think,  to  that  circumstance, 
although  its  full  import  I  never  could  discover.  For  many  years 
prior  to  18;i9, 1  had  my  headquarters  at  AVapaukonnetta.  The  busi- 
ness of  the  agency  of  the  Shawanese,  Wyandotts,  Senecas,  and  Del- 
iiwiires,  Avas  transacted  there." 

In  August,  1831,  treaties  were  negotiated  with  the  Senecas  of 
Lewiston,  and  the  Shawanese  of  Wapaukonnetta,  by  James  Gard- 
ner and  Colonel  John  Mcllvaine,  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States  by  the  terms  of  which  the  Indians  consented  to  give 
np  their  lands,  and  remove  west  of  the  Mississippi.  The  Shawanese 
bad  at  that  time  about  66,000  acres  in  what  was  then  Allen  County, 
and,  in  conjunction  with  the  Senecas,  about  40.300  acres  at  Lewis- 
ton.  The  Indians  were  removed  to  the  Indian  Territory,  on  Kansas 
river,  in  September,  1832,  D.  M.  Workman  and  David  Robb  being 
tbe  agents  for  their  removal.  The  celebrated  chief  and  warrior, 
Black  Hoof,  died  at  Wapaukonnetta,  shortly  previous  to  the  removal 
of  the  tribe,  at  the  age  of  110  years. 

Among  the  early  and  most  respected  citizens  of  Wapaukonnetta, 
was  llobert  J.  Skinner,  who  established  the  lirst  Democratic  paper 
published  in  Dayton, — the  first  number  of  which  was  issued  in  De- 
cember, 1816.  This  paper  was  continued  by  him  until  1830,  in 
[which  year  he  removed  to  Piqua,  and  established  in  that  town  the 
I  tirst democratic  press.  In  1832,  having  received  the  appointment  from 
ilVesident  Jackson  of  Receiver  of  the  United  States  Land  Office,  at 
Wapaukonnetta,  he  removed  to  thai  town,  and  continued  a  resident 
[of  the  place  until  June,  1849  when,  being  on  a  visit,  with  part  of  his 
t'iimily,  at  the  house  of  a  married  daughter  in  Dayton,  himself,  wife, 


iC)^    Auglaize  County — JEarly  Settlers  and  History. 


tliiughter  and  son,  composinjr  all  tlie  visitors,  were  attuckod  witli  tlu' 
cholera  which  prevailed  in  that  city  at  tho  time,  and,  during  one 
week,  tlu^  four  died  of  the  disease.  Mr.  Skinner  was  a  man  of  posi- 
tive character,  of  great  enterprise,  and  a  most  useful  citizen.  Ik' 
represented  Montgouiory  county  in  tho  General  Assembly,  at  tlie 
session  of  1828-29,  and  tho  largo  territory,  of  which  Allen  county 
then  formed  a  part,  in  the  session  of  18IJ8-JJ9. 

Among  those  at  Wapaukonnetta  who  were  residents  ahout  tlic 
time  Mr.  Skinner  became  a  citizen  of  the  place,  were  Colonel  Thos. 
13.  Van  Home,  Register  of  the  United  States  Land  Office,  Peter 
Ilammel  (a  French  Indian  trader),  Captain  John  Elliott  (who  was 
an  officer  at  Hull's  surrender,  and  who  had  been,  during  several 
years.  Government  blacksmith  at  Wapaukonnetta),  Jeremiah  Ayrts 
(who  opened  the  first  hotel  in  the  town),  Cummings  &,  Mathers,  and 
Samuel  Case  (the  last  three  named  being  merchants),  Henry  JJ, 
Thorn  (who  also  kept  a  tavern),  and  James  Elliott.  These,  except 
a  few  itinerant  traders,  formed  the  population  of  tho  town,  directly 
after  the  removal  of  the  Indians,  in  18.'{2-83. 

A  son  of  Judge  Michael  Dumbrott",  bom  in  IBo"),  cliristencil 
Charles,  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  white  child  born  in  Wapaii 
konnetta. 

Hon.  George  W.  Andrews  says : 

"Settlements  were  first  made  by  white  people  within  tho  limit! I 
now  occupied  by  Auglaize  county,  in  A.  D.  1828,  in  St.  Marvel 
township.  The  Shawanee  tribe  of  Indians  Avere  then  the  occupants.! 
in  their  way,  and  claimants  of  the  country.  Soon  after  followed  a  j 
few  settlements,  by  the  Quakers  establishing  a  mission  among 
Indians  at  Wapaukonnetta,  in  Duchoucpiet  township  ;  and  then  il 
white  settler  here  and  there  on  the  streams,  throughout  the  territo-j 
ry  now  composing  the  county,  came  in,  and  slowly  clearing  awavl 
the  forest,  they  opened  small  tracts  of  land,  which  they  cultivateil| 
undisturbed  by  the  red  men." 

On  the  8th  of  September,  1812,  the  army  reached  St.  Mary's, 
its  march  to  relieve  the  besieged  garrison  at  Fort  Wayne.  Then! 
were  at  that  time  some  block  houses  at  St.  Mary's,  built  for  the  s« 
curity  of  provisions,  and  protection  of  the  sick.  The  point  had  prtl 
viously  been  known  as  Girty's  town,  named  after  the  notorious  >^ 
mon  Girty. 


About  the  time  that  Tupper's  expedition  to  the  Maumce  KaM 
was  in  execution,  near  the  close  of  the  year  1812,  General  Harris':j 
(ante  p.  148,)  determined  to  send  an  expedition  of  horsemen  again' 
the  Miamies,  assembled  in  tho  towns  on  the  Mississiniwa  river,] 
branch  of  the  Wabash.  The  command  was  entrusted  to  Lieutenai 
Colonel  Campbell.  A  deputatioa  of  chiefs  from  those  Indians  iii| 
General  Harrison* at  St.  Mary's,  early  in  October,  and  suedf 
peace.     They  agreed  to  abide  by  the  decision  of  tho  President,  asj 


Jlistorij. 


ttackocl  with  ih: 
and,  durinjj;  ouf 
18  a  man  of  posi- 
jt'ul  citizen,  lU' 
Assembly,  at  tlie 
ch  Allen  county 

lidents  about  tlie 
M-e  Colonel  Thos, 
iand  Office,  Peter 
Elliott  (wlio  was 
en,  dnring  several 
,  Jeremiah  Aym 
icrs  &  Mathers,  ami 
ihants),  Henry  \l 
M.    These,  exceiil 
the  town,  directly 

n   1835,  christened  1 
,d  born  in  Wapan- 1 


c  within  the  linnU 
b28,in   St.  Marys 
ithentheoccupanal 
,on  after  IblloAveda 
mission  among  ttel 
vnship;  and  thcnJi 
3U2hout  the  terntol 
,wly  clearing  awa;| 
ich  they  cultivateJ| 

iched  St.  MaryX 
ort  Wayne.    Thei 


AnglaUe  County — Eadij  Ilistonj. 


4(')9 


in  iho  meantime  to  send  in  five  cliiefs  to  bo  hold  as  hostages.  Tho 
I'rcsident  replied  to  tho  communication  of  tho  General  on  this  sub- 
ject, that,  as  tho  disposition  of  tho  several  tribes  would  bo  known 
best  hy  himself,  he  must  treat  them  as  their  conduct  and  tho  publio 
interest  might,  in  his  judgment,  recjuire.  Tho  hostages  were  never 
sent  in,  and  Inrthor  information  of  their  intended  hostility  was  ob- 
tained. 

At  tho  time  of  their  jieace  mission,  they  were  alarmed  by  the  sue- 
ccKsriil  movements  which  liad  been  made  against  other  tribes,  from 
Fort  Wayne,  and  by  tho  formidable  expedition  which  was  penetrat- 
ing their  country  under  General  Hopkins,  liut  the  failure  of  that 
expedition  was  soon  afterwards  known  to  them,  and  they  deter- 
mined to  continue  hostile.  To  avert  tho  evils  of  their  hostility  was 
the  ohject  of  their  expedition  against  Mississinewa.   Said  Harrison  : 

"Tho  situation  of  this  town,  as  regards  one  line  of  operations, 
even  if  tho  hostility  of  tho  inhabitants  was  less  equivocal,  would 
render  a  measure  of  this  kind  higlily  proper ;  but,  from  tho  circum- 
stance of  General  Hopkins'  failure,  it  becomes  indispensable.  Ko- 
lieved  from  the  fears  excited  by  tho  invasion  of  their  country,  tho 
Indians,  from  the  upper  part  of  tho  Illinois  river,  and  to  the  south 
ot  Lake  Michigan,  will  direct  all  their  efforts  against  Fort  Wayne, 
and  the  convoys  which  are  to  follow  the  loft  wing  of  tho  army. — 
.Mississinewa  will  be  their  rendezvous,  where  they  will  receive  pro- 
visions and  every  assistance  they  may  require  for  any  hostile  enter- 
priso.  From  that  place  they  can,  by  their  runners,  ascertain  the 
period  at  which  every  convoy  may  set  out  from  St.  Mary's,  and  with 
certainty  intercept  it  on  its  way  to  the  Maumee  rapids.  But  that 
place  heing  broken  np,  and  the  provisions  destroyed,  there  will  be 
nothing  to  subsist  any  body  of  Indians,  nearer  than  the  Potawati- 
mie  towns  on  the  waters  ot  tho  St.  Joseph's  of  the  Lake." 

This  detachment  numbered  about  600  mounted  men,  armed  with 
rities.  They  left  Franklinton  on  the  25th  of  November,  181^,  by 
way  of  Dayton  and  Greenville,  and  reached  tho  Indian  towns  on 
the  Mississinewa,  towards  tho  middle  of  December,  suttering  much 
i'roin  cold.  In  a  rapid  march  upon  the  first  village,  eight  warriors 
[  were  Icilled,  and  forty-two  taken  prisoners,  consisting  of  men,  wo- 
men, and  children.  About  a  half  hour  before  day,the  morning  follow- 
ing this  charge,the  detachment  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  and  after 
a  sharp  hut  sliort  encounter,  with  a  loss  of  eight  killed  and  forty- 
[eiglit  wounded,  several  of  whom  afterwards  died,  the  enemy,  des- 
pairing of  success,  fled  precipitately,  with  a  heavy  loss. 


.  Hon.  Ct.  W.  Andrews,  from  whose  essay  on  the  agriculture  of 
jAnglaize  county,  quotation  has  already  been  made,  says  of  the  St. 
|3Iary'8  and  Auglaize  rivers : 

"The  St.  Mary's  river,  years  agone,  like  the  Auglaize,  was  thought 
lo  be  a  large  aud  permanent  stream  of  water,  upon  which  boats  of 


470 


Auglaize  County — Early  Settlers. 


considorablo  capacity  for  lading  would  ascend  for  trading  piirposcg, 
but  that  was  many  years  ago.  Now,  like  the  Auglaize,  it  has  \wx- 
manently  but  a  small  volume  of  water.  It  rises  in  the  soutliern 
parts  of  St.  Mar  's  and  Washington  townships,  runs  northwanlly 
through  St.  Mary's,  bending  westward  through  Noble,  nortliwc.st. 
ward  through  Salem,  and  continues  nearly  in  the  same  direction 
until  it  reaches  the  Maumee  at  Fort  Wayne." 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Mary's,  was 
W.  H.  If.  Langly ;  whose  father,  IJennett  W.  Langly,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  war  of  1812,  and  previous  to  that  time  had  performed  fivo 
years'  service  in  the  regular  army.  He  was  a  soldier  under  WIuhI- 
ler,  and  aided  in  the  erection  of  Fort  Dearborn,  at  Chicago. 

Isaac  Nichols  came  to  St.  Mary's  in  1828.  His  son,  Dr.  Nichols, 
is  now  a  resident  of  Wapaukonnetta. 

The  following  were  also  among  the  early  settlers: 

Henry  Reickard,  Christian  Benner,  Jolin  Pickrell,  Amos  Comp- 
ton,  Joshua  Warfield  (sheriff),  James  W  Kiley  (Clerk  Court  Com- 
mon Pleas),  Stacey  Taylor  (former  Associate  Judge  and  member  of 
the  General  Assembly),  William  Armstrong  (county  Auditor),  Dr. 
Huxford,  Dr.  Murdock,  John  Elliott  (Captain  in  the  war  of  1«12), 
John  Armstrong  (Associate  Judge,  settled  here  in  1H17),  H.  M. 
Helm,  Samuel  McKee,  Gideon  Mott,  J.  D.  Blew,  Dr.  A.  V.  Med- 
bery,  Sabirt  Scott  (formerly  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Senate,  and  also 
a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1850-.')l),  Franklin 
Linzee  (Clerk  of  Court),  Rev.  Asa  Stearns  (whoso  widow,  Sophia 
Stearns,  at  the  ago  of  91  years,  is  now  living  at  St.  Mary's,  with  Ler 
son,  Dr.  R.  W.  Stearns),  A.  K.  Stearns,  Henry  Updyke,  Henry 
Smith,  who  removed  to  Bremen  in  1H20,  and  from  thence  to  St, 
Mary's  township  in  about  1833,  Cuthbert  Vincent,  Reeve  Chapman, 
Morgan  Cleaveland,  J.  Hollingsworth,  Wm.  IloUingsworth,  Eleanor 
Armstrong,  Wm.  Lattimer,  Kobert  Bigger,  David  Woodruff,  CIkih. 
Watkins,  il.  R.  Barrington,  John  Baker,  Picket  Doty,  John  HaAV- 
thorn,  K.  J.  Crozier,  Joseph  Catterlin,  C.  P.  Dunbaugh,  Caleb  Ma- 
jor (Justice  of  the  Peace  and  County  Commissioner),  Elam  Frost, 
Robert  Elliott,  AVilliam  Elliott,  Samuel  Scott,  Isaac  Helm,  John  ^). 
Houston  (County  Surveyor),  Samuel  Johnson,  Thomas  Longwith, 
Elias  McAllister  (the  first  hatter  in  St.  Mary's),  Charles  Murray 
(the  first  white  Indian  trader  who  settled  upon  the  banks  of  the  St. 
Mary's,  and  at  whose  house,  in  1817,  the  treaties  were  made  willi 
the  sachems  and  chiefs  of  the  Indian  nations),  Barney  Murray,  L. 
D.  McMahon,  James  Vincent,  Malachi  Vincent,  Thomas  S.  Sturgeon, 
James  Gibson,  and  Andrew  Collins. 

S.  R.  Mott,  who  was  a  resident  of  St.  Mary's  in  1833,  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  in  March,  1811.  At  that  time,  E.  M.  Phelps,  William 
M.  Crane,  and  Oliver  C,  Rood,  were  the  resident  lawyers  in  practice. 

William  Sawyer,  when  1.5  years  of  age,  commenced,  in  Dayton, 
work  as  a  blacksmith's  apprentice.  This  was  in  1*810.  After  tk 
close  of  his  apprenticeship,  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  at  Dayton, 


Auglake  County — St,  Mar  if  8  in  1872.         471 


,1,  Amos  Comp- 
rk  Court  Corn- 
ami  member  of 
ty  Auditor),  Dr, 
le  war  of  iHl'i), 

Dr.  A.  V.  Med- 
,  Senate,  and  also 
50-51),  Franklin 
0  widow,  Sophia 
Mary's,  with  bur 
Updyke,  Henry 
)m  thence  to  St. 
Keeve  Chapman, 
jrsworth,  Eleanor 
Woodrutt",  Clia». 
)oty,  John  Haw- 
•nudi,  Caleh  Ma- 
umO,  Elam  Frost, 
ic  Helm,  John  S. 
aomas  Longwith. 
,  Charles   Murray 
;  banks  of  the  bt. 
-were  made  wl'i 
arney  Murray,  !'• 
lomasS.  Sturgeon, 

1833,  was  aclmit- 
I  Phelps,  WiUiam 
awycrs  in  practice 
,nced,in  Dayton, 

WIG.  After  tlie 
jyman  at  Dayton,] 


an<l  at  tho  Indian  Agency,  near  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  and  in 
ls;i{),  removed  to  Miamishurg,  I\lontgomcry  county,  and  establJHhed 
himself  in  business.  During  his  residence  in  Montgomery  county, 
ho  served  five  terms  in  tho  House  of  Kopresentatives  of  tho  Ohio 
General  Assembly — commencing  in  1830 — tlio  In^it  year  of  which 
(session  of  18;{5-;{0,)  he  was  chosen  Speaker.  In  183H,  and  again  in 
18K>,  lie  was  a  candidate  for  Congress,  against  Patrick  0.  Goodo, 
and  defeated  in  both  trials.  In  1K13,  lie  removed  to  St.  Mary's,  and 
in  the  year  following,  1844.  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  re-elected 
in  1H4(5,— his  Congressional  service  running  through  tho  term  of  Mr, 
Polk's  administration,  and  closing  March  3,  1849.  In  1850,  he  was 
a  member  of  tho  Constitutional  Convention.  In  October,  185.'),  ho 
was  elected  a  member  of  tho  House  of  Representatives,  of  tho  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  from  Auglaize  county. 

During  tho  year  1  S.').'>,  ho  was  appointed  by  President  Pierce  Re- 
ceiver of  the  Land  Ofiico  for  the  Otter  Tail  District,  Minnesota,  re- 
appointed by  President  Buchanan,  and  removed  by  President  Lin- 
coln within  twenty  days  after  his  inauguration,  for  political  reasons, 
alone. 

In  ISGO,  ho  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Hayes  one  of  the  Tl*uBtees  of 
the  Ohio  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College,  and  during  the  last 
six  years  has  been  acting  Mayor  and  Justice  of  tho  Peace  at  St. 
Mary's. 


The  old  block  house  at  St.  Mary's  was  demolished  in  1833-34  by 
a  person  who  used  tho  material  for  fuel,  exciting  greatly  tho  indig- 
nation of  the  inhabitants.  Tho  limbs  of  a  large  burr  oak  tree,  stand- 
ing ahout  180  yards  distant  from  tho  fort,  and  bearing  heavy  foliage, 
was  used  by  the  Indians  as  a  covert,  from  which  they  fired  upon  the 
soldiers  in  the  fort.  After  the  discovery  of  tho  uses  being  made  of 
it,  the  tree  was  trimmed  of  its  limbs.  It,  however,  survived  many 
years;  but,  finally,  within  the  last  two 'years,  yielded  to  the  pres- 
sure of  a  storm,  and  fell  to  tho  ground. 

The  St.  Mary's  of  1872  is  a  very  flourishing  town,  having  better 
I  business  prospects  than  have  been  offered  in  any  former  period  of 
its  history.  Before  these  pages  will  have  been  issued  from  the  press, 
in  addition  to  the  transportation  and  manufacturing  facilities  afford- 
ed by  the  canal  and  reservoir,  it  will  be  in  convenient  communica- 
tion with  some  of  tho  leading  railway  lines  of  the  country,  through 
jthe  opening  of  the  Louisville  and  Lake  Erie  road.  The  town  is  sit- 
luated  upon  elevated  ground,  being  398  feet  above  the  level  of  Lake 
jiirie.  Among  its  superior  advantages  is  its  water  power,  afforded 
|l>y  the  Mercer  County  Reservoir.  A  large  canal  basin  occupies  a 
ll'lace  near  the  centre  of  the  town. 

In  manufactures,  St.  Mary's  has  three  grist  mills;  one  woollen 
Bactory;  one  flax  mill;  two  planing  mills;  three  saw  mills;  one 
poundry;  one  distillery ;  one  hub  and  spoke  factory;  one  carriag 


472    Auglaize  Co. — St.  Mary^s  in  1872—  Mrst  Court. 


do;  two  cigar  do;  two  brick  yards;  one  tile  factory;  one  lime 
kiln;  two  tanneries ;  one  linseed  oil  mill;  two  furniture  factories; 
one  i)hotograph  gallery ;  two  bakeries;  two  sfove  and  tin  shops; 
two  merchant  tailor  establishments ;  three  millinery  do;  four  boot 
and  sboe  shops ;  two  meat  mai'kets,  and  two  wagon  shops.  Also, 
two  hotels ;  two  pork  packing  houses  ;  two  warehouses ;  two  livery 
stables,  and  one  nursery. 

In  stores,  there  are  four  dry  goods  ;  seven  grocery  and  provision ; 
two  drug ;  one  liquor ;  one  watch  and  jewelry  ;  two  hardware  ;  oae 
hat,  cap  and  shoe,  and  one  fish  and  wild  game  depot. 

The  churcncs  are,  Catholic,  Baptist,  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  and 
German  Lutheran.  St.  Mary's  has  also  a  first-class  Uni(«n  School, 
having  English,  German,  and  classical  departments. 

Hon.  Ph.  V.  Herzing,  member  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works, 
furnishes  the  following  table  ot  some  of  the  principal  articles  ship- 
ped irom  St.  Mary's  during  the  season  of  canal  navigation  of  the 
year  1871 : 

Lumber  and  timber— feet 1,649,0(;6 

Ilooppoles,  staves,  hubs,  and  spokes— pieces 1 ,908,51H 

Grain  and  flour — pounds 19,063,582 

Seeds,                        "       1,064,020 

Linseed  oil,               "      lor),431 

Porlc  and  Lard,        "      329,2^5 

Railroad  ties — pieces eoAls 

Firewood  —cords 4,207 

Oil   cake — pounds 1 ,061,591 

Sundries,        " 1,183,91(1 

Tlie  above  exports  do  not  include  tlie  large  amount  of  articles  sliippcJ 
via  the  Dayton  and  3Iicbigan  railroad,  during  the  close  of  canal  naviga- 
tion in  the  winter. 


The  first  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  in  Auglaize 
County,  was  held  in  May,  1848;  Patrick  G.  Goode,  President 
Judge,  and  George  W.  Ilolbrook,  David  Simpson  and  John  Mc 
Lean,  associates. 

The  first  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  was  held  in  June,  1850,  by 
Judges  Edward  Avery,  and  Rufus  P.  Spalding. 

At  the  election  lield  October  JO,  1848,  the  following  county  offi- 
cers were  elected : 

Auditor,  Marmaduke  Smith  ;  Treasurer,  John  J.  Rickley ;  Sheriff, 
John  Elliott ;  Commissioners,  S.  M.  Dreese,  Shadrack  Montgome- 
ry, and  Hugh  T.  Rinehart;  Recorder,  Simon  Dresher;  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  George  W.  Andrews ;  Coroner,  Amos  S.  Bennett;  l^ur- 
veyor,  Dominicus  Fleitz. 

Mr.  Andrews,  in  his  essay  from  which  quotations  have  already 
been  made,  thus  refers  to  Wapaukonnetta,  the  county  seat : 

"The  first  immigrant  found  an  Indian  village  on  the  site  wlierc 


Auglaize  County —  Wajyanlaonnetta. 


473 


the  town  now  standa.  The  council  house  of  the  Shawanese  stood 
about  the  centre  of  the  present  town — was  a  block  building  about 
25  by  o5  feet,  and  about  eight  feet  story.  It  remained  standing,  in 
pretty  good  preservation,  until  1859,  when  a  purchaser  of  the  lot  on 
which  it  stood,  thinking  a  valuable  brick  building  would  contribute 
more  to  the  interests  of  a  community  of  white  men,  and  es'pecially 
to  the  interests  of  his  own  pocket,  than  the  reminder  of  delibera- 
tions of  savages,  tore  it  down.  The  writer  of  this  essay,  in  the  year 
1856,  tore  down  an  Indian  hut,  which  was  standing  on  a  lot  of  his, 
that  was  tlie  honored  residence  of  a  chief  The  building  was  con- 
structed of  round  logs,  not  exceeding  six  inches  in  diameter,  was 
about  ten  feet  by  fourteen,  and  seven  feet  high.  These  were  the  last 
remains  of  the  Indian  village,  which  derived  its  name  from  a  chiof 
of  high  standing — Waughpaughkonnetta.  The  word  has  been  be- 
refl  of  its  surplus  letters,  retained  as  the  name  of  the  town,  and 
built  on  the  identical  site  of  the  old  Indian  one,  which  is  our  county 
seat,  as  above  stated." 

The  original  proprietors  of  Wapaukonnetta  were  Robert  J.  Skin- 
ner, Thomas  B.  Van  Home,  Joseph  Barnett,  Jonathan  K.  Wilds, 
and  Peter  Aughenb-iugh.  The  town  was  platted  in  1833,  and  at  the 
first  public  sale  eighty-four  lots  were  purchased,  ranging  from  S20 
to  S140 — the  one  bringing  the  latter  figures  being  lot  No.  36,  corner 
public  square  and  Willipie  street,  and  purchased  by  E.  C.  Case. 
Peter  Ilummel  paid  $120  for  lot  13,  Auglaize  street,  upon  which 
then  stood  the  Indian  trading  post.  The  old  Indian  council  house 
occupied  lot  No.  3,  Auglaize  street,  now  used  by  Samuel  Bitler  and 
J.  H.  Doering,  for  a  hardware  store  and  residence. 

The  town  contains  a  public  and  a  private  school, — the  latter  under 
ihe  management  of  the  Catholic  Church ; — one  Presbyterian,  one 
Catholic,  one  Methodist,  and  two  German  and  one  English  Luthe- 
riin  Church — all  the  buildings  being  of  brick,  and  attended  regular- 
ly by  large  congregations. 

The  newspapers  of  Wapaukonnetta  are,  the  Auglaize  County 
Dmocrat,  H.  P.  Kelly,  editor  and  publisher ;  and  the  Waupaukon- 
nctta  Counint,  E.  B.  Walkup,  editor  and  publisher. 

In  manufactures,  it  has  a  woollen  mill,  machine  shop,  spoke  and 
hub  factory,  a  cooper  establishment,  employing  an  annual  capital  of 
^100,000,  and  two  large  flouring  mills — all  these  establishments  be- 
ing operated  by  steam ;  two  private  banks ;  two  carriage  factories, 
iind  three  wagon  shops ;  three  hotels,  all  good  (the  Burnett 
House,  by  F.  H.  Kenthan,  ranking  among  the  best  between  Cincin- 
nati and  Toledo) ;  six  houses  dealing  in  general  merchandise,  and 
Iwo  in  hardware,  two  in  boots  and  shoes,  live  in  groceries  and  pro- 
visions, two  in  clothing,  and  three  in  drugs  and  medicines,  and  four 
millinery  establishments.  To  these  may  be  added  four  blacksmith 
shops,  eight  shoe  do ;  one  pump,  two  cigar,  one  half  bushel,  one 
candy,  and  one  tress  hoop  manufactory,  and  three  livery  stables. 


1 


474    Auglaize  County — Taxahle  J^asis,  loivns,  Etc. 


The  taxable  basis  of  Auglaize  county,  in  1871,  was  as  follows: 

Vivluc  of  lands !$4,170,270 

ViiliK!  of  town  property 1,040,519      $5,310,705 

Value  of  chftttel    property 1,030,093 

Miilfing  a  total    of $6,852,888 

In  the  town  of  St.  Mary's,  in  18'24,  the  total  valuation  of  real  and 
personal  estate,  for  taxation  purposes,  amounted  to  $76.70,  and 
in  1871,  to  $780,415.00.  In  Wapaukonnetta,  the  total  valuation  in 
1871,  amounted  to  $708,100.00. 

Regarding  other  towns  in  Auglaize  county,  Mr.  Andrews  thus 
refers  to  them : 

"iVe?w  Bremen — Is  on  the  canal,  contains  1,200  inhabitants,  and 
])ossc88es  a  good  deal  of  wealth.  This  town,  also,  has  good  water 
power,  and  has  two  flouring  mills,  a  large  and  fine  woollen  factory, 
an  oil  mill,  and  other  minor  estalalishraents — the  machinery  of  all 
of  which  is  propelled  by  water.  The  town  is  very  thriving,  and  the 
people  are  enterprising.  They  are  all  Germans,  and  the  village  is 
located  in  German  township.    It  bids  fair  to  be  a  large  place. 

"  Minster — Is  situated  three  miles  south  of  New  Bremen,  on  the 
canal,  in  Jackson  township,  containing  1,000  inhabitants,  all  Ger- 
mans ;  is  a  neat,  growing  town,  has  a  large  flouring  mill,  woollen 
manufactory,  and  two  mills  for  cutting  lumber — all  propelled  by 
steam.  There  is,  also,  in  the  town,  one  of  the  largest  and  best  ap- 
pointed lager  beer  breweries  in  the  State. 

"  New  KmxviUe — This  town  is  in  Washington  township,  contains 
about  two  hundred  inhabitants,  and  is  a  growing  place. 

"  Criderville  is  six  miles  north  of  Wapaukonnetta,  on  the  D.  and 
M.  railro.ad,  in  Duchouqtiet  township,  contains  250  inhabitants,  and 
is  rapidly  improving. 

"  St,  Johns  is  on  the  Wapaukonnetta  and  Belle  Centre  turnpike, 
six  miles  east  of  Wapaukonnetta,  is  one  of  the  oldest  toAvns  in  the 
county,  contain;)  a  larger  number  of  inhabitants  than  Criderville,  and 
is  quite  a  business  place. 

"  Waynesfield,  situated  in  Wayne  township,  is  a  growing  town, 
has  a  large  steam  flouring  mill,  and  a  mill  for  cutting  lumber,  con- 
tains about  250  inhabitants,  who  are  exhibiting  a  spirit  of  rntcqirise 
unusual  in  towns  of  this  size. 

"  New  JInmpshire  is  in  Goshen  township,  and  is,  as  well  as 
Waynesfield,  in  tlu^  eastern  portion  of  the  county.  This  town  con- 
tains a  flouring  mill  propelled  by  steam. 

"  Uninnopolis  is  in  Union  township,  situated  in  a  rich  neighbor- 
hood, but  does  not  give  evidence  of  much  future  growth. 

"  Kossuth  is  in  Salem  township,  on  the  canal,  and  docs  a  good 
trading  business.    It  will  not  probably  become  a  very  largo  town.' 


iS,  FJc. 


Cvaivford  Countii — Early  Ilhtory. 


475 


as  follows : 

270 

510      $5,210,790 

1,036,093 

ion  of  real  and 
to  $76.70,  and 
\l  valuation  in 

Andrews  thus 

inhabitants,  and 
as  good  water 
roollen  factory, 
lachinery  of  all 
hriving,  and  the 
id  the  village  is 
rge  place. 
Bremen,  on  the 
ibitants,  all  Ger- 
ig  mill,  woollen 
ill  propelled  by 
rest  and  best  ap- 

)wnship,  contains 
ace. 

La,  on  the  D.  and 
inhabitants,  and 

Centre  turnpike, 
est  towns  in  the 
Criderville,  und 

a  growing  town, 
ing  lumber,  con- 
lint  of  rntcriirise 

id  is,  as   well  a» 
This  town  con- 

a  rich  neighhor- 
rowth. 

nd   does  a  good 
very  largo  town. ' 


Tlic  first  fedenil  census  of  the  county  was  taken  in  18r)0,  and  then 
t'xhihitcdapopulfitionof  11,:};58;  in  1800,  of  17,187;  and  in  1870, 
of  20,041.  Tile  free  colored  ]iopulaMon  hud  legularly  diminished — 
the  returns  of  1850  showing  87 ;  1800  reduced  to  Oi,  and  1870  re- 


duced to  01. 


Tlio  following  is  a  table  of  the  several  census  returns  since  the  organization 
of  Auglaize  County : 


TOWNS  AND  TOWNSHIPS. 


Cliiy 

Diidionquet 

Criderville 

Wapiuilvonnetta 

Gorman  (A) 

New  Bremen 

Over  Bremen 

Ooslicn 

Jackson  (i) 

Minster 

Loi^un 

Mdulton 

Noble 

I'uchetii 

Sak'tn 

KossuUi 

St.  Miiry'p 

8t.  Miiry'.-^ 

riiiou 

^\'asllill^rt()ll 

Wnyiie.^ 

(6)  In  1859,  Jackson  from  German 


1870 


109,1 
395!) 

107 
2150 
i:5i) 

528 

4'3;5 

524 

1502 

8(i8 

S)00 

12.52 

1159 

1200 

877 

112 

2420 

i:!70 

14()3 

840 

toil 


1800 


1091 
2502 

"900 

1721 

379 

2110 

407 

1554 

752 

700 

794 

82G 

12S0 

G77 


23  W 

11.54 

]4;{0 

9S() 

877 


1850 


840 
1408 

"504 

2242 

814 


3:i« 

"428 
335 
450 
31)9 

1008 

470 

70 

1507 
873 

1008 
0>i8 
071 


CRAWFORD  COU.NTY 

Was  formed  from  old  Indian  territory,  April  1,  1820.  The  cMin- 
ty  derives  its  name  from  Colonel  William  Crawford,  whose  luil'or- 
tiiiiate  exjiedition  and  fate  have  heen  related  in  preceding  pages. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  recollections  of  John  Moder- 
wc'll,  pnhlislied  in  the  Bucyrns  Journal,  in  1808  : 

"The  difficulties  and  trials  of  the  early  settlers  of  Crawford  coun- 
!y,  although  not  so  great  as  those  encountered  by  the  earlier  settlers 
wi'st  of  the  AlK'glienies,  were  yet  such  as  would  be  considered  l)y 
'lieir  descendants  of  the  jn-esent  day  as  almost  insurmountable. 
Nearly  all  the  land,  within  the  present  limits  of  the  county,  was 
H'>ver(d  by  a  forest  of  heavy  timber,  which  almost  entirely  prevent- 
d  the  sun's  rays  from  reacliing  the  ground.     This,  in  cunncctiou 


476 


Crawford  County — Early  Ilktory. 


with  the  formation  of  the  country,  and  the  nature  of  t])c  soil,  lu'c- 
c'starily  made  very  muddy  roads,  even  with  the  httle  travel  then  juiss- 
ing  over  them.  And  mud,  and  the  fever  and  ague,  produced  by 
about  the  same  causes,  wore  great  drawbacks  to  the  rapid  improvu- 
nient  of  the  country.  The  distance  from  mills,  and  from  settle- 
ments, were  also  among  the  serious  difficulties  they  had  to  contend 
with.  For  several  years,  nearly  all  the  flour  used  had  to  be  brought 
from  the  mills  on  Mohican  creek,  and  its  tributaries,  in  Eichland 
county,  thirty  and  forty  miles  distant.  The  practice  then  was,  to 
make  a  trip  to  the  vicinity  of  one  of  these  mills — purchase  a  small 
quantity  of  wheat  from  some  of  the  settlers  there — place  it  upon 
your  ox  wagon,  or  pack  it  on  your  horse,  or  upon  your  own  back, 
and,  after  being  ground,  return  the  flour  in  the  same  way — the  vo]j- 
age  consuming  a  week  to  ten  days. 

'•  Most  of  the  pioneers  were  men  of  omall  means.  Their  stock  of 
cash  being  generally  exhausted  upon  paying  the  government  pricu 
for  eighty,  or,  at  most,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  many 
became  discouraged  at  the  hardships  they  had  to  encounter,  and  iv- 
turned  to  their  old  homes.  Multitudes  of  others  would  have  done 
so,  ""ould  they  have  raised  the  means.  This,  however,  did  not  lust 
long;  most  of  them  becoming  entirely  satisfied  after  a.  few  years' 
residence — the  improvement  of  the  counti'y  each  year  making  it  more 
tolerable  to  live  in,  and  giving  increasing  promise  of  its  future  pros- 
per ity. 

"  The  total  change  in  the  appearance  of  things,  to  one  "who  can 
look  back  forty-live  years,  seems  almost  miraculous;  and  could  one 
of  the  residents  here  in  IS'i.'i,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  half  a  cen- 
tury, now  return,  he  would  find  it  difficult  to  recognize  a  single  fa- 
miliar landmark,  or  half  a  dozen  familiar  faces ;  and  one  who  has 
faithfully  put  in  a  whole  day  on  horseback,  from  here  to  JManstieid, 
and  now  finds  himself  set  down  there  by  the  cars  in  one  hour,  some- 
times finds  it  difficult  to  realize  that  he  is  not  in  the  situation  of 
the  fellow  who  had  either  found  a  cart  or  lost  a  yoke  of  oxen  ;  and 
one  who  has  not  a  correct  record  of  his  age  is  inclined  to  think  lie 
has  been  hero  a  century  instead  of  less  than  half  a  one. 

"The  first  arrival  of  white  settlers  occurred  in  181!).  Of  these,  j 
in  addition  to  those  who  settled  in  the  imnudiate  vicinity  of  liucy-  | 
rus,  we  remember  Resolved  White,  a  descendant  of  the  child  horn  in 
the  Mayflower  ;  Rudoli)h  Morse,  and  David  Cummins,  in  the  pres- 
ent limits  of  Auburn  township;  Jacob  Snyder,  near  Leesville;  Da- 
vid Anderson,  and  Andrew  Dixon  and  sons,  in  A'"ernon  townsliip; 
John  Brown  and  his  son  Michael  Brown,  on  the  farm  owned  by  tin 
late  Mr.  Beltz,  of  Polk  township;  David  lieid,  and  two  men  nanieil 
Fletcher,  a  little  south  of  that  point  In  Sandusky  township,  tliea 
were  Westell  Ridgely  and  J.  8.  Griswell,  near  where  the  liucyrn; 
and  Leesville  road  crosses  the  Sandusky  river.  A  little  south  wiij 
I'eter  Bebout;  Samuel  Kniseley,  at  Kniseley's  springs,  and  his  bro- 
ther Josepli,  and  Julin   B.  French,  just  north  of  liiin.     Near  the 


Crctwjovil  County— JEarly  History. 


yr^ 


477 


to  one  who  can 
and  could  oiio 
loarly  half  a  con- 
rnize  a  single  l:i- 
'ud  one  wbo  wd 
lere  to  JManstiela, 
n  one  hour,  sonie- 
the  situation  o 
)ke  of  oxen  ;  uml 
incd  to  think  he 
X  one. 
1810.     Of  tlicse, 
vicinity  of  l^"cy- 
f  the  chiUl  Iw" '" 
mins,  in  the  pres- 
.ar  Leesville ;  I'a- 
-^ernon  township; 
arm  owned  by  II"' 
two  men  naiiiw 
Y  township,  theiv 

u'l-e  the  BucYVi'i 

little  south  was 

,n-s,  and  his  bro- 

»fluin.    Near  the 


Bear  Marsh,  Isaac  Matthews,  William  Ilandley,  Nelson  Tustason, 
two  families  of  Mclntyres,  and  John  Davis. 

''  Samuel  Norton,  the  founder  of  Bucyrus,  squatted  on  the  quarter 
section  of  land  u^ion  which  the  town  was  afterwards  laid  out,  in  the 
same  year,  and  erected  his  first  cabin  on  the  river  bank,  a  short  dis- 
tance above  the  present  railroad  bridge.  In  this  cabin  was  born  his 
daughter  Sophronia,  who  was  the  first  white  child  born  on  the  town 
plat,  or  probably  within  the  present  limits  of  the  county.  At  this 
time  his  only  neighbors  were  David  Beadle,  and  his  sons  Mishel  and 
David,  Daniel  McMichael,  and  Joseph  Young.  Of  these,  Daniel 
McMichael  settled  on  a  quarter  section  two  miles  east  of  the  river, 
part  of  which  is  now  owned  by  Joseph  Albright,  and  afterwards 
bought  the  eighty  acres  immediately  north  of  town,  on  the  pike;  and 
also  the  tract  upon  which  John  Heinlin's  additions  have  been  laid 
out.  Young  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  A.  Gormly, 
near  Esquire  Stewart's;  Mishel  Beadle  en  the  farm  now  owned  by 
L.  Converse  and  David  Beadle,  just  southwest  of  town,  at  the  Lud- 
\\\g  orehard,  and  John  Ensley  where  widow  Minich  now  lives. 

"The  lands  in  the  county,  except  the  "Wyandott  Indian  reserva- 
tion, were  brought  into  market,  and  offered  for  sale  at  Delaware, 
Uliio,  in  the  following  yeai*. 

"Bucyrus  was  laid  out  in  1833,  by  Samuel  Norton,  proprietor  of 
the  laud,  and  Colonel  James  Kilbourne,  late  of  AVorthington,  Ohio, 
well  known  at  that  time  as  a  pioneer  and  surveyor.  The  lots  were 
soon  after  offered  at  public  sale,  and  brought  from  ."()  to  4.5  dollars 
each.  Norton  was  the  first  settler  on  the  site  of  the  town,  and 
moved  in  from  Pennsylvania  in  1819,  and  wintered  in  a  small  cabin 
of  poles,  which  stood  on  the  banks  of  the  Sandusky.  The  lots  trans- 
ferred at  this  sale  were  all  on  Sandusky  Avenue  and  Walnut  street, 
and  but  few  south  of  the  ]niblic  square.  At  this  date,  in  addition 
to  Norton,  there  were  living,  in  the  new  town,  Lewis  and  Abel 
Carey,  Lewis  Stejihenson,  Kobert  Moore,  J.  S.  George,  George  P. 
Sehultz,  Samuel  Roth,  Harris  Garton,  Harry  Smith,  llussel  Peels,  E. 
15.  and  Charles  Merriman  and  a  few  others. 

"The  first  frame  building  erected  in  the  town,  was  about  15  by  1.5 
feet,  and  stood  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Mr.  (}.  John's  prop- 
erty, north  of  the  railroad.  The  first  brick,  on  the  lot  where  Blair 
&  Pickering's  brick  buildings  now  stand. 

"The  first  mill  for  grinding  grain  was  erected  by  Abel  Carey,  on 
the  river  just  Avest  of  the  north  end  of  Main  street.  It  was  after- 
wards removed  to  where  McLain's  mill  now  stands — subsequently 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  present  mill  erected  in  184:4. 

"The  first  school  taught  in  the  town,  was  in  a  log  shanty,  on  the 
river  bank,  near  the  north  end  of  Spring  street.  Horace  Ilowsc  was 
:iscliolar  in  this  school,  and  is  probably  the  only  person  now  living 
lure  who  attended  it.  The  first  building  erected  expressly  for  school 
purposes  was  of  round  logs,  and  stood  near  the  present  Catholic 
Church ;  after  this,  a  small  one-story  brick  was  built  on  the  lot  now 


il 


ilS    Crawford  CoiuiUj — Old  and  Present  Officers, 


rrr-T"  -   -"^   ~-  ^  ■  iti 


occupied  by  the  frame  scliool  house,  near  the  depot,  and  was  used  as 
a  school  house,  court  room,  town  hall,  and  house  Ibr  religious  wor- 
ship. When  used  as  a  court  room,  the  jury  had  to  be  accommoda 
ted  in  shops,  etc.,  in  other  parts  of  tlie  town.  Among  the  early 
teachers,  were  Colonel  Zalmon  Rowse,  Horace  Pratt,  Sallie  Davis, 
Doctor  Ilorton,  Mrs.  Espy  and  daughters,  Mr.  White,  and  others. 

"  Crawford,  though  formed  in  1820,  was  attached  to  Delaware 
connty,  and  afterwards  to  Marion,  until  the  session  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  1835-20,  when  an  act  wasjjassed  organizing  the  county,  and 
directing  county  commissioners  to  be  elected,  at  the  ensuing  April 
elections,  who  were  to  fix  upon  a  temporary  seat  of  justice.  The 
people  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county  were  in  favor  of  Eucynis 
as  the  county  seat,  and  those  living  in  the  western  part  insisteil 
upon  its  being  located  in  a  town  called  Crawford,  laid  out  by  Josejili 
Newell,  on  land  now  owned  by  Tliomas  Hall,  on  Brokensword.  Thos. 
McClure,  John  Magers,  and  John  Poe,  the  candidates  in  favor  of 
Bucyrus,  were  elected,  and  the  county  seat  temporarily  established, 
by  them,  at  Bucyrus.  A  few  years  later,  this  location  became  per- 
manently fixed  by  a  board  of  commissioners  appointed  by  the  leg- 
islature for  the  purpose,  consisting  of  Judge  Williams,  of  Delaware, 
]{odolphus  Dickinson,  of  Lower  Sandusky,  and  J.  IS.  Glassgo,  of 
Holmes  county. 

"The  first  court  held  in  the  county  was  presided  over  by  Judge 
Ebenezer  Lane,  of  Norwalk,  President  Judge  of  the  circuit,  and 
John  Carey,  E.  B.  Merriman,  and  John  B.  French,  associate  judges, 
The  court  sat  in  Lewis  Carey's  front  room,  in  the  house  now  owned 
by  C.  H.  Schouert.  Judge  Lane  was  succeeded  by  Judge  lliggins. 
and  he  by  Judge  Bowen,  of  Marion.  The  associate  judges  named 
above,  were  succeeded  by  Josiah  Bobinson,  Abel  Carey,  George  I'oe, 
Andrew  Taylor,  11.  W.  Musgrove,  James  Stewart,  and  llobert  Lee, 

"  Mr.  Beardslee  received  the  first  appointment  as  clerk,  but  sliort- 
]y  afterward  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  Bowse,  who 
held  the  ofiice  for  a  number  of  years,  as,  also,  at  the  same  time,  that 
of  county  recorder,  and  was  succeeded,  as  clerk,  by  J.  B.  Larwill,  D. 
AV.  Swigart,  Alexander  P.  Widman,  etc.,  and  as  recorder,  by  Jacob 
llowenstein,  and  James  Ilobiuson. 

"  The  first  sheriff  was  Hugh  McCracken,  succeeded  by  John  Mil- 
ler, John  Moderwell,  David  Holm,  John  Shull,  Samuel  Andrews, 
James  L.  Harper,  John  Caldwell,  and  James  Clements. 

"James  Martin  was  the  first  county  auditor,  and  he  was  succeedeil 
by  Charles  Merriman,  Edward  Billips,  John  Caldwell,  Jacob  llow- 
enstein, George  Linn,  Owen  Williams,  and  John  Pitman. 

"I'he  first  county  treasurer  was  John  H.  Morrison,  succeeded  l)j| 
General  S.  Myers,  Geo.  Lauck,  and  Chas.  lloticli." 

Tlie  officers  of  tlie  county  serving  in  1873,  are  the  followin:::| 
Thomas  Coughlin,  clerk  ;  liobert  Lee,  probate  judge;  William  31  j 
Scroggs,  auditor;  Job  Franz,  treasurer;  James  Worden,  sheriff;  \^ 
M.  Bowyer,  recorder;  J.  W.  Coulter,  prosecuting  attorney;   H.  ^\ 


fflcers. 


Crawford  Couniij — Old  taioycr^.  4ii0 


ul  was  iised  as 
religious  wor- 
e  acconimodii- 
ong  the  early 
D,  Sallie  Davis, 
,  and  others. 

I  to  DeUiware 
of  the  Legislii- 
the  county,  and 
,  ensuing  April 
3f  justice.  The 
,vorof  Bucyrus 

II  part  insisted 
d  out  by  Joseph 
vcnsword.  Thos. 
ates  in  favor  of 
irily  estabUshcd, 
ion  became  per- 
ited  by  tlie  H 
tms,  of  Delaware. 
J.  S.  Glassgo,  ot 

d  over  by  Juilge 
'  the  circuit,  and 
associate  judge's. 
house  now  owmd 
'  Judge  lligSi"^; 
,te  iudgcs  named 
larey,  George  1  oi', 
,  and  llobert  Loe, 

8  clerk,  but  short- 
\onel  llowse,  Avho 
Le  same  time,  that 
V  J.  B.  Larwill,  1  • 
[ecordcr,  by  J^c'^^ 

Ided  by  John  Mil; 
Isamuel  Andre\^^ 

lents.  ,,] 

dbewassucceodod 

twell,  Jacob  How- 

JL>itnum.  ,  I 

fison,  succeodcil  Dy 

lire  the   following 

Vorden,  sheriff,  f; 


McDonald,  surveyor;  Phillip  Moffat,  coroner;  Lewis  Littler,  James 
Ilufty,  and  Charles  Myers,  cummissioiiers ;  Jervise  Jump,  John 
Atlaiii  Kiiuk,  and  John  AUoback,  infirmary  directors. 

"  The  first  post  oflice  was  opened  in  Bucyrus,  in  182:2,  Lewis  Ca- 
rey being  postmaster,  succeeded  by  Henry  8t.  John,  John  Fitrbes, 
James  McCracken,  A.  P.  Widmau,  and  11.  T.  Johnson  ;  and  the  in- 
cumbent in  1872  being  John  Ilopley. 

"The  first  lawyers  who  located  here  were  John  IL  Morrison,  Isaac 
II.  Allen,  M.  Fleck,  and  another  named  Stanberg,  kno.vn  as  the 
'  linsey  lawyer,' by  reason  of  his  making  his  iirj-t  ai)pc{,rance  in  a 
suit  of  blue  linsey  woolsey  goods. 

"Josiah  Scott  (late  Chief  Justice  of  the  Ohio  Snprcne  Court,) 
established  himself  at  Bucyrus  in  1S30;  George  Sweeney  (formerly 
member  of  Congress,  and  who  came  about  the  same  diite  with  Mr. 
Scott);  Franklin  Adams,  who  commenced  practice  in  1837,  and  S. 
K.  Harris,  whose  law  practice  at  Bucyrus  dates  from  18-11). 

"  Of  those  from  abroad,  who  formerly  ])racticed  in  the  Crawford 
county  courts,  there  were  Andrew  ColKnberry,  May,  Purdy,  Stewart, 
McLaughlin,  and  Bartley,  of  Mansfield;  Bowen,  Godman,  tiiid  Wat- 
son, of  Marion  ;  Boalt,  of  Norwalk,  Judge  Parish,  of  Columbus, 
imd  others.'' 
For  a  list  of  those  in  practice  in  1872,  see  Appendix  marked  A. 
"From  1819  to  1820,  Mr.  Ileaman,  Jostph  Lonas,  1).  P.  Dowling, " 
Mr.  Flake,  Joseph  Quaintance,  Timothy  Kirk,  Joseph  Newell.  Mr. 
Spitzer,  Jacob  King,  James  Martin,  Mr.  Glover,  Jacol)  Andrews,  Fli 
(Juaintance,  Mr.  Holmes,  John  McCulloch,  and  Daniel  Snyder,  were 
among  the  settlers  of  Holmes  township,  within    the   period  above 
named.'' 

George  Sweeney  was  among  the  early  settlers.  He  was  l)orii  in 
Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Biicyi'us, 
October  21,  18)50,  and  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1838,  and  re-elected 
ill  18-40.    His  death  occurred  several  years  ago. 


iittorney 


11.  V. 


The  first  oflicial  report  extant  of  the  session  of  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners of  Crawford  county  (former  records  having  been  destroy*  d 
liy  tire),  opens  as  follows: 

''^Proceedings  of  the  Commissioners  of  Craivford  Count ji,  be(/nn  and 
Mil  in  the  Unvn  of  Bucyrus,  on  the  VI th  and  ISth  days  of  Octo- 
ber, A.  D.  1831. 
"Beit  resolved,  That  James  McCracken,  Es(i.,  of  Cniwlbrd  coun- 

tv,  be  and  hereby  is  appointed  a  Commissioner  (in  the  room  of  K. 

W,  Culiill,  Esq.,  resigned),  to  lay  out  a  certain  State  road,  comnienc- 

iiigat  the  town  of  Perrysburg,  in    Wood  county;  thence   to   Mc- 

^'utchconville  ;  thence  to  Bucyrus,  in  Crawford  county. 
"  Resolved,  That  an  order  be  Issued  to  the  Auditor,  John  Cald- 

^vell,  for  seventy  dollars   and  sixty-eight  cents,  for  his  services  as 

I  Auditor. 


II 


I 


_J^ 


480  Crawford  County — liucyrus  in  18^2. 


"  Resolved,  That  Z.  Ronse  be,  Jiiul  lie  is  hereby  authorized  to  con- 
tract for  books  for  the  Clerk's  ami  Kocorder's  ollioes,  to  be  paid  out 
of  the  County  Treasury." 


The  county  seat  is  an  inland  town  of  importance,  and,  as  tlie  fore- 
going statistics  show,  has  made  rapid  advances  since  the  date  of  the 
commencement  of  its  growth,  directly  after  the  opening  of  the  Ohio 
and  Indiana  (now  Pittsburg,  Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago)  railway. 
Another  road  of  great  importance,  not  only  to  Bucyrus,  but  to  a 
large  district  of  the  Mauinee  valley,  and  especially  to  Toledo— the 
Atlantic  and  Lake  Erie — is  nearly  completed.  The  energy  and  pub- 
lic spirit  which  originated  and  has  pushed  forward  this  importuiit 
line,  belong  to  Bucyrus,  and  chiefly  to  D.  N.  Swigart,  President,  who 
has  had  the  able  co-operation  of  J.  B.  Gormly,  the  Secretary  iind 
Treasurer. 

Bucyrus  has  two  newspapers — the  Bucyrus  Forum,  semi-weekly, 
Tuesdays  and  Fridays,  and  weekly  on  Saturdays;  established  1844; 
J.  R.  Clymer,  editor  and  proprietor.  The  Forutii  is  one  of  the  lar- 
gest and  ablest  journals  in  the  Congressional  district  in  which  it  is 
published,  and  has  a  circulation  equal  to  the  most  popular  of  its  co- 
temporaries.  The  Bucyrus  Journal,  J.  Ilopley,  editor  and  pub- 
lisher, is  also  in  prosperous  condition. 

The  city  contains  eight  churches: — Presbyterian,  Gernuui  Liitlic- 
ran,  English   Lutheran,  German   Methodist,  Baptist,  German  lu- 
formed,  Catholic  and  Methodist  Episcopal  ;.one  ot  the  best-conduc- 
ted public  school  systems,  the  Bucyrus  people  claim,  in  the  State- 1 
one  of  the  buildings,  containing  thirty-six  rooms  exclusive  of  base 
ment,  and  erected  at  a  cost  of  $120,000 ; — two  banks,  the  First  Na- 
tional, and   the  private  bank   of  John   Scott,  Biddic  &  Co.,  boHil 
solid  institutions ;  and  four  good  hotels  (the  Sims  House,  by  J.  Gold- 
smith, being  first  class) ;  three  ilouring  mills;  one  saw  do;  one  hull, 
spoke  and  bent  work  factory;  one  woolen  mill;  one  knitting  ni.i 
chine  establishment,  invented,  and  the  first  one  erected  in  Bucyrus:! 
one  lamp-bracket  factory;  one  agricultural  machine  works;  one  iroii| 
foundry;  one  smut  mill  factory  ;  one  brewery;  two  tanneries; 
woolen  hose  factory ;  three  clothing  stores  that  manufacture;  on. | 
tailor  shop;  six  wagon  and  carriage  do ;  three  blacksmitli  do ;  eigli: 
boot  and  shoe  do;  and  of  other  stores,  six  dry  goods;  one  music; 
five  tin,  stove  and  hardware  ;  three  drug,  and  two  groceries  and  pro-l 
visions     Also,  three  moat  markets,  two  harness  shops,  and  two liv" 
ery  stables. 

It  will  also  be  noticed,  by  reference  to  the  census  table,  on  a  pre;! 
ceding  page,  that  there  are  several  populou.s  towns  in  Crawtontj 
county,  aside  from  Bucyrus,  the  chit-f  in  business  importaiicij  btiDi| 
Crestline  and  Gallon. 


^2. 


horized  to  con- 
to  be  puid  ""t 


and,  as  the  fore- 
I  the  date  of  the 
iiing  of  the  Ohio 
hicago)  railway, 
ucyrus,  but  to  ;i 

to  Toledo— the 
I  energy  and  pub- 
I  this  important 
rt,  President,  whu 
le   Secretary  ami 

rmi,  semi-weekly, 
establislied  1844;  | 
i8  one  of  tlie  hir- 
•ict  in  which  it  is 
-  popular  of  its  co- 
editor  and  vnli- 


,n,  German  Lutlu- 
itist,  German  He- 
t  the  best-contlue- 
im,  in  the  State- 1 
exclusive  of  base 
inks,  the  First  N;i- 
iiddle  &  Co.>   , 
5lIouse,byJ.tT0W- 
e  saw  do;  oneluiK 
.  one  knitting  di- 
rected inBucyni^: 
ne  works ;  one  iron 

two  tanneries;  on 

manufacture ;  oiv. 

bcksmith  do ;  eigli 

goods;  one  music; 

0  groceries  and  pw- 

shops,  and  two  liv  I 

sus  table,  on  a  g 

towns  in  CrawH 

a  importance  tooJ 


Crawford  County —  Wealth  and  Population.    481 


The  following  was  the  valuation  of  real  and  personal  property 
in  Crawford  county,  in  1830: 

Valuation  of  farms  and  buildings $89,610  00 

Town  lots  aiid  buildings 6,685  00 

197,245  00 
Personal  property, $58,652  GO 

Total $155,897  00 

Valuation  in  1871  was,  of— 

Liinds ."...  $7,540,400  00 

Town  lots 1,975,860  00 

Personal  property 6,161,540  00 

Total  valuation  in  1871 $14,677,800  00 

"  in  1830 155,897  00 

Increase  in  43  years $14,521,903  00 

The  following  exhibits  the  progress  of  Crawford  county  in  population : 

In  18^0 4,791 

In  1840 18,153 

In  1850 18,177 

In  1860 .' 23,881 

In  1870 25,556 

And  the  following  table  illustrates  the  progress  of  the  several  towns  and 
townships, — the  llgures  being  those  of  the  census  returns : 


T0WN8  AND  TOWNSHIPS. 

1870 

1860 

1850 

Aubnrn 

910 
63 
4184 
8066 
1347 
1281 

273 

370 
1573 
4031 
2379 
1597 

253 
1140 
4369 
3533 

665 

56(5 
1156 

988 

70 

1490 

52 

1072 

55 

3731 

2180 

14J0 

1339 

221 

406 

1639 

3290 

1487 

1788 

177 

1265 

2911 

1967 

793 

5G6 

1098 

1224 

129 

1524 

951 

Wayncsburg 

Bucyrus 

2315 

Bucyrus 

Chatfield 

1351 

Cranberry... 

New  Washington 

1048 

Dallas :. 

Holmes 

Jackson 

408 
1238 
1711 

Crestline 

Liberty 

1783 

Annapolis 

Lykins 

1185 

Polk- 

1318 

Gallon 

Sandusky 

822 

Texas 

545 

Todd 

678 

Vernon 

1276 

DeKalb 

Whetstone 

1657 

New  Winchester 

81 


482  Wydndot  County — Orf/anisation,  d^d. 


WYANDOT  CQCTNTY 

Was  formed  from  Crawford,  Marion,  llardin,  and  Hancock,  Feb- 
rnary  55,  1815.  A  reference  to  former  pages  [see  index]  of  this  vol 
unie  will  show  that  some  of  the  most  interesting  events  connected 
with  nortlnvestern  history,  occurred  within  the  limits  of  Wyandot 
county. 

"  Colonel  John  Bowman,  in  1778,  was  meditating  an  expedition 
against  the  Shawaneso  villages,  particnUirly  Chillicothe  (Oldtown, 
(Ireeue  county) ;  and  Kenton,  accompanied  by  Alexander  ilont- 
goniery,  and  George  Clark,  undertook  to  explore  the  route,  and  tln' 
vicinity  and  position  of  the  town.  Tiiis  was  cflectually  done,  and 
all  risk  would  have  been  avoided,  if  the  three  spies  had  not  yielded 
to  the  temptation  of  running  off  a  drove  of  horses,  which  they 
found  enclosed  in  a  pound.  It  was  late  at  night,  but  the  noise  of 
the  operation  alarmed  the  Indians  in  the  adjacent  village.  Kenton 
and  liis  companions  were  pursued,  and  although  they  reached  the 
northern  bank  of  the  Ohio  river  with  the  stolen  animals,  yet,  before 
its  passage  could  be  elfected,  they  were  overtaken,  Montgomery 
killed,  and  Kenton  made  prisoner — Clark  escaping. 

"  The  Indians  were  greatly  exasperated  at  their  captive,  denouncing 
himasa'tief — a  boss  steal — a  rascal!'  and  he  received  no  indiii 
gence  at  their  hands,  except  that  he  was  not  struck  dead  with  a  tom- 
ahawk. Arrived  at  Chillicothe^  he  ran  the  gauntlet,  after  which  a 
council  was  held,  and  soon  Kenton  saw,  from  the  manner  of  speak- 
ers and  auditors,  that  he  was  doomed  to  die.  When  the  vote  m 
taken,  those  who  were  for  his  torture  struck  the  war-club,  wliicli  j 
was  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  violently  on  the  ground — their  num- 
ber far  exceeeding  tho^e  who  simply  passed  the  club  to  a  neighbor, 
in  token  of  mercy. 

"  Then  arose  a  debate  upon  the  time  and  place  of  the  tragedy,  ami 
it  was  resolved  that  lie  be  taken  to  Wapatomika  (now  Zane«fleld,Lo-| 
gan  county).  Soon  after  his  arrival  at  this  place,  Simon  Girty  caniij 
to  see  him,  and  soon  discovered  that  Kenton  had  been  his  compile- 
ion  and  friend  at  Fort  Pitt,  in  Dunmore's  expedition.  Girty  tlirefj 
himself  into  Kenton's  arms,  embraced  and  wept  aloud  over  him-l 
calling  him  his  dear  and  esteemed  friend.  This  hardened  wretcli," 
who  had  been  the  cause  of  the  death  of  hundreds,  had  some  of  tlit| 
sparks  of  humanity  remaining  in  him,  and  wept  like  a  child  at  tk 
tragical  fate  which  hung  over  his  friend. 

"  '  Well,'  said  he  to  Kenton,  'you  are  condemned  to  die,  but  I  willj 
use  every  means  in  my  power  to  save  your  life.' 

''  The  result  of  all  Girty's  efforts  was  to  obtain  a  reprieve  until t 
prisoner  could  be  taken  to  Upper  Sandusky,  where  the  Indians  werfl 
soon  to  assemble  and  receive  their  annuities  and  presents  from 
British  agents.      As  the  Indians  passed  from  Wapatomika  to  UpptJ 
Sandusky,  they  reached  a  village  on  the  head  waters  of  the  SciotJ 
when  Kenton,  for  the  first  time,  beheld  the  celebrated  Mingo  c' " 


c. 


Wyandot  County — Kenton^  Oirty^  etc. 


488 


[lancock,  lt4 
;]  of  this  vol 
•nts  cnnnected 
t8  of  Wyandot 

an  cxpecUlion 

Dthe  (OUUown, 

exander  Mont- 
route,  ftutl  tk 

ually  done,  and 

\uvd  not  yielded 

•ses,  which  they 

jut  the  ivnse  ot 

•hey  reached  Uw 
,en,  Montgomery 

'ptivc,  denouncing 

eceived  no  mdnl- 
k  dead  with  a  torn- 

tlet,  after  which  a 
manner  of  speaV- 
hen  the  voters 
,e  war-chib,  whicli 
round-their  mmv 
|lub  to  a  ne-.iihbor, 

of  the  tragedy,  ajl  I 
^nowZanestield.U 
himonGirtycanii 

H  been  his  comi» 

ition.    Girtyttad 

1  aloud  over  hm- 

s  hardened  wMj 

\  had  some  of  tkl 

hke  a  child  at 

lied  to  die,  but  Uil| 

ha  reprieve  untiUk 

I  re  the  Indians  ^ve 

K  presents  from  J 
tapatomikatoIJpj 

Liters  of  the  bcj 

Ibrated  Mmg"  c"^*' 


Logan,  who  walked  gruvcly  up  to  the  place  wliore  Kenton  stood, 
aud  tlio  following  conversutiou  ensued: 

"*  Well,  young  man,  these  young  men  seem  very  mad  at  you.' 

"*Yes,  sir,  they  certainly  are.' 

*"  Well,  don't  be  disheartened  ;  I  am  a  great  chief;  you  are  to  go 
to  Upper  .Sandusky  ;  they  speak  of  burning  you  tlK-re  ;  but  I  will 
send  two  runners  to-morrow,  to  speak  good  for  you.' 

"Kenton's  spirits  immediately  rose  at  the  address  of  the  benevo- 
lent chief,  and  he  once  more  looked  upon  himself  as  providentially 
rescued  from  the  stake. 

"On  the  following  morning,  two  runners  were  dispatched  to 
Upper  Sandusky,  as  the  chief  had  promised,  and,  until  their  return, 
Kenton  was  kindly  treated,  being  permitted  to  spend  much  time 
with  Logan,  who  conversed  with  him  freely,  aud  in  the  most  friend- 
ly manner.  In  the  evening  the  two  runners  returned,  and  were 
closeted  with  Logan.  Kenton  felt  the  most  burning  anxiety  to 
know  what  was  the  result  of  their  mission,  but  Logan  did  not  visit 
him  again  until  next  morning.  He  then  walked  up  to  him,  accom- 
]mnied  by  Kenton's  guards,  and,  giving  him  a  piece  of  bread,  told 
him  that  he  was  instantly  to  be  carried  to  Upper  Sandusky;  and, 
without  uttering  another  word,  turned  upon  his  heel  and  left  him. 

"At  Upper  Sandusky,  Kenton  was  finally  rescued  from  a  death 
of  torture,  by  the  interposition  of  Peter  Druyer,  a  Canadian  French- 
man, who  was  a  Captain  in  the  British  service,  and  acted  as  Indian 
agent  and  interpreter. 

"It  was  to  this  influential  personage,  probably,  that  Logan's  mes- 
sage had  been  conveyed.  He  offt-red  the  Indians  one  hundred  dol- 
lars in  rum  and  tobacco,  if  they  would  allow  him  to  take  Kenton  to 
Detroit  for  examination  by  the  British  governor,  promising  to  re- 
turn him  when  they  should  require.  A  slight  additional  remunera- 
tion, afterwards  paid  to  the  Ii)dians,  compUted  the  ransom  of  Ken- 
ton, who  accompanied  Captain  Druyer  to  Detroit,  and  about  a  year 
afterwards  escaped  and  returned  to  Kentucky." — J.  W.  7'aylur^s  Jlis- 
tory  of  Ohio. 

"The  Wyandot,  or  7/^f<;-o?i  tribe,  as  they  were  anciently  called," 
says  Ihnry  Howe,  "  were  the  bravest  of  the  race,  and  had  among 
their  chiefs  some  men  of  high  moral  character.  With  a' I  other 
tribes  but  the  Wyandot8,fligiit  in  battle,  when  meeting  with  unex- 
pected resistance  or  obstacle,  brought  with  it  no  disgrace  ;  but  with 
hem  it  was  otherwise.  Their  yjuth  were  taught  to  consider  any- 
thing that  had  the  appearance  of  an  acknowledgment  of  the  supe- 
"iority  of  the  enemy  as  disgraceful.  In  the  battle  of  the  Maumee 
'lapids,  of  thirteen  chiefs  of  that  tribe,  who  were  present,  one  only 
liirvived,  and  he  badly  wounded.  When  General  Wayne,  prior  to 
le  battle,  sent  for  Captain  Wells,  and  requested  him  to  go  to  San- 
tisky  and  take  a  prisoner,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  informa- 
t>n,  Wells — who  had  been  bred  with  the  Indians,  and  was  perfectly 


I 

I 


/ 


484  "Wyandot  County  and  the  Wyandots. 


acquainted  with  their  churnctor— nnsworctl  tlmt  ho  could  takcapris. 
oner,  but  not  from  .Suntlusky.bocuuso  Wyandots  would  not  bo  taian 
alive.'' 


The  Mothodists  sustained  a  mission  anion<(  the  Wyandots  for 
many  years.  Pievious  to  the  establishment  of  the  ML-tliodists, a 
portion  of  the  tribe  had  boon  for  a  long  wliilo  under  the  religions 
instruction  of  the  Catholics.  The  first  Protestant  who  prcachhl 
among  them,  at  Upper  Sandusky,  was  John  Stewart,  a  mulatto,  mid 
memlJer  of  the  Methodist  denomination,  who  came  to  the  place  of 
his  own  accord,  in  1810,  and  gained  much  inlluonce  over  them.  His 
efforts  in  their  behalf  paved  the  way  for  a  reguljirly  established  mis- 
sion a  few  years  later,  when  the  llev.  James  B.  Fin  ley  formed  a 
school  and  established  a  church  here.  This  was  the  first  Indian 
mission  established  by  the  Methodists  in  the  Mississippi  Vallev, 
The  mission  church  building  was  erected  of  blue  lime-stone,  about 
the  year  18i.'4,  by  the  United  States  (lovernmont,  having  permission 
from  John  C.  Callioun,  then  Secretary  of  War,  \.o  apply  $1,1333  to 
tills  object.  The  walls  of  the  building,  in  a  dilapidated  condition, 
only  now  remain.  Connected  with  the  mission  was  a  school  house, 
and  a  farm  of  1(50  acres  of  land. 

The  original  inscriptions  on  the  monuments  mi  the  grave-yard, 
attached  to  the  mission,  have  been  rendered  illegible  by  thoughtless 
hands,  who  have  broken  the  stone  and  carried  off  the  fragments  as  , 
relics.  Among  the  monuments  erected  to  the  memory  of  historicai  | 
characters,  was  one  to  '*  iMiLween-the-Logs,"  who  was  among  the 
first  converts  under  the  labors  of  John  Stewart,  and  afterward  be- 
came the  most  celebrated  preacher  among  the  Wyandots,  and  who 
died  December,  182G,  aged  50  years.  Another  to  the  memory  of 
Rev.  John  Stewart,  above-mentioned,  who  died  December  17, 1833, 
aged  37  years. 

The  inscription  on  the  stone  at  the  head  of  another  grave,  reads  a;  I 
follows:  "Sum-mum-de-wat,  murdered  December  4,  1845,  ag«HI! | 
years.    Buried  in  Wood  county,  Ohio." 

"The  remains  of  Sum-mum-de-wat,"  says  Mr.  Howe,  "wore  siili'j 
sequently  re-interred  here.    He  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  oiia| 
hunting  excursion  with  his  family  in  Hancock  county.  In  the  even 
ing,  three  white  men,  with  axes,  entered  their  camp,  and  were  ho; 
pitably  entertained  by  their  host.    After  having  finished  their  sup] 
pers,  the  Indian,  agreeable  to  his  custom,  kneeled  and  prayed  in  liii 
own  language,  and  then  laid  down  with  his  wife  to  sleep.    In  tliei 
night,   these  miscreants,  who  had-  been  so  kindly  treated,  rose  cij 
them  in  their  sleep,  and  murdered  Sum-mum-de-wat  and  his  wiff', 
with  their  axes,  in  the  most  brutal  manner.    They  then  robbed  tlin 
camp  and  made  off,  but  were  apprehended  and  allowed  to  break  jail'l 

In  speaking  of  this  case.  Colonel  Johnston  says,  "  that,  in  aperioJI 
of  fifty-  three  years,  since  his  intimate  official  relations  with  the  Inf 


Wtjandot  Covntij — Pioneers^  d'C. 


485 


nld  takoftprU- 
ld  not  bo  tukon 


Wyanilots  for 
0  Mt'thodists.  ft 
;r  the  roligiou^ 
■  who  preuchnl 
:,  a  mulatto,  luul 
to  tlic  place  of 
over  them.  His 

establishetl  iiii> 
jTinley   rormctl  u 

the  iirst  Indian 
ississippi  ViiUey, 
lime-stone,  about 
aving  perniissioii 

apply  S1,:V33  t» 
iclated  condition, 
18  a  school  house, 

\  the  grave-yard, 
ble  by  Ihoughtltss 
the  fragments  iis 
mory  of  historical 
)  was  among  the 
and  afterward  be- , 
yandots,  and  wbo  1 
:o  the  memorv  01 
ecembor  17, 18w 

ther  grave,  reads  aj 
.r  4,  1845,  aged  40 1 

Howe,  "  were  si* 
of  his  death, on  a 
,unty.  Intheeveiv 
,mp,  ami  Avere  IwM 
finished  their  suH 
land  prayed  in  «= 
5  to  sleep.    In  ^''1 
Ily  treated,  rose  ci 

^-wat  and  his  ^^ 
hey  then  robbed tl 
oWed  to  break  jaU  I 
■8,  "that,maver!*l 
ations  with  tbeb 


dians,  he  never  knew  of  hut  one  instance  in  wliich  a  wliito  man  was 
tried,  convicted  and  executed  lor  tin-  mur(U^r  of  an  Indian.  This 
exception  WW  bronght  atiout  l)y  hi.s  own  agency  in  the  prosecution, 
Fiintiiinod  by  the  promptness  of  .John  C.  Calhoun,  then  Hecretary  of 
War,  who  manifested  an  interest  in  Miis  afl'uir  not  often  si^iown  on 
timilar  occasions  iu  the  ollicers  of  our  govi-rnment.'' 


On  tiu'  bank  of  the  river,  about  a  milo  above  Upper  Sandn.'sky,  is 
a  huge  sycamore,  which  measures  arouii'i,  a  yard  from  its  ba  p,  .37 
ft'ot,  and,  at  its  base,  over  40  feet.  The  soil,  particularly  the  bottom 
liinds  in  the  neighborhood  of  Upper  Sandusky,  is  among  the  most 
fertile  in  Ohio. 

Among  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  wns  Peter  IJowsher,  who,  with 
his  son  Robert,  commenced  his  residence  in  Pitt  townsliip,  then  Craw- 
ford county,  on  the  4th  of  June,  1821.  The  son  first  named  is  now 
!i  resident  of  Upper  Sandusky,  and  two  other  sons,  Anthony  and 
Solomon,  are  also  residents  of  the  county. 

It  is  claimed,  however,  that  the  first  white  settler  within  the  lim- 
its of  Wyandot  county,  was  a  soldier  named  McLisii,  who  came  to 
the  county  with  General  Harrison's  army,  and  who,  after  the  war, 
kept  a  ferry  at  the  crossing  of  the  Tymochtee,  on  the  road  leading 
from  Upper  to  Lower  Sandusky. 

Michuel  Brackley,  of  ]\IcCutchenville;  Moses  IT.  Kirby,  Indian 
ajent,  prior  to  the  removal  of  the  Wyandots;  Guy  C.Worth,  who 
removed  to  Little  Sandusky  in  J8.'>;5;  (Japtain  S.  M.  Worth,  John 
A.  Gormley,  John  Baker,  Chester  K.  Mott,  J.  D.  Sears,  Robert  Mc- 
Kelley,  Dr.  James  McConnell,  Wm.  Brayton,  David  Ayres,  and 
I'otcr  B.  Beidler,  were  also  among  the  early  Settlers. 

Curtis  Berry,  Sr.,  removed  to  Crawford  township,  three  miles 
northeast  of  Carey,  in  18"27.  The  place  was  on  the  old  trail  between 
Upper  Sandusky  and  Big  Spring,  at  the  head  of  Blanchard's  fork. 
His  sons,  Curtis,  Jr.,  and  John,  are  now  residents  of  Upper  San- 
dusky. 

George  Harper  (witli  his  father's,  Samuel  Harper's,  family),  in 
March,  18;il,  removed  from  Ross  county,  Ohio,  to  the  township  now 
lulled  Sycamore.  The  territory  then  belonged  to  the  civil  jurisdic- 
tion of  Delaware  county,  and  was  on  the  margin  of  the  Wyandot 
reservation.  At  the  date  mentioned,  there  were  not  half  a  dozen 
familii'S  within  the  present  limits  of  Wyandot  county — those  fami- 
lies heing  established  in  what  is  now  known  as  Pitt  township. 

Conrad  Hare  removed  to  Crawford  township  (near  what  is  now 
f^arey),  in  18;33,  and  died  in  1847.  His  widow  yet  resides  on  the  old 
homciitead,  and  his  son,  I.  S.  Hare,  at  Upper  Sandusky, 

C.  T.  Pierson  removed  to  Tittin  in  18;il,  and  in  1841  to  Upper 
i^andusky,  and  purchased  of  Silas  Armstrong  (Wyandot),  a  lease 
running  two  years,— said  lease  embracing  a  tavern  stand  and  other 
improvements. 


'S\ 


486 


Wyandot  County — Its  Wealth,  (£•<?. 


John  Carey  removed  to  Tymochtce  in  the  fall  of  18313.  During 
several  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  the  town  that  bears  his 
name. 

In  the  above  partial  Tst  of  the  pioneers  are  included  some  of 
those  who  have  held,  and  others  now  holding,  important  ollicial 
trusts  at  the  hands  of  their  fellow  citizens. 


The  first  tax  duplicate  of  Wyandot  county  was  made  in  1846. 
The  sale  of  the  Wyandot  reserve,  by  the  United  States,  in  Septem- 
ber and  October  oi"  tliat  year,  exempted  the  lands,  and  Upper  San- 
dusky town  lots,  under  the  United  States  laws,  from  taxation  by 
State  authority,  until  five  years  from  the  date  of  sale.  Hence,  the 
farm  lands,  and  town  lots,  made  at  this  sale,  were  first  entered  upon 
the  tax-list  of  1851. 

The  first  duplicate,  therefore,  only  exhibited,  subject  to  taxation, 
138,005  acres,  valued  at  $310,954:.  These  taxab'e  lands  were  from 
the  territory  taken  from  the  counties  of  Crawford,  Marion,  llardin, 
and  Hancock. 

In  1853,  the  dnplicate  shows  215,215  acres,  subject  to  taxation, 
valued  at  §1,408,585;  and  a  value  of  town  lots  amounting  to 
$174,773. 

In  1871,  there  were  254,921  acres  vpon  the  duplicate,  valued  at 
$5,752,135;  and  town  lots  valued  at  $87C,G70. 

Tliere  are  some  remnants  of  swamp  lands  yet  belonging  lo  tlie 
county,  and  not  yet  entered  upon  the  tax-lists. 


The  following  statement  of  the  valuntion  of  lands,  and  town  lot?,  and  per- 
Bonal  pro])erty,  commencing  Avith  the  organization  of  the  county,  and  cl'jsini: 
with  the  last  record,  will  show  the  progress  in  taxable  wealth : 

In  1815— Real  properly 1337,020  00 

Personal  property _ 130,7^5  00 

$457,755  00 

In  1871— Real  property $!6.C)3R,805  00 

Personal  property 8,0-8,015  00 

$9,717,420  00 

In  1851,  the  value  of  town  lots  in  Upper  Sandus- 
ky, amounledto ^  94,900  00 

Value  of  personal  property 05,936  00 

$\mm  CO 

In  1871,  their  value  amounted  to !|i5'v2,lC0  00 

Personal  property 458,258  00 

$980,358  00 

The  folio  wins:  flsrnros  exhibit  the  growth  ia  population  of  Wyandot  County 
from  1850  to  I87i),' mclasivc :    In  1850,  11,194;  ia  1800,  15,59li;  hi  1870,  18,- 


Wyandot  County —  Wealthy  Poimiationy  &c.      48*7 


83;i.    During 
hut  bears  his 

luclecl  some  of 
orlunt  otlicial 


made  in  1845. 
:os,  in  Septem- 
id  Upper  San- 
,m  taxation  by 
le.  Hence,  tbe 
5t  entered  upon 

!ct  to  taxation, 
mds  were  from 
Marion,  llarclin, 

oct  to  taxation, 
5   amounting  to 

licate,  valued  at 

jelonging  to  the 


town  lots,  !ind  per- 
^oviuty,  and  closui? 
Ih: 


20  00 

15  00 


$157,755 


05  00 
^i^it9,717,42O00 


100  00 
CO  00 


553.    And  the  following  tftble  will  show  the  growth  in  population  of  the  seve- 
ral civil  divisions  of  the  county  : 


TOWNS  AND  TOWNPHirS. 


C^*)- 


Antrim 
Crane. 

Upper  Sandusky. 
Crawford 

Carey 

Ecln(i) 

.laclison  (c) 

Kirby  (c) 

Marpeillos 

Marseilles 

Mifflin  (c). 

Nevada  (i) 

Pitt.. 

Richland((?) 

Uidge 

Salem  (c) 

Sycamore 

Tymochtee 


1870 


1860 


1061 

887G 

2564 

1860 

693 

14'23 

'571 

8^5 

0t)3 

251 

806 

828 

001 

1271 

584 

1103 

850 

1631 


1245 
2877 
1599 
1626 

1247 
603 

'693 

'870 

"957 

1014 

58;i 

1070 

937 

1874 


1850 


757 
1544 

754 
1306 

'646 
o95 

'538 

"576 

"886 
615 
501 
738 
880 

1818 


(4)  Exclusive  of  part  of  village  of  Nevada. 

(c)  lu  1869,  Kirby  from  Jackson,  Mifflin,  Richland,  and  Salem. 

The  finances  of  the  county  are  in  a  satisfactory  condition — the 
people  having  been  fortunate,  since  the  organization  of  the  county 
(with  the  exception  of  a  single  instance,  when  a  most  worthy  but 
incompetent  man  held  the  auditor's  office  one  term),  in  securing  the 
services  of  otlicers  well  (lualified  to  discharge  their  several  trusts. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  first  officers  of  the  county,  who  were 
elected,  the  Associate  Judges  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  oth- 
er county  officers  by  the  people,  at  the  April  election  in  1855: 

Associate  Judges — Abel  Reinrich,  George  W.  Leith,  and  William 
Brown;  clerk,  Guy  C.  Woith;  prosecuting  attorney,  Chester  K. 
Mott;  auditor,  S.  M.  Worth;  treasurer,  Abner  Jury;  recorder, 
John  A.  Morrison  ;  sheriflT,  Loren  A.  Pea.^e  ;"surveyor,  Peter  B.  Beid- 
ler;  comuiissioner!?,  Stephen  Fowler,  Ethan  Terry,  and  William 
Gi'itKth. 

Osias  Bowen,  of  Marion,  was  then  President  Judge  of  the  Cir- 
cuit, and  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  bench  at  that  time,  is 
(ieorge  W.  Leith',  of  Nevada.  The  first  treasurer  and  the  first  re- 
corder are  dead. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  hold  the  several  county  offi- 
ces in  1872: 

Probate  judge,  Peter  B.  Beidler ;    ])rosecuting   attorney,  M.   H. 
Kirby;  auditor,  Jonathan  Alaft'ett;  treasurer,  J.  S.  Hare;  clork,Wm. 
Ilitehoock;  shoriif,  Henry  Myrrs ;  coroner,  Levi  Shultz ;  recor- 


W -nndot  County  H '"  ^^'ii  neocK ;  snorin,  iienry  Myrrs  ;  coroner,  Jii'vi  oiiuiiz;  rouw- 
559V;  in  1870,  \%-  ■'1">',  Adatn  Stuts  ;  commissioners,  Thomas  McClain,  Milton  Morrell, 


I 


488 


Wyandot  County —  Upper  Sandusky. 


and  Wm.  Beam;  surveyor,  John  Agerter;  infirmary  directors,  A, 
H.  Vanorsdoll,  Tillman  Balliefc,  and  Michael  Depler. 

The  town  now  contains  seven  churches — one  Catholic,  one  Pres- 
byterian, one  Methodist  Episcopal,  two  Lutheran,  one  United  Breth- 
ren, and  one  Church  of  God  (  or,  "  Winnebrenarian"). 

Two  newspapers — the  Wyandot  Democratic  Union,  and  the  Wy- 
andot County  Repuhlican. 

One  National  Bank,  having  a  capital  of  $100,000,  and  a  surplus 
of  $7,000,  and  three  private  banking  establishments,  employing  an 
aggregate  capital  of  probably  equal  amount;  one  Masonic,  and  one 
Odd  Fellows  lodge;  five  dry  goods  stores;  one  china  and  glassware 
do;  two  jewelry  do;  eight  grocery  and  provision  do;  three  drug 
do;  five  clothing  do;  four  hardware  do;  three  meat  markets ;  three 
livery  stables ;  four  millinery  establishments;  two  sewing  machine 
rooms;  one  produce  and  packing  house;  two  grain  -warehouses; 
two  photograph  rooms. 

The  Upper  Sandusky  Deposit  Bank  is  one  of  the  three  private 
establishments  included  above,  and  was  established  in  November, 
1869, — the  owner  and  proprietor  being  J.  H.  Anderson,  who,  prior 
to  his  location  at  Upper  Sandusky,  had  established  such  business 
relations  at  Marion  and  elsewhere,  as  gavo  him  a  reputation  among 
financial  circles,  at  home  and  abroad,  that  secured  for  his  Upper 
Sandusky  banking  house  a  public  confidence  which  is  continually 
gathering  strength. 

An  editorial  in  the  Democratic  Union,  of  February  22, 1872,  thus 
refers  to  this  gentleman : 

"He  is  a  native  of  Marion,  and  commenced  his  business  career 
there  as  an  attorney  at  law.  In  18G1  he  was  appointed  United 
States  consul  to  Hamburg,  Germany,  where  he  remained  until  18C0, 
and  then,  though  the  post  was  a  pleasant  one, — such  as  few  willing- 
ly relinquish, — he  resigned:  his  large  landed  and  other  interests heri' 
requiring  his  personal  supervision.  As  consul,  Mr.  Anderson  dis- 
charged his  duties  in  such  an  etficient  manner  as  to  win  the  merited 
compliments  of  the  department,  and  he  acquired  a  vast  knowledge 
of  men  and  things.  Since  returning  to  the  United  States,  most  of 
his  time  has  been  spent  here. 

"  As  a  business  man,  Mr.  Anderson  occupies  a  front  rank  among 
his  cotemporaries." 

In  manufactures,  there  are,  one  woollen  ;  three  cabinet;  two  wag- 
on and  carriage,  and  two  wagon  sliops;  three  harness  and  saddlery 
do;  four  tailor  do ;  ten  boot  and  shoe;  one  foundry  and  machine 
shop;  two  tanneries ;  one  distillery  (consuming  an  nverage  oVM 
bushels  of  grain  per  day);  one  brewery;  one  tile  manufactory; 
four  brick  yards;  two  planing  mills,  manufacturing  sash,  door?, 
blinds,  and  flooring,  and  three  cooper  shops.  The  P.,  Ft.  W.  and  C 
railway  have  also  repairing  shops  at  Upper  Sandusky,  which  give 
employment  to  an  average  of  eight  hands  throughout  the  year. 


•y  directors,  A. 

lolic,  one  Pres- 
s  United  Brctli- 


I,  and  a  Eui'iilus 
3,  employing  an 
asonic,  and  one 
la  and  glassware 
do;  three  drug 
:  markets ;  three 
sewing  machine 
iin   warehouses; 

he  three  private 
?d  in  November, 
,erson,  who,  prior 
Bd  such  business 
eputation  among 
?d  for  his  Upper 
>h  is  continually 

ary  22, 1872,  thus 

s  business  career 
ippointed  United 
iiained  until  18G0, 
ch  as  few  willing- 
)ther  interests  heri' 
Ir.  Anderson  dis- 
,0  win  the  merited 
a  vast  knowledge 
L'd  States,  most  01 

front  rank  among 

cabinet;  two  w"?' 

•ness  and  saddler} 

tidry  and  muchiiH' 

mrnverage  of  Sim 

tile  manufactory; 

turing   sash,  doors, 

e  P.,  Ft.  W.andt. 

-idusky,  which  giv 

liout  the  year. 


Seneca  County — Early  History^  d'c. 


489 


SENECA  COUNTY 

Was  formed  April  1,  1820,  organized  four  years  later,  and  nanied 
from  the  Indian  tribe'who  had  a  reservation  within  its  limits.  The 
county  was  settled  principally  from  Maryland,  Virginia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  older  sections  of  Ohio. 

From  an  address  made  by  Isaac  I.  Dumond,  before  the  Seneca 
County  Pioneer  Association,  November,  1870,  the  following  extracts 
are  gathered  : 

"My  lather  moved  with  his  family  to  what  was  then  called  the 
New  Purchase,  on  the  S.andusky  river,  in  1821,  at  which  time  I  was 
iu  my  twentletli  year. 

"  We  foiind  the  entire  county  a  wilderness  with  no  other  than  the 
rude  improvements  made  by  the  Indians. 

''There  was  but  one  public  road,  known  as  a  highway,  in  all  the 
region  of  country  designated  as  the  New  Purchase,  which  w^as 
opened  in  the  fall  of  1820,  and  ran  on  the  east  side  of  the  Sandusky 
river,  north  and  south,  then  known,  and  still  continuing,  as  the 
Marion  State  Road. 

•'My  father  settled  in  Pleasant  township,  Seneca  county,  where 
tor  a  time  we  encountered  many  difficulties.  During  a  part  of  the 
year,  the  roads  were  almost  impassable,  by  reason  of  the  mud  mixed 
with  the  beech-root.  During  the  summer,  musquitoes  and  house- 
flies  gave  us  a  degree  of  trouble  that  none  can  realize,  except  from 
experience.  The  flies  would  gather  on  a  horse,  in  such  quantities, 
that  a  single  grab  w'ould  fill  a  man's  hand.  The  massasaugar,  or 
prairie  rattle  snake,  was  another  unpleasant  enemy  which  appeared 
in  great  numbers.  I  killed  five  in  cutting  a  small  piece  of  oats ;  but 
to  my  knowledge  no  one  ever  suffered  from  them. 

"  At  that  time,  there  w^ere  few  families  living  along  the  entire 
route  from  Tymochtee  (w^hich  name  signifies,  in  the  Indian  language, 
'the  stream  around  the  plains')  to  Lower  Sandusky. 

"We  had  few  mechanics,  but  the  one  most  needful  was  the  black- 
smith, which  we  found  in  Leroy  Cresey  at  Fort  Ball. 

"Dr.  Brainard  was  the  only  physician  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
Ms  practice  extended  from  Lower  Sandusky,  his  place  of  residence, 
to  Tymochtee. 

"  Throughout  the  entire  settlement,  there  was  not  a  lawyer  to  be 
found.  The  only  minister  we  had  was  the  Rev.  James  Montgom- 
ery, of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

"Jesse  and  George  Olmsted  had  our  only  store  between  Dela- 
ware and  Lower  Sandusky. 

"There  was  considerable  travel  during  the  spring  and  early  sum- 
mer of  1821,  till  August,  when  the  land  sale  occurred,  by  men  in 
search  of  land. 

"  Our  greatest  privation  was  want  of  mills.  Our  nearest  mill  was 
at  Cole  Creek,  about  twenty-four  miles  distant,  and  without  a  direct 
'oad  leading  to  it.    The  difficulties  in  some  cases  were  very  trying. 


/ 


490 


Seneca  County — Earhj  llhtory^  c&c. 


«if 


For  example,  Mr.  Barney  and  Daniel  Rico  arranged  for  a  trip  to 
mill,  each  with  a  team  of  oxen  and  wagon.  As  they  had  to  cross 
the  river,  the  grain  was  hauled  there  and  unloaded,  and  ferried 
across,  then  the  wagon  ferried  over,  and  afterwards  the  team  swam 
over,  when  they  could  reload,  hitch  up,  and  proceed.  This  was  in 
April,  1821.  After  having  their  grain  ground,  and  on  their  homeward 
route,  they  were  overtaken  by  a  snow  storm.  The  snow  was  damp, 
and  fell  to  a  depth  of  a  foot,  rendering  the  roads  almost  impassahle, 
and  so  weighed  the  bushes  down  over  them,  that  they  were  com- 
pelled to  abandon  their  wagons,  and,  with  much  difficulty,  succeeded 
in  reaching  home  with  their  teams. 

''  Although  the  year  1821  was  a  trying  one,  it  had  secured  to 
many  a  sufficient  amount  of  land  to  afford  a  home ;  and,  to  encour- 
age us,  we  had  an  abundant  crop. 

•'  Many  of  the  people  had  acted  as  '  squatters.'  The  Indians,  wlio 
had  formerly  lived  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  had  removed  to 
their  reservation  on  the  east  side,  and  abandoned  their  old  houses, 
which  were  appropriated  by  the  white  settlers,  and  held  until  they 
wished  to  go,  or  were  displaced  by  a  deed  from  Uncle  8ara,  convey- 
ing the  same  to  another  party.  The  settlement  was  weak  in  1821, 
and  to  raise  a  log  cabin,  the  neighbors  were  often  summoned  from 
places  five  or  six  miles  distant. 

"  Of  those  Avho  came  previous  to  the  land  sale,  some  suffered  from 
sickness,  and,  becoming  discouraged,  left,  and  others  died,  bui  im- 
mediately after  the  land  sale  the  population  steadily  increased,  and, 
in  1823,  Mr.  Kumley  built  a  mill  on  Green  creek,  and  soon  after 
Mr.  More  built  a  mill  on  Sandusky  liver,  in  order  to  supply  the  in- 
creased demand,  which  greatly  diminished  the  inconvenience  we  had 
all  experienced. 

"The  early  settlers  were,  in  the  majority,  rough  but  generous, 
whole-souled  and  kind  tow^irds  one  another,  and  ever  ready  to  lend 
a  helping  hand  to  the  needy. 

"  The  use  of  intoxicating  drinks  was  our  greatest  evil.  Some 
would  get  on  sprees,  and  after  taking  much  whiskey,  would  form 
into  a  ring,  and  with  bells,  horns,  tin  pans,  log  chains,  or  any  noisy 
instruments,  engage  in  a  hideous  dance,  sing  and  give  Indian  war 
whoops.  Such  a  state  of  society  was  not  the  rule  entirely,  how- 
ever, and  was  wholly  displaced  in  a  short  time  by  the  ingress  of 
more  refined  people  who  controlled  the  moral  standard  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. That  enemy  to  civilization,  whiskey,  Avas,  as  is  always,  a 
hard  one  to  entirely  subdue,  nevertheless.  I  remember  when  farm- 
ers would  trade  a  bushel  of  corn  for  five  quarts  of  whiskey,  and 
this  was  as  necessary  for  harvest  as  provisions. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1824,  the  first  general  muster  of  the  militia  took 
place  at  old  Fort  Seneca.  The  regiment  numbered  about  400  men, 
under  General  Rumley,  and  Colonel  J.  B.  Cooley,  who  gathered 
from  over  the  country,  between  Cole  Creek  and  Tymochtee,  many 
having  to  camp  out  in  order  to  roach  the  fort  in  time. 


Seneca  County — Early  History^  dr. 


491 


for  a  trip  to 

had  to  cross 
d,  and  ferried 
le  team  swam 
,  This  was  in 
iieir  homeward 
low  was  damp, 
ost  impassable, 
loy  were  com- 
ulty,  succeeded 

lad   secured  to 
and,  to  encour- 

he  Indians,  wlio 
lad  removed  to 
,heir  old  houses, 
held  until  they 
;le  Sara,  convey- 
J  weak  in  1821, 
summoned  from 

,me  suffered  Irom 
rs  died,  bui  im- 
y  increased,  and, 
,  and  soon  after 
.0  supply  the  iii- 
ivenience  we  had 

1  but   gencrou;. 
er  ready  to  lend 

lost   evil.    Some 
key,  would  form 
US,  or  any  noisy 
give  Indian  war 
e  entirely,  how- 
y  the  ingress  ot 
lard  of  the  neigh- 
13,  as  is  always,  a 
raber  when  farm- 
of  whiskey,  and 

the  militia  took 

d  about  400  meu, 

,.y,  who  gathered 

Tymochtee,  many 

me. 


"  A  considerable  trade  was  carried  on  between  the  southern  por- 
tion of  the  State,  after  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  Lower  San- 
dusky, and  Sandusky  City.  Teams  came  loaded  with  flour,  bacon, 
and  whiskey,  and  returned  with  fish,  or  merchants'  goods,  which 
sold  in  Urbana,  Springfield,  and  Dayton. 

"The  Indian  tribes  here  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  by  the 
whites,  were  the  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Mohawks,  and  Oneidas.  The 
Senecas,  the  most  numerous,  andCayugas,  occupied  the  lower  part, 
and  the  Oneidas  and  Mohawka  the  upper  part  or"  the  reservation, 
which  was  nine  miles  north  and  south,  and  six  miles  east  and  west, 
on  the  east  side  of  Sandusky  river.  The  land  was  held  in  joint 
stock,  and  each  had  the  privilege  of  making  such  improvements  as 
he  wished. 

"They  numbered  about  600,  and  were  not  bad  in  general  charac- 
ter, but  friendly  and  kind  when  well  treated,  and  not  maddened  by 
whiskey,  for  which  they  had  a  strong  passion.  I  have  known  them 
to  offer  two  or  three  dollars  worth  of  goods  for  a  quart  of  whis- 
key, and,  when  intoxicated,  would  give  any  thing  they  possessed 
for  it. 

"They  depended  upon  hunting  largely  for  subsistence,  in  which, 
when  children,  they  commenced  by  shooting  fish  and  small  game 
with  the  bow. 

"Most  of  the  Indiana  and  cquaws  cultivated  each  a  small  piece  of 
land,  varying  from  a  halt  to  two  acres,  which  they  formerly  did  with 
a  hoe;  but  seeing  us  use  the  plow,  and  the  amount  of  labor  saved 
thereby,  they  concluded  to  abandon  the  custom  of  their  fathers. 
Seeing  two  Indians  plowing  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  one 
day.  I  crossed  over,  and  discovered  them  going  the  wrong  way  over 
tlie  land,  throwing  the  furrows  in,  and  next  time  running  inside  of 
it,  and  then  another,  Avhich  they  thought  very  well,  until  I  turned 
them  the  other  way,  and  gave  a  little  instruction,  which  they  thank- 
fully received.  They  raised  a  soft  corn,  which  they  pounded  into 
meal,  and  used  to  thicken  soup. 

"They  had  much  idle  time  which  they   all   liked — the   children 

spending  it  shooting,  the  old  people  smoking  from  the  pipes  made 

in  the  heads  of  their  tomahawks,  with  an  adjustable  handle  for  a 

I  stem.    They  smoked  the  sumac  loaves  dried  and   pounded,  which 

[gave  a  pleasant  odor. 

"The  young  Indians  had  a  love  for  sports.    Their  chief  summer 

j  game  was  ball— a  game  in  w^hich  ten  or  twelve  to  aside  engaged, 

tlie  ground  being   marked  off  in  a  space  of  about  sixty  rods,  the 

centre  of  which  was  the  starting  point.     Each   player  had   a  staff 

some  five  feet  long,  with  a  bow  made  of  rawhide  on  one  end,  with 

jwhich  to  handle  the  ball,  as  no  one  was  allowed  to  touch  it  with  his 

jliands.    At  the  commencement  the  ball  was  taken  to  the  centre,  and 

jlilaced  between  two  of  the  staffs,  each  pulling  towards  his  outpost, 

phen  the  strife  began  to  get  it  beyond  the  outpost   by  every  one, 

Ithe  success  in  which  counted  one  for  the  victor,  when  the  ball  was 


v\\\ 


I 


492 


Seneca  County — Its  Indian  Tribes. 


taken  to  the  centre  again,  and  a  new  contest  began.  The  squaws 
and  older  Indians  constituted  the  witnesses  to  these  sports,  and 
added  zest  by  their  cheers. 

"The  favorite  winter  sport  was  running  upon  skates.  They  would 
sprejvd  a  blanket  on  the  ice,  run  and  jump  over  it,  each  trying  to 
excel  in  the  distance  he  made  beyond. 

"Another  favorite  sport  was  to  throw  upon  the  snow,  to  run  at 
the  greatest  possible  distance,  snoio  snakes  made  of  liickory  wood, 
about  live  feet  long,  one  and  a  half  inches  wide,  a  half  inch  thick, 
turned  up  at  the  point  like  a  snake's  head,  and  painted  black. 

"The  Mohawks  and  Oneidas  had  some  very  well  educated  peo- 
ple, and  most  of  their  tribes  could  read  and  write.  They  had  reli- 
gious services  every  Sabbath,  in  the  form  of  the  Church  of  England, 
held  by  a  minister  of  their  own  tribe.  They  were  excellent  sing- 
ers, and  attracted  the  whites  often,  which  pleased  them  much. 

"  The  Senecas  and  Cayugas  were  more  inclined  to  adhere  to  the 
customs  of  their  forefathers.  They  held  in  reverence  many  gath- 
erings. The  green  corn  dance  was  prominent  among  them;  bnt 
that  most  worthy  of  note  was  the  Great  Dance,  which  took  place 
about  mid-Avinter,  and  lasted  three  days,  at  the  close  of  which  they 
burned  their  dogs. 

''  Groat  preparation  was  made  for  this  festival.  Provisions  in 
great  abundance  were  collected  to  constitute  a  common  store  from 
which  all  were  fed.  The  two  dogs  were  selected,  often  months  in 
advance,  well  fed  and  made  fjit.  They  were  as  near  alike  as  possi- 
ble, and  white,  with  yellow  spots.  A\'hen  the  time  for  the  festival 
arrived,  the  dogs  were  killed  (but  in  what  Avay  I  never  learned), 
washed  clean  as  possible,  trimmed  with  pink  ribbons  about  the  neck, 
each  leg  and  toe,  and  about  the  tail.  Aftei'  the  hair  over  the  entire 
bodies  was  carefully  smoothed,  they  were  hung  up  by  the  neck  to 
the  arm  of  a  post  similar  to  a  sign  post,  Avhere  they  i-cmained 
through  the  services. 

"The  dance  was  held  at  the  council  house,  built  of  logs  about  30 
feet  wide  and  seventy-tive  feet  long,  with  three  holes  in  the  roof  to 
allow  the  smoke  to  escape.  At  these  places  lires  were  kept  burniD;' 
during  the  season,  over  which  were  suspended  brass  kettles  con- 
taining provisions. 

"  At  this  time,  strong  as  was  their  appetite  for  whibkey,  none  was 
.allowed  on  the  premises ;  and  any  intoxicated  person  appeaiins;, 
was  sent  oft'  at  once. 

"All  things  being  ready,  their  war  dance  began,  which  was  par- 
ticipated in  by  none  but  those  lit  for  the  service  of  warriors.  Bhie 
Jacket  led  the  band.  Each  carried  a  war-club  in  his  right  hand.anJ 
had  tied  to  each  leg  a  quantity  of  strung  deer-hoofs,  which  rattled 
at  every  step.  The  object  was  to  assist  in  keeping  time  to  the  mU' 
sic,  which  consisted  of  an  Indian  sing-song  and  the  beating  Avith  ;i 
stick  on  a  dry  skin  stretched  over  a  hominy  block. 

"  When  the  music  corarai  need,  Blue  Jacket  would  step  out  an! 


Seneca  County — Indian  Festivals^  c&c.  493 


)ulil   stop  out  anl 


move  around  the  fire,  exerting  himself  to  display  some  warrior's  ex- 
ploit. About  the  second  round,  others  would  fall  in,  and  continue 
till  the  ring  round  the  fire  was  full,  all  moving  with  their  faces  to 
the  fire,  till  a  change  in  the  music,  when  they  would  turn  their  faces 
out,  and  at  a  different  change  would  trail  in  single  file,  all  the  while 
keeping  time  to  the  music. 

"  While  the  Indians  were  thus  engaged,  the  squaws  formed  an- 
other ring  around  another  fire,  but  moved  very  slow.  They  would 
tip  on  their  heels  and  toes  alternately,  and  endeavor  to  move  with 
the  music. 

"  At  meal  time  all  were  seated  with  wooden  bowls  and  ladles, 
when  thoy  were  served  by  those  appointed,  till  all  were  satisiied. 
Then  all  were  quiet  awaiting  tho  next  scene.  Soon  a  rumbling  noise 
at  the  door,  in  one  end  of  tho  house,  would  start  the  squaws  and 
children  to  the  opposite  end,  anO  the  door  flying  open,  an  Indian 
came  in  Avrapped  in  a  bear  or  some  animal  skin,  wearing  a  hideous 
false  face,  and  carrying  a  dry  turtle  shell  filled  with  small  stones, 
which  he  would  throw  about.  Tiiis,  added  to  his  low,  growling 
noise,  and  menacing  way  of  head,  made  a  frightful  object.  Almost 
immediately  after,  the  door  at  the  other  end  would  open,  and  a 
similar  character  enter,  and  soon  another  drop  from  the  roof,  Avho, 
striking  his  hands,  proceeded  to  throw  embers  and  live  coals  in  ev- 
ery direction,  among  the  rushing  crowd.  After  this  performance, 
these  demons,  as  they  were  represented  to  be,  contested  in  a  foot- 
race, and,  at  the  end  of  the  third  day,  they  burnt  their  dogs. 

"Although  much  mirth  was  indulged  in,  there  was  a  sort  of  so- 
lemnity maintained  throughout  the  entire  services.'' 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  enrolled  membership  of  the  Seneca 
County  Pioneer  Association  : 

Mrs.  Ann  E.  Seney,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  moved  to  Tiffin 
in  1831. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Ellis,  born  in  Fairfield  coimty,  moved  to  Eden  town- 
ship in  1820. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Campbell,  born  in  Maryland,  and  moved  to  Tiffin 
in  1830. 

Mrs.  Sally  Gary,  born  in  Champaign  county,  and  moved  to  Fort 
Seneca  in  1819. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Snook,  born  in  Champaign  county,  removed  to 
Fort  Seneca  in  1819. 

Mrs.  Sarah  lluss,  born  in  Virginia,  moved  to  Tifiin  in  1825. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Kridler,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in 
1831. 

William  Toll,  born  in  Virginia,  moved  to  Tifiin  in  1824 ;  died 
March  19,  1871,  in  Toledo,  and  buried  near  Tifiin. 

Benjamin  Pittenger,  born  in  Maryland,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  IS^.j. 

John  Souder,  born  in  Pcnnsvlvania,  moved  to  Clinton  township 
iu  1826. 


494 


Seneca  County — List  of  Pioneers. 


Luther  A.  Hall,  born  in  New  York,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  IS.'i.'J. 

Morris  P.  Skinner,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Louden  town- 
ship in  ISaS. 

Nancy  M.  Stevens,  born  in  Now  York,  moved  to  Tiftin  in  1827, 

Daniel  Cunningham,  born   in  Maryland   in  1804,  and  moved  to 
Tiffin  in  1884. 

Samuel  Kridler,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1823— 
deceased. 

Jacob  Boucr,  born  in  Maryland  in  1809,  moved  to  Seneca  county 
in  1826. 

Michael  Freer,  born  in  New  York,  moved  to  Bloomfield  town- 
ship in  IS.'U. 

Christ.  C.  Park,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1830. 

^Irs.  Jane  Dawalt,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1821 

Mrs.  8.  B.  Baker,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Bloom  town 
ship  in  1821. 

David  B.  Kinpj.  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1830. 

Mrs.  Ann  E.  Park,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  IBJiO, 

Polly  Stewart,  born  in  New  York,  moved  to  Eden  township  in 
1821. 

George  L.  Keating,  born  in  Muskingum  county,  moved  to  Seneca 
county  in  182.5. 

Jane  Boyd,  deceased,  ])orn  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Bloom 
township  in  1822. 

Lewis  Baltzell,  born  in  Maryland,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1829. 

Abel  Rawson,  born  in  Massachusetts,  moved  to  Tiffin  1826,  died 
August  24,  1871. 

William  Lang,  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  and  moved  to  TifEii 
in  1833. 

Lorenzo  Abbott,  born  in  Massachusetts,  moved  to  Seneca  countv 
in  1822. 

James  Doman,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1828. 

William  Kaymond,  born  in  New  York,  moved  to  Keed  township 
in  1823. 

Rezin  W.  Shawhan,  born  in  Virginia,  moved  to  Tiffin  in  1833. 

Elijah  Musgrove,  born  in  Virginia,  moved  to  Scipio  township  in 
1824. 

James  McEwan,  born  in  Pennsylvanin,  moved  to  Clinton  town 
ship  in  1823. 

Henry  Ebbert,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Clinton  towusliip 
in  1831. 

E.  G.  Bo  we,  born  in  Delaware,  Ohio,  April  5,  1818,  was  brougiit 
by  his  parents  to  TiHin  in  June,  and  was  the  first  white  inlant  in  the 
county,  his  father,  Erastus  Bovve,  being  the  first  white  settler  in 
Seneca  county,  in  18 1 7. 

Mrs.  Maria  llawson,  born  in  Arthur,  Ohio,  located  in  Fort  Ball 
in  1824. 

Inman  Iloby,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Seneca  township  18.'5'i. 


Seneca  Covnfy — List  of  Pioneers. 


495 


1  in  1883. 
Louden  town- 

'iflminl827. 
and  moved  to 

:iftm  in  1823- 

Seneca  county 

oomfield  town- 

riftin  in  1830. 
,0  Tiffin  in  1824. 
lo  Bloom  town- 

riffin  in  1830. 
to  Tiffin  in  1830. 
dtn  townsbip  in 

moved  to  Seneca 

lovcd  to  Bloom 

n  in  1829. 
Tiffin  18-26,  died 

moved  to  TifBu 

to  Seneca  county 

tiffin  in  18-.J8. 
to  Heed  townsbip 

Tiffin  in  1833. 
ipio  township  m 

to  Clinton  town 

Clinton  towusliip 

1818,  was  l)i'Ovigj>^ 
white  iniant  in  tM 
white  settler  in 

atcd  in  Fort  Ball 

ja  township  18^- 


Levi  Keller,  born  in  Fairfield  county,  located  in  Tiffin  in  1830. 
James   Chamberlain,   born   in  Tennsylvania,  located   in   (Seneca 
county  in  1S32. 

A.  B.  McClelland,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca  county 
in  18.30. 

ThomaB  R.  Ellis,  born  in  New  Jersey,  located  in  Seneca  county 
in  1825. 

Frederick  and  Elizabeth  Kishlor,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in 
Tiflin  in  1830.^ 

Joseph   Ileirne,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Clinton  town- 
ship in  IHX'H. 

Samuel  Ileirne,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Clinton  town- 
ship in  18;:8. 
John  Free,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Seneca  county  in  1823. 
Judge  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ebbert,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located 
iuTithnin  1831. 

Mrs.  Maria  Shawhan,  born  in  ^Maryland,  located  in  Seneca  county 
in  182 1. 

Lyman  White,  born  in  New  York,  located  in  Seneca  county  in 
183S. 
Dr.  Henry  Kuhn,  born  in  Maryland,  located  in  Tiffin  in  1827. 
Joseph  Richards,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Clinton  town- 
ship in  1823;  died,  1871. 

Henry  Davidson,  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  located  in  Seneca 
township  in  1832. 

Jacob  M.  Zahm,  born  in  Bavaria,  (Germany,  located  in  Thompson 
township  in  18.32. 

Miron  Sexton,  born  in  Connecticut,  located  in  Clinton  township 
in  183'!. 

Hugh  Welch,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca  county  in 
181). 
Sylvester  B.  Clark,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Tiffin  in  1833. 
Mrs.  Catharine  F.  Louder,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Seneca 
county  in  1 830. 

Nathaniel  L.  Spielman,  born  in  Maryland,  located  in  Seneca  coun- 
ty in  1830. 

John  Willi.ams,  born  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  located  in  Seneca 
county  in  1821. 
Enos  Cramer,  born  in  Maryland,  located  in  Seneca  county  in  1831. 
DeWit  C.  Pittenger,  born  in  Seneca  county  in  183G. 
Mrs.  Margaret  Watson,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  m  Seneca 
county  in  1 1?30. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  r)or8ey,  born  in  Penn.sylvania,  located  in  Seneca 
county  in  1836. 

Mrs.  Hannah  Ilerrin,  born  in  Maryland,  located  in  Seneca  coimty 
in  183.3. 

Lewis  Seew.ald,  born   in  Bavaria,  Germany,  located    in   Seueca 
''ounty  in  1833. 


496 


Seneca  County — Lid  of  Pioneers. 


Jamos  II.  Sohn,  born  in  PeniiRylvania,  located  in  Seneca  county 
in  18S4, 

I?obert  Nichols,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Eden  township  in 
1831. 

Arthur  Morrison,  born  in  Jeflerson   county,  located   in   Clinton 
township  in  l^.'U. 

Mrs.  Jano  Dildino,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Clinton  town- 
ship in  18!29. 

James  (Jriffin,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Eden  township  in  1H!^1, 

1j.  a.  Myers,  born  in  Perry  county,  located  in  Seneca  township 
in  18:51. 

Hezekiah  Searlcs,  born  in  Fairfield  county,  located  in  Eden  town- 
hhip  in  1^25. 

Eliza  A.  Seurles,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Eden  township 
in  18^5. 

R.  M.  C.  Martin,  born  in  Perry  county,   located  in   Eden  town- 
ship in  18:m. 

Mrs.  Barbara,  born  in  Seneca  county  in  1831. 

Jacob  Price,  born  in  Virginia,  located  in  Seneca  county  in  18-22 

Mrs.  Mary  Price,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca  countv 
in  1^30. 

Henry  IT.    SchocLs,   born   in   Pennsylvania,   located  [in  Senm 
county  in  18.'U). 

Mrs.  Margaret  Schocks,  born  in  Maryland,  located  in  Seneca  coun- 
ty in  1830. 

James  S,  Latham,  born  in  Seneca  county  in  1828. 

Richard  and  Elizabeth  Jacque,  born  New  York,  located  in  Seneca 
county  in  18;J3. 

John  Wax,  born  in  Perry  county,  located  in  Seneca  county  in 
1835. 

Sarah  Wax,  born  in  Franklin  county,  located  in  Seneca  countv 
in  18-^3. 

Jacob  llassler,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca  county  in  1 
183i. 

Ann  llassler,  born  in  Stark  county,  located  in  Seneca  county  in  I 
1834. 

Mrs.  E.  J.  Watson,  born  in  Washington  county,  located  in  Se!i-| 
cca  county  in  1845. 

Eli  Winters,  born  in  Jefterson  county,  located  in  Seneca  countv  I 
in  183G. 

Henry  Guiger,  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  located  in  Seneca  conc' 
ty  in  1835. 

Thomas  West,  born  in  New  York,  located  in  Seneca  county  iuj 
1822. 

George   McLaughlin,  born   in    Pennsylvania,  located   in  Scr.ccni 
county  in  1  ^i^i. 

Joseph   Miller,  born   in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca  couutjl 
in  1834. 


s. 


Seneca  Counhj — Pioneers,  Etc, 


407 


Seneca  county 

en  township  in 

ted   in   Clintoi\ 

in  Clinton  town- 

awnship  in  IH^l. 
Seneca  townsliip 

A  in  Ellen  town- 

u  Eden  township 

\  in  Eden  town- 


.ocated  ',in  Seneca 
cd  in  Seneca  coim- 

,  located  in  Seneca 
Seneca  county  m 
in  Seneca  county 
n  Seneca  county  in 
Seneca  county  in  | 
ty,  located  in  Sen- 
in  Seneca  count;  j 
ted  in  Seneca  couii' 
1  Seneca  county  m 
located   in  Scr.cca 
d  in  Seneca  coiiut)' 


Archibi^d  Stewart,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca 
county  in  18ri5. 

Weltha  C  Stewart,  born  in  Vermont,  located  in  'Seneca  county 
in  1H4(L 

William  Davia,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Seneca  county 
in  18:i5. 


"On  the  -Ith  of  October,  1829,  Benajah  Parker,  a  resident  of  what 
is  now  Fort  Seneca,  in  Pleasant  township,  was  stabbed  by  an  Indian 
of  the  Seneca  nation,  named  Peter  Pork.  It  appears  that  the  In- 
dian, who  had  been  drinking,  called  at  Parker  s  house,  .and  asked 
tor  wiiiskey.  Angry  words  ensued  on  its  being  refused,  and  while 
Parker  was  attempting  to  force  the  Indian  out  of  doors,  the  latter 
drew  a  knife,  and  with  a  back-handed  stroke,  intlieted  a  dangerous 
wound  in  the  side  of  the  former.  Parker  lingered  for  several 
months  and  died. 

"  Peter  Pork,  as  soon  as  he  had  committed  the  deed,  fled  to  his 
cabin,  and  prepared  to  defend  himself.  Having  placed  his  toma- 
hawk under  his  bed,  and  his  knife  in  the  wall  at  the  head,  he  laid 
down  to  sleep.  lie  was  a  stalwart  Indian — the  whole  tribe  stand- 
ing in  awe  of  him.  The  neighbors  in  the  vicinity  soon  assembled 
near  his  house,  and  while  asleep,  tht'y  secured  his  tomakawk  and 
knife.  He  was  then  awakened — but  not  until  after  a  severe  contest 
was  he  secured  and  ])laeed  in  confinement. 

'"On  the  28th  of  April,  1830,  he  was  tried  by  the  court  of  com- 
mon pleas  of  this  county,  and  f)und  guilty  of  'stabbing  with  intent 
to  kill.'  He  was  sentenced  to  three  years'  confinement  in  the  peni- 
tentiary.''— Butlcrjidd's  Ilistonj  of  Seneca  County. 


Dr.  Kuhn  removed  from  Woodsborough,  I^'rcdcrick,  Maryland,  in 
August,  1827.  He  was  the  second  physician  in  Tilliu,  Dr.  Stewart, 
who  had  died  the  year  previous,  having  preceded  him.  Of  all  his 
old  cotemporaries  of  the  medical  profession,  he  is  the  only  survivor. 
Among  those  who  were  residents  of  Titlin,  when  he  removed  to  the 
place,  were'the  following : 

Josiah  Hedges,  proprietor  of  the  town  ;  IJenjamiu  Pittenger,  and 
John  Pittenger,  merchants  ;  Richard  Sneath  and  George  Park,  tav- 
ern keepers  ;  Jacob  Reed,  John  Clalbraith,  Samuel  Kreidler,  Thomas 
fjoyd,  George  Saul,  George  Donaldson,  Solomon  Kuder,  Wm.  Toll, 
David  liishop,  David  Betz,  Joseph  Walker,  John  Walker,  Jacob 
il'laiu  (postmaster),  Joseph  Biggs,  William  Hunter,  and  Henry 
1  Cronise. 

And  at  Fort  Ball  were  the  following : 

Abel  Ilawson  (lawyer) ;  Milton  McNeal  (merchant) ;  Neil  Mc- 
[Oaffey  (county  clerk) ;  Dr.  Eli  Dresbach;  Jesse  Spencer  (proprietor 

81 


408 


Seneca  County — Pioneers^  Etc, 


■ 


of  Fort  Ball);  Elislui  Smith  (tavern  keeper);  David  Smith  (chair 
maker),  uiul  Samuel  Iloaj^Iaiul. 

Tittiii  was  walleil  in  by  a  dense  forest,  and  the  principal  street 
(Wasiiini^ton)  was  encumbered  by  fallen  timber,  stumps,  etc.,  to  a 
degree  tiiat  seriously  obstructed  travel.  At  tliu  suggestion  of  l)r, 
Kuiui,  a  portion  of  one  day  in  each  week  was  devoted  to  the  jmr- 
1>oso  of  "  niggering"  the  logs,  and  the  removal  of  tlie  stumps  iiinl 
roots,  so  as  to  make  a  passage  for  teams  and  ])i'  'ans.  'J'luj  iIih- 
tor  and  Judge  Pittonger  undertook  the  worl  opening  Marku 
street.  Crossing  the  river  in  a  canoe,  the  moiiKiit  the  bow  struck 
the  opposite  shore,  tlie  doctor  seized  his  axe,  and,  rushing  partly  up 
the  bank,  buried  the  blade  in  the  trunk  of  a  linn  tree;  and,  turning 
to  Judge  Pittenger,  exclaimed  : 

''  1  struck  the  first  blow  in  the  work  of  clearing  the  west  end  of 
Market  street ;  and  you  will  make  a  note  of  the  fact." 

There  being  no  cleared  ground  suitable  for  the  burial  of  the  clciiil 
the  doctor  devoted  the  larger  portion  of  three  weeks  of  his  pcrHoiwI 
time  to  the  work  of  clearing  the  timber  for  a  cemetery. 


Among  the  early  settlers  in  Tiflin,  was  Dr.  Eli  Drcsbach,  a  very 
young  man,  who  had  gone  there  to  practice  medicine.  Jle  was  bom 
in  Pennsylvania,  but  removed,  when  a  small  boy,  with  his  parents, 
to  Pickaway  county,  Ohio. 

M*.'^^  was  a  pupil  of  the  late  Dr.  Luckey,  of  Ci'  ville,  and  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  Ohio  Medical  College. 

Like  most  of  the  pioneers  of  the  northwe.  liad,  as  the  best 

part  of  his  outfit,  good,  industrious  habits,  with  a  full  share  of  sell- 
reliance.  Unlike  a  vast  number  of  the  human  family,  he  hud  net 
mistaken  his  vocation. 

Nature  had  fitted  him  for  the  profession  of  medicine,  by  the  en- 
dowment of  certain  ([ualities  deemed  essential  to  success.  He  loved 
his  profession,  aiid  was  proud  of  it.  All  his  life  he  was  a  close  stti- 
dens,  keeping  abreast  with  the  best  men  of  his  time.  He  was  ;i 
most  uncompromising  enemy  of  ([uackery,  in  all  its  phases,  and  un- 
der all  its  disguises. 

His  professional  popularity,  among  all  classes,  was  truly  wonder- 
ful. It  is  a  good  thing  to  possess  popular  favor, — better  still,  the 
merit  to  deserve  it.  Dr.  Dresbach  was  fairly  entitled  to  the  honorj 
of  both. 

Touching  this  subject,  we  may  rightfully  a[)propriate  a  line  from 
the  "  Deserted  Village,"  and  say,  with  the  poet : 

"  A  man  he  was  to  all  his  country  dear." 

The  doctor  was  a  man  of  fine  presence,  somewliat  below  the  me- 
dium height,  of  robust  frame  inclining  to  corpulency,  nervo-san- 
guine  temperament,  light  blue  eyes  and  fair  complexion,  a  good 
talker,  a  most  agreeable  companion,  and  a  polished  gentleman.  Ili'| 
was  never  married. 


Seneca  County — Pioneer f^^  Etc, 


490 


nCi  Smith  (chair 

principal  street 

ituinps,  etc.,  to  a 

ii<ror('stiou  of  Dr. 

ruled  to  the  pur- 

the  stunipd  aiul 

'ans.     The  ddc- 

jpeninj^  Markii 

b  the  bow  struck 

rusliinj?  partly  up 

ivc ;  and,  tiirniii;; 

;  the  west  end  of 

'  .1- " 
vX. 

)uriid  of  the  ilcad 
ks  of  his  persoiiiil 
elory. 

i  Brcshach,  a  yery 
•inc.  lie  was  Ijoni 
,  witli  his  parents, 

-ville,  and  a  gradu- 

l.ad,  as  the  best 
.  full  share  of  sell- 
aniily,  he  had  net 

■dicine,  by  the  en- 
success.    He  loved 
he  was  a  close  stii- 
time.     He  wiis  ;i 
its  phases,  and  uii- 

was  trulv  wonder- 
,r,— better  still,  the 
itled  to  the  honors  | 

opriate  a  line  from 


tar.' 

^hat  below  the  nw- 
pulencv,  nervo-saii' 
complexion,  a  gow 
led  gentleman. 


He 


llis  widespread  rcimtation  for  eminent  skill,  forced  n])on  him  a 
very  large  profetiKional  biirfiness.  iMiially,  this  constant  strain  of 
mind  and  hoily,  fen*  niorw  than  a  <|uartert)f  a  century,  began  to  make 
serious  inroads  u|)on  iiis  health.  Other  causes, doubtles,  contrihuted 
to  the  same  end.  Travel  and  a  change  of  climate,  it  was  hoped, 
would  prove  beneficial ;  kind,  loving  friends  did  all  iu  their  ])ower, 
but  all  without  uvail.  lie  died  April  i\,  l8.")o,  ivt  the  ago  of  iifty 
years. 

Dr.  Dresbnck  was  fond  of  a  good  story,  and  used  to  relate  many 
amusing  incidents  in  his  own  life.     We  will  give  only  one : 

Two  neighbors,  Smith  and  Jones  we  will  call  them,  lived  on  op- 
posite sides  of  Wolf  Creek,  live  or  six  miles  from  town.  As  Airs. 
Smith  was  sullering  a  great  deal  one  day,  it  Was  so  arranged  that 


if  she 


grew 


blowing  the  h 


worse  during  the  night,  a 


orn, and  th 


signal 


should  be 


given 


by 


iNIr.  .lones  would  nuike  all  haste  to 
I'etch  the  doctor,  lii'fore  midnight  the  signal  was  given,  with  un 
emiduvsis  that  soon  aroused  Jones.     It  was  a  terrible  night  for  any 


eV'tipon 
midnight 


one  to  be  out: 


-"All!  bitter  C'liill  it  wiis, 


Tlie  owl,  for  all  his  feathers,  was  acold." 


An  obstetric  call  could  not  bo  put  off  till  morning,  by  sending  a 
prescription  ;  so  the  doctor  was  soon  in  his  saddle,  and,  two  miles  out 
from  town,  taking  Mrs.  Levi  Creecy  behind  him  on  his  horse,  he  plung- 
ed across  the  country,  throucrii  woods  iind  brush,  and  over  lallen  tim- 
ber. Finally, after  much  ti  i)ulation,  the  party  drew  up  on  the  east 
bank  of  Wolf  Creek,  and  b>  an  to  reconnoitre.  Smith  had  agreed 
to  be  iu  waiting  with  a  canoc  take  them  across,  as  the  water  was  too 
high  for  fording.  Suiith  madi'  ;ippeariuice  that  night,  but  his  house 
stood  in  the  distance  dark  and  sile;it.  Mrs.  Smith  had  evidently  gQt 
better,  and  the  whule  family  were  sound  asleep.  The  party  called  and 
shouted  till  they  were  tired,  and,  after  resting  awhile,  repeated  the 
experiment.  At  last,  heartily  disgusted  and  half  frozen,  they  went 
back  to  their  homes. 

A  few  nights  after  this,  the  same  mellow  horn  might  have  been 
heard  discoursing  sweet  music;  but  this  time  it  had  no  charms  for 
Jones.  Jones  may  have  read  the  story  of  the  shepherd  boy,  who 
used  to  cry  "  wolf,"  till  nobody  would  believe  him.  Tiie  Smith  fam- 
ily were  left  in  the  lurch. 


Rodolphus  Dickinson  settled  in  182G ;  Abel  Rawson  opened  a  law 
otKce  in  Fort  Ball  in  182-1. 

A.  G.  Pennington  was  a  student  of  Mr.  Rawson  in  1841,  and  has 
since  continued  practice  in  Tiffin — being  now  the  senior  member  of 
the  Seneca  county  bar. 

Judge  Lang  commenced  his  studies  with  the  late  Joshua  Seney, 
completed  them  with  Oliver  Cowdery,  was  admitted  in  1842,  and  is 
the  second  oldest  lawyer  in  practice ;  W.  P.  Noble  is  the  third  on  the 
list. 


oOO 


Seneca  County — Pioneers,  Etc. 


The  late  Anson  Burlingame,  for  many  years  a  member  of  Con- 
gress from  Massachusetts,  and  subsequently  United  States  Minister 
to  China,  and  finally  accredited,  by  the  Chinese  Emperor,  as  Em- 
bassador to  represent  his  government  at  the  various  European 
Courts,  and  to  the  government  of  the  United  States,  passed  about 
eight  years  of  his  boyhood  in  Eden  township,  Seneca  county,  near 
the  town  of  Melmore.  His  father,  Joel  liurlingame,  was  a  local 
preacher  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  removta  to  the  place  above-men- 
tioned in  1823.  Among  his  day  and  Sunday  school  mates,  at  tlie 
little  log  school  house  in  the  neighborhood,  was  General  William  H. 
Gibson,  of  Tiilin.  His  first  teacher  in  the  day  school,  Mrs.  Electa 
Hunter,  isnow  a  regident  of  Green  Springs.  When  his  father  re- 
moved to  Seneca  -county,  Anson  was  about  five  years  of  age.  He  was 
regarded,  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  residence,  as  one  of  the  most 
promising  and  exemplary  boys,  and  was  a  general  favorite. 

There  are  many  of  his  kindred  now  residents  of  Seneca  county. 
His  father  was  a  natural  frontiersman — removing  to  Seneca  when 
the  county  was  sparsely  settled — residing  in  a  small  log  cabin — his 
means  never  adequate  to  afford  himself  and  family  any  other  than  a 
meagre  support,  and  finally  pursued  his  westward  course,  drifting  in 
advance  of  the  tide  of  civilization,  until  he  reached  the  shores  of  the 
Pacific  ocean,  where  he  died  several  years  ago. 

Joseph  Burnside,  in  June,  1872,  had  occupied  the  farm  in  Clinton 
township,  about  one  mile  southeast  of  Tiffin,  for  a  period  of  fifty 
consecutive  years — having  removed  to  it  in  June,  1822. 

Messrs.  Benjamin  and  John  Pittenger,  when  they  were  engaged  in 
mercantile  business,  had  their  goods  trucsported  by  Avagons  from 
Baltimore  to  Tiffin. 

John  Park  (merchant  in  1833,)  established,  in  that  early  day,  a 
"  one  price  store.''  Upon  receipt  of  a  certain  invoice  of  goods,  he 
marked  up  a  piece  of  calico  at  37^-  cento  per  yard,  and  sold  a  dress 
to  a  woman  at  that  price.  The  remaining  portion  of  this  particular 
piece  of  goods  remained  upon  the  shelf  some  two  years.  One  day  a 
lady  called  and  inquired  the  price,  and  was  informed  that,  as  the 
goods  had  been  on  the  shelf  so  long  a  time,  he  would  let  her  have 
what  she  required  for  30  cents  per  yard.  Having  made  the  sale  at 
this  reduced  price,  he  refunded  to  his  first  customer  the  difference 
between  the  two  rates. 

Richard  Jaque  and  wife,  near  Melrose,  married  in  1809,  are  yet 
living  together.  In  the  war  of  1812-15,  he  was  a  scout  in  the  United 
Statesvservice  on  the  St.  Lawrence  river.  He  was  born  April  9, 1787, 
in  Columbia,  New  York,  and  settled  in  Seneca  county,  October,  I'^it 

The  following  are  the  census  returns  of  Seneca  county,  for  the 
decennial  periods  from  1830  to  1870,  inclusive: 

In  1830 5,1M 

In  1840 18,128 

In  1850 27,104 

In  1860 ; 30,8li8 

In  1870 30,827 


Seneca  County — Present  Resources. 


501 


lember  of  Con- 
States  Minister 
tnperor,  as  Em- 
rious  European 
33,  passed  about 
ca  county,  near 
,me,  was  a  local 
ilace  above-men- 
•ol  mates,  at  the 
aeral  William  H. 
lool.  Mrs.  Electa 
m  hiS  lather  re- 
1-8  of  age.  He  was 

one  of  the  most 
Favorite, 
f  Seneca  county. 

to  Seneca  when 
lU  log  cabin— his 

any  other  than  a 
course,  drifting  in 
d  the  shores  of  the 

le  farm  in  Clinton 
p  a  period  of  tifty 

L822. 

L'y  Avere  engaged  in 
by  Avagons  from 

that  early  day,  a 

voice  of  goods,  he 
•d,  and  sold  a  dress 
1  of  this  particular 

years.     One  day  a 
ormed  that,  as  the 

ould  let  her  have 
_  made  the  sale  at 
)mer  the  difference 

d  in  1809,  are  yet 
scout  in  the  United 
„  born  April  9, 1787, 
anty,  October,  IS'^'-i- 
eca  county,  for  the 

....    5,159 

18,128 

27,104 

...30,808 

...30,827 


Tliis  reduction  in  the  population  of  the  county,  occurring  during 
the  decennial  period  ending  in  June,  1870,  is  an  evidence  of  the 
thrift  of  the  agricultural  interests.  Where  a  given  section  of  land 
was  heretofore  occupied  by  a  half  dozen  families,  one  among  the 
most  successful  farmers  has  bought  out  his  neighbors,  and  the  hitter 
have  removed  to  the  cheaper  acres  of  the  west.  This  process  has 
been  going  forward  in  other  counties  in  the  wealthiest  agricultural 
districts  of  the  State,  during  the  last  twenty  years.  While  the  ten- 
dency has  been  to  depopulate,  it  has  not  diminished  the  wealth  of 
the  country,  but  the  importance  of  the  towns  ha?  been  augmented, 
as  the  following  figures  will  explain  : 

Tiffin— population  in  1850 2,718 

18(iO 8,903 

1870 5,G48 

The  consolidated  towns  of  Risdon  and  Rome,  now  known  as  Fostoria,  had, 

In  1850 677 

In  1860 1,027 

In  1870 1,733 

While  Tiflin  and  Fostoria  have  exhibited  a  growth  so  remarkable,  other 
towns  have  declined.  This  is  particularly  the  case  with  Republic,  which,  in 
1850,  numbered  917  ;  in  1860,  declined  to  636,  and,  in  1870,  to  481. 

Value  of  lands  in  Seneca  county  in  1871 $11,030,840  00 

Value  of  chattel  property 4,234,020  00 

Total $15,864,860  00 

In  Timn—Value  of  real  estate $  1,286,514  00 

Value  of  chattel  property 751,323  00 

Total %  2,037,837  00 

lu  Fostoria  (Loudon  township)— Real  estate $  429.216  00 

Chattel 477,333  00 

Total.. %  U06,549  00 

In  Green  Springs  (Adams  twp.)— Real  estate $    57,237  00 

Chattel 234,624  00 

Total ^ $291,801  00 

lu  Republic  (Scipio  twp)— Real  estate... %    77,126  00 

"  "  Chattel 173,031  00 

Total %  250,157  00 

In  Attica  (Venice  twp.)— Real  estate $    62,420  00 

"  "  Chattels 2(18,894  00 

Total %  291,314  00 

In  New  Riegel  (Big  Springs  twp.)— Real  estate %    32,240  00 

"      *^  ^     "  Chattels 157,809  00 

Total %  190,109  00 


502 


Seneca  County — Present  liesources. 


la  Melmore  (Eden  tTvp.)— Real  estate $    28,410  00 

"             Chattels 230,312  00 

Total $  3.~4,628  00 

PUBLIC  rnorEiiTY. 

Value  of  court  house f  30,000  oO 

Value  of  jaiL 10,000  oO 

Value  of  Infirmary 75,000  00 

Total $  115,000  00 


The  following  is  a  list  of  county  officers  for  1S72  : 

Wm.  M.  Johnson,  probrte  judge  ;  Isaac  Hagey,  auditor;  William 
Lang,  treasurer;  J.  C.  Miilhime,  clerk  of  common  pleas  court; 
Frank  Baker,  prosecuting  attorney ;  John  Wesley,  sheriff ;  Wm.  De 
Witt,  recorder ;  P.  H.  Ryan,  surveyor ;  H.  TJ.  llakestraw,  D.  E.  Ma- 
jors, and  S.  M.  Ogden,  commissioners;  U.  P.  Coonrod,  Eden  Tease, 
G.  W.  Bachman,  infirmary  directors. 

The  public  schools  of  Tiffin  employ  twenty  teachers,  who  give 
instruction  to  070  pupils,  with  an  average  daily  attendance  of  09 
per  cent. 

The  three  Catholic  schools  have  in  charge  the  education  of  about 
500  pupils.  The  Ursuliue  Convent,  founded  in  18G'2  by  four  nuns 
of  that  order  from  Cleveland,  is  under  tlie  management  of  an  able 
corps  of  teachers,  and  possesses  advantages  for  the  accommodation 
of  100  boarding  pupils. 

Heidelburg  College  employs  six  professors,  and  has  an  average 
attendance  of  175  students.  It  is  the  first  organized,  and,  as  yet, 
only  Collegiate  Institution  in  northwestern  Ohio,  having  been  open- 
ed November  11,  1850,  by  Rev.  J.  li.,  and  Eev.  II.  Good,  of  the 
German  Reformed  Church. 

The  city  also  contains  eleven  churches,  including  one  Episcopa- 
lian, one  Piesbyterian,  one  Baptist,  one  German  Catholic,  one  Irisii 
Catholic,  one  Methodist,  one  Methodist  Episcopal,  two  Rfformed, 
one  Lutheran,  and  one  Albright. 

The  Citizens'  Hospital  and  Orphan  Asylum  is  an  institution  situ- 
ated on  a  plat  of  forty  acres,  one  mile  from  Tiilin,  founded  by  llev. 
J.  L.  Bihn,  in  1868,  and  conducted  by  the  sisters  of  !St.  Francis. 

In  connection  with  the  college  is  a  Tiieological  Seminary,  open  to 
students  of  all  denominations,  who  may  desire  to  avail  thenisulves 
of  its  advantages.  One  hundred  and  live  ministers  have  been  edu- 
cated at  the  institution,  and  the  average  attendance  is  about  twenty- 
five. 

The  business  houses  of  Tiffin  include  ten  dry  goods;  nine  milli- 
nery and  fancy  goods ;  three  clothing ;  six  boot  and  shoe;  one  li.it 
and  cap ;  four  jeweler;  three  book  and  stationery;  five  drug;  live 
hardware;  twenty-two  grocery ;  three  tobacco  and  cigar;  four  con- 


$  28,41ft  on 

;       230,312  00 

."$~3r4,628  00 


$  30,000  OO 

lO.OltO  OO 

■  75,000  00 

..  "JTlS.OOO  00 


itor;  William 
pleas  court; 
eviff;  Wm.  De 
raw,  D.  E.  Ma- 
d,  Edeu  Tease, 

liers,  -who  give 
.tendance  of  C9 

nation  of  about 
I  by  four  nuns 
icnt  of  an  able 
accommoclation 

las  an  average 
ed,  and,  as  yet, 
ving  been  opeu- 
.1.  Good,  of  the 

one  Episcopa- 
tliolic,  one  Irish 
two  lleformed, 

institution  sini- 
unded  by  llev. 
St.  Francis. 

nninary,  open  to 

ivail  tbenisulvcs 
have  been  edii- 

is  about  twenty- 

ods;  nine  niilh- 

d  shoe;  one  hat 

;  five  drug ;  liv« 

cigar; 


I) 


four  cou- 


{ 


{fAc<A/c 


c5 


Seneca  County — Charles  W.  Foster,  of  Fostoria.  503 


fectionary  ;  four  furniture ;  three  crockery ;  throe  saddlery ;  four 
photograph  galleries ;  seven  produce  dealers,  and  seven  hotels  and 
boarding  houses. 

In  manufacturing  industries,  there  are  three  foundry  and  ma- 
chine shops ;  Tiffin  Agricultural  Works ;  Ohio  Stove  Works ;  Tiffin 
Woollen  Mills ;  one  churn  and  wooden  ware  factory  ;  one  pump  do  ; 
two  bent  wood  do ;  one  paper  board  mill ;  one  handle  factory  ;  two 
planing  mills,  manufacturing  sash,  doors,  blinds,  etc.;  three  carriage 
factories  ;  three  wagon  do;  one  flax  and  one  wool  carding  mill ;  one 
foundry ;  one  tile  factory  ;  one  wood  stirrup  do  ;  one  boiler  do ;  five 
flouring  mills ;  three  saw  mills ;  two  stove  factories ;  two  marble 
do;  three  bakeries;  three  breweries;  two  distilleries ;  two  tanneries; 
two  asheries ;  five  cigar  manufactories ;  four  lumber  yards,  and  six 
lime  kilns. 

The  newspapers  of  Tiffin  are  well  conducted,  and  consist  of  the 
Advertiser,  by  J.  M.  Armstrong  and  J.  M.  Myers  ;  the  Tribune,  by 
Lockcs  &  ]31ymer,  and  the  Star,  by  White  &  Foster. 


Next  in  importance  to  Tiffin  is  Fostoria,  of  which  future  city  Mr. 
Charles  W.  Foster  being  the  founder,  a  brief  personal  sketch  of  him 
is  here  introduced. 

Mr.  Foster  was  born  in  Rockfitld,  Worcester  county,  Massachu- 
setts, November  21, 1800;  and,  in  aoout  1820,  his  father  and  family 
removed  to  western  New  York,  then  u  sparsely  settled  country.  On 
the  7th  of  June,  lS:i7,  at  Cambridge,  Washington  county.  New 
York,  he  married  Miss  Laura  Crocker;  and,  during  the  same  year, 
removed  to  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  and  from  thence,  in  October,  1832, 
to  tli"  place  now  known  as  Fostoria  ;  and,  jointly  with  his  father-in- 
law,  John  Crocker,  and  his  brotlier-in-law,  lioswel'  Crocker,  entered 
about  2,000  acres  of  unimproved  land,  in  the  town  and  neighbor- 
hood. Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  party,  the  town  of  Rome, 
ill  Senecii  county,  adjoining  the  Hancock  county  line,  was  laid  out, 
ami  in  November  a  store  of  goods  was  opened.  The  rival  town  of 
I'isdon,  located,  one-half  in  Seneca  and  one-half  in  Hancock  county, 
was  phitted  about  the  same  time  by  John  Gorsuch — the  town  being 
named  after  the  surveyor,  David  Kisdon. 

In  the  last  named  town  a  store  was  established,  about  the  same 
time  with  the  one  of  Mr.  Foster  and  his  associates ;  but  the  latter 
has  continued,  under  a  modiliciition  of  partnership,  and  commencing 
forty  years  ago,  with  a  capital  of  two  thousand  dollars,  and  sales  of 
goods  the  first  year  not  exceeding  three  thousand  dollars,  and  those 
chielly  a  barter  trade — furs  and  skins  being  the  chief  medium  of  ex- 
ohanj^e — the  house  has  now  a  paid  up  capital  of  ^^^TOjOOO,  and  last 
year's  sales  reached  81  ;j0,000  ;  tinil  the  outside  business  of  the  firm, 
including  the  trade  in  wool,  grain,  pork,  lumber,  etc.,  amounted,  in 
cash,  to  over  one  million  of  dollars. 

There  are  few  instances  of  business  success  in  the   Maumec  Val- 


504   Seneca  County — Charles  W.  Foster y  of  Fostoria. 


ley  that  have  been  more  marked,  than  that  of  Mr.  Foster.  With  tlio 
exception  of  R.  W.  Shawhan,  of  Tiftin,  there  is  not  one  of  his  co- 
temporaries  who,  in  1832,  were  engaged  in  merchandise,  and  now 
pursuing  the  business.  During  this  long  period  of  business  life,  Mr. 
Foster  was  never  a  party  to  a  contested  law-suit.  lie  has  in  some 
instances  been  compelled  to  bring  suit  against  parties  removing  out 
of  the  country,  or  manifesting  inditference  to  their  obligations;  but 
his  extensive  business  has  been  generally  conducted  amicably  ami 
satisfactorily  to  all  with  whom  he  has  had  dealings. 

Among  the  first  enterprises  of  public  value  that  seemed  a  neces- 
sity, was  the  erection  of  a  saw  and  grist-mill — the  mills  of  TitRn 
being  the  nearest — and,  in  about  1834,  Roswell  Crocker,  with  the 
aid  of  his  father  and  brother-in-law,  built  a  saw-mill,  and  in  1 836  a 
grist-mill.  These  mills  drew  custom  from  distant  settlements,  and 
proved  highly  beneficial  to  the  new  town  and  country. 

The  town  of  Ritlon,  after  the  consolidation  of  the  two  places  in 
the  year  1852,  transferred  its  business  activity  to  Rome,  and  the 
point  now  known  as  Fostoria,  where  it  will  have  a  permanent  and 
prosperous  abiding  place.  To  Mr.  Charles  W.  Foster,  and  to  his 
son,  Hon  Charles  Foster,  and  to  their  enterprise  and  foresight — af. 
fording  substantial  aid  to  every  proposition  which  gave  a  reasonable 
promise  of  advancing  the  moral  and  material  growth  of  the  place- 
is  this  recently  isolated  inland  town  indebted  for  the  rank  it  now 
holds,  and  for  the  promise  of  continued  growth.  Starting  the  town 
in  the  wilderness,  with  his  courageous  partners,  and  with  an  adjoin- 
ing rival  to  contest  the  field,  there  are  not  many  who  would  not,  du- 
ring some  of  these  forty  years  that  are  past,  have  yielded  a  conflict 
that  now,  when  we  look  back,  must  liave  appeared  hopeless  to  one 
of  less  energy  and  will. 

Although  having;  passed  a  life  of  unusual  activity,  and  achieved  a 
degree  of  success  rarely  attending,  under  the  circumstances,  human 
effort,  Mr.  Foster  now  appears,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three,  in  the  very 
prime  of  vigorous  manhood. 


The  shipments  made  by  G.  Morgan  <&  Co.,  from  March  1,  to  July 
30,  1872,  five  months,  were  3,100  barrels  of  eggs  (220,000  dozen), 
and  3,500  firkins  of  butter. 

Foster,  Olmsted  &  Co.,  bought,  during  the  year  ending  July,  1872, 
185,000  bushels  of  wheat ;  300,000  pounds  of  wool ;  175,000  bushels 
of  oats;  50,000  bushels  of  corn,  and  5,000  dressed  hogs.  And  other 
parties  shipped,  during  the  same  period,  about  12,000  barrels  of  ilour; 
2,000,000  feet  of  lumber ;  7,000  hogs,  and  3,000  head  of  cattle  and 
horses. 

Fostoria  contains  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  United  Brethren,  Lu- 
theran and  Catholic  churches ;  one  newspaper — the  Fostoria  Review, 
by  Mr.  Jones,  editor  and  proprietor — one  bank;  four  hotels  (the 
princijial  being  the  Hayes  House,  W.  W.  Reed,  proprietor) ;  three 
general  merchandise  stores,  which  last  year  made  sales  amounting  to 


Fostoria. 


Sandusky  County — Its  Organization.  505 


ter.  With  the 
)ne  of  his  co- 
(lise,  and  now 
Lsinesslife,  Mr. 
s  has  in  some 

removing  out 
)ligations;  but 

amicably  and 

;emed  a  neces- 
mills  of  Tiffin 
ocker,  with  the 
,  and  in  1836  II 
ettlements,  and 

3  two  places  m 
Kome,  and  the 
permanent  and 
ister,  and  to  his 
id  foresight— af. 
rave  a  reasonable 
'h  of  the  place- 
he  rank  it  now 
tarting  the  town 
I  with  an  adjoin- 
o  would  not,  du- 
ielded  a  conflict 
hopeless  to  one 

^,  and  achieved  a 
instances,  human 
three,  in  the  very 


ISIarch  1,  to  Julv 
(220,000  dozen), 

nding  July,  18TJ. 
•  175,000  bushels 
iiogs.  And  other 
)0  blirrels  of  Hour; 
ead  of  cattle  and 

ted  Brethren,  L"- 
i  Fostoria  /I'cfieM', 
,  four  hotels  (tlH' 
'iroprietor) ;  three 
ales  amounting  to 


$201,000 ;  three  provision,  two  jewelry,  three  hardware,  three  cloth- 
ing, one  drug,  and  two  stove  stores;  three  tin,  three  harness,  four 
millinery,  two  dress  making,  and  two  marble  establishments ;  two 
furniture  sales  rooms ;  two  meat  markets ;  two  i)hotograph  galle- 
ries, and  one  news  depot.  Also,  two  grist  and  three  saw  mills ;  one 
stave  and  barrel,  and  one  tile  factory;  two  planing  mills;  two  foun- 
dries; four  carriage,  and  six  blacksmith  shops ;  one  tannery;  one 
ashery;  tlve  brickyards ;  two  boot  and  shoe  shops  and  stores,  and 
ibnr  shoe  shops  :  two  bakery  and  confectionery  stores,  and  one  grain 
elevator. 


SANDUSKY  COUNTY 

Was  organized,  according  to  the  court  record,  in  pursuance  of  an 
act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Ohio,  February  12,  1820.  George 
Tod  was  President  Judge  of  the  Circuit,  and  Israel  Harrington, 
David  Harrold,  and  Alexander  Morrison,  Associate  Judges.  James 
Williams  was  appointed  c\cvk  pro  tempore  ;  "whereupon," — so  the 
record  reads — "the  sheriff  returned  tlie  vonre  for  the  grand  jurors, 
and  it  appearing  that  the  venire  did  not  issue  thirty  days  before  the 
return,  the  array  being  challenged,  the  panel  was  questioned  ;  where- 
upon the  sherift'was  ordered  to  select  a  new  jury  from  the  by&tan- 
ders,  and  the  following  persons  being  called,  appeared,  to  wit:  Joshua 
Davis,  Elisha  W.  Ilowland,  Jonathan  II.  Jerome,  William  Morrison, 
Josiah  Kumery,  Nicholas  Whittinger,  William  Andrews,  Kuel 
liOomis,  James  Montgomery,  Calel)  llice,  Eobert  Harvey,  Thomas 
Webb,  Elijah  Brayton,  Charles  B.  Fitch,  and  Reuben  Bristol;  where- 
upon Charles  B.  Fitch  was  appointed  foreman,  and  took  the  oath 
prescribed  by  lav/;  and  hi2  fellow-jurors,  after  taking  the  same  oath, 
received  a  solemn  charge  from  the  court  and  retired. 

"Upon  application,  David  Baker  was  appointed  Inspector  of  the 
County  of  JSandusky,  and  entered  into  bonds  according  to  law. 

"Willis  E.  Brown  produced  his  commission  as  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  iSandusky,  and  Avas  sworn  to  execute  the  duties  of  his  of- 
fice in  open  court. 

"Phillip  B.  Hopkins  is  appointed  clerk  pro  tempore.^'' 

Election  Notice  and  Poll  Book  of  Election,  August  1,  1815; 
Notice  is  hereby  given  to  the  ((ualified  electors  of  the  township  of 
I'Ower  Sandusky,  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Israel  Harrington  on  the 
loth  day  of  August,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  then  and  tiiere  to  elect 
township  officers,  as  the  law  directs.  Said  township  to  comprise  all 
Hiatpartof  Huron  county  west  of  the  2-lth  range  of  Connecticut 
Reserve. 

EliS.Barnum,     )    ^^^^^^^^.^. 
Caleb  Palmer,      V       . 
Charles  Parker,)    *'^'^"*' 
Huron,  August  1, 1815. 


506 


Sandiishy  County — Early  History. 


In  pursuance  of  the  foregoing  notification,  the  electors  of  Lower 
Sandusky  assembled  and  made  choice  of  Israel  Harrington,  Esq.,  for 
Chairman  of  said  meeting.  Elisha  Harrington  and  Charles  II.  Fitch 
were  chosen  judges  of  election.  Ephraim  Johnston  and  Isaac  Lte 
were  appointed  clerks. 

At  that  election,  the  following  officers  were  chosen: 

Trustees,  Israel  Harrington,  Kandall  Jerome,  and  Jeremiah  Eve- 
rett; township  clerk,  Isaac  Lee;  overseers  of  th»j  poor,  Morris  A. 
Newman,  and  William  Andrews  ;  fence  viewers,  Isaac  Lee,  and  Wil- 
liam Ford;  appraisers,  Charles  B.  Fitch,  and  Henry  Bubrow;  lister, 
Charles  B.  Fitch ;  supervisors,  William  Andrews,  and  Morris  A, 
Newman. 

Israel  Harrington,  who  died  in  1841,  was  one  of  the  early  "  inn- 
keepers" at  Lower  Sandusky; — was  a  good  citizen  and  neighbor,  and 
understood  how  to  conduct  a  house  of  entertainment.  Colonel 
Kichard  M.  Johnson,  of  Kentucky,  after  the  battle  of  the  Thames, 
in  which  conflict  he  received  a  painful  wound,  was  a  guest,  during 
several  days,  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  Mr.  Harrington. 

Regarding  the  signification  of  the  name  of  the  county,  John  H, 
James,  in  the  American  Pioneer,  makes  the  statement  following: 

"I  have  a  note  of  a  conversation  with  William  Walker,  at  Colum- 
bus, in  1835-G,  at  which  time  he  was  principal  chief  of  the  AVyau- 
dots,  at  Upper  Sandusky,  in  which  I  asked  the  meaning  of  the  word 
Sandusky.  He  said  it  meant '  at  the  cold  water,'  and  should  be 
sounded  San-doos-toe.  He  said  it  'carricnl  with  it  the  force  of  a 
preposition.'  The  Upper  Cold  Water,  and  the  Lower  Cold  Water, 
then,  were  descriptive  Indian  names,  given  long  before  the  presence 
of  the  trader,  Sowdowsky.  In  the  vocabulary  of  Wyandot  words, 
given  by  John  Johnston,  formerly  Indian  agent  in  Ohio,  as  printed 
in  Archmologia  Americana,  vol.  1,  p.  295,  the  word  water  is  given, 
^S"^,  7C7idnsfee,  or,  water  within  2)ooW 

The  late  Major  B.  F.  Stickney,  in  a  lecture  delivered  before  the 
Young  Men's  Association  of  Toledo,  February  ^8,  1845,  said  : 

''The  remains  of  extensive  works  of  defence  are  now  to  be  seen 
near  Lower  Sandusky.    The  Wyandots  have  given  me  this  account 
of  them:     At  a  period  of  two  centuries  and  a  half  since,  or  more, 
all  the  Indians  west  of  this  point  were  at  war  with  all  the  Indians 
east.     Two  walled  towns  were  built  near  each  other,  and  each  was 
inhabited  by  those  of  Wy;indot  origin.     They  assumed  a  neutral  po- 
sition, and  all  the  Indians  at  war  recognized  that  character.    They 
might  be  called  two  neutral  cities.     All  of  the  west  might  enter  (lie 
western  city,  and  all  of  the   east   the  eastern.    The   inhabitants  of  | 
one  city  might  inform  those  of  the   other,  that  war  parties  .were  i 
there,  or  had  been  there ;  but  who  they  were,  or  whence  they  came, 
or  anything  more,  must  not  be  mentioned.     The  war  parties  migliil 
remain  there  in  security,  taking  their  own  time  for  departure.   At 
the  western  town  they  suffered  the  warriors  to  burn  their  prisoner; 
near  it;  but  the  eastern  would  not.    An  old  Wyandot  informed ffltj 


Sanduslcy  County — liarly  Ilistm'y. 


607 


tors  of  Lower 
gton,  Es(i.,  for 
iiarlea  11.  Fitch 
and  Isaac  Ltc 


Jeremiali  Eve- 
poor,  Morris  A. 
c  Lee,  and  Wil- 
Dnbrow ;  lister, 
and  Morris  A, 

the  early  "  inn- 
:id  neighbor,  and 
nment.  Colonel 
of  the  Thames, 
a  guest,  durnig 
nngton. 

county,  John  11. 
ent  following  •• 
Valker,  at  Colum- 
lief  of  the  AVyaii- 
.aningofthewovd 
■r,'  and  should  be 
1  it  the  force  of  ft 
ower  Cold  Water, 
jcfore  the  presence 
f  Wyandot  words, 
,1  Ohio,  as  printed 
vd  water 


is  given, 


elivered  before  tk 
^,  1845,  said  : 
re  now  to  be  seen 
>n  me  this  account 
lalf  since,  or  move, 
ith  all  the  IndwK 
thcr,  and  each  wib 
umed  a  neutral  po- 
,t  character.     il|;^ 
rost  might  enter  til 
The   inhabitants  o. 
war  parties  .^veK 
whence  they  cmw 
war  parties  nug  ' 
fur  departure.   A^ 
i,urn  their  prisoni^H 
yandot  informed  iB^ 


H 


\ 


tliiit  he  recollected  seeing,  wlien  a  boy,  the  remains  of  a  cedar  post, 
or  stake,  at  which  tliey  formerly  burned  prisoners. 

"The  French  historians  tell  us  that  those  neutral  cities  were  in- 
habited, and  their  neutral  character  respected,  when  they  first  came 
here.  At  length  a  (luarrel  arose  between  the  two  cities,  and  one  des- 
troyed the  inhabitants  of  the  other.    'JMiis  put  an  end  to  neutrality." 

Tecumseh's  brother,  "  the  Prophet,"  made  a  visit  to  the  Wyan- 
dots,  at  Lower  Sandusky,  as  early  as  180(!  (says  Peter  Navarre),  and 
designated  four  of  their  best  women  as  witches,  whom  he  appointed 
men  to  slay  at  midnight.  This  fearful  deed  would  have  been  con- 
summated, but  for  the  timely  interference  of  Pev.  Joseph  Badger, 
missiouary  to  the  Wyaudots. 

In  a  mannscript  memoranda  of  Rev.  P.  A.  Sherrard,  now  in  pos- 
■ession  of  Mr  Butterfield,  of  Bucyrus,  the  following  account  is  given 
of  atrial  at  a  term  of  the  Sandusky  Court  of  Common  Pleas: 

"When  at  Lower  Sandusky  (now  Fremont),  the  Lst  of  May,  183-1, 
I  attended  a  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Sandusky 
county.  The  first  case  called  was  one  brought  by  a  Seneca  Li- 
diiin,  represented  by  his  next  friend,  a  fourth  breed  Indian,  a  local 
.Mt'tliodist  ])reacher  named  Montgomery.  The  suit  was  brought  to 
prove  the  identity  and  ownership  of  a  pony  horse,  which  Montgom- 
ery, acting  for  the  Seneca  Indian,  had  replevied,  having  found  the 
horse  in  the  possession  of  a  white  man,  living  three  or  four  miles 
wt'st  of  the  Seneca  reservation. 

"The  Indian's  statement  was,  that  he  had  raised  the  pony  from  a 
icolt,  and  had  been  out;  on  a  hunting  excursion,  near  where  his  oppo- 
\\\v\\{,  the  white  man,  lived,  when  his  pony  left  him,  and  Avas  making 
[itsuay  homeward,  to  the  Seneca  Reserve,  when  it  was  taken  up  by 
defendant.  The  white  man  claimed  that  he  had  raised  the  beast, 
land  was  its  rightful  owner.  The  plaintiff  also  asserted  the  same 
Ichiiin. 

"The  Indian  had  five  witnesses  of  his  own  tribe,  the  testimony  of 
|each  being  directly  in  favor  of  his  claim.  The  first  of  these  witness- 
ts was 'Old  George,'  the  chief,  a  tall,  portly  man,  six  feet  and  two 
finches  in  height,  and  a  well-proportioned  figure,  though  over  seventy 
Vears  of  age.  I  frequently  met  his  father,  whose  hair  was  once,  it  is 
pid,  as  black  and  coarse  as  that  of  a  horse' tail ;  but  when  I  first 
net  him,  in  18Ji 4,  his  hair  was  iis  white  as  a  sheep's  wool,  and  he 
fas  said  to  have  passed  his  liundredth  year. 

"He  was  born  at  or  near  Cayuga  Lake,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
|nd  was  generally  known  as  Cayuga  George,  the  chief.  His  testimo- 
|y  was  expected  to  be  corroborated  by  four  other  Indians.  A  ques- 
lon  snggested  itself  to  the  court  (Judge  Ebenezer  Lane  being  Pres- 
flent  Jiulgo  of  the  circuit,)  and  attorneys,  as  to  the  form  of  oath 
fopor  to  i)e  administered  to  the  Indian  witnesses.  After  some  delib- 
ration,  Judge  Lane,  through  an  interpreter,  put  the  question  to  the 
iiief  in  the  following  words  : 


608 


Sandushy  County — Early  ITUtory. 


"'Do  yon  believe  tliat  tlie  Grout  Spirit  will  punish  you,  if  you  till 
\\  lie  about  the  horse  ?' 

"George  ([uickly  replied,  and  with  great  uninniiion  in  hiscqjuntt'ii- 
ance,  that  he  would  not  tell  a  lie  lor  any  nnui'a  horae. 

'•  The  Judge  then  ordered  the  witnesses  to  hold  up  their  right 
hand,  each,  and  put  the  test  to  them  as  follows : 

"'  You  and  each  of  you,  do  soU'innly  promise  to  speak  the  truth, 
as  you  believe  that  the  Great  Sjiirit  will  punish  you,  if  you  tell  w  Ik' 
about  the  ownersiiip  of  the  horse,  now  in  dispute  between  tlie  In- 
dian and  the  white  man ;'  to  which  they  gave  their  assent  by  u  nod, 
and  the  exclamation  '  Ugh !' 

"  The  Indians  were  then  cpiestioned,  one  by  one,  commencins; 
with  George,  the  chief,  as  to  what  they  knew  concerning  the  pony, 
or  horse,  in  dispute;  and  their  averment  was,  that  the  Seneca  Indian 
who  claimed  tlie  horse  raised  him  from  a  colt,  and  that  lie  was  three 
years  old  that  spring.  The  four  witnesses  of  the  white  claimant  tcs- 
tilled  directly  the  reverse  of  this,  and  sworo  that  the  white  niiiii 
had  been  the  owner  of  the  pony  since  it  was  a  colt,  had  raised  it, 
and  that  it  was  four  years  old  that  spring. 

"  Here  was  a  discre]iancy  between  the  witnesses  of  the  opjiosiii;; 
parties  as  to  the  age  of  the  colt ;  and,  in  order  to  aid  the  jury  in 
reconciling  the  conilicting  testimony,  the  judge  ordered  the  slieritf| 
to  call  three  men,  who  claimed  knowledge  of  such  matters,  to  ascer- 
tain the  age  of  a  horse  by  examination  of  his  teeth. 

"The  slieritf  selected  three  men  who  professed  to  be  endowed  with 
this  gift,  and  who,  after  a  careful  examination  of  the  beast's  nioiit' 
testified  that  he  was  of  the  age  sworn  to  by  the  Indian  witnesses- 1 
Contrary  to  the  evidence,  the  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  for  thc\vliite| 
man. 

"And  thus  ended  that  lawsuit,  showing  the  uncertainty  of  thtj 
law.    A  number  of  white  men  raised  lifteen  dollars,  and  ])urchase(l 
the  horse,  and  delivered  it  to  the  Indian,  who  returned  to  his  liunel 
in  the  Reservation,  consisting  of  forty  thousand  acres,  situated  oiif 
the  east  side  of  the  Sandusky  river,  live  miles  above  Fremont." 

And  regarding  the  Seneca  Indians,  the  same  writer  has  the  fol| 
lowing: 

"  The  Ohio  fragment  of  the  Seneca  tribe  was  an  olT-shoot  from  the] 
old  Senecas  of  New  York.  This  swarm,  or  colony,  from  the 
line,  left  it  more  than  200  years  ago,  and  settled  on  the  Sandiiskjl 
river,  around  where  Fremont  now  stands,  and  Avhere  they  resiilcl 
from  that  time  until  they  sold  out  their  reservation  to  the  Unitei!' 
States,  under  the  trenty  made  at  Washington  city  in  February,  lf>31. 
— James  B.  Gardner  being  the  Commissioner  of  the  General  Cov| 
ernment. 

"In  pursuance  of  this  treaty,  tlie  Senecas  removed  to  the  NeshJ 
river,  west  of  the  ^Mississippi,  in  the  fall  of  1831.     Their  roservatioii| 
was  sold  by  order  of  President  Jackson,  in  the  autumn  of  18;)2. 
.     "At  the  time  of  the  horse  trial  mentioned  above,  George, 


Sandui^hj  Count y-^Karhj  History. 


600 


chief,  ami  his  fatlu'r,  wore  both  living,  but  both  hail  bcconioold,  and 
fiir  lulvancoil  in  life.  Goorgo  was  the  only  acting  chief,  ruler,  or 
lutul  rflnn  of  the  Seneca  tribe,  and  was  innrh  rcspcctoil,  not  only  by 
his  own  race,  but  by  all  lb(^  whit(!  settlers  who  knew  him,  or  iiad 
liny  dealings  with  iiim.  His  word  would  be  taken  among  the  wiiite 
pi'oph',  by  whom  he  was  known,  far  beyond  many  of  tlie  white  jxip- 
uhition  of  tiuit  country  at  that  tinu".  He  would  nt't  sulfer  any  thiev- 
ing  person,  male  or  female,  of  his  t  wii,  or  of  any  otlicr  tribe,  if  ho 
knew  it,  to  live  among  his  Iiulians.  'riu^  ])uni.siunent  for  tin  ft,  and 
other  crimes,  was  'club  law' — tlie  oIK-nder  beuig  cubbed  outsiile  his 
jurisdiction;  and  if  the  culi)rit  returned  ut  a  future  period,  death 
liv  ehibbing  wouhl  be  his  portion.  MurdiT,  in  all  cas-es,  was  jJuniBJi- 
ai)le  l)y  death.  It  was  a  rare  crime  among  the  henecas,  and  only 
occurred  in  drunken  broils." 

"While  at  [jower  Sandusky,  in  May,  IS-^>I,"  ]\rr.  Sherrard  conlin- 
iios,  "  1  often  met  Cieorge,  the  chief,  and  his  wife.  Slip  fre(|Uently 
visited  Lower  Sandusky,  ilistant  live  miles  from  her  residence,  and 
travelled  upon  her  jiony,  using  a  side-saddle.  Tlio  Seneca  women 
geiierally  rode  ui)on  a  man's  saddle,  and  after  the  custom  of  men, 
a  leg  on  each  side  the  body  of  the  horse;  but  they  had  a  neat  way 
of  tucking  their  Indian  blanket  around  tiioir  legs,  and  they  all  wore 
legjjins  and  moccasins. 

''  One  day  George  and  his  wife,  on  returning  from  Lower  Sandusky, 
culled  at  tlie  house  of  Colonel  Chambers,  two  miles  above  town, 
where  Mr.  Sherrard  boarded;  and,  after  being  seated,  (ieorge  took 
out  his  pipe  and  tilled  it  with  tobacco,  and  commenced  smoking. 
IIl-  then  made  eiupiiry  of  Mrs.  Chambers  whether  she  ''  had  lost 
haiikisli,  like  one  on  neck ;''  at  the  same  time  pointing  to  the  one 
she  wore.     She  rejilied  that  she'had  not  missed  any  as  yet. 

''Me  know  you  have,"  said  CJeorge.   "Me  see  many  on  line  to  dry; 

'Mohawk  S(puiw  live 'mong  us;  she  steal  one  like  dat  on  neck;  me 

think  she  stole  from  line  when  dry.     Next  time  nie  come,  me  bring 

him.    Me  no  'low  Indian  steal;  me  good  man;  me  good  in  here;'' 

[at  the  same  time  jilacing  his  hand  over  his  heart. 

"Having  linished  this  bit  ofdiscourse.he  and  his  wife  left,  forgetting 
[the  twist  of  tobacco  from  which  he  had  tilled  his  pipe.   Shortly  after 
he  was  gone,  Mrs.  Chambers  noticed  the  forgotten  tobacco,  and  re- 
I marked  that  when  ho  came  again,  she  would  give  it  to  him. 

"'Yes,'  said  I,  'and  tell  him  you  are  good  woman — good  in  here.''" 

In  regard  to  the  Lidian  murder,  reference  to  wliich  is  made  by 
iJiulge  lliggins  (pp.  2><2,  'IS'.l),  ]\[r.  Slieirard  gives  the  following 
laceount: 

"About  the  year  18*J5,  Coonstick,  Stiel  and  Cracked-lloof,  lettthe 
Ireservation  for  the  double  purpose  of  a  three  years'  hunting  and 
jtrappiiig  excursion,  and  to  seek  a  location  kn-  a  new  home  for  the 
jtiibe  ill  the  west.  At  the  time  of  their  starting,  Comstock,  the  bro- 
jtlierof  the  two  lirst,  was  the  principal  chief  of  the  tribe.  On  their 
jretuni,  in  18:38,  richly  laden  with  furs  and  liorsos,  they  found  Seneca 


510 


Sandusky  County -^--Eart])  Iliatory, 


John,  llicir  fourth  hrofhor,  chief  in  phioe  of  Comstook,  wlio  lunl 
died  durin<^  tliclr  absc^ndo.  ConiHtock  vvuh  tlie  fiivorilo  of  the  twd, 
and  tlit-y  iit  onco  chHr;i;ed  Sont'ca  John  with  ])roducin^  ills  d^itli  bv 
witclicrafl.  John  denied  the  clmrge  in  a  strain  of  eKxiuencc  niivlv 
e([ua!li'd.     Said  ho: 

"*  I  k)ved  my  brother  Comstock  more  than  the  green  earth  iRtnml 
upon.  I  would  give  up  myself,  limb  by  limb,  piecemeal  by  piow- 
meal; — I  would  shed  my  blood,  drop  by  drop,  to  restore  him  to  li(V,' 

•'  But  all  his  jjrotestations  of  innocence  and  alfecfion  for  his  brotli- 
er  Comstock,  were  of  no  avail.  His  two  other  brothers  pronouncul 
him  guilty,  and  declared  their  determination  to  become  his  exicii. 
tioners.  Jolm  replied  that  he  was  willing  to  die,  and  only  wished  tn 
live  until  next  morning,  to  see  tin;  sun  rise  once  more.  This  rc(i,u'^t 
being  granted,  .John  told  them  that  he  would  sloep  that  night  on 
llard-llickory's  ])orch,  which  fronted  the  east,  where  they  would  tiin! 
him  at  sunrise.  Lie  ciioso  that  place  because  he  did  not  wish  to  \k 
killed  in  presence  of  his  wife,  and  desired  that  the  chief,  Ihird' 
Hickory,  witness  that  ho  died  like  a  man. 

"Coonstick  and  Steel  retired  for  the  night  to  an  old  cabin  near 
by.  In  the  morning,  in  comjiany  with  Shane,  another  Indian,  tluv  | 
proceeded  to  the  house  of  Ilard-IIickory, — who  was  my  informant,  | 
— who  stated  that  a  little  after  sunrise  he  heard  their  footstopd  on 
the  porch,  and  he  opened  the  door  just  wide  enough  to  peep  on;. 
lie  saw  John  asleep  upon  his  blanket,  and  they  standing  near  liia 
At  length  one  of  them  awoke  him,  and  he  immediately  ro^e,  tnuk  of 
a  large  handkerchief  which  was  around  his  head,  letting  his  unusu- 
ally long  hair  fall  upon  his  shoulders.     This  beiuir  done,  ho  looWi 


around  upon  the  landscape,  and  upon  the  rising  sun,  to  take  a  fare 
well  look  of  a  scene  ho  was  never  again  to  behold;  and  then  ac- 
nounced  to  his  brothers  that  he  was  ready  to  die. 

"  Shane  and  Coonstick  caeh  took  him  by  the  arm,  and  Stetl| 
walked  behind.  In  this  way  they  led  him  about  ten  steps  from 
poich,  when  his  brother.  Steel,  struck  him  with  a  tomahawk  onttel 
back  of  his  head,  and  he  fell  to  the  ground,  bleeding  freely.  h}-\ 
posing  the  blow  sufficient  to  kill  him,  they  dragged  him  underi 
peach  tree  near  by.  h\  a  short  time  he  revived,  however,  the  bl^' 
having  been  broken  by  his  great  mass  of  hair.  Knowing  thai. I 
was  Steel  who  struck  the  blow,  John,  as  he  biv,  tunu'd  hia  \\m 
towards  Coonstick,  and  said:     '  Now,  brot''        itlf<  /•  revengf'l 

'  e  him;  i 

«},  ti       he  drew 
I  t        next  (lay  ill 
lot  mijrc  than  twc 


J  e;ii  , 
monies 


This  so  operated  on  Coonstick,  th;'' 
the  proposition^  enraged  Steel  te 
knife  and  cut  John's  throat  from  . 
was  buried  with  the  usual  Indian  ci 
feet  from  where  he  fell." 

The  judicial  basis  upon  which  the  judgment  of  the  Court  fij 
rendered  in  the  foregoing  case,  is  clearly  stated  in  the  comrau 
tion  of  Judge  David  Higgins,  already  referred  to. 


?/• 


stool<,  Nvlio  M 
n,(5  of  the  two, 
1,0;  his  A«it'i>  ^•' 

■oen  ciirtAi  1  stmid 
:emcal  by  pica- 
itore  him  to  lilc 
ion  t\)V  bis  \)Volli- 
iierB  \ir(>nounci'il 
'.come   his  oxecii- 
,id  onW  wished  b> 
ore.    TUis  nn"'-^' 
.ep  timt  ui.iiht  on 

id  not  wish  to  W 
b  tlie  chiei,  ilurd- 

an  old  cabin  war 
lolher  Indian,  tluv 
vas  my  inlormam, 
their  footsteps  011  ] 
enough  to  peep  on;, 
Btanding  near  m 
aiately  vos^'.tookon 

,  letting  his  um)^«; 

Irr  done,  ho  luoU 

sun,  to  take  a  to" 

aold;  and  thenar- 

the  arm,  '^f'^^^l 
,  ten  steps  from 
,  a  tomahawk  on* 
eeding  tVeely.    S«H 
lagged  him  nncl 
L  however,  the  bb' 

Knowing  tlw>  1 
:„.   tnnvd   \UiH 

r  reven?tl 

.ehim;4 
,         he  drew  Ml 
i  t       n.>Kt  dayil 
ot  more  than  twoij 

L  of  the  Court  ^\ 
[\  in  the  comwi' 
to. 


Sandushij  County — £arly  History.  511 

Mr.  Sherrard  has  alao  the  following?  in  regard  to  the  religion  of 
lilt'  Indians : 

"■ere  I  would  od'er  anoLlier  remark  from  an  idea  which  liaH  heeii 
(liscussod  in  connoction  \vitli  this  matter, — whieli  is,  thiit  I  hiive  rea- 
son to  believe  that  tlio  Seiieea,  as  well  as  the  Osage  Indians,  nuiy 
luivo  been  sun  worshipiwrs.  T  reach  this  conclusion  from  the  cir- 
cumstance of  the  willingness  of  Seneca  John  to  meet  death  on  con- 
dition that  his  brothers  would  let  him  live  until  morning,  to  see  the 
sun  rise  onco  more. 

'•The  rojtly  of  (Jeorge,  the  cliit'f,  to  the  missionaries,  was,  at  all 
times,  that  their  own  religion  was  good  t3nough  ;  but  what  that  re- 
li^^ion  consisted  in,  I  have  no  account,  further  than  that  they  had  a 
strong  native  belief  in  a  (Ireat  Spirit,  that  overlooked  theallairsand 
notions  of  numkind.  The  Senecas  have  also  a  custom  handed  down 
IVoin  their  ancestors,  and  points  to  their  Jewish  origin  as  one  of  the 
lost  ten  tribes.  They  have  a  yearly  sacrilice;  and  for  thiit  purpose 
liitten  a  white  dog — for  they  utterly  abhor  and  detest  any  other 
color.  At  this  sacrilice,  the  whole  male  portion  of  the  tribe  are  con- 
vened. This  statement  I  obtained  from  Colonel  Chambers,  in  \S'i\, 
who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  mannera  and  customs  of  the 
Sonecas.'' 


A  writer  in  tlio  Fremont  2hsscngcr,^h'.  Morris  E.  Tyler,  commu- 
niciites  to  that  sprightly  journal  the  interesting  reminiscences  cjuoted 
below: 

"During  the  war  of  1812,  while  D.  P.  Snow,  who  lived  at  Cold 
Creek  (now  called  Castalia),  was  absent  from  home,  Captain  Pump- 
kin and  a  band  of  Indians  captured  the  family  of  Mr.  Snow.  lie 
instantly  killed  an  infant.  They  marched  the  rest  towards  the  San- 
dusky bay.  Mrs.  Snow  being  unable  to  travel,  was  tomahawked  and 
scalped  within  a  few  rods  of  the  house.  The  remainder  of  the  fam- 
ily, two  souij  and  one  daughter,  they  took  to  their  canoes.  They 
then  conveyed  them  to  Detroit,  which  had  been  disgracefully  sur- 
sendered  by  the  coward,  Hull,  where  they  sold  thera  to  the  British 
government.  Alter  this  brutality  on  the  part  of  Pumpkin  and  his 
baud,  he  killed  some  of  his  own  people,  when  they  in  revenge  killed 
t!ii^  Indian  nuirden'r,  on  the  Stony  Prairie, about  one  mile  Ironi  the 

ily  of  J-'remont. 

"The  Indians  were  in  the  habit  of  watching  for  the  United  States 
I  mail,  which  came  weekly  from  Columbus  to  the  lorces  in  this  part 
ol' the  State.    The  Indians  knew  the  day,  and  awaited  the  arrival 
of  the  mail  carriers.     About  twenty  of  the  redskins  secreted  them- 
selves behhid  logs,  in  an  oak  opening,  about  one  mile   and  a  half 
jsouth  of  Fremont,  up  the  river.    On  that  day,  General  Harrison 
iBenl  Colonel  Ball  with  twenty-seven  dragoons  to  Fort  Stephenson. 
jOu  tlieir  way,  they  were  attacked  by  the  Indians,  who  were  defeated 
'v  Colonel  Ball's  force,  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man,  and  the  mail 
hvas  saved  from  British  inspection. 


612 


Sandusky  County — Early  History, 


"  The  village  and  township  of  Ballville  was  named  alter  Colonel 
Ball  in  honor  of  this  achievement. 

"James  Whittaker,  the  first  white  man  who  settled  here,  wa^ap- 
tared  near  Fort  Pitt  (now  Pittsburg),  by  the  Indians,  about  the 
year  1778,  while  hnntingi  He  was  compelled  to  rim  the  gauntlet, 
and  was  adopted  by  the  Wyandot  tribe,  and  was  considered  one  of 
their  people. 

*'  Elizabeth  Fucks  was  the  first  white  woman  who  settled  in  San- 
dusky county.  She  was  captured  by  the  Indians  v  hen  she  was  about, 
eleven  years  old,  at  Cross  Roads,  Pennsylvani'i,  about  the  year 
1780,  and  was  adopted  by  the  Wyandot  Indians  as  one  of  their 
tribp.  She  was  married  to  Jani's  Whitt.-iker,  at  Detroit.  They  set- 
tled here  at  a  very  early  day.  Mr.  Whittaker  was  an  Indian  trader, 
He  died  in  1800,  at  Upper  Sandusky,  after  partaking  with  his  part- 
ner, Hugh  Patterson,  a  glass  of  wine  which,  it  is  supposed,  con- 
tained poison,  as  he  died  very  suddenly  after  taking  it. 

"At  the  close  of  the  war,  the  following  named  settlers  were 
living:  Jeremiah  Everett  (fatlier  of  Homer  Everett),  Israel  Har- 
rington, Morris  A.  Newman  (father  of  the  wife  of  Judge  Knapp), 
James  Nugin.  and  David  Gallagher,  who  was  then  comm.issary  at 
Fort  Stephenson 

"  Judge  Isaac  Knapp  carried  the  mail  a  portion  of  that  year,  from 
Fort  Stephenson  to  Fort  Meigs  (now  Perrysburg).  At  that  time, 
there  was  no  road,  and  he  was  guided  by  blazes  or  spots  made  on 
the  trees  by  hewing  with  a  hatchet:.  The  route  travelled  was  a  dan- 
gerous one.  They  started  from  Fremont,  went  down  the  river  to 
Muskalonge  creek,  thence  west  about  one  mile,  where  they  crossed 
the  creek  by  fording ;  thence  to  Portage  river  which  they  crossed, 
where  Elmore  is  now  situated ;  from  there  by  a  circuitous  route  to 
Fort  Meigs. 

"  In  those  days  the  mail  carriers  were  men  of  courage  and  deter- 
mination, as  the  Indians  and  wolves  were  opposed  to  the  advance- 
ment of  our  system  of  civilization. 

"  Fort  Stephenson  was  built  upon  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
Lewis  Leppelman  and  Dr.  W.  B.  Ames,  for  residences.  The  fort 
Avas  within  the  square  formed  by  Arch,  Garrison,  High,  and  Cio- 
ghan  streets.  The  fort  was  built  of  pickets  twelve  feet  high  above  I 
the  ground,  and  the  line  surrounded  by  a  ditch  nine  leet  wide  and  | 
six  feet  deep.  The  earth  from  this  ditch  was  thrown  up  against  the 
pickets.  Within  the  fort  were  three  rude  structures,  used  by  the 
garrison  for  storehouses.  It  was  built  for  a  garrison  of  ^00.  On 
the  west  side  of  the  fort,  the  ditch  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of 
High,  and  abor*^,  the  centre  of  Croghan  street. 

"  Before  the  war  of  1812,  there  was  a  large  town  built  by  the 
Muncie  Indians,  which  was  called  Muncie  village.  It  was  situated 
several  miles  below  Fremont,  on  the  Sandusky  river,  on  what  is 
known  as  the  Neil  lands,  at  a  point  where  a  rivulet  enters  the  river, 


Sandusky  Covnty — First  Preacher. 


513 


alter  Colonel 

here,  wa^ap- 
,an8,  about  tlie 
1  the  gavmtlet, 
isidered  one  of 

settled  in  San- 
n  she  was  about, 
ibout   the  year 
I  as  one  of  their 
troit.  They  set- 
.n  Indian  trailer, 
g  with  his  part- 
r  supposed,  con- 
;it. 

ed  settlers  were 
rett),  Israel  Hav- 
;  Judge  Knapp), 
n  commissary  at 

3f  that  year,  from 
).     At  that  time, 
r  spots  made  on 
,velled  was  a  tlan- 
llown  the  river  to 
here  they  crossed 
liich  they  crossed, 
rcuitous  route  to 

ourage  and  deter- 
to  the  adviuice- 

now  occupied  by 
ilences.  The  fort 
In,  iligb,  and  Oro- 
%  leet  higb  above 
ine  teet  wide  awl 
Iwn  up  against  t  If 

Lres,  used  by  tbe 
(rison  of  200.  On 
In  the  north  side  ol 

lown  built  by  tbe 
It  was  situated  1 
river,  on  what  is 
pt  enters  the  river, 


a  few  rods  above  a  house  now  occupied  by  a  man  named  Harrison. 
This  village  was  destroyed  in  the  war  of  1812. 

"llev,  Joseph  Badger  was  the  first  man  who  preached  the  gospel 
in  Sandusky  county.  In  the  year  1800,  the  Missionary  Societies  of 
the  Eastern  States  desired  to  send  missionaries  to  the  Indians  in  the 
northern  part  of  Ohio.  At  their  instance,  he  came  liere  and  resided 
among  tlie  Wyandots  and  other  tribes  of  Indians.  The  same  year 
he  returned  to  Blandlord,  Massachusetts,  and  afterwards  returned 
to  Ohio,  and  settled  on  the  Westerr.  Iteserve.  Before  the  war  of 
1812,  his  labors  Avere  divided  between  the  Western  lleserve  and  the 
country  bordering  on  the  Sandusky  and  Maumee  rivers.  In  1812, 
he  was  appointed  chaplain  by  Governor  Meigs,  was  in  Fort  Meigs 
Juring  the  siege  ot  1813,  and  through  the  war  was  attached  to  Gen- 
eral Harrison's  command.     He  died  in  Wood  county  in  18-lG." 


The  following  sketch  of  the  first  Court  House  at  Lower  Sandus- 
ky, is  from  the  pen  of  Homer  Everett : 

"  The  first  Court  House  in  Lower  Sandusky,  was  erected  between 
tlie  month  of  July  and  the  last  day  of  December,  on  the  site  near 
the  present  residence  of  Hon.  11.  V.  Bucklaiid.  The  frame  was  then 
put  up  and  covered,  but  not  finished.  The  whole  surrounding  was 
then  densely  covered  with  thick  oak  trees.  It  was  away  out  in  the 
woods.  A  year  or  two  afterwards,  this  frame  was  moved  on  rollers 
to  the  top  of  the  hill,  on  the  lots  now  occupied  by  Rev.  H.  Lang, 
and  constitutes  his  residence.  From  sometime  about  the  year  1825 
orlS'2G,  to  1840,  this  building  was  called  the  Court  House,  when 
our  I'resent  one  was  completed. 

"The  first  one  was  built  by  subscription ;  the  location  was  warmly 
contended  for  by  the  east  and  west  sides,  each  making  the  best  offer 
it  was  able  to  perform.  The  subscription  signed  by  the  inhabitants 
west  ot  '^i.e  river,  is  dated  Aurust  1,  18"2o,  and  is  quite  indicative  of 
the  state  of  things  in  a  monetary  and  pecuniary  point  of  view.  The 
list  embraces  four  columns,  one  for  the  amount  of  cash,  one  for  tho 
amount  of  labor,  one  for  the  amount  of  produce,  and  one  for  tho 
amount  of  material  subscribed.  Out  of  the  thirty-three  signers, 
I  only  fifteen  subscribed  money,  and  the  total  amount  of  cafh  raised 
was  only  S235.  The  remainder  of  the  Si, 800,  which  was  tho  total 
of  the  subscription,  was  signed  material,  labor,  and  produce. 

"The  building  was  first  let  to  Cyrus  Hulburt,  Avho  failed  to  fulfill 
[liiscoutract,  and  afterwards  let  to  Thomas  L.  Hawkins,  for  62,-fOO, 
the  County  Commissioners  paying  six  hundred  dollars  in  orders  on 
j the  Treasury." 

The  act  of  March  12,  1820,  established  the  county  seat  at  Cro- 
Igliansvi.iC  ;  but  Commissioners  appointed  by  thr  General  Assembly 
jto  review  the  location,  in  1822,  established  it  on  the  west  side  of  tho 
jriver,  where  it  has  since  remained. 

32 


514 


Sandushj  County — Pioneers,  d;c. 


The  fifty-ninth  anniversary  of  Croghan's  defence  of  Fort  Stephen- 
son was  celebrated  at  Fremont,  on  Friday,  August  2,  1872,  by  a 
large  concourse  of  old  residents  of  the  Mauraee  Valley.  ThewlVe- 
mont  Democratic  Messcnge?',  August  8,  1872,  concludes  a  notice  of 
the  celebration  as  follows  : 

"  The  victory  of  Croghan  and  his  brave  band  of  heroes,  gave 
prominence  to  this  place ;  to  Ohio,  a  glorious  page  in  history ;  to 
Croghan  and  his  determined  supporters,  imijerishable  honors,  ami 
lustre  to  the  American  arms, 

"  Well  may  our  people  honor  and  cherish,  in  grateful  remem- 
brance, the  brave  and  heroic  defenders  of  Fort  Stephenson.'' 

Isaac  Knapp  located  at  Fort  Stephenson  in  September,  1814. 
None  who  were  then  citizena  of  the  place,  survive  him. 

The  pickets  of  the  Fort,  and  the  two  large  block  houses,  situated 
on  the  south  line  of  the  enclosure ;  the  sentry-box  on  the  southeast 
corner ;  the  magazine  in  the  northwest  cornei',  and  a  large  block 
house  projecting  over  the  picket  line,  and  designed  to  cover  the 
ditches,  \vore  then  in  good  condition  of  preservation. 

About  ninety  to  one  hundred  men,  under  command  of  Captain 
Gcst,  garrisoned  the  post.  The  fort  was  evacuated  in  May  or  June, 
1815.  Lieutenants  Thomas  L.  Hawkins,  and  Thomas  E.  Boswell, 
alter  the  evacuation,  remained  at  the  fort,  and  made  the  place  their 
permanent  home.  Morris  A.  Newman,  from  Norwalk,  was  military 
postmaster,  and  kept  a  small  store.  Israel  Harrington  was  a  tav- 
ern-keeper; and  Messrs.  Disborough  and  Wilson,  who,  in  1818, 
built  a  schooner  for  the  luke  trade,  were  also  here.  And  so  was 
Jeremiah  Everett,  and  Josiah  Rumsey — the  last  named  building 
the  schooner  General  Brown,  in  181l>.  There  were,  also,  in  1814, 
several  French  families — among  them  Thomas  DeMa&que,  Joseph 
and  Baptiste  Momeny,  and  a  Mr.  LaPoint.  There  was  also  a  Jlr, 
Loomis,  a  Mr.  Crossett,  and  Major  Stoddard,  an  old  man  without  a 
family,  and  Moses  Nichols,  who  afterwards  erected  a  tannery,- 
George  Shannon  had  resided  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Stephen' 
son  before  the  war,  and  married  one  of  the  daughters  of  the  well- , 
known  Whitakers,  but  fled  after  the  war  broke  out,  and  returnel  | 
after  Perry's  victory. 

Lysander  Ball  located  in  the  neighborhood  in  1818;  and  during  | 
the  same  year,  Thomas  Holconib,  and  Samuel  HoUinshead,  the  lat 
ter  now  of  Port  Clinton. 

In  early  life,  Isaac  Knapp  exhibited  several  instances!of  the  higher;  I 
order  of  moral  courage,  and  which  have  few  parallels.  In  additiuii 
to  his  military  service  in  the  war  of  1812,  he  served,  after  he  liai' 
many  years  p.issed  the  "military  age''  of  life,  in  the  war  with  JIiil 
ico,  in  18-10-47;  and  in  civil  life  was  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Lcp] 
lature.  Associate  Judge,  etc. 

John  S.  Tyler  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county.    Ilisdeatt.l 
which  occurred  January  12,  1873,  was  noticed  in  the  Fremout  -l/i'| 


wiycr 


as  follows : 


ic. 


If  Fort  Stephen- 

i8t  2,  1872,  by  a 

llley.    The^Fre- 

|dc8  a  notice  of 


I  of  heroes,  gave 
in  history;  to 
xble  honors,  and 

grateful  remem- 

phenson.'' 

September,  1814. 

him. 
houses,  situated 

on  the  southeast 
1(1  a  large  block 
led  to  cover  tlie 
on. 

mand  of  Captain 
1  in  May  or  Juno, 
omas  E,  Boswell, 
de  the  place  their 
walk,  was  military 
ngton  was  a  tav- 
Dn,  who,  in  181!^. 
ere.  And  so  was 
t  named  building 
vere,  also,  in  181-1, 
DeMasque,  Josepli 
e  was  also  a  51r. 
old  man  without  a 
cted  a  tannery- 
l  of  Fort  Stepiien-  j 
htcrs  of  the  well- 
out,  and  returuel 

1818;   and  cluriiij| 
jlUnshead,  the  to 

mcesiof  the  highest 
llels.     In  additiunj 
lived,  after  he  liaij 
he  war  with  Mii  f 
i'  the  Ohio  Lcgisj 

Dunty.    Ilisdeatli. 
the  Fremont  MtA 


oC^/^^ 


^C^C^C^u 


Sandusky  County — Dr.  L.  Q.  Raw  son.  515 


"  Mr.  Tyler  was  born  in  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  on  the  25th 
day  of  December.  1803.  He  came  to  this  city  with  his  father's  fam- 
ily from  Detroit,  Michigan,  in  1810,  and  at  time  of  his  father's  death 
liad  been  a  resident  of  this  city  for  fifty- seven  years.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business  in  Fremont  and  Elmore  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  our  people  as  a  good  citi- 
zen, neighbor  and  friend.  His  family  were  all  present  at  his  bed- 
side. His  remains,  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  were  followed  by  a  num- 
ber of  our  early  settlers,  and  a  large  number  of  mourning  friends, 
to  their  final  resting  place  in  Oakwood  cemetery." 


DR.  L.  Q.  RAWSOif. 

Thr»e  brothers,  each  distinguished  in  his  sphere  of  life,  have  left 
their  impress  upon  the  early  history  of  northwestern  Ohio.  The 
late  Abel  Kawson,  Esq.,  of  Tiftin,  hitherto  mentioned,  was  one  of 
the  oldest  and  most  prominent  members  of  the  northwestern  Ohio 
bar.  Previous  to  his  removal  to  Ohio,  in  1824,  he  was  admitted  as 
a  lawyer  in  his  native  State,  Massachusetts ;  and  at  the  August  term 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  in  1835,  to  the  Ohio  bar,  and  established  him- 
self in  practice  at  Fort  Ball,  then  a  rival  of  Tiffin,  but  now  forming 
a  part  of  that  city. 

Mr.  Rawson  closed  his  long  and  useful  life  on  the  24tli  of  Au- 
gust, 1871. 

Dr.  L.  Q.  Rawson,  a  younger  brother  of  the  above  mentioned, 
was  born  September  1-1,  1804.  The  place  of  his  birth,  although 
within  the  established  boundaries  of  a  State,wa8  in  a  place  so  barren 
and  inhospitable,  that  it  was  not  embraced  Avithin  any  civil  jurisdic- 
tion. The  locality  was  known  as  "  Irvin's  grant,"  and  was  situated 
between  the  towns  of  Warwick  and  Wendall,  in  Franklin  Co.,  Mass., 
aud  was  so  rough,  rocky,  and  worthless,  that  neither  of  the  adjacent 
towns  would  consent  to  extend  over  it  the  protection  of  municipal 
I  law.  Hence,  the  doctor  facetiously  remarks,  Avhen  approached  touch- 
ing the  place  of  his  birth,  that  he  "  was  not  born  anywhere."  The 
locality  has  since,  howevei',  achieved  the  dignity  of  a  lawful  birth, 
[and  organized  as  a  town  called  Irvin. 

When  the  doctor  was  yet  a  boy,  three  or  four  years  old,  his  father 
land  family  removed  to  New  Salem,  now  Orange,  Franklin  county, 
jMassachusetts,  wliere  he  remained  until  he  bade  adieu  to  his  friends 
land  native  State,  in  March,  1824,  and  came  to  Ohio.  He  passed 
JBome  time  in  the  counties  of  Geauga,  Summit,  aud  Muskingum, 
Ipursuing  medical  studies,  until  July,  182G,  when,  having  received  a 
^license  from  the  Ohio  Medical  Society,  he  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  at  Tyamochtee,  then  Crawford  county,  and  in  De- 
cember, 1837,  removed  to  his  present  residence,  Fremont,  Ohio. 

ie  attended  medical  lectures,  and  received  the  degree  of  M.  D. 


516         Sandusky  County — Dr.  L.  Q.  Mawson. 


from  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  and  tlio  University  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  continued  in  active  practice  until  1855. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  1829,  the  doctor  married  Miss  Sopliia  Beau- 
grand,  daughter  of  John  1>.  Beaugraud,  one  of  the  early  Indian  tra- 
ders at  Maumeo  City,  and  who  was  engaged  in  business  at  that 
place  on  the  occurrence  of  the  war  of  181  .i. 

When  ho  commenced  practice  in  Lower  Sandusky,  in  1827,  the 
two  physicians  in  the  place  were  Drs.  Brainard  and  Hastings.  He 
has  survived  many  years  his  professional  cotemporaries,  and  is  now. 
at  the  age  of  68,  in  full  health  and  vigor.  The  general  limit  to  his 
practice  was  west  to  the  Portage  river,  from  the  source  of  that 
stream  to  its  entrance  into  the  bay  at  Port  Clinton ;  on  the  east, 
Clyde,  and  on  the  south  to  Fort  Seneca.  None  of  the  intervening 
streams,  crossed  by  these  several  routes,  were  thci  bridged,  except 
the  river  at  Lower  Sandusky.  The  inhabitants  were  generally  poor; 
and  even  those  in  comparativ(>ly  comfortable  circumstances,  and  dis- 
posed to  pay,  had  little  money,  and  offered  produce  in  liquidation  of 
their  physicians'  bills. 

In  1834,  the  cholera  scourge  prevailed  at  Lower  Sandusky.  The 
people  generally,  at  that  time,  regarded  the  disease  as  contagious,  and 
the  mass  of  them  locked  their  doors,  and  refused  to  leave  their 
houses,  or  admit  visitors,  Drs.  liawsonand  Brown,  Mr.  Birchard,  ami 
Judge  Ilulbert,  discharged  the  several  offices  of  physician,  nurse,  and 
imdertaker.  The  population  of  the  town  then  amounted  to  about 
three  hundred,  and  the  per  cent,  of  deaths  was  large.  This  was  the 
first  year  of  the  visitation  of  the  cholera,  and  on  no  occasion  of  its 
subsequent  appearance  at  Lower  Sandusky,  has  the  disease  beeu 
attended  with  results  so  fatal. 

From  1830  to  1851,  he  was  clerk  of  the  court — his  professional 
business,  however,  rendering  it  necessary  that  the  principal  charge 
of  the  office  be  confided  to  a  deputy. 

The  Louisville  and  Lake  Erie  Kailway,  with  which  the  name  of 
Dr.  Rawson  is  so  closely  identified,  was  incorporated  April  25, 1853 
— Charles  W.  Foster,  L.  Q.  Kawson,  Sardis  Birchard,  James  JuS' 
tice,  and  John  R.  Pease,  being  the  corporators.  The  Company  was  j 
organized  on  a  capital  of  §200,000. 

The  purpose  was,  "  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  the  town 
of  Fremont,  in  the  county  of  Sandusky,  through  the  counties  ot  j 
Sandusky  and  Seneca,  to  the  town  of  Rome,  in  said  county  of  Sen- 
eca; thence  through  the  counties  of  Seneca  and  Hancock,  to  tlie  j 
town  of  Findlay,  in  said  county  of  Hancock;  thence  through  thi 
counties  of  Hancock,  Allen,  Auglaize,  Mercer,  and  Darke,  to  tlie| 
west  line  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  in  said  county  of  Darke." 

In  1855,  he  made  an  effort  to  withdraw  from  professional  bu« 
ness,  and  engage  in  railroad  enterprises;  and,  co-operating  withxMrl 
C.  VV.  Foster,  of  Fostoria,  was  among  the  original  projectors  of  thtj 
Lake  Erie  and  Louisville  railroad,  and,  to  their  united  energies  andl 
labors,  the  country  interested  in  that  important  work  is  unquestionr 


)Son. 


of  Pcnnsylva- 

53  Sopliia  Beau- 
3;iily  Indian  tra- 
)usiness  at  that 

[sky,  in  1827,  the 
Hastings.  He 
jiries,  and  is  now, 
leral  limit  to  his 
source  of  that 
3n ;  on  the  east, 
the  intervening 
bridged,  except 
e  generally  poor: 
nstances,  and  dis- 
e  in  liquidation  of 

•  Sandusky.  The 
as  contagious,  and 
cd  to  leave  their 
Mr.  Birchard,  and 
^'sician,  nurse,  and 
lounted  to  about 
•ge.  This  was  the 
no  occasion  of  its 
the  disease  beeu 

— his  professional 
!  principal  charge 

diich  the  name  of 
.ted  April  25, 1853 
jhard,  James  Jui' 
rhe  Company  was  | 

ad  from  the  town 
h  the  counties  of 
lid  county  of  Sen-  j 
I  Hancock,  to  the 
icnce  through  tlu* 
ind  Darke,  to  tlie 
Darke." 

professional  hiisii 
:)perating  with  Jlr,  I 
1  projectors  of  tbc 
tiited  energies  anil 
rork  is  unquestioD' 


i 


/<-«  I 


{^7 


Sandusky  County- -Sardis  Birchard. 


517 


ably  indebted  for  the  progress  it  hns  made,  and  for  the  prospects  of 
its  early  completion.  ISince  his  elFort  to  relievo  himself  of  medical 
practice,  he  has  devoted  his  energies  to  the  work  of  enlisting  capi- 
tal and  local  aid  in  behalf  of  this  road.  At  the  lirst  organization  of 
the  company,  in  185:3,  ho  was  elected  Director  and  President,  and 
hns  maintained,  uninterruptedly,  these  relations  down  to  the  present 
time — having,  in  fact,  the  general  management  of  all  the  interests 
of  the  road. 

Dr.  Bass  IJawson,  the  third  brother,  removed  to  Findlay  in  Sep- 
tember, 1829,  and  has  continued  uninterruptedly  and  successfully 
the  practice  of  liis  profession  in  that  place,  lie  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  honored  citizens  of  that  city. 


\ 


& 


SARDIS   BIRCHARD. 

Sardis  Birchard,  of  Fremont,  Sandusky  county,  was  born  in  Wil- 
mington, Windham  county,  Vermont,  .lanuary  1.3,  1801.  lie  lost 
both  his  parents,  while  yet  a  child,  llis  f  itlicr,  Koger  Birchard, 
flied  in  1805;  and  his  mother,  Drusilla  Austin  Birchard,  in  1813. 
Both  of  his  grandfathers  wore  revolutionary  soldiers.  His  grandfa- 
ther, Elias  Birchard,  died  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service  near 
the  close  of  the  war.  His  grandfather,  Captain  Daniel  Austin,  serv- 
ed as  an  officer  under  AVashington  throughout  the  war,  and  survived 
many  years.  The  Birchards  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Nor- 
wicli,  Connecticut. 

When  his  mother  died,  five  children  survived  her,  of  whom  tho 
subject  of  this  sketch,  Sardis,  was  the  youngest.  He  was  placed  in 
charge  of  his  sister,  Sophia,  who  had  married  Rutherford  Hayes; 
became  one  of  their  family,  and  lived  with  them  at  Dummerston, 
Vermont,  until  11S17,  when  he  accompanied  them  in  their  emigra- 
tion to  Ohio. 

Ill  Vermont,  young  I>irchard  acquired  the  rudiments  of  an  Eng- 
lisli  education,  by  .in  irregular  attendance  at  such  schools  as  were  in 
existence  at  that  day  in  the  country  towns  of  Vermont;  became  au 
expert  iiunter  and  horseman  for  a  boy  of  his  ago,  and  g.ained  some 
Icnowledge  of  business  in  the  store  of  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Hayes. 

In  Oliio,  he  worked  with  his  brother-in-law  in  building,  farming, 
ibiving,  and  taking  care  of  stock,  and  employing  all  his  spare  hours 
in  bunting.  He  was  able,  with  his  rifle,  to  supply  his  own  and  other 
limilies  with  turkeys  and  venison. 

In  182-2,  his  brother-in  law,  Mr.  Hayes,  died,  leaving  a  widow  and 
three  young  children,  and  a  large  unsettled  business.  Mr.  B ,  who 
was  barely  twenty-one  years  old,  at  once  assumed  the  duties  of  tho 
head  of  the  family,  and  ai)plied  himself  diligently  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  unsettled  aflairs  of  his  brother-in-law's  estate,  and  to 
the  care  of  his  household. 

luberiting  from  his  father  what  was  then  considered  a  huudsomo 


518  Sandushy  County — Sardis  Birchard. 


■mm 


start  for  a  joung  man,  with  a  jovial  and  iVieiully  disposition,  loud 
ot  wild  sports  and  wild  company,  with  no  ono  to  look  un  to  as  enti- 
tled to  control  or  advise  him,  liis  future  might  well  l)e  regarded 
with  apprehension,  lie  was  then  a  slender,  delicate,  handsome 
youth,  with  engaging  and  popular  manners,  and  a  favorite  among 
the  young  people  of  the  new  country.  Warmly  attached  to  his  sis- 
ter and  her  children,  he  devoted  himself  to  them  and  their  interests, 
and  was  the  main  stay  of  the  family. 

While  yet  a  boy,  he  was  hired  to  help  drive  hogs  to  feed  the  first 
settlers  at  Fort  Ball,  now  Tiflin,  in  181T.  'I'he  men  in  charge  were 
hard  drinkers,  and,  soon  after  leaving  Delaware,  the  whole  IjusinesH 
depended  on  Birchard.  It  was  in  the  bitterly  coM  weather  of  early 
winter;  the  reads  and  streams  were  impassal)le;  but  with  an  energy 
and  spirit  whicl:  delighted  his  employers,  he  pushed  through  to  liie 
Tymochtee,  whe.-e  he  was  met  by  a  party  of  settlers  at  Fort  Kail, 
to  whom  he  saleiy  delivered  the  drove  of  hogs.  This  was  ilr. 
Birchard's  first  visit  to  the  Sandusky  region. 

lie  lirst  visited  his  future  home,  Fremont,  then  Lower  Sandusky, 
in  September,  18:34.  His  companion  was  Benjamin  Powers,  for 
many  years  past  a  respi-ctablo  citizen  and  successful  merch.ant  and 
banker  of  Delaware,  Ohio.  The  young  men  traveled  in  a  one-horse 
spring  wagon,  and  their  tutfit  consisted  of  a  little  extra  clothing, 
and  a  jug  of  fine  brandy.  The  then  universal  custom  of  the  coun- 
try for  friends  and  ac(iuain;ances,  on  meeting,  to  drink  together, 
made  the  brandy  a  by  no  mei  ns  insignificant  i)art  of  their  supplies. 

At  Fort  Ball  they  met  Eras; us  Bowe,  and  other  friends,  formerly 
of  Delaware,  and  had  a  jolly  meeting,  in  which  the  brandy  was  not 
altogether  neglected.  At  Lowe.-  Sandusky,  they  stopped  at  Lea- 
son's  tavern,  a  log  house  on  tlu.  east  side  of  Front  street,  where 
Shomos'  block  now  stands.  The  pekets  were  still  standing  around 
Fort  Stephenson,  and  the  ditch  was  .^iiite  perfect  The  village  then 
contained  perhajis  two  hundred  inhabitants.  There  was  another 
tavern  known  as  the  Harrington  tavtrn,  and  kept  by  Annie  Wil- 
liams, standing  where  Lejipelman's  store  now  is. 

The  young  men  made  the  acquaintance  of  (Jeorge  Olmsted,  Elisli!) 
W.  Howland,  and  others.  They  left  foi  Portland,  now  Sandusky 
City,  crossing  the  river  at  the  "  Old  Ford,"  between  what  are  now 
Garrison  and  Croghan  streets,  in  Fremont.  After  his  return  home, 
Mr.  Birchard,  with  Stephen  U.  Beimett  as  a  partner,  bought  ami 
drove  to  Jialtimore,  in  the  fir^t  cold  wcathei  of  the  winter  of  18-1- 
2.5,  a  large  drove  of  fat  hogs.  There  were  tAV»  incidents  of  this  trip 
which  are  well  remembered. 

The  young  men  had  to  swim  their  hogs  r.cro.ss  the  Ohio  river,  at 
Wheelincc,  and  came  near  losinij  them  all  bv  the  swilt  current  ot  W 
river.  By  great  exei  tions,  and  at  considerable  risk  to  themselve.s, 
they  got  all  but  four  or  five  safely  across.  In  the  meantime,  they 
were  overtaken  on  the  road  by  a  tall,  fine  looking  gentleman  on 
horseback,  who  had  also  a  carriage  drawn  by  four  horses,  and  two 


)'( 


I. 


SanJtusly  County — Sardis  Bivdhanl, 


519 


sposition,  fond 
:  un  to  as  enti- 
ill  1)0  reganliid 
;ato,  liaiulsomc 
lavorilo  among 
chcd  to  Ills  sis- 
,  their  interosls, 

to  feed  the  iirst 
.  in  charge  were 
1  whole  i)U8ineR8 
weather  of  early 
t  with  an  euorjiy 
I  through  to  llie 
rs  at  Fort  Kail, 
This   was  Mr, 

jower  Sandusky, 
\\\\\  rowers,  i'ur 
ul  merchant  and 
led  in  a  one-horso 
e  extra  clothing. 
item  of  the  coun- 
I   drink  together, 
of  their  supijlies. 
riends,  lormcily 
brandy  was  not 
stopped  at  Lea- 
ont  street,  where 
standing  around 
The  village  then 
icro   was  another 
,t  by  Annie  ^Yll• 

0  Olmsted,  Elislia 
now  Sandusky 
on  what  are  now 
his  return  home, 
.•tncr,  bought  ami 
vo  winter  of  l!t'-|- 
;idents  ot  this  trip 


w 


tlie  Ohio  river,  M 
.,  ilt  current  oi  tbo 
gk  to  themselves, 
10  meantime,  lliey 
ing  gentleman  oi' 
horses,  and  two 


other  saddle-liorscH  with  attendants.  The  gentleman  helped  ^[r. 
Birchardget  theliogs  out  of  the  way,  chatted  witii  liim  about  the  state 
of  the  market,  and  tlu>  prospects  of  the  weather,  and  advised  him  as 
to  the  best  way  to  dispose  of  liis  hogs  at  Baltimore.  'I'his  gentle- 
man turned  out  to  be  General  Jackson,  on  his  way  to  Washington, 
niter  the  i'residt  nlial  election  of  lS"il,  iu  which  Jio  was  the  highest, 
but  not  finally  th  J  successfid  candidate. 

In  tlio  sumtnor  of  1825,  while  mowing  in  the  hay-field,  ho  was  seri- 
ously injured  in  health  by  over-exorlion.  From  the  ( llects  of  this,  he 
never  entirely  recovered,  but  h:is  remiiined  in  impaired  health  over 
since.  In  the  winter  of  ]S2.'j-t2G,  ho  was  conllned  to  his  bed  with 
an  attack  called  consum|)tion,  and  it  was  supposed  ho  would  not  live 
till  spring.  lie  however  talked  hopefully  of  his  condition,  and 
spoke  of  a  horseback  trip  to  Vermont.  One  day,  while  yet  confined 
to  his  bed,  he  heard  two  men,  who  were  at  work  finishing  the  room 
below  him,  talking  of  his  case.     One  of  them  said  : 

''It  is  strange  how  Birchard  is  deceived.  He  thinks  of  making  a 
long  journey,  soon;  but  the  only  journey  he'll  ever  make,  is  when 
he  leaves  this  house,  feet  foremost,  for  the  graveyard."' 

But  the  cheerful  disposition  of  Mr.  15.,  aided  by  the  elasticity  of 
his  constitution,  carried  him  tlirough.  In  May  he  set  out  on  liorse- 
hack,  making  short  day's  journeys  at  first,  and  reached  \'ermoi)t, 
where  he  remained  until  the  approach  of  winter,  when  he  travel!  jd 
south  to  Georgia,  and  remained  until  the  8))ring  of  18;2(). 

This  year  ho  made  \\\a  first  purchase  of  goods,  as  a  retail  dry 
i;oo(ls  merchant.  He  Avent  to  New  York  without  money  and  with- 
out actpLaintances.  Passing  about  the*  streets,  he  fell  into  conver- 
sation with  a  voung  merchant,  a  strancrer  to  him,  named  William  P. 
Dixon,  standing  at  the  store  door  of  Amos  J'almer  &  Co.,  on  the 
corner  of  Pearl  street  and  Maiden  Lane.  Ho  told  the  New  Yorker 
his  ])lans  and  his  condition  ;  when  the  latter  told  him  ho  would  soil 
him  all  the  goods  he  wanted  in  his  line,  and  would  recon.mond  him 
toothers.  Jlis  stock  was  made  \\\>  and  shipped  to  Cleveland,  he 
accompanying  the  goods.  His  intention  was  to  sell  to  laborers  on 
the  Ohio  Canal,  which  w\as  then  being  built  from  Cleveland  south- 
wardly. After  passing  down  the  canal  into  the  Tuscarawas  valley, 
he  became  dissatisfied  with  that  trade,  and  sold  part  of  his  goods  iu 
hidk  to  another  trader,  and  took  the  rest  to  Fort  Ball  (now  Titlin), 
on  the  west  side  ot  tSandusky  river. 

Here  he  remained,  trading  successfully  with  the  new  settlers, 
until  December,  18:27,  when  he  removed  to  Lower  Sandusky — hav- 
ing  decided  to  go  Avith  Dr.  L.  (>.  K.awson,  who  preceded  him  a  'iMW 
•lays.  Ho  was  first  in  LoAver  Sandusky  in  business  alone,  in  a  store 
on  the  corner  of  Front  and  Croghan  streets,  Avhere  Betts'  block  now 
is;  the  store  being  a  new  one,  and  erected  and  owned  by  Kichard 
Sear^,  who  had  m.ade  a  fortune  trading  with  the  Indians,  and  who 
had  left  fir  BuftUlo  that  year,  in  the  spring.  Three  other  stores 
^vcrc,  one  very  large  one,  by  George  Olmsted,  on  Front  street,  east 


520  Sandushj  County — Sanlls  Birchard. 


side,  between  Garrison  ami  Croghan,  whore  irenhor  now  is — a  frame 
two-story  building.  George  was  the  earliest  mci chant  in  the  place, 
who  canio  with  his  brother,  Jesse,  from  New  Yoik  city  in  1S17,  and 
established  one  ot  the  largest  stores  in  the  State. 

Their  iirst  store  was  on  Front  street,  west  side,  north  end  of 
town,  where  Gasdorf 's  ])acking  honso  now  is.  IJoals  came  up  the 
river,  nearly  to  this  store.  Jesse  S.  had  a  store  on  the  west  side  of 
Front  street,  directly  o)iposite  to  liirchard'a.  Esbon  Ilusted's  store 
was  in  a  large  I'ramo  building,  on  the  soiithea.st  corner  of  Front  and 
State  streets,  where  the  Birchard  block  now  stands, 

Dry  goods,  groceries,  hardware,  crockery,  salt,  drugs,  and  school, 
and  a  few  other  books,  stationery,  whiskey,  brandy,  rum,  wines,  etc., 
were  among  the  staple  goods. 

There  were  two  distilleries — one  owned  by  Ezra  Williams,  just  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill,  south  of  the  piko,  east  of  Thompson's;  and 
the  other  owned  by  Sanford  .Main,  at  the  Tyler  spring.  The  mer- 
chants generally  sold  their  goods  for  corn,  and  sold  the  corn  for 
whiskey,  which  they  shippetl  to  Buffalo  and  New  York.  For  cloth- 
ing, broadcloths,  Kentucky  jeans,  and  linsey  woolsey  goods  were 
generally  in  use.  The  Indians  bought  fine  blue  cloth,  Mackinaw 
blankets,  beads,  and  powder  and  lead. 

Mr.  Birchard  received  the  Indian  trade  to  a  large  extent,  by  refu- 
sing to  sell  them  licpior.  llo  was  in  trade  three  or  four  years,  and 
having  accumulated  ten  thousand  dollars,  considered  himself  rich 
enough  to  retire.  About  18.".!,  however,  he  formed  his  first  part 
nership  with  Ilodolphus  Dickinson,  and  Esbon  Ilusted — ^Ir.  B.  fur- 
nishing the  capital.  The  firm  name  was  II.  Dickin.«on  &  Co.;  an  I 
they  soon  had  in  operation  one  of  the  largest  retail  stores  north  ol 
Columbus,  and  west  of  Cleveland,  their  yearly  sales  amounting  to 
fifty  thousand  dollars. 

Sales  were  largely  on  credit.  lie  bought  the  first  vessel  with 
Richard  Sears,  ( ach  owning  an  equal  interest.  The  vessel  was 
named  ''  John  Uichards,"  a  schooner  worth  tlu  n  four  thousand  dol- 
lars, and  about  one  hundred  tons  burden. 

The  first  shijiment  of  wheat,  out  of  Lower  k^'andusky,  according 
to  the  best  of  Mr.  B.'s  recollection,  was  made  on  this  schooner;  ai!' 
this  shipment  was  probably  the   first  sent  eastward  from  any  lake! 
port  west  ot  Cleveland.     The   wheat   from   the  ridges  of  Soneu 
county  was  then  much  sought  after  for  starch  manufacture.     Wheat | 
was  tlien  worth  about  fifty  cents  a  bu.'^hel. 

The  Indians,  with  whom  Mr.  Biichard  traded  chiefly.  Avcrc  tliel 
Senecas.  They  drew  an  annuity  from  the  State  of  New  York,  payj 
able  at  Albany,  amounting  to  $1,700;  and  among  Mr.  B.'s  custoraj 
ers,  whom  he  trusted,  during  the  year,  were  Tall  Chief,  Hard-IIic!; 
ory,  Seneca  John,  Curley-Eye,  Good-IIuntcr,  and  others;  and  bij 
fore  the  annuity  Avas  paid,  he  would  get  authority  to  draw  l^tj 
money,  signed  by  the  chiefs,  and  go  to  Albany  after  it.    This  tl 


did  three  times,  and  once  had  trouble  in  obtaining  it- 


-the  agent  re 


il 

ow  19— a  fvamc 
nt  in  tbc  pbco 
Ay  in  A^1T,«"'' 

5,  north  end  of 
a  came  up  ^"i" 
the  west  siile  ol 
n  llu«tecV8  sloro 
icr  of  Front  awl 

rugs,  a"^^  school, 
,rvTm,  wines,  etc., 

tWiUiams.justat 
rhompson'R;  and 
pving.  Themer. 
JoUl  the  corn  or 
York.  Forclolh- 
nl^ev  £?ooa9  were 

...c  extent,  by  rdu- 
^r  four  year^  ^^ 
acred  hini8clt  iich 
mca  bin  yrst  pav . 

[listed— ^Ir-  !'• '"' 
Linson  &  Co,-  an 
tail  stores  noitU  ) 
sjvlcs  amountwg  w 

L  first  vesseUviAl 
t  The  vessel  ^^a  | 
■four  thousiuul  (lol- 

,.anausl;y,  aceorto?! 
I  this  schooner ,  a 
T\v\nlfrom  any  lai^M 

lianufaiturc.     N^  "^'  I 

led  c-hictiy-;vcrc  H 

Qof  Kcw  Yovk.pa 
VI  Mr.  B.'s  custo. 
fehief,  Hard-lh  . 
(andothors-  ana    I 
thority   to   dra.  tU 

k:t!u.eagciiy 


Sandushj  Count ij—Sardis  BircJiard. 


521 


sing  to  pay  money,  and  oflerincf  barter.  Tliis  was  in  Silas  Wrij];lit'8 
time.  The  agent  belonged  to  the  Albany  Hogency,  and  Mr.  15. 
called  upon  Comptroller  Wiight,  to  ask  him  to  interpose  in  hiu 
favor;  but  the  Com])troller  treated  his  application  rather  coolly. — 
Horace  Mcacham,  a  friend  of  K.'s,  and  a  forwarding  merchant  at 
Albany,  went  Avith  him  to  the  Comptroller  again.  Wright  was 
quite  a  diff'erent  man ;  and  soon  alter  Mr.  li.'s  return  home,  hia 
friend  Afeacham  forwarded  him  the  cash. 

Besides  the  Seneca  tribe,  Mr.  B.  trailed  somewhat  with  the  Wy- 
andots,  and  Oltawas.  Among  the  Wyandots  were  a  iew  Dehi- 
wares.  The  Senecas  owned  a  reservation,  containing  perhaps  forty 
thousand  acres,  east  of  the  Sandusky  river,  on  the  lino  of  Sandusky 
and  Seneca  counties.  Their  principal  settlement  Avas  near  Green 
Springs.  They  had  a  mill  near  where  Stoner's  mill  now  stands.  Their 
Council  House  was  near  the  same  place. 

Mr.  B.  attended  several  of  iheir  dances  in  the  daytime,  and  at 
night.  He  was  present  at  the  ceremony  of  burning  the  while  dogs. 
The  Indians  danced  in  the  Council  House,  in  the  centre  of  whicli 
was  a  fire,  over  which  was  boiling  a  pot  of  corn  and  meat.  Their 
musicians  had  in  their  hands  bandies  of  deer  hoof.-',  which  they  rat- 
tled and  pounded  on  a  skin  stretched  over  a  lioop.  Mr.  B.,  Kodol- 
phus  Dickinson,  Judge  Justice,  Mr.  Fifield,  and  others,  joined  in  tho 
Indian  dance.  Mr,  B.  was  the  guest,  at  night,  of  Hard-Hickory — 
They  called  him  Ansequago,  and  told  him  that  it  meant  "the  man 
who  owns  most  of  the  land" — the  signilicanco  of  which  ]\Ir.  B.  could 
not  understand,  as,  at  that  time,  lie  was  not  the  owner  of  much  land. 
The  Wyandots,  and  a  few  Delawares,  were  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
where  they  had  twelve  miles  square.  The  Otiawas — '' 'Tawas" — 
were  on  the  Maumee,  near  the  mouth  of  that  river,  and  occasionally 
visited  Lower  Sandusky,  in  small  squads. 

He  remembers  well  the  death  of  Seneoa  John,  mentioned  in 
Howe's  Historical  Collections  of  Ohio  (p.  4o{)),  and  also  by  Judge  Hig- 
gina,  in  this  volume  (\x  28',!),         *  *  *  *        Seneca 

John  was  a  tall,  noble  looking  man,  said  lo  look  very  much  like 
Henry  Clay.  He  was  always  a  ])lcasant,  chterful  man,  and  almost 
always  wore  a  smHe.  He  was  called  the  most  eloquent  8])eakcr  of 
liis  tribe.  If  there  was  anger,  or  ill-feeling  in  the  council,  ho  could 
always  restore  harmony.  lie  Avas  particularly  admired  by  the 
siinaws,  and  fond  of  buying  gifts  for  them.  Ho  traded  much  with 
Mr.  B.,  and  on  the  evening  before  the  jnorning  of  his  death,  w  as  at 
Mr.  B.'s  store.  The  whole  tribe  i-eemed  to  bo  in  town.  Steel  and 
Coonstick,  half  brothers  of  Seneca  John,  were  jealous  of  his  power. 
Mr.  B.  knew  all  tho  parties,  and  remembers  avcU,  when,  on  the  last 
evening  of  his  life,  and  above  rel'crred  lo,  he  bade  Mr.  B.  goodbye. 
They  stood  together  on  the  pljitform,  in  front  of  Mr.  B.'s  store,  as 
the  Indians  went  ott"  south  on  their  horses.  He  looked  at  them,  as 
they  moveii  off,  with  such  madness  in  his  face  that  it  attracted  Mr. 
B.'s  attention,  Avho  Avondered  at  his  letting  them  all  go  off  witltout 


522 


Sandushy  County — Sardis  Birchard. 


him.  Then  he  turned  to  Mr.  B.,  and  inquired  the  amount  of  his  in- 
debtedness. They  went  back  together  into  the  store,  and  passed 
behind  the  counter  to  the  de.^k.  Tlio  account  was  tigured  up,  and 
tlie  amount  stated  to  John.  Saying  something  about  paying  it,  he 
bade  Mr.  B.  good-bye,  and  went  oti"— making  no  reference  to  his 
trouble. 

Ilard-IIickory  lived  about  a  mile  below  Green  Springs,  in  a  cabin 
yet  standing,  and  Seneca  John,  the  night  before  his  execution,  slept 
under  Hard- Hickory's  porch.  Steel  and  Coonstlck,  at  sunrise,  called 
and  waked  him.  John  told  them  to  kill  him  '(uick.  They  toma- 
hawked him.  Mr.  B.  obtained  this  statement  ..-om  Hard-Hickory, 
who  came  into  tuwn  that  day,  or  the  next,  with  Tall  Chief,  and  told 
about  it. 

Tall  Chief  could  not  talk  English  well.  Mr.  B.'s  clerk,  Obed 
Dickinson,  could  talk  better  Indian  than  himself, and  he  asked  Obed 
to  inquire  of  Tall  Chief  if  he  was  willing  that  Steel  and  Coonstick 
should  be  arrested  ?  Tall  Chief  thought  it  was  a  great  crime,  and 
he  was  understood  to  say  "  yes;"  but  when  they  were  arrested.  Tall 
Chief  did  all  he  could  to  defend  them.  Tall  Chief  was  a  man  of 
great  dignity  of  manner  and  character. 

Mr.  B.  found  the  Indians,  in  their  business  transactions,  generally 
very  honest.  They  would  not  steal  as  much  as  the  same  number  of 
Avhites,  with  the  same  opportunities.  He  has  had  his  store  room  full 
of  Indians,  sleeping  all  night  on  the  floor,  with  no  watch  or  guard, 
and  sleeping  in  a  cot  near  by  them. 

Tall  Chief  always  settled  the  debts  of  the  Indians  who  died— -be- 
lieving that '•  they  couldn't  enter  the  good  hunting  grounds  of  the 
spirit-land,  until  their  debts  were  p;iid."  He  settled  the  bills  of 
Seneca  John,  after  the  death  of  the  latter. 

The  Indians  paid  for  goods  mostly  in  deerskins,  finely  drcseed, 
and  in  coon,  muskrat,  and  sometimes  in  mink,  ottci",  and  bear  skins. 
'J"he  In(dar  i  drcs-ed  skins  much  better  thr.n  white  men. 

in  1835,  Esbon  Ilusted  died,  and  his  place  in  Mr.  Birchard's  fnm 
was  taken  bv  Georce  Grant,  who  h.id  been  a  clerk  in  the  establish- 
mciit,  since  the  formation  of  the  firm.  In  1811,  Mr.  Grant  died, 
and  the  firm  was  dissolved;  the  business  being  settled  by  Mr. 
Birchard. 

Iiodolphus  Dickinson  was  an  educated  man,  being  a  college  grad- 
u.ate,  and  having  a  good  knowledge  of  the  law,  which  profession  he 
studied  unde."  the  l.ate  Judge  Gustavus  Swan,  in  Columbus.  Had 
he  given  rUcntion  to  hnv  practice,  he  would  have  been  sue  fill; 
but  h<>.  was  active  in  the  politics  of  his  time, — thrice  elected  .  iiiem- 
ber  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  and  twice  electdl  to  Congress. 
rnd  died  v  bile  a  membe'*  of  the  House  of  Kepresentative  uf  the 
Uniteii  Sta.o-',  in  lo4i).  Mr.  Grant  was  a  man  of  great  business  capac- 
ity and  energy,  who  died  young,  aged  only  .'53.  He  was  atall,  t^lciidcr 
mar,  of  fine  address,  and  full  of  life  and  ambition. 

Un  the  first  of  January,  1851,  Mr.  B,,  in  partnership  with  Lucius 


i. 


Sandushj  County — Sardis  Birchard.  523 


Vint  of  Ilia  in- 
e,  and  passed 
Tured  up, and 
'  paying  it,  be 
[erence  to  his 

ngs,  in  a  cabin 
xecution,  slept 
,  sunrise,  called 
They  toma- 
Hard-llickory, 
Chief,  and  told 

?."s  cleric,  Obed 
ho  asked  Obed 
and  Coonstick 
rreat  crime,  and 
ro  arrested.  Tall 
f  was  a  man  ol' 

ctions,  generally 

same  number  ot 

,s  store  room  full 

Avatch  or  C"art^, 

IS  who  died—be- 
(Tiounds  of  tbe 
tied  the  bills  ot 

s,  finely  dresEcd, 
■,  and  bear  skins, 

men. 
Birchard's  firm 
in  the  establish- 

Mr,  Grant  died, 
settled  by  Mr. 


icr  f.  college  grad- 
luch  profession  he 
CnUim'ous 


Had 


been  sue 


fill 


Ice  elected  .  m em- 
oted to  Congre* 
Lrcsentative  uf  the 
Lat  business  capaC" 
LvasatalkHlciukr 

rship  with  Lucius 


B.  Otis,  established  the  first  banking  house  in  Fremont,  under  the 
name  of  Birchard  &  Otis.  On  the  rer'.oval  of  Judge  Otis  to  Chi- 
cago, in  1856,  Mr.  B.  formed  a  partnership  with  Anson  II.  Miller, 
and  Dr.  James  W.  Wilson,  under  the  name  of  Birchard,  Miller  & 
Co.  In  1863,  the  First  National  Jank  of  Fremont  was  organized, 
and  the  banking  house  of  Birchard,  Miller  &  Co.  was  merged  into 
it.  It  was  the  second  National  Bank  organized  in  Ohio,  and  the 
fifth  organized  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Bircliard  was  elected 
President  of  the  Bank,  on  its  organization,  and  yet  holds  tlie  posi- 
tion. 

There  were  two  lawyers  !n  practice  in  Lower  Sandusky,  when 
Mr.  Birchard  came  thtre  to  reside — Harvey  J.  Harmon,  and  llodol- 
phus  Dickinson.  They  were  opposite  in  politics — Harmon  support- 
ing Jackson,  and  Dickinson  supporting  Adams.  Harmon  was  hon- 
est and  able,  but  indifferent  to  business,  and  fond  of  talking  politics. 
He  cultivated  the  island;  but  his  fences  were  often  down,  and  hogs 
and  cattle  gathered  his  crops.  Mr.  Birchard  used  to,  in  jest,  tell 
him  that  he  never  got  but  one  basket  of  corn  from  the  island,  and 
that,  as  ho  passed  the  corner  tavern,  some  one  engaged  him  in  a  po- 
litical debate,  and  the  liogs  ate  up  his  corn. 

No  churches  were  in  Lower  Sandusky  in  182T.  Religious  meet- 
ings were  held  in  an  old  log  school  house,  thivt  stood  nearly  where 
the  new  high  school  building  now  is,  on  Croghan  street.  Court  was 
held  in  the  sime  building,  until  the  frame  court  house  was  finished, 
where  Kev.  H.  Lang  now  lives.  The  preachers  were.  Rev.  Mr. 
Harrington,  a  i'resbyterian,  who  took  up  preaching  in  his  old  age. 
lie  generally  put  in  two  hours'  time  on  each  sermon.  Rev.  ]\lr. 
Montgomery,  a  Methodist  missionary,  lived  with  the  Seneca  Indi- 
iins,  near  Fort  Seneca.  These  men  preached  oidy  occasionally. — 
llcv.  Mr.  Bigelow,  and  other  Methodists,  also  visitfd  the  town. 
Samuel  Treat,  John  Jiell,  Thomas  Gallagher,  and  Thomas  L.  Haw- 
Kins,  and  their  wives,  all  Methodists,  were  the  only  church  members, 
now  recollected  by  Mr.  Birchard,  as  living  in  Fremont,  in  18,'27. 
Judge  Jacob  Nyce  always  led  the  singiJg. in  the  I'resbyterian  melt- 
ings, but  was  not  a  church  member. 

Among  the  farmers  living  near  Lower  Saudu  jky,  were  Mr.  Moore, 
father  of  James  and  John,  who  owned  the  mill  property  near  Balls- 
ville;  Mr.  Ch.amberlain,  a  short  distance  p.bove  Moore;  Mrs.  Tindall 
and  sons,  Daniel,  William,  John,  and  Mdward;  Mr.  Tatterso:',  and 
his  sons,  Danlbrth,  and  Julius. 

Mr.  ii.  attended  the  sales  of  United  Stales  lands  at  Delaware, 
about  18:20,  by  Piatt  Brush,  Register  of  the  Land  Oilice.  The  sale 
included  all  of  the  lands  from  Delaware  county  north  to  the  State 
line,  except  the  Indian  reservations.  The  lands  were  sold  at  i)ublic 
auction,  the  minimum  price  being  fixed  aL  ^\:Zh  per  acre.  The  sale 
continued  two  or  three  weeks,  and  large  crowds  of  people  attended. 
On  certain  tracts,  there  was  a  brisk  competition  in  the  bidding,  and 
some  land  sold  as  high  as  $10  per  acre. 


■9 


524  Sand'itshj  County — Sardis  Bircliard. 


[The  foregoing  is  chiefly  gathered  from  notes  embracing  some  of 
the  recollections  of  Mr.  Birchard,  as  communicated  in  a  conversa- 
tion with  a  friend,  and  not  designed,  originally,  for  publication. 
What  follows,  in  conclusion,  only  embraces  facts  now  generally 
known;  but,  unless  placed  upon  record,  would  parish  with  this  gen- 
eration.] 

During  a  period  now  embracing  netuly  half  a  century,  Mr.  Bir- 
cliard has  been  active  and  conspicuous,  where  good  words  and 
works  were  required,  in  the  promotion  of  every  important  scheme, 
designed  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  toAvn  and  county  of  his  resi- 
dence. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  he  was  connected  with  the  first 
enterprise  that  opened  river  and  lake  commerce,  between  Fremont 
and  Bitftalo.  Appropriations,  by  the  State,  for  the  construction  of  the 
Western  Reserve  and  Ma'TiUee  road,  had  in  Viim  an  early,  untiring, 
and  efficient  friend;  and,  through  his  efforto  m  circulating  petitions 
over  the  State  (throughoiit  which  he  had  a  large  business  acquain- 
tance), to  influence  public  opinion,  and  thus  secure  favorable  legis- 
lative action,  the  work  was  doubtless  completed  many  years  earlier 
than  it  would  otherwise  have  been. 

The  next  and  most  important  work  that  enlisted  his  efforts,  was 
the  enterprise  of  constructing  the  Toledo,  Norwalk  and  CleveLind 
railroad ;  and  when  the  scheme  was  struggling  for  existence,  against 
the  efforts  of  those  friendly  to  the  rival  route,  now  known  as  the 
Northern  Division,  which  had  among  its  friends  the  late  Judge 
Lane,  of  Sandusky  City,  and  others  of  commanding  infl-'^nce.  Tlio 
chances  were  in  favor  of  the  Ncithern  route;  but  Mr.  ijirchard,  in 
co-operation  with  C.  L.  Boalt,  of  Norwalk,  commenced  the  enlist- 
ment and  organization  of  forces  in  behalf  of  the  Southern  route.  A 
public  meeting— the  first  one  held — of  those  along  tlie  contempla- 
ted line  friendly  to  this  route,  was  appointed  at  Bellevue.  At  lln' 
time  named,  the  "  mass  meeting,*'  it  was  discovered,  was  composed, 
in  great  i)art,  of  the  citizens  wJiich  Mr.  Birchard  had  persuaded  to 
go  along  with  him  from  Fremont. 

At  one  time,  during  the  progress  of  the  struggle,  Mr.  Boalt  iiml 
Mr.  I5ircliard  pledged  every  dollar  of  tiieir  privuto  fortunes,  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  funds  to  prosecute  the  enterprise;  and  witlioii: 
such  pledges  and  extraordinary  personal  oflbrts,  and  the  encounter 
of  such  lazards,  it  is  probable  that  the  con'^truclion  of  the  cou'lioni 
line  of  the  Lake  Shore  road,  would  have  been  postponed  many 
years.  iMr.  Boalt  was  made  tlie  first  President  of  the  road,  upon 
the  organization  of  the  Company;  and,  heartily  co-ojierating  wiih 
him,  IVlr.  Birchard,  throiigh  his  influence  with  leading  capitalists  in 
New  York,  was  successful  in  obtaining  the  necessary  means  to  push 
forward  the  work. 

lie  was  an  active  and  infliienti.al  member  of  the  Whig  party  while 
it  existed,  and  did  not  abandon  his  interest  in  politics  .after  its  de- 
mise; but  was  an  earnest  supporter  of  Mr.  Liucolu   and  the  war. 


ird. 


3 


)racing  some  of 
in  a  conversa- 

for  publictation. 
now  gt'iierally 

1  with  this  gen- 

entury,  Mr.  Bir- 

ood   words   and 

lortant  scheme, 

unty  of  his  resi- 


with  the  first 
tweeii  Fremont 
)nstruction  of  the 
I  early,  untiring, 
ulating  petitions 
)nsine8S  acquain- 
I'avorable  legis- 
any  years  earlier 

1  his  efforts,  was 
k  and  Cleveland 
existence,  against 
hv  known  as  the 
Is  the  late  Judge 
g  intl'"^nce.  The 
'.  Mr.  ijirchard,  in 
lenced  the  enlist- 
Duthorn  route.  A 
;»  tlie  contempia- 
iellevue.  At  the 
d,  was  composed, 
had  persuaded  to 

lo,  Mr.  Boalt  iiml 
J  fortunes,  for  the 
•ise ;  ard  without 
id  the  cncoi'nter 
n  of  the  contheni 
postponed  many 
)f  the  road,  upon 
•o-opcrating  wiili 
ing  capitalists  in 
iry  means  to  pusli 

Whig  party  whilo 
ilics  after  its  de- 
in   and  the  war. 


.^ 


<^^^ 


pi'on; 
This 
vahu 

impr 


Sandusky  County — Rodol'plius  Dickinson. 


525 


He  was  a  purchaser  at  the  first  sale  of  government  bonds,  to  carry 
on  the  war  for  the  Union,  made  in  Ohio  in  18G2. 

Mr.  Birchard  is  hospitable,  warm  lieartcd,  and  fiiendly.  In  addi- 
tion to  contributions  to  religious  and  benevolent  objects,  his  private 
charities  are  large.  His  latist  and  most  important  benoiaction, 
affecting  the  public  interests  of  Fremont,  was  made  within  the 
present  year,  in  the  donation  by  him,  to  said  city,  of  a  tract  ot 
•jrroiind,  to  be  devoted  to  the  uscs  of  the  public  as  a  park.  The 
Toledo  Morning  Uommercial,  in  an  elaborate  notice  of  this  donation, 
thus  described  the  ground  : 

'•The  land  is  highly  favorable  in  its  topography,  while  the  loca- 
tion could  not  be  more  eligible.  It  is  timbered  by  the  large  trees 
common  to  the  native  forest  of  that  section,  while  it  lies  at  the  very 
door  of  the  part  of  the  city  on  the  hill.  Improvements  are  already 
surrounding  it,  and  in  a  few  years  it  will  be  entirely  encompassed 
by  the  population  whose  it  is  to  be." 

For  many  years  past,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
chmch;  and  while  Irce  from  bigotry,  and  tolerant  of  the  views  and 
conduct  of  others,  is  ahvays  found  ready  to  support  the  cause  of 
religion  and  morality.  He  never  married;  but  almost  always  has  a 
liou-je  well  filled  with  young  relatives  and  friends — his  chiet  enjoy- 
ment being  in  contributing  to  the  happiness  of  those  around  him. 

Mr.  B.  has  a  decided  taste  ior  works  of  art,  and  derives  great 
enjoyment  from  the  fine  collection  of  paintings  which  now  adorn 
Ins  residence. 


RODOLPHUS   DICKIXSCN 

Was  born  at  Whately,  Massachusetts,  December  28,  1797,  and  was 
a  graduate  of  Williams  College,  in  that  State,  lieaching  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  early  in  lite,  he  taught  school,  and  studied  laAV  with  the 
late  Gustavus  Swan,  of  that  city ;  and  after  his  admission  to  the  bar, 
commenced  practice  at  Tiflin,  and  was  appointed,  at  the  first  term 
of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  held  in  Seneca  county,  in  182-f,  pros- 
ecuting attorney.  Kesigning  this  oftice  (and  the  late  Abel  Rawson 
having  been  appointed  his  successor),  Mr.  Dickinson  removed  to 
Lower  Sandusky  in  May,  1826;  and,  in  1827,  Avas  married  to  Miss 
Margaret  BeaugranJ,  daughter  of  John  B.  Beaugrand,  one  ot  the 
oldest  settlers  of  Lower  Sandusky,  and  at  an  early  day  partner  of 
General  John  E.  Hunt,  at  Maumee  City. 

Connected  with  the  inception  and  prosecution  of  the  schemes  of 
early  public  works,  in  which  northwestern  Ohio,  particularly,  was 
then  80  deeply  interested,  th  i  late  Mr.  Dickinson  occupied  higher 
prominence  than  any  of  his  cotemporaries,  or  official  colleagues. 
This  is  true  especially  of  those  works,  of  so  great  importance  and 
value  in  their  day, — the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,  and  the  Western 
lieserve  and  Maumee  road.  lli.i  official  relations  to  these  public. 
iinproYcnieuts,  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  com- 


526  Sand  ashy  County — General  BucMand. 


menced  in  1836,  and  closed  in  1845,  and  embraced  the  whole  period 
from  the  first  letting  to  the  final  completion  of  the  contracts;  and 
the  prosecution  of  Avork  inchuled  an  era  of  financial  embarrass- 
ment the  most  severe  tha  State  of  Ohio,  in  all  its  history,  ever  en- 
countered. His  influence  with  his  colleagues,  with  the  Board  of 
Fund  Commissioners,  and  with  the  Ohio  Legislature,  w.as  gener- 
ally potential ;  and  during  a  series  of  years  when  the  credit  of  the 
State  was  so  prostrated,  that  its  bonds  sold  as  low  as  fifty  cents  cm 
the  dollar  (the  jiroceeds  of  sales  being  realized  in  paper  of  suspend- 
ed banks  depreciated  ten  or  twelve  per  cent.),  his  prudent  counsels 
contributed  largely  in  saving  the  prosecution  of  the  works  men- 
tioned, from  indefinite  suspension. 

In  1846,  Mr.  Dickinson  was  elected  to  Congress,  re-elected  in 
1848,  and  died  soon  after  the  commencement  of  his  second  term  of 
service,  at  Washington  City,  on  the  20th  of  March,  1849. 


RALril   p.   AUCKLAND. 

"Our  recent  civil  war,''  says  Mr.  liarnes,  in  his  Fortieth  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  "the  Avar  of  1812,  and  that  of  the  American 
llevolution,  are  all  associated  with  the  history  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  his  immediate  ancestors.  His  grand  fatlier  was  a  cai)taiii 
of  artillery  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  from  East  ITaitford,  Con- 
necticut, lie  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  British,  and  died  in  the 
Jersey  prison-ship,  near  ISew  York.  His  father  wont  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  Portage  county,  Ohio,  as  a  surveyor,  in  1811.  He  en- 
listed as  a  volunteer  in  Hull's  army,  was  surrendered  at  Detroit,  and 
died  at  liaveuna,  Ohio,  a  few  months  after  his  return  home,  from 
disease  contracted  in  the  service. 

"llalph  Pomeroy  Buckland  was  born  in  Leydcn,  Massachusetts. 
January  20,  1812.     His  father,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  had 
conveyed  his  family  to  the  West,  and  settled  them  in  the  Avilderness 
of  Ohio.     His  premature  death  left  them  in  dependent  circumstan- 
ces.    Kalph  Avas  dependent  upon  the  exertions  of  his  mother,  and 
the  kindness  of  friends  for  support,  until  he  was  old  enough  to  earn 
a  living  by  his  own  labor.    He  had  the  advan  ;age  of  attending  tlic 
common  schools  of  the  country  during  the  Avi'iter,  and  attended  tli^ 
academy  at  Tahuadge  during  the  summer  of  1830.    In  the  folloiv 
ing  autumn,  he  went  down   the   Mississi}ipi   river,  stopping  a  f'w 
months  at  Natchez,  where  he  found  employment  as  a  clerk.    In  the 
spring  of  1831,  he  was  sent  by  his  employers  to  New   Orleans,  in 
cliarge  of  two  llat-boais,  loaded  Avith  flour.    He  remained  at  Nuiv 
Orleans,  as  clerk  of  the  cotton  house  of  Harris,  Wright  &  Co.,  until 
the  summer  of  1834,  Avhen  he  returned  to  Ohio,  spent  a  year  a! 
Kenyon  College,  studied  law  Avith  Gregory  Powers,  at  Middlebury. 
and  Whittlesey  &  Newton,  at  Canfickl,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  j 
at  the  March  term  of  the  Supreme  Court,  on  the  Circuit,  held  at 


ynd. 


le  whole  period 
contracts;  and 
cial  emiaarrass- 
istory,  ever  en- 
1  the  Board  of 
,ure,  was  gener- 
lie  credit  of  tlie 
as  iifty  cents  on 
aper  of  Buspend- 
irudent  counsels 
the  works  men- 

!S8,  re-elected  in 
J  second  term  of 
,  18-19. 


Fortieth  Congress 
of  the  American 
he  subject  of  tliis 
thor  was  a  captani 
,st  Ilaitford,  Con- 
I,  und  died  iu  tk 
,voiit  from  Massa- 
in  1811.  He  en- 
;ed  at  Detroit,  and 
eturu  home,  from 

en,  Massachusetts. 
ire  his  death,  kd 
1  in  the  wilderness 
ndent  circumstaiv 
)f  his  mother,  aud 
old  enough  to  earn 
•e  of  attending  tic 
r,  and  attended  tlw 
;0.    In  the  foUoiv- 
,-er,  stopping  a  if 
H3  a  clerk.    In  the 
0  Kew   Orleans,  in 
remained  at  New 
^Vright  &  Co.,  until 
io,  spent  a  year  at 
era,  at  Middlebmy.l 
vdmitted  to  tlie  bar 
,he  Circuit,  held  at 


^^T"  ^--f^^^^^t^ 


(• 

(I 


III 


/Sandusky  County — General  JJucMand. 


527 


Gallipolis  in  1837.  Six  iiKintlis  of  his  law  study,  iiltliough  Wliittlo- 
gey  &  Newton  were  liis  preceptors,  were  in  tlie  Jaw  ollice  of  the  late 
George  B.  Way,  at  Toledo.  This  embraced  the  ])eriod  from  Janu- 
iiry  to  June,  inclusive,  of  I80O.  During  this  time,  ^Mr.  Way  was 
oilitor  of  the  Toledo  JUude,  and,  in  his  absence,  young  Jiuckland 
was  tlie  ad  inlcrim  editor.  In  (he  sumnu;r  of  18;J?,  he  commonced 
the  ])ractice  of  his  profession  at  Fremont,  where  he  now  resides. 

"In  January,  1838,  he  was  iiuirried  to  Miss  Charlotte  Bough  ton, 
of  C'anfield,  Ohio.  In  18-18,  he  Avas  a  delegate  to  the  Whig  National 
Convention,  at  Philadelphia,  that  nominated  Taylor  and  Fillmore. 
In  1855,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  re-elected  in  1857, 
serving  four  years. 

"In  October,  18G1,  he  began  to  organize  the  seventy-second  legi- 
ment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  which,  in  throe  months,  was  fully 
equipped,  and  ready  for  the  field.     Soon  after  entering  upon  active 
service,  Colonel  Bncklaad  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
Fourth   Brigade  of  Sherman's  Division.    On   the   7th  of  March, 
IMi'i,  he  moved  up  the  Tennessee  river,  and,  on  the  17th,  encamped 
at  Pittsburgh  Landing — the  left  of  his  brigade  resting  at  Shiloh 
churcii.     On  the  3d  of  April,  he  made  a  reconnoissance  Avith  his 
Irigade  four  miles  to  the  Iront,  and  on  the  4th  ho  participated  in  a 
fikirmish  with  some  of  the  enemy's  advanced  forces.     On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  Gth,  Colonel  Buckland's  brigade  was  in  line  full  one  hour 
belore  the  hard  fighting  began.    lie  advanced  his  lines  about  two 
huiulred  yards  on  the  left,  and  about  four  hundred  yards  on  the 
right,  and  met  the  enemy.     The   fighting  was  desperate  for  two 
hours.    During  this  time,  the  Colonel  was  riding  along  the  line,  en- 
couraging his  men  by  word  and  example,  the  rebels   being  rei)eat- 
(dly  driven  b'ick.    Colonel  Buckland's  brigade  maintained  its  ground 
until  ordered  back  by  General  Sherman.     He  was  heavily  engaged 
during  the  second  day,  and  was  continually  in  the  saddle. 

"On  one  occasion,  being  ordered  to  advance  his  brigade,  under  a 
very  severe  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  from  the  enemy,  one  of 
his  color-bearers  hesitated   to  move.      Colonel  Buckland  rode  to 
tlie  front,  seized  the  colors,  and  planted  them  at  the  desired  point. 
:llis  brigade  instantly  advanced,  with  cheers.     General  Lew.  Wal- 
lace remarked,  on  Tuesday  morning,  while  riding  over  the  grour'd 
U'hich  the  brigade  had  occupied,  that,  'judging  from  tlie  dead  bodies, 
{here  seems  to  have  been  the  best  and  the  hardest  lighting.' 

"He  continued  in  command  of  the  brigade  during  the  march 
Ion  Cori  ith,  until  about  the  middle  of  May,  when  h(5  was  succeeded 
Iby  General  J.  W.  Denver.  At  Memphis,  Tennessee,  he  was  assigned 
Itothe  command  of  a  brigade  in  General  Lauman's  division,  and 
jformod  part  of  the  Tallahatchie  expedition. 

"As  soon  as  the  news  reached  General  Grunt,  that  General  Van 
Jorn  had  taken  Holly  Springs,  General  Buckland  was  sent  with  his 
Ngade  to  retake  the  place.  This  having  been  accomplished,  he  was 
[sent  to  drive  Forrest  from  his  camp  at  Dresden,  AVest  Tennessee. 


>28         Sandushy  County — General  Bacldand. 


"On  the  20th  of  Marcli,  lie  joined  CJcneml  Sherman's  corps,  in 
front  of  Vicksbnrfi;,  and  puriicipated  in  tlu;  series  of  battles  wliicii 
occurred  in  the  movement  to  tiie  rear  of  that  phieo.  During  the 
siege,  ho  was  always  active  and  vi;,M!ant,  and  at  times  much  cxposeil. 
On  tlie  2"Jd  of  May,  he  led  his  bri<,Mde  down  the  {graveyard  roml, 
marchinjr  on  foot  to  support  tht;  a.^sault  on  the  enemy's  works,  ex- 
posed to  a  murderous  lire  of  artillery  and  niu.sketr}'.  Although 
General  Bu(!kland  was  constantly  exposed  until  all  his  re(^imeiit.s 
were  in  jjosition,  and  his  men  shot  down  around  him  in  great  num- 
bers, he  escajied  unhurt. 

"He  remained  with  his  command,  in  the  rear  of  Vicksbiirg,  after 
the  surrender,  until  the  1st  of  October,  when  his  right  arm  was 
broken  by  the  falling  of  his  horse.  IW  this  injury,  he  was  incapaci- 
tated ibr  active  field  service,  but  continued  to  command  his  brigatle. 
except  for  a  short  time,  until,  on  the  2!!tli  of  January,  18Gt,  he  was 
assigned  to  the  command  ot  the  District  of  Memphis,  where  his 
administrative  abilities  were  exemplified,  and  his  integrity  of  char- 
acter was  clearly  manifested. 

'•At  the  time  of  the  Forrest  raid  into  the  city,  Gen.  0.  C.  Wash- 
burne  commanded  that  department,  with  his  liead(iuarters  at  Mem- 
])his.     General  Huckland  had  command  of  the  troojis  in  the  city, 
Most  of  the  troops  had  been  sent  in  pursuit  of  Forrest,  under  com- 
mand of  General  A.  J.  Smith.     Forrest  eluded  Smith  near  Oxford, 
Mississippi,  made  a  rapid  march  to  ^Memphis,  Ciiptured  the  cavalry 
patrol,  rushed  over  the  infantry  pickets,  and  was  in  Memphis  before 
daylight,  took  possession  of  General  Washburne's  headciuarters,  cap- 
turing his  staff  otlicers,  clerks,  and  guards— the  General  escaping  to 
the  fort  below  the  city.     When  General  Buckland  was  awakened  by 
the  sentinel  at  the  door,  the  rebels  were  in  possession  of  a  considera- 
ble part  of  the  city,  and  on  all  sides  of  General  Buckland's  head- 
quarters.   General  Buckland  rallied  about  150  men,  quartered  near 
him,  caused  a  small  alarm  gun  to  be  rapidly  fired,  and  instantly  at- 
tacked the  rebels  at  General  Washburne's   headquarters,  althoiigli 
they  out-numberod  him  four  to  one.     General  Buckland  very  soon 
concentrated  all  his  forces,  which  were  stationed  in  different  parts  of 
the  city,  and  followed  up  his  attack  so  rapidly,  and  with  such  spirit, 
that  in  less  than  an  hour  he  had  driven  every  rebel  out  of  the  city, 
and  attacked  General  Forrest's  main  force  just  outside;  and  after  ii 
sharp  tight  of  about  one  hour,  General  Forrest  was  in  full  retreat, 
having  entirely  failed  in  the  object  of  his  attack  on  Memphis.    But 
for  General  Buckland,  Forrest  would  have  held  the  city,  and  cap' 
tured  immense  stores  of  government  property. 

"General  Buckland  remained  in  command  of  the  post  of  Mem- 
phis  until  December  24,  1864,  when  he  resigned  his  commission. 
Without  having  sought  or  expected  political  favor,  he  had  been  nonti- 
nated  for  lie|)resentative  in  the  Thirty-Ninth  Congress,  while  stili 
serving  in  the  army;  and  without  going  home  to  farther  his  intoF 
ests,  he  had  be^'u  elected  by  the  people  of  the  Ninth  District  of 


Tl,k 


d. 


livn'H  corps,  in 
battles  wluch 
During  Uio 
nuch  exposed. 
•iivcyftril  roml, 
y'a  works,  ex- 
,ry.    Although 

his  rc{:;inaeuts 

ill  grout  luim- 

ricksburg,  after 
right  iirm  wua 
lewas  incapiu'.i- 
and  his  hrigiule. 
ry,  180 i,  he  Avus 
iphis,  where  his 
itegrity  of  char- 

}en.  C.  C.  ^lf^' 
iiartors  ut  Mem- 
,opa  in  the  city. 
„.est,  under  conv 
,ivth  near  Oxford, 
Lured  the  cavalry 
^  Memphis  betorc 
head(iuavters.cap- 
eneralescapnigto 
'was  awakened  by 
,on  of  a  considerij- 
'  Buckland's  heud- 

,n,  quartered  Ileal 

-and  instantly  a  • 

Luirters,  althougli 

tckland  very  soon 

u  different  parts  0 

c\  with  such  spivK, 
L  out  of  tAre  CUV, 

Uside;  and  after   I 
as  in  fnll  retrea 
,n  Memplns.    Bm 
the  city,  and  cai> 

the  post  of  Menvl 
ed  his  commission. 
i,hehadhcennovn; 

longress,  while  ^ 
|o  farther  his  int^  1 

■  l^inth  DiBtnctoJ 


Sandusky  County — General  JjucUand,         529 


Oliio.  In  obedience  to  tll^ir  wishi's,  lie  left  the  military  for  tlie  civil 
service  of  the  country.  During  tlie  Thirty-Nintli  Cougresp,  he 
siivcd  on  the  Conitiiittco  on  Bunking  and  Currency,  and  on  the 
Militia.  In  ISOO,  he  was  reelected,  and  served  throughout  the  For- 
tii'tli  Congress." 

After  the  close  of  his  Congressional  service,  General  Buckland 
rei-utned  his  law  practice — a  field  of  labor  in  which,  before  the  war, 
he  had  attained  distinction. 

Although,  when  in  j)raetice  before  the  war,  and  since  his  retire- 
ment Ironi  military  and  congressional  service,  he  has  never  wanted 
lor  the  best  class  of  clients,  he  has  found  leisure  to  cultivate  his  nat- 
ural taste  fiU'  the  beautiful  in  nature  and  art.  Thiriy-one  years  ago, 
in  the  spring  of  1841,  he  was  the  first  who  transplanted,  in  front  of 
his  then  residence,  corner  of  Main  and  Croghan  streets,  the  strip- 
linu;  maples,  now  large  and  vigorous,  that  adorn,  and  afford  grateful 
shade  during  summer  heats,  Vo  those  whose  business  or  pleasure 
calls  them  to  that  locality;  and,  through  his  persuasion,  and,  to  a 
considerable  degree,  by  meima  of  his  own  liberal  contributions,  the 
same  adornments  were  initiated,  the  same  spr'ng,  on  the  outer  mar- 
gins of  the  sidewalks  fronting  the  Court  House  sciuare,  and  the 
Episcopal  church.  These  evidences  of  refined  culture  will  long  en- 
dure, as  testimonies  of  his  foresight  and  good  taste.  In  every  pub- 
lic enterprise  and  ])lan  of  benevolence,  General  Buckland  manifests 
a  lively  interest,  and  his  material  as  well  as  moral  aid  is  cheerfully 
given. 

In  March,  1870,  he  received  the  appointment,  at  the  hands  of 
(lovernor  Hayes,  as  one  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Ohio  Sol- 
diers' and  Sailors'  Orphans'  Home,  located  at  Xenia;  and,  at  the 
first  meeting  of  the  board  following  his  appointment,  he  was  elected 
President,  which  position  he  yet  holds.  The  beneficent  results, 
already  realized  from  the  establishment  of  this  institution,  are  large- 
ly due,  and  justly  awarded,  to  General  Buckland,  who  has  spared  no 
persunal  sacrifice  or  care  to  secure  the  patriotic  and  benign  purposes 
that  dictated  the  founding  of  the  Ohio  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Or- 
phans' Home. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Sandusky  county  oflicers,  in  1872: 

Clerk,  J.  11.  Gephart;  prosecuting  attorney,  A.  B.  Pullman;  au- 

Iditor,  George  W.  Gurst;  treasurer,  J.  B.  Elderkin  ;  probate  judoe, 

John  L.  Green,  jr. ;  sheriff,  A.  Young;  coroner,  William  Harsster; 

recorder.  W.  W.  Stine;  survej'or,  Jeremiah  Evans;  commissioners, 

Henry  Roiling,  David  Fuller,  and  Martin  liongabaugh. 


The  census  returns  of  Sandusky  cmiuty  indicate  a  verv  satisfactory  pro- 
|gres3,  as  lollows:  In  1820,  852  ;  in  1830,  3,851 ;  in  1840,  10,183 ;  in  1850,  14,- 
|1;0d;  in  18o0,  21,429  ;  in  1870,  35,503. 

33 


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Sandushy  Oo7lnij/— Statistics,  Mc. 


The  population  of  Fremont,  Clyde,  and  of  the  several  townships,  were 
cially  reported  as  follows : 


TOWNS  AND  TOWNSHIPS. 

1870 

I860 

1850 

Ballville 

1731 
5455 
3660 

1350 

98.5 

927 

.   1461 

1570 

1274 

1290 

2282 

1418 

2094 

2188 

3510 

2527 

701 

1478 

881 

943 

1198 

1251 

1264 

1062 

1992 

1516 

1619 

1556 

Fremont 

1464 

Green  Creek 

1289 

Clvae 

Tackson 

^ladison 

1092 
889 

jiice 

486 

Riley 

682 

Sandusky  (a) 

1040 

Scott 

792 

Townsend 

968 

Washington 

1499 

Woodville 

1237 

York 

1811 

(a)  Exclusive  of  city  of  Fremont. 

The  total  amount  of  taxes  collected  in  Sandusky  county,  in  1822, 
amounted  to  $154.60.    There  is  no  record  of  the  valuation. 

The  fi^llowing  was  the  valuation  of  Sandusky  county  in  1871 : 

In  the  county : — 

Real  property $8,452,600  00 

Personal  property 3,943,344  00 , 

Total $12,396,004  00 1 

And  the  following  was  the  valuation  of  property  in  Fremont : 

Real  property ., f  1,072,860  00 1 

Personal  property 768,028  00 


Total 11,840,888  00] 

In  Clyde,  the  following  was  the  valuation  : 
Real  Property $  820,570M| 


Personal  Property. 
Total. 


169,892  001 
$  490,462  col 


The  city  of  Fremont  is  at  the  head  of  navigation  of  Sanduskvl 
river,  has  the  advantage  of  two  railway  lines — the  Lake  Shore  aiiJl 
Michigan  Southern,  and  the  Lake  Erie  and  Louisville — and,  also,  of| 
the  Western  Reserve  and  Maumee  McAdamized  road. 

The  city  contains  nine  churches, — one  Presbyterian,  one  Episco-j 
pal,  one  Methodist,  two  Catholic,  one  Evangelical,  one  German  Be-I 
formed,  one  German  Lutheran,  and  one  colored  church. 

The  county  affords  substantial  support  to  four  newspapers— tli«l 
Fremont  Messenger,  hj  J.  S.  Van  Valkenburg;  the  Fremont  Jonri 


tc. 


wnships,  were 


1850 


OUawa  County — J^a?'ty  jiuiorpt 


531 


8B 

10 

,27 

fOl 

178 

381 

943 

198 

.251 

L264 

1062 

1992 

1516 

1619 


1556 
1464 

1289 


1092 
389 
486 
682 

1040 

793 

968 

1499 

1237 

1811 


sky  county,  in  1822, 
B  valuation. 


m 


1871; 


nal,  by  A.  H.  Balsley;  the  Fremont  Courier  (German),  by  Willmer 
&  Knerr,  and  tlie  Clyde  Independent^  by  E.  E.  White. 

In  the  city  of  Fremont,  there  are,  also,  two  carriage  and  wagon, 
and  five  wagon  shops;  one  foundry  and  machine  shop, and  one  foun- 
dry; four  flouring  mills;  one  furniture  factory;  one  hub  and  spoke 
do ;  three  lime  kilns,  and  one  manufactory  of  lime  and  Freer  stone ; 
one  do  of  steam  boilers;  three  planing  mills,  manufacturing  sash, 
doors,  etc. ;  four  saw  mills ;  one  cotton  and  woollen  factory ;  two 
tanneries ;  one  ashery ;  two  breweries ;  one  extensive  pork  packing 
house;  three  cooper  shops;  three  cigar  manufacturing  establish- 
ments; one  carding  mill;  three  pump  factories;  eight  boot  and  shoe, 
six  blacksmith,  and  four  tailor  shops,  and  four  bakeries. 

Among  the  business  houses  are  two  banks — the  First  National, 
iind  a  private  bank ;  seven  hotels,  one  of  which  is  a  new  and  expen- 
sive structure ;  eight  dry  goods,  thirty  grocery  and  provision,  three 
clothing,  three  furniture,  four  harness  and  saddlery,  one  butter  and 
^ame,  four  jewelry,  four  boot  and  shoe,  two  crockery,  four  drug, 
three  hardware,  and  one  wholesale  wine  and  liquor  store ;  six  meat 
markets;  four  photograph  galleries;  twelve  millinery  and  dress-ma- 
Iving  establishments,  and  four  livery  stables. 


18,452,660  00 
'.v.-    3,943,344  00 

...^125)6,004  00! 

Fremont ;  ,^ , 

$1,072,860  M 
■".".  768,028  00 

.....  iijio^soo 

%  320,570  col 
-;;  169,892  00 

$T90,462W| 

Hgation  of  Sanduslcy 
-fhe  Lake  Shore  a  j 
hui8ville-and,al80,ol 

fd  road.  . 

Ibyterian,  one  YM 
Ileal,  one  German  he| 
Id  church.  , 

Ifour  newspapeis-- 
'r-  the  Fremont  Jo«f 


OTTAWA  COUNTY 

Was  erected  at  the  legislative  session  of  1839-40,  being  formed  of 
territory  taken  from  the  counties  of  Sandusky  and  Erie. 

Homer  Everett,  of  Fremont,  iu  his  reminiscences,  has  the  follow- 
ing touching  the  tribe  which  suggested  the  name  for  the  county ; 

"'Ottawa'  is  an  Indian  word  signifying  trader,  and  was  the  name 

of  a  tribe  of  natives  who  had  their  home  on  the  banks  of  the  Mau- 

raee  river,  and  whose  hunting  ground  embraced  this  county,  and 

other  adjacent  territory.    The  language  of  the  Ottawas  was  worthy 

lof  notice.    When  a  young  man,  I  was  clerk  in  the  mercantile  house 

jOf  the  late  Judge  Jesse  S.  Olmstead,  at  Lower  Sandusky,  now  Fre- 

Imont.    The  business  of  the  house  consisted,  in  a  large  degree,  of 

[ndian  trade.    This  trade  was  principally  with  the  Wyandots,  of 

[Upper  Sandusky,  the  Senecas,  who  resided  on  a  reservation,  partly 

ill  Seneca  and  partly  in  Sandusky  counties,  and  the  Ottawas  of 

iManraee." 

Historical  matter,  referring  to  pioneers  and  early  events,  is  given 

Isevvhere. 

The  first  session  of  the  commissioners  was  held  at  Port  Clinton 
13th  April,  1840.  Present,  Ezekiel  Kloe,  and  William  Gill — James 
''inghani,  clerk.  Bonds  were  filed  by  the  following  county  offi- 
C'Ts:  James  Kingham,  auditor;  Cyrus  Moore,  treasurer;  William 
p. Craighill,  appraiser;  EW.  Foglesong,  assessor;  Henry  J.  Miller, 
heriff. ' 


i:  i 


S32 


Lucas  Couniy — Early  Ilisto'i'y, 


The  first  term  of  court  commenced  at  Port  Clinton  April  5, 1840, 
by  Associate  Judges  Samuels  Hollinshead,  Roger  Kirke,  and  Samuel 
and  Gilbreath  Stewart ;  and  clerk,  Stanton  H.  Brown.  The  princi- 
pal business  transacted  at  this  term,  was  the  naturalization  of  for- 
eigners. The  early  lawyp'-s  in  attendance,  during  several  of  the  first 
terms,  were  John  L.  Green,  R.  P.  Buckland,  W.  F.  Sloan,  Spink  & 
Hosmer,  Charles  L,  Boalt,  Joseph  M.  Root,  George  Reber,  William 
W.  Ainer,  Parish  &  Saddler,  J.  H.  Magruder,  Lucas  S.  Beecher, 
Pitt  Cooke,  and  Homer  Everett. 

Among  the  pioneers  of  Ottawa  county,  were  the  follov/ing : 

Harvey  J,  Miller,  who  removed  from  his  native  town,  Putnam, 
Ohio,  when  a  boy,  to  Huron  county,  and  in  1832  purchased  land  in 
Sandusky  (now  Ottawa)  county.  He  was  engaged,  during  several 
seasons  of  navigation,  in  the  marine  service  on  Lake  Erie.  He  con- 
tinues his  residence  in  Ottawa  county. 

Portage  township,  in  1828,  when  Mr.  Miller  first  visited  it,  inclu- 
ded in  its  organizition  the  present  townships  of  Bas,  Erie,  Salem, 
and  Carroll.  In  Salem  township,  there  were  a  few  inhabitants  estab- 
lished in  the  neighborhood  of  Hartford. 

Joseph  Momeuy  (whose  name  has  heretofore  been  mentioned  as 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Lower  Sandusky,)  was  at  Winchester's 
defeat,  on  the  river  Raisin,  and,  after  that  disaster,  brought  the  two 
families  of  Beaugrand  on  the  ice  to  the  mouth  of  Huron  river- 
passing  the  mouths  of  the  Maumee,  and  Portage  rivers,  and  Port- 
land (now  known  as  Sandusky  City),  There  were  then  block  hou- 
ses at  Port  Clinton,  aad  Sandusky  City.  Mr.  Momeny  rendered 
valuable  service  as  a  scout  during  the  M'ar — was  bearer  of  dispatches 
from  General  Harrison,  during  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  to  Gallipo- 
lis,  and  was  active  at  the  defense  of  Fort  Stephenson ;  and  after 
peace  was  concluded,  settled  at  Lower  Sandusky,  where  he  died  in 
January,  1843,  at  the  age  of  G2  years. 

Judge  A.  Kraemer,  who   settled   in  Toledo  in  1835,  and  after] 
Manhattan  was  platted,  erected  the  first  frame  house  in  that  town, 
was  also  one  of  the  first  selLlers  at  Ou'k  Harbor,  where  he  yet  resides, 

The  county  has  three  newspapers :  The  Ottawa  County  News,  R,  I 
Stanberry,  editor:  Elmore  Weekly  Courier,  J.  E.  Crofoot,  editress, | 
and  the  Exponent,  Oak  Harbor,  W.  E.  Freer,  editor. 

In  population,  the  county  had,  in  1840,  2,248 ;  in  1850,  3,308;  in  I 
1860,  7,016;  in  1870,  13.364;  and  the  town  of  Elmore  had,  in  187 
a  population  of  1131 ;  Genoa,  558,  and  Port  Clinton,  543. 


LUCAS  COUNTY. 

The  organization  of  this  county  was  made  amid  the  stems  of  tliel 
disputed  jurisdiction  between  the  Federal  Government  and  the  Statel 
of  Ohio — the  former  holding  in  trust  the  interests  of  the  territory  ofl 


Michigan. 


The  stirring  events  attending  its  introduction  into  tlie| 


Lucas  County — Early  History. 


533 


n  April  5, 1840, 
rke,  and  Samuel 
rn.  The  princi- 
alization  of  for- 
>veral  of  the  first 

' Sloan,  SP\"V'^ 
J  Reber,  WiUiam 
icas  S.  Beecher, 

follovang: 
e  town,  Putnam, 
purcliased  land  m 
'd,  during  several 
,keErie.  He  con- 
it  visited  it,  inclu- 
■  Bas,  Erie,  Salem, 

inhabitants  estab- 

been  mentioned  as 
as  at  Winchesters 
,r,  brought  the  two 
1  of  Huron  river- 
e  rivers,  and  Port- 
ere  then  block  hou- 

Momeny  rendered 
bearer  of  dispatcbes 
,  Meigs,  to  Galhp  • 
mhenson ;  and  atter 

%'here  he  died  m 

in  1835,  and  after  1 
I  house  in  that  town, 
Lhere  he  yet  resides. 

^a  County  iVe?w,«', 
E.  Crofoot,  editress. 

.';inl850,3,308> 
[Elmore  had,  in  18' 
linton,  543. 


nid  the  storms  of  M 
Ument  and  the  bta 
Ls  of  the  tern tory 
fntroduction  into  m 


family  of  Ohi'^  counties,  are  sketched  in  the  chapter  relating  to  the 
boundery  controversy.  It  was  named  after  the  champion  of  Ohio's 
interest  in  that  conflict,  the  then  Governor,  Robert  Lucas. 

Excepting  only  Fort  Wayne,  there  is  no  present  organized  county 
in  the  Maumee  Valley  invested  with  points  surpassing  in  historical 
prominence  than  those  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Lucas  county. 

On  the  score  of  antiquity,  the  fact  may  be  recalled,  that,  near  the 
present  site  of  Maumee  City,  the  French,  in  1680  (twenty-one  years 
before  the  founding  of  Detroit  by  De  Cadillac),  erected  a  stockade, 
and  this  settlement  by  the  white  race,  places  Lucas  county  next,  or 
equal,  in  interest  to  Allen  county,  Indiana.  The  British  Fort  Mi- 
ami, near  Maumee  City,  which  General  Wayne,  in  his  brilliant  expe- 
dition in  August,  1794,  discovered,  had,  as  he  states,  in  his  corres- 
pondence with  the  British  commandant,  Major  Campbell  [pp.  92 
and  93],  been  then  only  recently  erected,  under  orders  from  the 
Canadian  Governor,  Simcoe.  It  was  one  of  the  important  seats  of 
the  British  power  in  the  northwest,  at  an  early  period,  and  the  head- 
quarters, often,  of  the  renegade  Girty,  and  the  residence,  also,  of 
those  notorious  enemies  of  the  Americans,  during  the  Indian  wai*s 
in  the  northwest,  Colonel  McKee,  and  Captain  Elliott. 

Soon  after  the  victory  of  General  Wayne,  and  the  evacuation  of 
Fort  Miami  by  the  British,  many  French  and  Americans  settled  at 
the  foot  of  the  rapids.  In  October,  1807,  James  Carlin  (government 
blacksmith,)  and  family,  removed  from  the  river  Raisin  to  Maumee 
City;  and  his  son,  Squire  Carlin,  now  a  resident  of  Hancock  county, 
states,  that  when  his  ifather's  family  reached  the  place,  now  known 
as  Maumee  City,  the  following  were  residents  of  the  neighborhood : 
Three  families  of  Ewing  (the  Christian  names  of  two  being  Wil- 
liam, but  the  first  name  of  the  third  not  by  him  recollected) ;  Wil- 
liam and  Andrew  Race,  and  a  Mr.  Carter — making  a  total  of  six 
American  families.  David  Hull,  a  single  man,  and  a  nephew  of  the 
General  who  surrendered  the  American  army  at  Detroit,  also  resided 
at  Maumee  as  a  trader  and  tavern-keeper — his  sister  keeping  house 
for  him. 

In  addition  to  the  American  families  above  named,  Mr.  Carlin  says 
there  was  a  settlement  of  French,  among  whom  were  J.  B.  Beau- 
grand,  Mr.  LaPoint,  Mr.  Momeny,  and  Mr.  Peltier.  All  these  were 
traders,  and  employed  a  considerable  force  of  young  men  to  visit  the 
Indian  camps,  and  barter  for  furs  and  skins.  In  numbers,  the  French 
population  were  in  excess  of  the  American. 

Near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  opposite  Manhnttan.  about  1806  or 
1808,  a  French  settlement,  near  the  village  of  the  Ottawa  Indians, 
was  established.  Conspicuous  among  these  French  adventurers,  was 
Peter  Navarre,  a  grandson  of  Robert  de  Navarre,  an  officer  in  the 
military  service  of  France,  who  came  to  the  country  in  1745.  The 
Ottawa  village,  Navarre  asserts,  had  been  in  existence  since  the  days 
of  the  Pontiac  conspiracy  ;  and  the  head  chief  of  the  nation  was  a 
descendant  of  Pontiac.    At  this  time,  also,  the  widow  of  Poutiar, 


534         Lucas  County — Navarre^  Manor ^  Etc. 


Kan-tuck-ee-gun,  and  his  son,  Otussa,  dwelt  at.  the  mouth  of  the 
river.  The  old  woman  was  held  in  high  reverence — always  the  first 
one  applied  to  by  the  nations  for  advice,  and  the  first  to  sign  all 
treaties.  Otussa  was  a  man  of  excellent  sense,  free  from  the  vices 
of  his  tribe;  and,  with  none  ot  the  ferocity,  inherited  all  the  brave- 
ry of  his  father.  Mesh-ke-ma,  a  cousin  of  Otussa,  was  a  chief  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  was  the  linest  orator  of  the  nation, 
and  the  foremost  speaker  at  all  treaties.  Ka-ne-wa-ba  was  another 
noted  chief.  A-be-e-wa,  another  chief,  was  quite  young  at  the  timt 
of  his  death,  which  was  produced  by  poison,  in  1810.  Navarre's 
recollections  of  him  (says  H.  L.  Hosmer,  now  of  Montana,  who 
communicates  these  notes,)  seem  to  indicate  that  he  was  the  most 
talented  man  in  tlie  nation.  There  wore  8,000  of  the  Ottawas,  at 
this  time,  living  upon  the  lower  Mauniee,  and  subsisting  principally 
by  hunting  and  fishing. 

The  last  hundred  of  these  eight  thousand,  who  left  their  old 
homes  in  1837,  to  go  west  of  the  Mississippi,  were  nothing  but  va- 
grants and  drunkards — made  so  by  contact  with  the  whites. 

The  intelligence  that  war  was  declared  in  1812,  was  first  commu- 
nicated to  the  white  settlers  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  and  at  Mon- 
clova  (these  places  then  being  the  only  white  settlements  between 
Lower  Sandusky  and  Frenchtown,  or  Monroe),  by  Peter  Manor,  of  | 
Providence. 

Peter  Navarre,  hitherto  mentioned,  joined  Hull's  army  on  the 
Maumee,  went  to  Detroit,  and  then  returned  to  Raisin,  where  he 
enlisted  in  Colonel  Anderson's  regiment.  He  was  at  Raisin  when 
th©  British  Captain,  Elliott,  accompanied  by  a  Frenchman  and  a 
Wyandot,  came  with  a  flag  to  inform  Colonel  Brush,  and  the  troops 
at  Raisin,  that  they  were  included  in  the  terms  of  surrender  of  I 
Hull.  Navarre  and  his  four  brothers,  acknowledged  themselves  as  [ 
prisoners,  and  were  permitted  to  depart  on  parole. 

"Peter  Manor  says,"  (we  quote  from  II.  L.  Hosmer,)  "that  thr 
first  intimation  of  Hull's  surrender  was  given  to  the  French  settlers  I 
at  the  foot  of  the  rapids^  by  a  party  of  60  or  70  Delawares,  who 
arrived  there  in  advance  of  the  main   body  of  the  army,  on  their  | 
march  to  Fort  Wayne.    Manor  says  that  he,  with  some  of  his  neigh- 
bors, was  standing  in  front  of  Beaugrand's  store,  at  Maumee,  when  | 
the  Indians  came  out  of  the  woods — that  they  drew  him  up  in  line, 
and  each  put  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  and  aimed,  as  if  to  fire  at  the  I 
little  group  of  settlers.    Beaugrand  came  out  and  waved  a  white 
handkerchief.    They  dropped  their  muskets,  and  approached  the 
store  on  a  run,  and  remained  a  few  minutes.     Au  hour  after  their 
departure,  about  100  British  soldiers,  and  as  many  Pottawotoniies 
and  Wyandots,  came  up.    Their  first  inquiry  was  for  guides.   Manor,  | 
from  prudential  motives,  was  seized  with  sudden  and  severe  lame- 
ness; but  it  would  not  do.    The  officer  in  command  pressed  him  I 
into  service  as  a  guide,  and  lame  as  he  seemed,  he  was  compelled  m 
conduct  this  company  to  the  head  of  the  rapids.    Here  his  lame-| 


f,  Etc. 

the  mouth  of  the 
le — always  the  iirst 
le  first  to  sign  all 
ree  from  the  vices 
irited  all  the  brave- 
isa,  was  a  chief  on 
)rator  of  the  nation, 
wa-ba  was  another 
young  at  the  time 
n  1810.  Navarre's 
v  of  Montana,  who 
t  he  was  the  most 
of  the  Ottawas,  at 
bsisting  principally 

who  left  their  old 
ire  nothing  but  va- 

the  whites. 
2,  was  first  commu- 
■apids,  and  at  Mon- 
settlements  between 
by  Peter  Manor,  of  I 

[lull's  army  on  tlie 
to  Raisin,  where  he  ] 
vas  at  Kaisin  when 
.  Frenchman  and  a 
rush,  and  the  troops 
rms  of  surrender  of  | 
dsed  themselves  as 

Ilosmer,)  "  that  the 
0  the  French  settlers 
r  70  Delawares,  who 
the  army,  on  their] 
.h  some  of  his  neigh- 
e,  at  Maumee,  when 
Irew  him  up  in  line, 
,  as  if  to  fire  fit  the 
and  waved  a  white 
and  approached  the 
A.U  hour  after  their 
lany  Pottawotouiios 
s  fur  guides.   Manor, 
?n  and  severe  lame- 
nmand  pressed  him 
le  was  compelled  to 
ds.    Here  his  lame- 


Lucas  County — Peter  Navarre. 


535 


ness  so  increased,  that  his  persecutors  dismissed  him,  and  he  set  out 
on  his  return  home.  At  the  foot  of  Presque  Isle  Hill,  he  met  Colo- 
nel Elliott,  the  otHcer  in  command  of  the  detachment,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  troops  and  Indians  composing  it.  Elliott  examined 
him  closely,  and  on  learning  that  he  had  been  employed  as  a  guide, 
permitted  him  to  go  on  his  way.  lie  proceeded  to  Beaugrand's. 
Finding  that  the  country  was  getting  too  hot  for  him,  and  sympa- 
thising with  the  American  cause,  he  left  the  rapids  to  join  his  fam- 
ily, which  had  previously  removed  to  the  dwelling  of  Eobert  Na- 
varre, at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  At  Swan  Creek,  he  came  suddenly 
upon  two  British  vessels.  The  officer  in  command,  not  satisfied 
with  his  account  of  himself,  took  him  prisoner,  and  confined  him 
under  hatches.  He  remained  there  until  Beaugrand  could  be  in- 
formed of  his  condition ;  and  upon  his  representation  that  Manor 
was  a  tory,  he  was  released." 

Peter  Navarre  and  his  four  brothers,  and  Peter  Manor,  and  Joseph 
Borueau,  rendered  valuable  aid  to  the  United  States,  as  scouts  during 
the  war  of  1812 ;  and  had  General  Winchester  listened  to  their  saga- 
cious and  timely  suggestions,  the  disaster  at  the  river  Raisin  would 
not,  probably,  have  occurred, 

"Navarre  and  his  brothers  were  employed  as  scoutSj  by  Harrison, 
as  soon  as  Fort  Meigs  was  completed.  When  the  Indians  first  made 
their  appearance,  Navarre  discovered  them  crossing  the  river  at 
the  foot  of  the  island.  On  reporting  this  tc.  Harrison,  he  gave  him 
three  letters — one  to  Lower  Sandusdy,  one  to  Upper  Sandusky,  and 
a  third  to  Governor  Meigs,  at  Urbana.  Navarre  departed,  and  at 
the  close  of  the  fifth  day,  handed  the  message  to  Governor  Meigs." 

Peter  Navarre,  who  i.^'  yet  living  near  the  Maumee  Bay,  was  born 
at  Detroit  in  1786,  being  now  87  years  of  age.  An  editorial  in  the 
Toledo  Blade,  of  May,  1872,  gives  the  following,  in  addition  to  what 
has  been  hitherto  sketched,  upon  the  authority  of  this  venerable 
patriot : 

"At  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  on  the  1st  of  October,  Navarre 
was  under  Johnson,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Tecumseh,  of 
whose  death  he  speaks  as  follows : 

'"He  was  standing  behind  a  large  tree  that  had  blown  down,  en- 
couraging his  warriors,  and  was  killed  by  a  ball  that  passed  diago- 
nally through  his  chest.  After  death  he  was  shot  several  times,  but 
otherwise  his  body  was  not  mutilated  in  the  least,  being  buried  in 
his  regimentals,  as  the  old  chief  desired,  by  myself  and  a  compan- 
ion, at  the  command  of  General  Harrison.  All  statements  that  he 
was  scalped  or  skinned  are  absolutely  false.'" 

"While  at  Maiden,  General  Proctor,  of  the  British  army,  offered 
the  Indians  $1,000  for  the  scalp  of  Navarre,  and  was  informed  that 
it  he  wanted  it  he  must  secure  it  himself,  as  in  times  of  peace  they 
had  taught  him  all  their  knowledge  of  woodcraft,  and  now  it  was 
almost  impossible  to  capture  him. 


536    Lucas  County — Recollections  of  Major  Stichney. 


"Mr.  Navarre  receives  a  pension  of  $8  per  month  by  a  late  act  of 
Congress,  and  resides  at  Big  Ditch,  with  his  wife  and  furaily,  about 
six  miles  east  of  Toledo." 


The  early  history  of  Toledo  is  very  fully  embodied  in  the  recol- 
lections of'the  late  Major  B.  P.  Stickuey,  and  of  J.  W.  Scott,  Rich- 
ard Mott,  Willard  J.  Daniels,  and  others,  which  will  soon  follow. 

Says  Major  Stick ney : 

"By  act  of  Congress,  in  1816-17,  the  reservation  of  twelve  miles 
square,  was  ordered  to  be  surveyed  and  sold  in  February,  1817.  The 
centre  of  this  reserve  was  the  Big  Island,  at  the  foot  of  the  nipidaof 
the  Maumee,  and  extended  down  the  river  far  enough  to  include  the 
mouth  of  Swan  Creek.  A  company  of  Cincinnati  men  purchased 
at  the  sale  two  tracts,  making  about  400  acres,  at  the  mouth  of 
Swan  Creek — laid  out  a  few  town  lots  and  called  it  Port  Lawrence. 
They  offered  a  part  of  their  lots  for  sale  ».t  auction  in  September, 
1817,  at  the  Indian  treaty  at  Fort  Meigs.  I  was  the  ptrchaser  of  a 
greater  number  of  lots  than  any  other  person.  I  then  conceived 
that  this  property  was  to  constitute  a  part  of  the  future  commer- 
cial city. 

"  The  company  had  purchased  these  lands  of  the  United  States 
upon  the  conditions  of  paying  one. fourth  in  hand,  and  the  remain- 
der in  three  equal  annual  payments,  and  had  sold  on  the  same  terms. 
After  the  first  payment,  in  consequence  of  the  revulsion  of  money 
affairs,  they  found  themselves  unable  to  pay  the  other  instalments. 
they  h?.ving  agreed  to  pay  for  the  Port  Lawrence  tract  seventy-six 
dollars  and  six  cents  per  acre.  Congress  passed  a  law  for  their  re- 
lief, known  as  the  'Relief  law,'  by  which  they  were  allowed  to  relin- 
quish a  part  to  the  United  States,  and  to  apply  the  amount  to  the 
quarter  payment  upon  the  three  instalments  upon  the  part  they 
chose  to  retain.  Under  this  provision,  the  Port  Lawrence  tract  was 
entirely  relinquished.  All  the  lots  that  had  been  sold,  were  surren- 
dered to  the  United  States.  I  prosecuted  the  company  on  their  con- 
tract with  me,  and  obtained  a  compromise.  Before  the  surrender,  I 
had  made  brick  to  build  a  dwelling  on  the  lots  I  had  purchased. 
These  I  now  removed  on  a  large  tract  adjoining,  which  I  had  pur- 
chased some  years  before,  and  built  a  house  there,  and  commencefi 
making  a  farm,  determined  to  live  by  farming  until  the  canal  should 
be  made. 

"  The  University  of  Michigan  at  this  time  owned  some  floating 
sections  granted  them  by  the  United  States  for  University  purposes. 
They  had  the  right  to  locate  on  certain  lands  within  the  territory  of 
Michigan,  belonging  to  the  United  States.  The  Pori;  Lawrence 
tract  was  considered  as  being  within  the  territory,  but  not  exactly 
of  the  description  called  for.  However,  they  located  upon  these  two 
tracts,  and  their  title  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  act  of  Con- 
gress. I 


r  Stichney. 


Lucas  County — Hecollectlons  of  J.  W.  Scott.     537 


I  by  a  late  act  of 
id  family,  about 


ied  in  the  recol- 
.  W.  Scott,  Rich- 
II  soon  follow. 

n  of  twelve  miles 
)ruary,  1817.  The 
otof  thenipidsof 
igh  to  include  the 
i  men  purchased 
,  at  the  mouth  of 
it  Port  Lawrence, 
on  in  September, 
;he  ptrchaserof  a 
I  then  conceived 
le  future  comraer- 

the  United  States 
d,  and  the  remain- 
I  on  the  same  terms, 
evulsion  of  money 
other  instalments, 
e  tract  seventy-six 
a  law  for  their  re- 
re  allowed  to  rehn- 
,he  amount  to  the 
ion   the  part  they 
Lawrence  tract  was 
1  sold,  were  surren- 
npany  on  their  con- 
ore  the  surrender,  I 
1  had  purchased, 
.  which  I  had  pur- 
re,  and  commeucert 
til  the  canal  should 

ivned  some  floating 
Jniversity  purposes, 
thin  the  territory  ot 
'he  Fori  Lawrence 
rv,  hut  not  exactly 
ated  upon  these  two 
ned  by  act  of  Con- 


"The  Cincinnati  company  was  deemed  to  he  dead.  Three  of  the 
gentlemen  who  belonged  to  it, — Micajah  T.  Williams,  William  Oli- 
ver, and  Martin  Baum, — entered  into  a  negotiation  with  the  Uni- 
versity, by  which  they  became  the  owners  of  this  important  piece 
of  ground. 

"In  1832,  seeing  no  prospect  that  Ikum  and  Oliver  would  make 
any  advances  in  improvement  on  their  grounds,  I  closed  with  an 
offer  made  to  me  by  Captain  Samuel  Allen,  of  Lockport,  New  York, 
by  which  improvements  were  to  be  commenced  upon  my  land. — 
Allen  was  a  shrewd,  far-seeing  man,  and  had  discovered  the  impor- 
tance of  the  location  some  years  before  this  time.  A  contract  was 
entered  into  between  us,  by  the  terms  of  which  Allen  was  to  receive 
half  the  ground,  upon  the  performance  of  certain  covenants.  This 
was  in  October,  1832,  and  the  contract  run  until  the  following  Jan- 
uary. Allen  failed  to  perform  his  part  of  the  contract,  but  came 
on  in  January,  accompanied  by  Otis  Hathaway,  whom  he  desired 
might  be  taken  into  partnership,  and  a  new  contract  made.  This 
was  done,  and  a  town  plat  laid  out,  and  called  Vistula;  but,  owing 
to  pi  cuniary  difficulties,  all  action  under  this  contract  was  suspen- 
ded in  a  short  time.  Allen  bought  Hathaway's  interest,  and  a  new 
contract  between  us  was  entered  into,  by  the  terms  of  which  Ave 
were  to  commence  building  wharves,  warehouses,  and  dwelling- 
houses  in  the  town,  expend  considerable  sums  in  making  roads  lead- 
ing to  and  from  it,  and  perform  other  acts^  involving,  in  all,  an  ex- 
penditure of  130,000.  One  half  of  this  expenditure  was  to  be  made 
in  six  months. 

"From  some  cause,  Captain  Allen  failed  to  comply  with  the  con- 
tract, and  returned  to  Lockport;  but  after  a  few  months  came  back, 
accompanied  by  Edward  Bissell,  with  whom  I  entered  into  a  con- 
tract similar  to  the  one  I  had  made  with  Allen. 

"Bissell  set  about  the  work  of  improvement  in  earnest,  and  built 
wharves,  and  houses,  advanced  money  for  making  roads,  and,  in 
many  respects,  did  more  than  his  contract  required.  Vistula  advan- 
ced rapidly,  and  soon  acquired  considerable  reputation. 

"In  the  meantime,  Martin  Baum  died,  and  William  Oliver,  and 
Alicajah  T.  Williams  were  the  surviving  proprietors  of  the  adjoining 
ftround,  where  a  town  plat  had  been  laid  out  in  1817.  In  1833,  Port 
Lawrence  and  Vistula  were  united  under  the  name  of  Toledo." 


REMINISCENCES  OF  JESUP   "\V.   SCOTT. 

The  general  reader,  as  well  as  those  especially  interested  in  Toledo 
history,  will  appreciate  the  following  from  the  pen  of  this  eminent 
citizen : 

On  this  first  day  of  January,  1844, 1  commence  to  write  matters 
which,  I  suppose,  will  be  interesting  to  be  known  in  the  future,  rela- 


588      Lucas  County — Recollections  of  J.   W.  Scott. 


tive  to  the  commencement  of  a  city  on  tlie  estuary  of  the  Manmee 
river.  The  reader  will  get  my  views  and  observations  just  us  they 
came  up  in  my  memory  wliile  writing. 

In  1K28,  while  residing  in  Cohmibia,  Soutli  Carolina,  my  thoughts 
were  directed  to  future  seats  of  commerce  to  grow  up  in  the  great 
central  plain  of  North  America.  My  conclusion  was,  that  the  great 
city  of  the  nation,  and,  probably,  of  the  world,  would  grow  up  in 
that  plain ;  and  that,  on  the  harbor  at  the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie, 
would  grow  up  a  great  mart,  possibly  the  largest,  probably  the  sec- 
ond largest,  and,  certainly,  not  below  the  third  in  rank.  The  period 
for  the  consummation  of  the  superiority  of  central,  over  Atlantic 
cities,  was  thought  to  be  either  the  year  1900,  or  about  100  years 
from  that  time — say,  1928 — and,  for  the  supremacy  of  some  central 
city  over  any  other  of  the  world,  by  the  year  200U  of  our  era.  The 
largest  commercial  points  in  what  was  then  called  "  the  West,''^  were 
Cincinnati  (numbering  some  8,000),  Pittsburg,  Louisville  and  St. 
Louis — all  smaller  than  Cincinnati.  The  idea  of  an  interior  mart 
becoming  larger  than  New  York,  or  New  Orleans,  was  deemed,  by 
persons  to  whom  I  stated  these  opinions,  nothing  short  of  the  most 
absurd  that  could  be  suggested;  and  I  found  no  man  disposed  to 
give  it  the  least  hospitality.  Allowing  the  rate  of  progress  which 
our  population  had  made  to  be  continued  100  years,  the  truth  of  my 
opinion  seemed  perfectly  demonstrable,  and  I  thought  I  did  make  a 
complete  demonstration  of  it.  But  I  did  not  satisfy  another  mind, 
or  make  a  single  convert,  for  many  years. 

In  the  fall  of  18.30, 1  removed  to  Ohio,  and,  during  the  year  1832, 
I  published,  in  a  small  monthly  sheet  printed  at  Norwalk,  at  my 
expense,  called  "The  Ohio  and  Michigan  Register  and  Emigrants' 
Guide,"  an  article  in  which  I  undertook  to  prove  that  Cincinnati,  or 
some  other  city  of  the  great  valley,  would,  in  A.  D.  1900,  be  larger 
than  New  York,  and,  by  the  year  A.  D.  2000,  be  larger  than  any 
other  city  of  the  world. 

About  1838,  or  1839,1  published  in  the  Hesperian  magazine,  a 
monthly  published  in  Columbus  and  Cincinnati,  by  Gallagher  & 
Curry,  a  series  of  papers  on  internal  improvements  and  interior 
cities,  in  which  I  amplified  on  my  previous  article.  Previous  to  this 
time,  to  wit:  in  June,  1832, 1  visited  the  country  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Mauraee.  My  residence  was  then,  temporarily,  at  Florence, 
then  in  Huron,  now  in  Erie  county,  Ohio.  Although  I  had  for  years 
held  in  high  estimation  some  indefinite  good  place  for  a  city  on  the 
harbor  formed  by  the  entrance  of  the  Maumee  into  the  lake,  I  had 
not  taken  the  trouble  to  visit  it,  until  I  read  in  the  National  Intel- 
ligeyicer,  an  article  from  the  pen  of  Major  Benjamin  F.  Stickney,  in 
which  it  was  stated  that  "  the  plan  of  a  town — indeed  of  a  city- 
had  been  laid  out  by  some  enterprising  gentlemen  from  the  State  of 
New  York,"  and  setting  forth  the  advantages  of  its  position.  This 
called  up  the  desire  to  see  the  site  of  a  city  that  might  one  day  be 
great ;  and  I  accordingly  mounted  my  horse,  and,  passing  through 


[V.  Scott. 


of  tho  Maumeo 
ions  just  as  they 

ina,  my  thoughts 
r  up  in  the  great 
as,  that  the  great 
juld  grow  up  ill 
ad  of  Tiake  Erie, 
probably  the  sec- 
ank.    The  period 
•al,  over  Atlantic 
about  100  years 
y  of  Bomo  central 
J  of  our  era.    The 
.  "  the  West,""  were 
Louisville  and  St. 
■  an  interior  mart 
,s,  was  deemed,  by 
short  of  the  most 
man  disposed  to 
of  progress  which 
irs,  the  truth  of  my 
)Ught  I  did  make  a 
Asfy  another  mind, 

ring  the  year  1832, 
Norwalk,  at  my 
er  and  Emigrants 
that  Cinciimati,  or 
D.  1900,  be  larger 

36  larger  than  any 

iperian  magazine,  a 
ti,  by  Gallagher  & 
ments  and  interior 
e.  Previous  to  this 
y  at  the  mouth  of 
arily,  at  Florence, 
)Ugh  I  had  for  years 
,ce  for  a  city  on  the 

nto  the  lake,  I  had 
the  National  Jntei- 
,min  F.  Stickney,  m 
-indeed  of  a  city- 
en  from  the  State  ol 
its  position.  This 
might  one  day  he 
a,  passing  through 


Lucas  Coimty — RecoUectiom  of  J.  W.  Scott.      539 

Milan,  then  one  of  the  largest  places  in  Northern  Ohio,  Lower  San- 
dusky (now  Fremont,  and  then  a  jjlace  of  some  promise,  and  some 
300  or  400  people),  and  thence  along  tho  thirty-one  miles  of  road 
through  the  swamp  to  Perrysburg,  thence  crossing,  by  ford,  the 
Maumee,  above  the  old  town  of  the  same  name,  I,  with  some  diffi- 
culty, found  my  way  along  the  Monroe  turnpike,  and  thence  from 
tSecvion  JO,  T.  3,  U.  S.  1{.,  \>y  a  rude  path  through  tho  openings  and 
woods  to  the  mouth  ot  Swan  Creek,  and  thence  down  along  tho 
river  bank,  mostly  through  the  forest,  to  the  new  town  of  Vistula ; 
and  below  to  the  residence  of  Major  Stickney. 

A  few  board  shanties  had  been  put  up  on  Summit  street,  near  La- 
grange, and  some  men  were  at  work  grading  down  what  is  now  the 
foot  of  Lagrange  street,  preparing  a  wharf  for  the  landing  of  vessels. 
At  the  gate  of  the  brick  house  now  standing — but  soon  to  go  the 
way  of  all  others  of  the  olden  time — I  overtook  Major  Stickney 
and  Samuel  Allen  (known  as  Captain  Allen),  the  Major's  associatx? 
in  laying  out  the  new  town.  The  Major  received  my  address  in  his 
own  courteous,  grave  manner,  and  Mr.  Allen  in  that  prompt  bu.^i- 
ncss  style,  and  with  an  i>ir  that  might  have  become  one  of  the  solid 
men  of  Boston,  aoonstomed  to  shake  State  street  by  his  stately 
tread.  I  told  them  my  errand  was  to  see  where  tho  mighty  city  site 
of  the  Maumee  should  be,  and  to  write  about  it — perhaps  to  make 
some  purchase,  if  I  should  be  satisfied  that  this  was  the  right  spot. 
Mr.  Allen  kept,  as  a  boarding  house,  temporarily,  the  residence  of 
the  Major  for  the  accommodation  of  the  persons  coming  to  settle  or 
purchase  in  the  new  plat,  or  in  the  neighborhood.  There  I  domi- 
ciled myself  for  a  few  days  to  look  about. 

Mrs.  Allen,  a  Quaker  lady,  exhibited  remarkable  talent  and  tact 
ill  pleasing  those  of  her  guests  who  might  forward  the  growth  of 
the  city  in  embryo.  In  appearance  and  address,  she  was  no  less  re- 
markable than  her  husband.  He  was  rather  short,  thick  set,  straight, 
and  with  a  quick,  firm  movement,  like  one  born  to  load.  No  one 
could  be  better  fitted  to  lead  a  forlorn  hope  in  battle,  or  in  city 
building.  His  benevolence  was  high,  his  organ  of  hope  large,  and 
Ills  caution  small,  with  a  back  head  of  sufficient  capacity  for  ample 
motive  power. 

Major  Stickney,  as  having  had  more  to  do  with  this  city  and  re- 
gion, and  as  a  character  not  less  marked,  I  design  to  describe  more 
fully  hereafter. 

Feiiruary  18, 1857. — The  foregoing,  written  in  Toledo  over  thir- 
teen years  ago,  and  with  the  intention  of  regular  continuation,  has 
just  been  looked  over ;  and  I  now,  near  Castleton,  New  York,  resume 
the  narrative. 

When  these  note.3  were  commenced,  Toledo  was  a  city,  to  be  sure' 
on  paper,  and  by  act  of  incorporation  ;  but  according  to  an  estimate 
OiU'efiilly  made,  the  entire  population  out  of  the  city,  on  which  its 
commerce  depended,  did  not  exceed  200  families  of  farmers.    There 


640    Lucas  County — Ttecollections  of  J.  W.  Scott. 


wore  probably  living,  within  the  limits,  about  2,000  people — many 
of  them  holding  on  with  a  view  to  the  business  that  was  expected 
to  How  in  on  the  completion  of  the  Wabash  and  Erie,  and  the 
Miami  and  Erie  Canals,  then  being  constructed.  Nov/  the  popula- 
tion is  not  less  than  12,000,  with  abundance  of  business  for  a  good 
support  to  all  who  are  willing  to  work.  I  now  resume  the  narra- 
tive. 

On  my  way  to  the  new  "Vistula,"  I  passed  through  Perrysburg 
and  Mautnee — small,  but,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  beautifully  situated 
hamlets,  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Maiimee  river,  and  each 
claiming  to  be  the  best  position  for  the  chief  town.  The  principal 
men  were  fur  traders,  or,  as  they  were  more  generally  designated, 
Indian  traders;  and  their  expectation  of  future  greatness  was  (|uite 
limited.  The  commerce,  by  lake,  of  these  places,  was  carried  on  by 
two  schooners,  named  "Eagle"  and  " Guerriere,'' of  about  GO  tons 
burthen,  and  commanded  by  two  brothers  named  David  and  James 
Wilkinson, — hardy,  bluff,  and  Btrong-miiidod  men,  whose  position 
as  fri.Mids  or  enemies  no  one  could  long  doubt.  The  principal  owner 
was  John  Hollister,  of  Perrysburg,  from  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts, 
an  Indian  trader  and  man  of  mark,  one  of  nature's  noblemen,  whose 
influence  was  felt  in  the  councils  of  the  State,  and  in  the  commer- 
cial struggle  for  the  supremacy  between  the  towns  at  the  foot  of  the 
rapids,  and  the  new  city  below. 

The  Indian  trade,  in  furs  and  the  fisheries,  with  corn  growing  on 
the  bottom  lands,  constituted  the  business  on  which  these  hamlets 
relied  for  support;  and,  with  few  exceptions,  the  inhabitants  failed 
to  anticipate  any  considerable  change  from  that  condition.  There 
was  one  man,  however,  then  living  in  Perrysburg,  familiarly  known 
as  Judge  Rice — Ambrose  Rice — who,  in  native  sagacity  and  fore- 
sight, seemed  to  me,  and  stems  now  to  me,  to  have  been  before  any 
man  I  have  ever  known.  I  afterwards  became  intimate  with  him; 
and,  though  I  have  had  familiar  intercourse  with  several  men  who 
have  the  position,  in  public  estimation,  among  the  greatest  men  of 
our  country,  I  have  not  known  one  with  so  penetrating  a  judgment, 
or  so  clear  an  intellect.  Nor,  in  moral  truthfulness,  and  stern  integ- 
rity, was  he  less  distinguished.  His  position  was  that  of  County 
Surveyor,  and  agent  to  select  lands  for  purchasers.  Uis  usual  hab- 
its were  secluded,  and  he  spent  very  little  time  in  conversation.  Ex- 
cept on  business,  he  conversed  with  very  few  persons,  and  the  com- 
munity looked  upon  him  as  very  odd,  especially  as  he  usually  avoid- 
ed the  society  of  ladies — being  a  confirmed  bachelor. 

The  few  days  at  Major  Stickney's  were  spent  in  looking  about  and  I 
coming  to  an  opinion  as  to  the  relative  advantages  of  a  city  site  of 
the  places  eight  miles  above,  and  the  present  position  of  Toledo. 
What  is  now  partially  built  over,  and  laid  out  into  streets, — being  I 
nearly  all  in  a  wild  state, — seemed  a  wide  extent  of  land  admitting! 
room  for  a  choice  of  location  for  several  towns.    The  two  tracts, 
Nos.  1  and  2,  of  the  13  miles  square  reservation,  which  embraced 


,f 


7,  Scott. 


0  people— many 
it  waa  expected 
lid  Krie,  and  the 
fov;  the  popula- 
iuess  for  a  good 
esumo  the  narra- 

Miph  Perrysburg 
uitifully  situated 
a  river,  and  each 
1.    The  principal 
erally  designated, 
reatness  was  (juite 
waa  carried  on  by 
of  about  00  tons 
David  and  James 
m,  whose  position 
he  principal  owner 
;ld,  Massachusetts, 
•s  noblemen,  whose 
d  in  the  commer- 
8  at  the  foot  of  the 

i'  corn  growing  on 
ich  these  hamlets 
inhabitants  failed 
condition.    There 
;,  familiarly  known 
sagacity  and  fore- 
,ve  been  before  any 
ntimate  with  him; 
1  several  men  ^vho 
he  greatest  men  ol 
trating  a  judgment, 
>ess,  and  stern  integ- 
ms  that  of  Coun  y 
[•8.    His  usual  hab- 
conversation.    Ex- 
sons,  and  the  com- 
as he  usually  avoia- 

lelor.  , 

n  looking  about  ami 

rres  of  a  citv  site  ot 

position  of  Toledo. 

into  streets,-being 

X  of  land  admitting 

As.    The  two  tractS' 

on,  which  embraced 


Lucas  CoUiiiy — liecoUections  of  J.  W,  Scott.    541 


the  mouth  of  Swan  Crook,  had  been  selected  ns  the  best  point,  and 
purchased  at  the  sale  of  the  reserve  lands  in  1817,  by  Major  William 
Oliver  and  associates.  Hut,  as  the  adjoining  lands,  for  several  years 
after,  were  still  in  possession  of  the  Indians,  who  were  then  the  sole 
tenants  of  all  the  northwest  quarter  of  Ohio,  except  a  few  reserva- 
tions; and,  as  the  collapse  of  the  credit  currency  of  the  country 
occurred  soon  after,  this  effort  to  start  a  city  at  the  west  end  of  Luke 
Erie,  proved  abortive. 

After  being  taken  up  the  river  as  far  as  Delaware  ihits  (where  she 
got  aground),  by  the  little  steamer  "i*ioneer,''  which  had  been  char- 
tered by  Stickney  and  Allen  to  run  between  Sandusky  City  and  their 
"Vistula;"  and  turning  over  in  my  mind  the  advantages  relatively 
to  each  other,  of  the  up-river  and  down-river  claimants,  I  decided 
that  the  down-river  had  the  preponderance  of  advantages,  and  that 
the  best  position  for  the  centre  of  the  down-river  town,  was  just 
below  the  entrance  of  Swan  Creek  into  the  river.  At  this  point, 
there  was  then  a  log  warehouse,  and  rude  wharf,  nearly  rotten.  Be- 
lieving in  the  high  destiny  of  the  future  city,  wherever  it  should  be, 
and  having  brought  my  mind  to  a  satisfactory  state  as  to  its  precise 
location,  I  became  anxious  to  have  an  interest  in  it.  My  means 
were  quite  limited,  so  that  it  was  necessary  to  make  the  most  of  my 
opportunity  to  buy  in  the  right  place. 

The  only  possible  chance  that  I  found,  was  a  very  wild  and  rude 
piece  of  ground,  then  possessed  by  Dr.  Sutphen,  being  the  S.  W.  fr. 
^of  sec.  30,  T.  9  S.  11.  7  E.,  embracing  with  it  a  small  piece  of  sec. 
35.  Of  this,  I  bargained  for  seventy  acres,  at  $12  per  acre.  I  also 
wrote  to  Major  Oliver,  who  resided  in  Cincinna.ti,  offering  to  become 
part  owner  of  his  tracts,  and  to  become  agent  for  their  management. 
When  my  letter  reached  the  Major,  there  was  an  applicant  with  him, 
having  the  same  object  in  view.  Dr.  D.  0.  Corastock,  who  bought 
one-fourth  of  tracts  1  and  2,  and,  with  his  brother,  S.  B.  Comstock, 
became  agent  of  what  was  called  the  Port  Lawrence  Company — 
owning  river  tracts  1  and  2. 

At  the  time  I  bought  the  seventy  acres,  I  could  have  bought  the 
whole  fractional  quf>rter  of  eighty-six  acres,  by  giving  $15  per  acre 
for  what  remai.  ed;  but,  as  I  thought  the  part  bought  was  worth 
more  by  the  acre  than  what  was  left,  I  declined  to  buy.  Having,  us 
I  thought,  got  a  fair  chance  to  participate  in  the  advantages  of  the 
future  rapid  growth  of  a  great  city.  I  embarked  with  my  horse  on 
the  steamer  "  Pioneer,''  for  Sandusky  City,  elated  with  high  hopes 
of  future  profit  from  my  purchase.  On  the  steamer  I  fell  in  with  a 
man  who  had  just  come  from  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 
where  he  had  pre-empted,  or  rather  bought  the  pre-emption  of  an 
SO-acre  lot  at  the  mouth  of  the  Milwaukee  river.  This  was  the  first 
time  I  had  heard  the  name.  I  think  the  land  had  cost  him  $0  per 
acre;  and,  as  he  could  hardly  spare  so  much  money  as  it  had  cost, 
he  offered  to  let  me  in  as  joint  purchaser,  I  think,  but  am  not  cer- 
tain, at  the  cost  price.    1  declined,  telling  him  that  he  would  do 


^42      Lucas  County — Mecollections  of  J.  W.  Scott. 


a:i; 


better  to  make  the  new  town  of  Vistula  the  theatre  of  speculation, 
as  't  mi^ht,  and  probably  woi.ld,  become  a  considerable  city  Wore 
settlements  to  any  extent  would  reach  as  far  west  as  Milwaukee. 

On  my  return  to  Florence,  I  told  my  wife,  and  one  or  two  other 
persons,  that  the  seventy  acres  I  had  bought  would,  in  twenty  years, 
be  worth  $20,000.  They  laughed  at  my  sanguine  calculation,  and 
they  would  have  been  still  more  merry,  if  they  had  been  told  the 
real  extent  of  my  hopes.  In  1852,  the  twenty  years  had  passed. 
Toledo  then  possessed  a  population  of  over  five  thousand,  and  the 
seventy  acies,  if  I  had  owned  it  all,  in  one  piece,  would  probably 
have  been  marketable  at  something  near,  but  not  much  over,  twenty 
thousand  dollars.  I  had,  however,  in  1835,  about  three  years  after 
the  purchase,  sold  an  undivided  half  of  the  tract  for  six  thousand 
dollars,  to  Edward  Bissell,  then  the  largest  owner  of  property  in 
what  was  then  the  united  village  of  Toledo — Vistula  and  Port  Law- 
rence having  yielded  their  separate  existence,  and  become  one. 

In  1835,  comrrienced  that  memorable  speculation  in  wild  Ian ;,?, 
and  wild  cities,  which  culminated  in  1836.  The  whole  Maumee 
valley  was  tilled  with  eastern  foi tune-hunters.  Congress  and  State 
lands  were  raced-for  entry,  and  the  shores  of  the  river  from  Fort 
Wayne  to  the  Maumee  Bay,  were  alive  with  city-builders.  From 
the  foot  of  the  rai)ids  to  the  bay,  land  Avas  all  considered  necessary 
for  three-story  brick  blocks;  and,  after  the  canal  was  located  on  the 
north  side,  all  the  shore  from  Waterville  to  Manhattan  was  held  as 
city  property.  Jackson's  specie  circular  soon  b'-ought  their  airy 
fabric  into  ruin,  which  vvas  completed  by  the  failure  of  the  United 
States  Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1830. 

Under  the  auspices  of  Bissell  and  his  associates,  Toledo  had  been 
pushed  forward  to  be  a  considerable  place — numbering,  at  one  time, 
probably,  over  fifteen  hundred  inhabitants.  Most  of  the  buiidinffs 
of  any  note,  had  been  erected  by  the  speculative  owners,  and  when 
money  ceased  to  flow  west  for  investment,  and  men,  from  devoting 
themselves  to  speculation,  turned  their  attention  to  earning  tlieir 
daily  bread,  Toledo  was  a  young  city  in  the  wilderness,  with  high 
expectations,  but  with  nothing,  or  next  to  nothing,  to  live  upon. 
The  great  body  of  lands  ^vnich  surrounded  it,  had  been  entered  for 
speculation;  so  that,  up  to  the  time  of  the  canal  being  completed 
to  Toledo,  in  1843,  there  were  not  over  200  families  out  of  the  city, 
which  resorted  to  it  as  their  principal  place  of  trade.  These  fami- 
lies, too,  were  but  little  advanced  in  farming  operations;  and  nianv 
of  them  too  deeply  in  debt  to  have  much  means  to  buy  even  neces- 
saries. This  estimate  of  the  number  of  families  out  of  Toledo,  who 
could  be  relied  upon  to  do  their  business  wirh  its  citizens,  was  niadf 
by  me  in  1844,  when  I  was  editor  of  the  Toledo  BJitde.  At  thut 
time,  those  best  informed  as  to  the  advantages  of  the  jjlace  to  hi- 
come  a  large  commercial  town,  anticipated  a  more  rapid  growth 
than  has  been  realized.  Tlie  canal,  though  a  noble  channel  for  com- 
merce, passes  through  a  country  with  ricli  and  great  agricultural 


r.  Scott 


Lucm  County — Hecollections  of  J.  W.  Scott.      54,1 


of  speculation, 
ble  city  taefore 
Milwaukee, 
e  or  two  other 
in  twenty  yearg, 
calculation,  and 
,  been  told  the 
ars  had  passed, 
ousand,  and  the 
would  probably 
uch  over,  twenty 
hree  years  after 
or  six  thousand 
r  of  property  in 
ia  and  Port  Law- 
ecome  one. 
jn  in  wild  Ian  :s, 

whole  Maumee 
ngress  and  State 

river  from  Fort 
-builders.  From 
sidered  necessary 
vas  located  on  tht; 
ittan  was  held  as 
f-ought  their  airv 
're  of  theUnited 

L  Toledo  had  been 
'ring,  at  one  time, 

of  the  buildings 
owners,  and  when 
U,  from  devoting 
1  to  earning  then' 
flerncss,  with  high 
)ing,  to  live  upon, 
k  been  entered  for 
n  being  completed 
les  out  of  the  citv. 

ade.    Tliese  fann- 
lations;  and  manv 

0  buy  even  neces- 

)nt  of  Toledo,  who 

citizens,  was  mado 
,  made.  At  th;it 
,f  the  place  to  Ih^- 
lore  rapid  growth 
lie  channel  for  coni- 
great  agricultural 


capabilities,  but  out  of  the  tract  of  the  best  class  of  migrating  farm- 
ers. It  has  for  this  and  other  reasons,  had  very  partial  develop- 
ment. 

In  1844,  Toledo  was  little  more  than  the  dead  carcass  of  specula- 
tion. Ita  previous  existence  had  been  abnormal,  but  its  condition 
was  worse  than  negative.  It  had  acquired  a  widespread  and  almost 
universally-believed  character  for  insalubrity.  It  would,  in  its  first 
settlement,  have  been  noted,  to  some  extent,  for  the  severity  of  its 
malarial  fevers,  if  it  had  been  settled  by  industrious  and  moral  peo- 
ple, having  the  means  to  provide  comfortable  habitations,  and  lieal- 
thy  food.  A  large  portion  of  its  first  inhabitants,  though  intelli- 
gent enough,  were  not  possessed  of  the  means  or  habits  to  preserve 
health,  in  a  new  and  rich  soil.  Much  sickness  and  distress,  there- 
fore, were  suffered.  When,  therefore,  after  the  canal  began  to  give 
it  a  business  worth  naming,  its  reputation  for  sickliness  had  become 
such  as  to  divert  from  it,  to  other  western  cities,  most  of  the  enter- 
prising business  men,  who  flocked  thither  from  the  old  States  and 
Europe.  Its  rivals — and  almost  all  the  towns  on  Lake  Erie  consid- 
ered themselves  such — were  very  industrious  in  giving,  and  keeping 
alive,  the  bad  name  which  it  had,  in  its  speculutive  existence,  to 
some  extent,  deserved.  Other  causes  conspired  to  turn  the  tide  of 
population  from  the  wooded  region  about  Toledo  to  the  ])riiiries  be- 
yond Michigan.  The  most  powerful  of  these  was  the  interest  which 
existed  in  Buffalo  and  Oswego,  through  which,  up  to  1853,  nearly 
all  the  immigration  flowed,  to  carry  passengers  and  freight  as  far  as 
possible,  in  their  steamers  and  other  vessels.  Concurring  in  this, 
was  the  interest  exerted  by  speculators  in  prairie  lands,  to  give  to 
emigrating  families  in  Europe,  and  especially  in  Germany,  such  in- 
formation of  the  advantages  of  the  country  west  of  Lake  Michigan, 
as  turned  the  tide  almost  entirely  through  that  channel.  This  tide 
and  its  reaction  built  up,  in  a  very  short  time,  the  considerable  cities 
of  Milwaukee  and  Chicago.  The  position  of  the  latter  has  always 
Beeraed  to  me  one  of  very  great  commercial  power,  second,  perhaps, 
to  none  other  of  the  great  plain. 

Toledo,  Decemiier  24,  1861. — A  wide  interval  from  the  last  date 
for  a  journal.  My  impression,  on  first  studying  attentively  the  mer- 
its of  the  commanding  commercial  points  of  the  great  North  Amer- 
iciin  plain,  were  in  favor  of  St.  Louis  and  Cincinnati,  as  the  chief 
rivals  for  the  great  city.  Afterwards,  I  became  convinced  that  the 
lake  borders  were  to  give  the  great  emporium  to  the  country,  and 
Chicago  seemed  to  promise  best.  I  now  believe  Toledo  better  loca- 
ted to  become  the  central  city  of  the  Continent  tiuin  any  other.  In 
giving  the  preference  to  ChicMgo,  I  did  not  sufficiently  v<ilue  the 
power,  for  commercial  purposes,  of  the  countries  lying  eastward  of 
l)oth,  and  more  accessible  to  Tolodo.  Balancing  the  commercial  and 
other  iiidustnal  power,  domestic  and  fortign,  east  and  west,  north 
and  south,  of  the  two  cities,  it  will  be  found  that  Toledo  is  more 
central.    Its  harbor  and  site  are  also  much  better  than  those  of  Chi- 


lli 


f-  ' 


# 


544    Lucds  County — Recollections  of  Michard  Mott. 


cago.  My  views,  on  this  special  subject,  may  be  found  in  the  De- 
cember number  of  1801,  of  Hunt's  Merchants'  Magazine,  in  an  ar- 
ticle written  by  me.  For  a  general  view  of  the  causes  which  go  to 
build  up  cities  in  modern  times,  I  would,  also,  refer  to  an  article  in 
the  same  magazine,  published  in  the  November  number  for  1854. 

Toledo,  Ai'RIL,  1871. — Another  interval  of  ten  years  has  passed, 
and  given  abundant  proofs  of  correctness  of  my  early,  and,  gener- 
ally thought,  wild  calculations  of  the  superior  power  of  the  interior 
of  our  continent  for  the  growth  of  cities.  Having  lived  beyond  the 
ordinary  limit  allotted  to  man,  and  witnessed  a  wonderful  advance 
in  all  that  goes  to  give  power  to  man,  and  to  encourage  a  feeling  of 
the  wisdom  of  unity  of  thought  and  action  among  individuals  and 
nations,  I  now  look  forward  with  interest  and  ardent  hope  that  all 
peoples  will  see  their  welfare  in  the  common  effort  to  maintain 
peaceful  and  untrammelled  commercial  and  social  relations  with 
each  other,  increasing  the  productiveness  of  lands,  and  building  up 
more  beautiful  houses  in  country  and  city,  and,  in  process  of  time, 
making  one  great  central  city,  which  shall  be  as  the  heart  and  brain 
of  the  united  family  of  man,  and  a  common  home  for  the  best  of 
all  nations,  with  equal  rights  protected  by  equal  laws. 


REMINISCENCES  OF   RICHARD   MOTT. 

The  reader  is  under  obligations  to  Mr.  Mott  for  the  charming 
style  employed  by  him,  in  communicating  his  reminiscences  of 
Toledo.  He  gives  sketches  of  nearly  all  the  old  citizens, — remem- 
bering many  friends,  and  dexterously  omitting  any  reference  to  his 
own  manifold  good  works.  His  genial,  charitable  disposition  is  also 
manifest  in  the  omission  to  refer  to  the  foibles  of  some,  against 
whom,  in  their  life-time,  and  even  since,  the  world  delighted  to  ren- 
der verdicts,  unterapered  with  charity.  Could  Mr.  Mott  have  his 
own  way,  the  good  that  men  do  would  undoubtedly  live  after  them 
in  perennial  bloom;  while  the  evil,  only,  "would  be  interred  witli 
their  bones." 

With  characteristic  modesty,  as  before  stated,  it  will  be  noted  that  I 
he  scarcely  refers  to  himself,  and  even  such  skeleton  touches  as  lie 
affords,  were  fairly  coaxed  from  him.    The  following  brief  note  em- 
bodies all  that  he  vouchsafes  relating  to  himself  and  family : 

"Port  Washington,  Queens  Co.,  N.  Y.,  j 
"8thMo.,  25,  1872.  j 

"My  Dear  Friend: 

•'  I  am  in  due  receipt  of  thine  of  the  21st.    I  should  have  rej 
plied  to  it  sooner,  but  was  away  from  home  yesterday. 

"In  response  to  the  inquiries  as  to  my  birth,  marriage,  etc.,  Ihavej 
to  say : 


nard  MotL 


)und  in  the  De- 
^igazine,  in  an  ar- 
ises which  go  to 
b  to  an  article  in 
pmber  for  1854. 

years  has  passed, 

early,  and,  gener- 

er  of  the  interior 

lived  beyond  tiie 

onderful  advance 

urage  a  feeling  of 

g  individuals  and 

ent  hope  that  all 

ftbit  to  maintain 

ial   relations  with 

3,  and  building  up 

n  process  of  time, 

the  heart  and  brain 

ne  for  the  best  of 

aws. 


)TT. 

for  the  charming 
is  reminiscences  of 
I  citizens,, — remem- 
my  reft-rence  to  his 
le  disposition  is  also 
es  of  some,  against 
Id  delighted  to  ren- 
Mr.  Mott  have 
idly  live  after  them 
1  be  interred  with 

t  will  1)6  noted  that  I 
eton  touches  as  lie  | 
zing  brief  note  em- 
and  family : 

NS  Co.,  N.  Y., 
1872. 

I  should  have  rt-| 
rday. 
larriage,  etc.,  I  have! 


m 
e.\ 
si( 


Is 

lire 

Ian 

tl)( 

Jin 

jlioi 
latt 
jbrii 
It 

I     r 

|l)an 

lost 

beir 

Por 

vhe 

^ide 

hid 

m 


Lucas  Co. — Recollections  of  Hichard  Mott.      545 


"  I  was  born  at  Mamaroneck,  Westchester  county,  New  York,  July 
21,1804, — removed,  in  1815,  with  my  parents,  to  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  was  married  November  \%,  1828,  to  Elizabeth  M.  Smith, 
daughter  of  Captain  Elihn  Smith,  formerly  of  New  Bedford,  Mas- 
sachusetts. She  died  in  August,  1855.  We  were  both  Quakers,  and 
both  of  Quaker  descent.  The  branch  of  the  Mott  family  to  which 
I  belong,  were  among  the  early  converts,  in  America,  of  George  Fox, 
and  we  have  ever  since,  through  each  generation,  adhered  to  the 
faith,  and  ever  expect  to, — at  least  I  hope  so. 

"Thy  friend, 

"PJCHAED  MOTT. 
"To  H.  S.  Knapp." 

In  his  reminiscences,  while  liberally  commending  others,  he  would 
not  indicate  the  monuments  of  his  own  enterprise;  the  multitude 
of  his  unostentatious  charities ;  and  also  omits  mention  that  the 
city  of  Toledo  has  often  called  him  into  her  public  councils,  and 
greatly  profited  by  his  services.  And,  furthermore,  this  witness, 
almost  in  derogation  of  public  opinion,  and  to  the  damage  of  pub- 
lic wealth, — which  consists,  in  good  part,  of  the  honorable  record 
made  by  those  who  have  held  public  trusts, — he  omits  the  sketch 
which  he  should  have  made  of  his  four  years'  Congressional  service, 
extending  from  1857  to  1861. 

With  this  very  brief  explanation,  rendered  necessary  by  the  omis- 
sions of  Mr.  Mott,  his  recollections  oif  Toledo  are  subjoined : 

My  personal  knowledge  of  the  Maumee  country  dates  from  the 

1st  of  March,  1836.    I  arrived  there  after  a  three  days'  ride  by  stage 

from  Columbus.     The  Black  Swamp  was  frozen  hard,  and  we  had 

an  easy  ride  through  that  then  dreaded  •  region.    Willard  V.  Way, 

tlien,  as  now,  a  resident  of  Perrysburg,  was  the  only  other  passenger 

in  the  stage,  our  three  days' association  making  us  pretty  well  ac- 

Iquaiuted,  by  the  time  he  got  out  at  SpalTord's,  where  we  changed 

|liorse8,and  I  came  on  alone  to  Toledo,  reaching  the  *' Toledo  House" 

jlate  in  the  afternoon.    The  Toledo  House  was  a  double,  two  story, 

[brick  building,  standing  on  the  corner  of  Perry  and  Summit  streets. 

|ll  was  afterwards  added  to,  and  re-named  the  Indiana  House. 

The  road  from  Maumee  wound  along  through  the  woods,  near  the 

Ibank  of  the  river,  and  not  far  from  the  present  river  road.     The  for- 

1st  extended  to  the  south  bank  of  Swan  Creek — no  improvement 

oeing  on  that  side,  nearer  than  George  Knaggs'  farm,  after  leaving 

^ort  Miami.    At  Swan  Creek,  a  road  had  been  cut,  commencing 

khere  Henry  Brand's  brewery  now  is,  and  descending  along  the 

of  the  bank  to  about  opposite  Superior  streat,  where  was  a 

bridge— carried  off  by  a  freshet  a  few  weeks  later.    For  some  years 

jifterwards,  the  creek  Avas  crossed  by  a  scow  ferry-boat,  large  enough 

84 


11 
i 


546       Lucas  Co. — Recollections  of  Hichard  Mott. 


to  carry  a  single  team.    This  forry  was  kept  by  Harrison  Crane, 
father  of  Charles  A.  Crane,  of  East  Toledo. 

At  Columbus,  I  had  left  Stephen  B.Comstock,an(l  Andrew  Palmer, 
who  wee  successluUy  lobbying  for  a  charter  for  a  railroad  from 
Toledo  to  Sandusky.    William  Wilson,  then  of  Sylvania,  was  also 
there  on  some  similar  business.    He  had  been  one  of  the  earlier  set- 
tlers on  the  river,  owning  the  farm  adjoining  Major  Stickney's,  to- 
wards Manhattan.    At  Marion  we  met  Joseph  R.  Williams,  Wiilard 
J.  Daniels,  George  McKay,  and  Cyrus  King,  from  Toledo,  on  iheirl 
way  to   Columbus,  to  aid  in  procuring  the  railroad   charter— all! 
young  and  active  men,  and  having  full  faith  in  Toledo.    Willifltiis  | 
and  King  aro  not  living;  Daniels  now  res'des  at  Lockport,  New 
York.     He  was  then,  and  still  is,  largely  interested  in  Toledo  rea 
estate.    McKay  left  Toledo  during  the  following  year,  and  has  never] 
returned. 

Adjoining  the  Toledo  House,  was  the  store  of  W.  J.  Daniels  A I 
Co.,  in  which,  at  the  time,  Koswell  Cheney,  Jr.,  and  Daniel  McBaiiil 
were  clerks.     Cheney  remained  in  Toledo,  and  died  in  1845. 

Over  the  store,  reached  by  outside  stairs,  was  a  large  room  occu- 
pied by  Emery  D.  Potter  (since  Judge),  as  a  law3'er's  office.  This! 
office  was  much  resorted  to  by  the  judge's  friends,  who  wished  tol 
write  or  transact  business,  all  of  whom  were  heartily  welcomed  bjj 
him — pens,  ink,  and  paper,  and  a  seat  at  his  long  table,  thrown  icj 
It  was,  in  fact,  the  most  attracting  loafing  place  in  town.  Occasioii'l 
ally,  in  the  evenings,  a  debating  society  met  there.  Besides  Jnilgej 
Potter,  Peter  Palmer  (now  living  in  Lockport),  Daniel  McBain,  CaltJ 
F.  Abbott,  and  Josiah  G.  Murfeo,  were  prominent  in  this  organizal 
tion.  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  and  Benjamin  F.  Wade,  came  in  tbe| 
spring,  and  took  part  in  some  real  estate  purchases.  Wade  did 
stay  long,  but  Giddings  remained  a  long  time,  and  took  an  active! 
part  con  amore  in  the  debating  society.  Later  in  the  spring,  Edwar(l| 
Wade  also  came,  and  opened  a  law  office  in  company  with  Elchani 
Cook.  The  early  settlers  will  recollect  Cook  as  a  lawyer  of  niiicli| 
promise,  cut  short  by  his  untimely  death,  a  few  years  later. 

Nearly  opposite  W.  J.  Daniels  &  Co.,  on  part  of  the  lot  where 
Ketcham,  Bor.d  <&  Co.  now  are,  was  another  frame  store  standi^ 
alone,  over  the  door  of  which  was  the  sign  of  A.  Palmer  &  Co.  Tbi 
old  building  remained  till  1859,  when  it  was  pulled  down  to  matl 
room  for  the  block  belonging  to  V.  H.  Ketcham. 

Daniels  &  Goettel  (Munson  H.  Daniels  and  Henry  Goettel,)  ^vtij 
doing  a  large  business  in  a  wooden  building,  on  the  corner  of  Pen 
and  Swan  streets.  During  the  year,  they  put  up  two  three-i 
brick  stores,  on  the  corner  of  Monroe  and  Summit  streets,  and, li 
the  fall  of  183G,  moved  into  the  corner  one.  These  stores  wef 
burned  Octotier  16,  1860,  and  are  replaced  by  the  present  Ixnkl 
Block,  erected  in  the  spring  of  1861.  A  row  of  buildings  stoudoJ 
thf  northwest  side  of  St.  Clair  street,  built  by  Colman  L  Keeler,Jfl 
where  is  now  the  American  House,  but  extending  further  Bouth,aiir 


ft 


(iMott. 


Lucas  Co. — JRecollections  of  Hicliard  Mott.      547 


Harrison  Crane, 

d  Andrew  Palmer, 
r  u  railroad  from 
Sylvania,  was  also 
;  of  the  earlier  set- 
[ior  Stickncy's,  to- 
Williams,  Willard 
n  Toledo,  on  ;heir 
ilroad  charter-all 
Toledo.    WilliPtns 
at  Lockport,  Kew 
jted  in  Toledo  real 
year,  and  has  never 

of  W.  J.  Daniels  4 1 
and  Daniel  McBainj 
lied  in  1845. 
a  large  room  occu- 
awyer'3  office.    This 
-nds,  who  wished  to 
eartily  welcomed  by 
,11  ff  table,  thrown  ui, 
in  town.    Occasion' 
nere      Besides  l\n\ 
Daniel  McBain.CaUl 

ent  in  this  organiza- 
^    Wade,  came  in  the 
lases.    Wade  did  not! 
V  and  took  an  active! 
in  the  spring,  Edwd 
mpany  with  RichiiJ 
'as  a  lawyer  of  niuct 
w  years  later, 
[part  of  the  lot  ^v liere 
'frame  store  stanM 
.  Palmer  &  Co.   if] 
lulled  down  to  masj 

■  Uenry  Goettel,)je« 
ju  the  corner  ot  n^ 
fut  up  two  three-sto 
immit  streets,  anti,  J 
10.    These  stores  »eit 
)y  the  present  1^*1 
if  buildings  stoudl 
Colman  I.  KeeHJ] 
iing  further  soutb.ai' 


across  the  alley  that  runs  between  the  new  Police  Station  and  Kel- 
sey  &  King's  Pork  house.  The  usually  travelled  road  into  the  Port 
Lawrence  end  of  the  town  was  through  this  alley,  and  under  the 
wooden  arch-way  of  Keeler's  row.  This  road  continued  nearly  to 
the  present  site  of  the  African  church,  then  more  towards  the  north, 
passed  over  the  rear  of  Austin  Scott's  property,  corner  of  Monroe 
and  Michigan  streets ;  thence  crossing  Monroe  street,  it  passed  over 
the  ground  where  J.  H.  Whitaker's  house  is — then  along  in  front  of 
.Judge  Potter's  residence,  and  in  the  sumo  direction  over  the  rear  of 
Calvin  Barker's  and  Horace  Ht)lcomb's  grounds,  and  just  clearing 
the  corner  of  Dr.  White's  house,  on  Madison  street,  continued  in  a 
direct  line  to  the  present  road  in  front  of  Judge  Fitch's  mansion. 

On  the  river,  in  rear  of  the  store  of  A.  Palmer  &  Co.,  was  a  log 
warehouse,  an  old  looking  building,  said  to  have  been  standing  when 
Colman  I.  Keeler  landed  there  in  1817.  Keeler  settled  in  that  year 
on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  widow,  on  the  road  above  men- 
tioned. This  log  building  was  taken  down  in  183G,  by  Judge  John 
Baldwin,  who  put  on  its  site  the  warehouse  occupied,  after  his  death, 
in  1837,  by  Carpenter  &  Myers,  and  then  by  V.  H.  Ketcham,  who 
now  owns  the  ground— the  building  having  been  taken  down  to 
make  room  for  Ketch am's  block. 

The  Oliver  warehouse,  built  by  Joseph  Prentice,  was  then  stand- 
ing on  the  west  side  of  Monroe  street,  where  Roff  &  Co.  now  are, 
dnd  occupied  by  A.  Palmer  &  Co.  Further  down,  under  the  bank 
of  the  river,  on  the  site  of  M.  I.  Wilcox'  brick  store,  was  another 
warehouse,  belonging  to  William  P.  and  W.  J.  Daniels.  The  bank, 
which  was  there  upwards  of  thirty  feet  high,  had  been  dug  away  to 
fill  in  for  the  dock  foundation  for  this  warehouse,  which  was  only 
reachable  from  the  land  side,  by  a  road  commencing  at  Jefferson 
street,  and  cut  sideways  down  the  bank. 

An  attempt  had  been  made  towards  street  making  on  Monroe 
street,  but  it  was  not  used,  the  travel  continaing  on  the  old  track 
out  Perry  street,  and  through  the  alley,  under  the  arch  of  Keeler's 
row. 

A  brick  store  of  two  stories,  belonging  to  John  Baldwin,  fronted 
Summit  street  adjoining  W.  J.  Daniels.  This  stood  till  within  a 
few  years  since. 

The  ground  in  front  of  the  Toledo  House  was  about  at  the  pres- 
ent grade  of  Summit  street,  at  that  corner.  It  was  some  four  or 
tive  feet  at  the  lower  intersection  of  Monroe  street.  Here  was  a 
runway  for  the  water  from  the  low  ground,  along  Mud  creek.  This 
run-wav  was  crossed  on  Summit  street  by  a  little  log  bridge, — the 
logs  well  covered  with  earth.  Beyond  this,  at  the  east,  wag  a  bluft', 
some  twenty  feet  above  the  present  grade,  and  a  road-way  had  been 
cut  partly  sidewalks  to  reach  the  top  of  the  bluff.  Here  was  a  frame 
building,  then  occupied,  but  afterwards  fitted  up,  and  known  as 
the  National  Hotel,  and  where  Lyman  T.  Thayer  began  his  success- 
ful career  at  hotel -keeping.     The  present  Deuel  block  (Fred.  Eaton 


548      Lucas  Co. — Jiecollectionsof  Ilichard  Mott. 


&  Co.'s  upper  storo),  is  on  the  same  spot.  It  was  then  a  command- 
ing position  havintj  a  full  view  of  the  river, — there  being  nothini; 
to  obstruct  in  either  direction  up  or  clown.  From  this  the  road 
wound  along  near  the  edge  of  the  bank,  among  stumps  and  bushcH, 
and  without  regard  to  map  lines  of  streets,  to  the  post  office,  a  two- 
story  brick  building,  about  150  I'cet  east  of  Adams  street.  This 
had  been  put  tip  by  Edward  Bissell,  for  the  purpose  it  was  tlipii 
used,  to  be  about  midway  between  the  settled  portions  of  the  previ- 
ously rival  villages  of  Port  Lawrence  and  Vistula,  when  they  coii- 
clnded  to  bury  the  hatchet  of  strite,  and  unite  under  the  name  of 
Toledo. 

This  post  office  building  was  an  isolated  and  Fomewhat  desolate 
looking  affair,  standing  entirely  alone.  The  nearest  dwelling  was  a 
log  house,  directly  in  the  present  line  of  Summit  street,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Oak,  surrounded  by  a  worm  rail  fence,  enclosing  about  half 
an  acre  for  a  garden  spot.  This  log  house  was  occupied  by  William 
Andrews  and  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  several  sons  and  daugh- 
ters. Among  the  former  was  Samuel  Andrews,  of  the  Blade, — then 
a  boy  perhaps  a  dozen  years  old.  The  road  passed  between  the  en- 
closure and  the  river,  over  the  lot  where  the  Toledo  mill  stands, 
towads  the  corner  of  Cherry  and  Summit  streets.  From  this  to 
Elm  street,  the  line  of  Summit  street  was  clearly  defined.  The 
stumps  had  been  mostly  grubbed  out,  and  several  buildings  | 
were  erected  on  both  sides. 

A  frame  building,  occupied  as  two  dwellings,  stood  on  the  west  I 
corner  of  Cherry  street,  where  Wittstein's  drug  store  is.  What  is 
now  Dr.  Bergen's  dwelling,  adjoining,  was  nearly  finished.  The] 
frame  on  the  corner  was  afterwards  moved  on  the  lot  where  B.  I 
link  and  Co.'s  furniture  store  stands,  and  was  long  occupied  by  the  I 
Toledo  Blade,  till  it  Avas  removed  to  its  present  location.  Cherry  | 
street  was  then  the  southwesterly  border  of  the  Vistula  division. 
The  entire  space  to  the  tavern  building,  above  Jefferson  street,  wajj 
open  and  wild,  except  the  post  office  building,  and  Mr.  Andrews' f 
log  house. 

On  the  south  side  of  Summit  street,  on  the  corner  of  Vine  street, 
was  a  frame  building,  occupied  by  William  Tillman  as  a  paint  shopl 
below,  and  dwelling  above.  This  was  the  next  year  fitted  up,  hvi 
Edward  Bissell,  for  a  dwelling,  and  where  he  resided  for  several! 
years.  It  still  stands,  in  the  same  place.  Nearly  opposite,  RicharJj 
Greenwood  had  a  small  frame  dwelling — still  standing.  The  three! 
old  stores,  on  the  northwest  side  of  Summit  street,  fronting  tliel 
head  of  Vine  street,  were  in  course  of  erection.  A  brick  outsidel 
was  put  on  them  in  1 85"-i,  in  which  they  still  stand.  When  Toledol 
was  made  a  city,  in  1837,  one  of  the  offices  in  the  second  story  ofl 
this  block,  was  used  for  the  City  Council  room,  till  changed  to  thej 
present  location.  Scott  &  Richardson  (Samuel  B.  Scott  and  Wor-j 
den  N.  Richardson,  both  deceased),  had  a  store  a  little  below,  to-j 
wards  Walnut  street. 


rd  Moit. 

8  then  a  command- 
ere  being  notlun;,' 
ora  this  the  road 
,tunips  and  bushes, 
e  post  office,  a  two- 
tlams  street.  This 
rpose  it  was  thon 
irtions  of  the  previ- 
la,  when  they  con- 
under  the  name  of 

eoraewhat  desolato 
rest  dwelling  was  a 
t  street,  at  the  cor- 
nclosing  about  half 
)ccupied  by  William 
sral  sons  and  daugli- 
of  the  /^/arfe,— then 
sed  between  the  en- 
Toledo  mill  stands, 
jets.  From  this  to 
early  defined.  The 
d    several  buildings 

stood  on  the  west 
T  Store  is.  What  is 
early  finished.  The| 
he  lot  where  B.  Mci- 
)n''  occupied  by  the 
nt°  location.  Cherry 
\\Q  Vistula  division, 
Jerterson  street,  was 
5,  and  Mr.  Andrews ' 

orner  of  Vine  street, 
Iman  as  a  paint  shop 
t  year  fitted  up,hv 
3  resided  for  severa 
rlv  opposite.  Richard  I 
standing.     The  three 

street,  fronting  thel 
fcn      A  brick  outside 
tand.    When  Toledo 

the  second  story  oil 
,  till  changed  to  the 
1  B.  Scott  and  Wor- 
•e  a  little  below,  to- 


Lucm  Co — Recollections  of  Richard  Mott.       540 


A  row  of  stores,  belonging  to  Edward  Bissoll,  stood  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Locust  street,  where  George  Webber's  block  is.  In  the  sec- 
ond story  of  this  row,  Ilezekiah  D.  Mason  had  his  office.  Judge 
Mason  was  regarded  as  an  old  resident,  having  come  in  1H;}4. 

This  row  Avas  burned  in  the  fall  of  1H38,  the  most  sickly  season 
ever  known  in  Toledo.  The  city  had  two  fiio  engines,  built  at  Wa- 
terford,  New  York;  and,  as  the  weather  had  been  very  dry,  one  of 
the  engines  (No.  1,)  had  to  be  run  down  the  bank  of  the  river  for  a 
supply  of  water,  forcing  it  up  to  the  other  (No.  2),  that  was  thus 
(.aabled  to  throw  one  little  stream.  The  few  men  who  worked  the 
machine,  at  the  river,  were  soon  tired  out,  and  the  stream  stopped. 
They  sent  for  fresh  hands  to  help  work  at  the  brakes,  but  it  was 
next  to  impossible  to  find  any  men  who  were  well  enough ;  the 
almost  invariable  excuse  of  every  bystander  applied  to,  being,  that 
he  was  just  out  from  a  fit  of  the  ague,  and  was  not  able  to  work. 
The  well  men  being  fagged  out,  the  stores  were  destroyed.  All 
that  could  bo  done,  was  to  save  the  near  buildings. 

About  halfway  between  Locust  and  Lagrange  sts.,  was  the  Mansion 
House ;  Wm.  Wilmington's  residence  occu[)ies  the  spot.  It  was  a  story 
and  a  half  frame,  having  a  long  front,  an<i  in  the  rear  a  barn-liko 
addition,  used  for  a  dining-room  below,  with  a  double  row  of  lodg- 
ing rooms  above.  It  was  then  kept  by  James  Bourne,  but  soon 
after  was  taken  by  Daniel  Segur,  who  continued  in  it  till  the  follow- 
ing autumn,  when  the  "American  Hotel,"  on  the  corner  of  P2lm  st., 
Imilt  by  Joseph  R.  Williams,  being  completed,  Segur  moved  into 
the  latter,  which  was  then  considered  as  something  notable  in  the 
tavern  line — and  so  it  was,  and  kept  well,  too. 

On  the  southeast  corner  of  Summit  and  Lagrange  streets,  was  a 
two-story  frame  store,  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Dr.  Jacob 
Clark,  the  sign  over  the  door  being  Clark  &  Bennett.  Thhs  corner 
was  then  regarded  as  about  the  centre  of  business,  and  perhaps  the 
best  stand  in  the  place,  till  1843,  Avhen,  by  the  opening  of  the  canal, 
business  was  mainly  drawn  towards  the  Port  Lawrence  end  of  the 
town.  This  old  store  was  afterwards  occupied  by  Ketcham  &  Snell, 
and  it  was  here  that  Joseph  K.  Secor  oramenced  business  life  as  a 
store  boy.  It  was  subsequently  taken  by  Elijah  S.  Hanks,  who  re- 
jmainedtill  it  was  burned,  in  18  tl,  or  1815. 

Lagrange  street  was  graded  from  Summit  street  fprctty  steeply), 
I  so  that  teams  could  pass  to  the  dock.  Here,  on  the  w^est  side  of  the 
street,  was  the  worehouso  of  Peckham  &  Co.,  still  standing,  now 
owned  by  P.  II.  Birckhead.  Peckham  &  Co.  did  the  largest  for- 
warding business  of  the  place,  mo,st  of  the  steamboats  coming  in  the 
river  stopping  at  their  wharf.  The  members  of  the  firm  were  Bun- 
nell H.  Peckham,  and  John  Berdan  (.Judge).  Mr.  Berdan  was  the 
first  mayor  of  Toledo,  elected  in  the  spring  of  18-i7,  by  one  vote 
over  Andrew  Palmer,  and  re-elected  in  IS.'JS,  without  organized 
[Opposition.  He  died  in  1841.  Ills  sons,  Peter  and  John,  of  the 
f-ii-k'iown  firm  of  Secor,  Berdan  &  Co.,  were  then  round-jacketed 


550      lAicas  Co. — Hecollections  of  Richard  Mott. 


boys.    Peckham  died  in  18G0,  at  Milwaukee,  where  he  had  lived  for 
several  years. 

In  the  spriii'^  of  1830,  two  other  warehouses  were  put  up  near  tlie 
foot  of  Lagrange  st  root,  on  the  oast  side.  The  lower  one  was  occu- 
pied by  Bissell  &  (lardner  (Frederick  Bis«ell  and  Josi'ph  B.  Gard- 
ner). Mr.  Bissell  continued  in  business  in  Toledo  till  his  death,  in 
Juno,  1870.  Gardner  was  afterwards  postmaster,  succeeding  Judge 
Potter,  in  1839.     lie  removed  to  Buifalo,  and  died  many  years  ago. 

The  other  warehouse  was  kept  first  by  Poag  &  Morse,  then  Poag 
&  Tifus,  and  tifterwards  by  Robert  W.  Titus,— the  latter  still  living 
in  Toledo.  John  Poag  went  to  New  York  about  1840,  and  after  u 
lew  years  became  one  of  the  firm  of  Kent,  Poag  &  Co., — grow 
wealthy,  invested  largely  in  Toledo  real  estate,  which  lias  turned 
out  very  advantageously.     He  returned  to  Toledo,  and  died  in  1868. 

The  same  warehouse  (the  second  story,)  was  taken  by  Titus  & 
Co.,  from  New  York,  in  the  spring  of  18J8  (Avery  and  Walter 
Titus),  for  a  dry  goods  and  groceries  jobbing  establishment.  They 
did  a  good  business ;  but,  trying  to  carry  a  load  of  debt,  growing 
out  of  their  New  York  business  in  1837,  provod  too  great  a  burden, 
and,  after  the  death  of  Avery  Titus,  in  1841,  the  firm  was  obliged 
to  suspend.  Walter  is  still  living  in  New  York,  These  warehou- 
ses still  remain,  and  are  parts  of  the  Novelty  Works  establishment. 

Among  the  permanent  boarders  at  the  Toledo  House,  in  the 
spring  of  1836,  were  Wiilard  J.  Daniels,  and  William  P.  Daniels, 
with  his  wife  and  two  little  children — son  and  daughter,  the  former, 
Charles,  now  of  Lloyd,  Daniels  &  Dennison,  and  Helen,  now  Mrs. 
0.  J.  Lloyd.  Lyman  Wheeler  was  also  there — then  unmarried.  Ho 
had  recently  bought  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Monroe  and  St.  Clair 
streets,  where  the  Wheeler  Opera  House  now  stands, — at  that  time 
a  very  uninviting  spot;  the  swale  from  Mud  creek  crossing  this  lot, 
as  well  as  the  opposite  corner  where  the  Collins  block  is,  and  con- 
tinuing thence  along  through  the  whole  of  the  block  to  the  Myers' 
corner,  where  it  crossed  Monroe  street. 

Wheeler  had  great  faith  in  the  advancement  of  Toledo,  especially 
of  the  Port  Lawrence  end  of  the  town.  Caleb  F.  Abbott  was  also 
there, — a  graduate  just  from  Cambridge  college,  seeking  his  fortune 
in  the  west,  as  Ohio  was  then  considered  to  be.  Ealph  P.  Buckland 
(now  General  Buckland  of  Fremont),  came  soon  afterwards,  on  the 
Bame  errand,  and  rem.ained  till  in  the  summer.  James  M.  Comstock 
came  about  the  latter  part  of  March,  1836.  His  brother,  Stephen 
B.  Comstock,  had  been  here  since  I83'J  and  was  a  very  old  settler 
by  that  time.  Stephen  was  in  fact  one  of  the  pioneers,  and  became 
interested,  with  Oliver  ik,  Williams,  in  tracts  1  and  Ji,  which  com- 
prised what  was  known  as  Port  Lawrence,  and  he  was  for  some 
years  the  agent  for  the  Port  Lawrence  Company,  in  selling  lots  and 
inducing  settlements.  He  was  also  postmaster.  The  latter  posi- 
tion he  resigned  in  1837,  being  a  Whig,  to  mako  way  for  Judge 
Potter.     Stephen  died  in  185o. 


'Mott. 


Lucas  Co. — Recollections  of  Richard  Mott. 


r)61 


he  had  lived  for 

!  put  lip  near  tlie 
er  one  waa  occu- 
Joseph  B.  Gard- 
till  his  death,  in 
icceeding  .Judge 
many  years  ago. 
klorse,  then  I'oag 
latter  still  living 
1840,  and  after  ii 
xg  &  Co.,— grow 
rliich  has  turned 
and  died  in  1868. 
taken  by  Titus  & 
,ery  and   Walter 
.blishment.    They 
of  debt,  growing 
oo  great  a  burden, 
firm  was  obliged 

These  warehou- 
irks  establishment. 
3do  House,  in  the 
Villiara  P.  Daniels, 
lighter,  the  former, 

Helen,  now  Mrs. 
en  unmarried.  Ho 
[iroe  and  St.  Clair 
.nds,— at  that  time 
ik  crossing  this  lot, 

block  is,  and  con- 
ock  to  the  Myers' 

Toledo,  especially 
'.  Abbott  was  also 
seeking  his  lortune 
Ralph  P.  Buckland 
afterwards,  on  the 
ames  M.  Comstock 
s  brother,  Stephen 
a  very  old  settler 
>neers,  and  became 
and  2,  which  com- 
I  he  was  for  some 
,  in  selling  lots  an(l 
The  latter  posi- 
ko  way  for  Judge 


Until  the  spring  of  1837,  there  were  no  sidewalks  any  where  in 
the  place;  not  even  one  of  a  single  plank.  Men  wore  heavy  boots. 
and,  in  mnddy  weather,  tucked  their  pantaloons  in«ido.  and  waded 
boldly  through  the  soft  soil.  It  was  quite  an  undertaking  to  get 
irom  either  end  of  the  town  to  the  post  ottico— then  cal  ed  -  Middle- 
Town."  It  was  useless  to  attempt  wearing  India  rubber  shoes;  the 
adhesive  character  of  the  mud  made  a  power  of  suction  that  would 
draw  off  rubbers  almost  at  the  first  step.  It  was  regarded  as  a 
grand  improvement,  when,  by  private  subscription,  a  sidewalk  of 
two  planks  in  width  was  laid  on  the  northwest  lino  of  Summit  street, 
from  the  Toledo  House,  corner  of  Perry  street,  to  the  American, 
at  the  corner  of  Elm  street. 

The  Erie  and  Kalamazoo  Railroad  was  in  course  of  construction, 
I  from  Toledo  to  Adrian,  under  a  charter  from  the  territorial  hgislii- 
jture  of  Michigan.  The  original  plan  for  the  road  was  to  put  down 
j  wooden  rails,  of  oak  studding  four  inches  square,  and  draw  the  cars 
by  horses.  Even  this  would  have  been  a  great  relief  and  wonderful 
improvement  over  the  nearly  impassable  roads  through  the  cotton- 
[wood  swamp  that  stretched  from  Sylvania  to  Palmyra. 

The  work  on  the  road  had  been  driven  forward  with  much  ener- 
[gy,  and  was  well  forward,  cr nsidering  how  little  means  the  projec- 
tors had  to  carry  it  on.     By  the  time  the  grading  was  done,  the 
stockholders  became  possessed  of  more  enlarged  ideas,  and  deter- 
mined to  iron  the  road,  and  use  locomotive  power.    To  be  sure,  the 
Company  had  no  money  to  buy  the  iron;  and  railro.ad  bonds,  and 
Iprefpired  slock,  and  the  various  devices  by  which  in  these  days  such 
Iwork  is  got  through  with,  were  then  unknown.     However,  by  giv- 
ling  a  liberal  bonus  in  stock,  with  the  obligations  ('f  the  Riiilroad 
ICompany,  endorsed  by  some  of  the  directors,  and  other  parties  in- 
Iterested  individually,  the  iron  was  obtained.     But  mch  iron !     How 
jthe  railroad  men  of  today  would  laugh  at  the  thin  straps,  f  of  an 
jinch  thick,  then  spiked  down  on  the  old  railroads.    Yet,  it  was  as 
ftreat  an  improvement  over  the  projected  wooden  rail,  as  the  H  and 
[rrail  over  the  almost  hoop  iron  then  used.    In  the  same  way,  two 
|itlle  locomotives  were  pu'chased,  and,  early  in   J 837,  a  couple  of 
old-fashioned,  four-wheeled  short  cars,  and  some  half  a  dozen  freight 
brs  of  the  same  size,  were  runn'ng  on  the  road     There   was  but 
little  practical  knowledge  of  the  management  of  railroads,  this  being 
jibe  first  road  in  operation  west  of  Utica,  New  York.     How  this 
road  was  got  into  operation,  and  kept  up,  without  money  or  credit, 
pan  never  be  fully  exp'aincd,  and  perhaps  not  entirely  understood, 
Iven  by  the  parties  whose  energy  and  pluck— with  possibly  some 
little  assurance. — carried  it  along  through  years  of  difficulty  and  em- 
prrassment.*    Very  few  of  the;C  men  are  now  living.   Among  some 

'J  hn  R.  OKborn,  Esq.,  furnishes  the  f.-llowinj;  note :  "  At  Pnlinym,  a  railroad  had  been 
Injccied,  to  run  as  far  as  Jncksonburf,  through  the  villBpo  ol'Tecumseh.  The  same  road 
iMch  in  subsequent  years  was  completed  a  branch  of  the  Michigan  Southern  and  Northern 
Miaiia  Railroad,  and  Is  now  known  ns  the  Jackson  Branch. 

"This  road,  in  connection  with  the  Erie  qnd  JSalanjnzoo  Bead,  was  projected  and  undcrta- 


552 


Liicaa  Co. — Itecollections  of  Richard  Mott, 


of  tho  conductors  on  the  trains,  were  Stephen  B.  Comstook,  Robert 
Jeffrey,  Frederick  BisHcU,  Charles  A.  King,  and  Munson  II.  DaniclH. 

Until  tho  autun^n  of  1838,  almost  tho  entiro  freighting  over  tho 
road  was  carryinj^  provisions,  as  well  as  goods,  into  Michigan,  prin- 
cipally flour  and  pork  to  feed  tho  people,  and  corn  and  oats  for  hor- 
ses and  hogs.  Michigan  did  not  raise  enough  for  its  population, 
owing  to  the  rapid  increase  of  innnigralion,  and  was  obliged  to 
import  from  Ohio.  But,  in  1838,  this  immigration  had  fallen  oft, 
and  then  the  road  began  to  be  used  to  bring  out  tho  wheat  crop, 
which  from  that  time  was  greatly  increased  each  year.  Flour  and 
wheat  wore  then  teamed  from  Jackson,  Marshall,  Battle  Creek,  Con- 
stantine,  and  intermediate  places,  to  Adrian,  to  be  Li'ought  thenco 
by  rail  to  navigable  waters,  at  Toledo.  This  was  coniinued  till  tlio 
construction  of  Michigan  State  railroads  cut  off  much  oi  tho  busi- 
ness that  had  hitherto  sought  market  outlet  by  this  way. 

The  construction  and  continuance  of  the  Erie  and  Kalamazoo 
railroad  exercised  great  influence  in  settling  the  supremacy  of  To- 
ledo as  the  business  place  at  tho  west  end  of  Lake  Erie,  over  its 
several  rival  towns.  Tho  first  railroad  ofKce  was  in  a  little  framo 
building,  14x20  feet,  put  up  by  Willard  J.  Daniels  for  a  barber 
shop,  on  the  ground  next  east  of  Ketcham,  Bond  &  Co.'s  present 


ken  by  tho  owners  of  the  main  Road,  with  tho  asBlstanco  of  citizens  of  Tociimaoh,  Clinton, 
and  other  placoB  along  tho  route, 

"On  the  !»th  of  AuKiiot,  18-'i8,  the  rood  wns  ready  to  be  opened  as  far  as  Tccunseh.  At  tho 
invitation  of  Mr.  Edward  BIbbcU,  tlicn  the  inanOKcrof  tho  Erie  and  Kalamazco  Kallron(l,n 
largo  number  of  citizens,  Buffldcnt  to  fill  ono  car,  took  their  i)laccs  for  the  celcl)ratlon  of  the 
event.  Sylvania,  BlisBlleld,  and  Palmyra,  each  furuitthed  additional  recruits.  At  Tecamceli, 
the  town  was  alive  with  excitement  at  tho  auspicious  cventt  Among  the  Toledoans  of  tho 
period,  who  participated  in  the  celebration,  were  Judge  Mason,  Daniel  McBain,  C.  F.  Abbrii, 
J.  Baron  Davis,  Judge  Myers,  George  B.  Way,  J.  R.[OBbom,  J.  Avery  Tltue,  Andrew  Palmi, 
G.  Weed,  and  many  others.  AtTecumseh,  the  large  crowd,  greeted  by  the  welcome  of  <in; 
people,  made  their  rallying  point  at  tho  hotel  of  General  Joscpli  W.  Brown,  who  so  shortly 
belore  had  marched  his  troops  upon  the  banks  of  tho  Maumee  river,  in  dellance  of  the  preten- 
sions of  Ohio.  IIo  prepared  for  his  guests  a  repast  of  such  generous  magnitude,  that  he  I 
was  not  long  in  winning  their  grateful  recognttione,  and,  we  may  add,  pardon  for  any  previous  | 
unpleasantness  he  had  occasioned  to  Governor  Lucas  and  the  Buckeyes, 

"The  usual  after-dinner  speeches  and  toasts  followed,  tho  noticea'V'  ono  of  which  wa9»| 
very  eloquent  and  interesting  spe  ich  of  Judge  Mason,  who  had  prejjarcd  statistics  and  diitati 
show  the  productiveness  of  the  country,  and  the  capital  lying  hidden  within  extensive  and  f  r- 
tile  districts,  which  were  now  brought  into  proximity  witli  tlie  lake,  and  were  to  pourlhiir  | 
uncounted  riches  into  the  lap  of  our  aspiring  city.    Among  other  things,  he  i)articularly  dwe 
upon  tho  enterprise  which  had  projected  such  roads  in  tlie  State  of  Michigan,  and  how  fiir  in  I 
advance  the  people  were  here,  than  in  otlicr  parts,  especially  of  Ohio,  wlicre  scarcely  a  railroml  | 
had  yet  been  constructed.    He  stated,  also,  in  his  speech,  that  tho  Erie  and  Kalamazoo  Pail- 
road  was  the  first  enterprise  in  America,  west  of  Utica.    This  enterprise,  however,  proved  lo  I 
be  in  advance  of  the  times.    The  road  was  just  comi)leted  to  Jacksonburg,  ond  the  short  dis 
tance  to  Tecumseh  was  not  even  ironed  with  tho  clieup  strap  rail  of  those  days,  and  in  a  lew  I 
yeors  it  was  abandoned.    Afterwards,  in  tho  yonr  1857,  it  was  taken  hold  of  by  tlio  Michi)!:iii| 
Southern  and  Kortheru  Indiana  Railroad  Company,  and  completed  in  tho  most  substaiitiil  I 
ond  thorough  manner;  and  has  become  ono  of  tlic  principal  avenues  of  trade  to  the  city- 1 
fulfilling,  at  this  late  period,  tho  prophecies  of  Judge  Mason,  and  the  expectations  of  thaj 
originators." 


I  Molt, 


Lucas  Co. — Recollections  of  liichard  Mott.       553 


'omstook,  Itoben 
Linson  II.  DanielH. 
lighting  over  the 

0  Michigan,  prin- 

1  and  oats  for  hor- 
)r  its  population, 
i  was  obliged  to 
:)n  had  fallen  oft, 
,  the  wheat  crop, 

year.  Flour  iind 
Battle  Creek,  Con- 
)o  Li-ought  thciico 
I  condnued  till  tho 
much  ol  tho  busi^ 

\i8  way. 

ie  and  Kalamazoo 
supremacy  of  To- 
:.ake  Erie,  over  its 
18  in  a  little  frame 
mielB  for  a  barber 
Qd  &  Co.'b  present 

sens  of  TociimHoh,  Cllulou, 

B  far  fts  TccunBch.  At  tho 
ami  Kalamazco  Kftilrond.a 
!H  for  the  celebration  of  the 
,al  rucruitH.  At  Tecam^eli, 
1011''  the  Toleiloaiw  of  tho 
inie'lMcBaln,C.F.Al)brn, 
very  Titus,  Andrew  PaltUT, 
■ted  by  the  welcome  oftiic 
W .  Brown,  who  so  shortly 
;r,  in  dellaiicc  of  the  prctcii- 
encroua  magnitude,  that  ho 
add,  pardon  for  any  previous 

koyc*. 

Icea  ^!  one  of  which  wasa 
(.pared  statistics  and  data  to  I 
leii  within  extensive  and  f"- 
lalce,  and  were  to  pour  thi'.r  I 
thinKS,  he  particularly  dwell 

of  MichiKan,  and  how  far  in 
hio.  where  scarcely  a  railron 

10  Erie  and  Kalamazoo  Bail- 
^terpriec,  however,  proved  10 
;ksoiiburg,  and  the  short  diH 

of  those  days,  and  in  a  l« 
:en  hold  of  by  the  MicWsM 
■ted  in  the  most  HiibstantiH 
.■nues  of  trade  to  the  city- 1 
and  the  expectations  of  IM I 


store.  A  small  platform  readied  from  the  rear  of  tho  offico  to  tho 
track,  without  any  roof,  and  as  much  unprotected  from  tho  wiather 
as  are  at  this  day  all  the  stations  on  tho  Hudson  River  Itaihoud,  in- 
cluding Albany. 

For  the  first  year,  tho  track  terminated  at  Monroe  street,  at  tho 
licad  of  Water  street,  crossing  the  bloek  from  about  tho  corner  of 
John  Mullmny's  store  to  tho  rear  of  Itoft"  &  Co.'s.  During  18;j7, 
tho  track  was  extended  along  what  is  now  Water  street,  to  tlie  foot 
of  Lagiango  street,  over  tho  water  tho  whole  way,  piles  being  driv- 
en to  support  it, — tho  line  varying  from  50  to  'JOO  feet  from  tho  then 
line  of  shore.     Water  street  was  not  filled  in  till  184;}. 

In  1842,  the  Toledo  House  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  ano- 
ther story,  with  great,  awkward,  wooden  columns  put  up  in  front, 
but  considered  very  grand,  and  its  name  ehanged  to  that  of  tho 
"Indiana  House,''  and  was  for  some  years,  under  its  new  name,  kept 
by  liobert  N.  Lawton,  who  had  previously  had  charge  of  the  Amer« 
ican.  The  completion  of  tho  Erie  and  Wabash,  and  the  Miami 
canals,  had  drawn  much  of  the  travel  and  business  towards  tho 
mouth  of  Swan  creek,  making  the  Indiana  House  tlio  better  loca- 
tion. Much  of  the  travel  bL'tween  Now  York,  and  Cincinnati,  and 
St.  Louis,  was  by  lake  from  Buftalo,  and  thence  by  canal  packet 
bout  from  Toledo.  The  "  packet  dock,"  still  retaining  tho  name  in 
front  of  the  present  St.  Charles  Hotel,  was  then  a  very  lively  busi- 
ness spot.  Packet  lines  started  from  this  dock  on  both  canals,  gen- 
erally crowded  with  passengers,  there  being  no  competing  lines  of 
railroad  on  either  side.  The  packets  bad  for  agent  at  Toledo,  Wil- 
liam J.  Finlay,  who  there  began  his  business  career. 

The  opposite  bank  of  Swan  creek  terminated  in  high  bluff,  not  far 
from  the  artesian  well  on  Ottawa  street.  No  improvement  had  then 
been  made  on  that  side,  the  trees  extending  to  the  edge  of  the  bank. 
Possibly  some  of  the  ladies  of  Toledo  who,  when  children,  attended 
Miss  Alice  Jenks'  school,  may  remember  a  May-day  ])ic-nic,  given 
to  the  scholars  on  the  Ist  of  May,  1841.  It  was  held  in  the  woods, 
out  of  sight  and  hearing  of  the  town,  in  a  secluded  spot,  a  few  rods 
beyond  the  present  Oliver  House. 

A  small  fi'ame  house  was  standing  on  the  point  near  the  site  of 
the  Wabash  Railroad  Car  Shops.  This  belonged  to  John  I'aldwin, 
nnd  was  the  only  dwelling  on  the  .shore  between  Swan  creek  and 
John  and  George  Knaggs. 

What  is  now  known  as  the  '' jMiddle-Ground,"'  was  a  wild  rico 
swamp,  commencing  about  op])OKite  the  foot  of  Monroe  street.  Tho 
lower  end  was  under  water  during  the  fore  part  of  the  season,  till 
the  long  grass  began  to  show  itself,  becoming  quite  thick  by  autumn. 
It  became  shoaler  till  near  tho  Cleveland  r;dlroad  bridge,  where 
there  was  land  barely  above  water,  and  a  little  further  south  were 
two  fishing  stations,  used  in  the  sjiring  and  autumn.  But  wiiat  soil 
there  was  above  water,  was  too  low  and  wet  for  any  attempt  at 
cultivation.    Even  then  it  was  foreseen,  by  some  of  the  residents  of 


554      Idicas  Co. — Recollections  of  Richard  Mott. 


Toledo,  that  this  middle-ground  would  prove  to  be  the  right  placo 
for  railroad  purposes;  but  even  the  sanguine  expectations  ot  that 
day  of  wild  speculation,  did  not  anticipate  the  present  business  im- 
poitance  of  the  location.  Even  later,  when  it  was  brought  before 
the  managers  of  the  Michigan  Southern  Kailroad,  there  was  strong 
opposition  to  the  plan  before  its  adoption.  It  was  feared  that  the 
expense  would  be  too  great,  and  it  was  confidently  urged  that  the 
whole  could  never  be  wanted. 

In  1837,  Andrew  Palmer  &  Co.  put  up  a  warehouse,  some  120 
feet  northeast  from  Monroe  street,  and  carried  on  forwarding  busi- 
ness ill  it  for  some  years,  the  firm  being  a  part  of  the  time  Palmer, 
Bush  &  Co.  This  warehouse  passed  into  other  hands,  and  was 
burned  in  1853.  Andrew  Palmer  left  Toledo  in  1845,  for  Wiscon- 
sin, where  he  is  still  living.  Peter  Palmer  is  in  Lockport,  and  the 
other  partner,  William  H.  Bush,  returned  to  New  York. 

Two  other  and  larger  warehouses  were  put  up  in  1838.  each  of 
them  having  three  stories.  One  in  the  rear  of  B.  Meilink's  furni- 
ture store, — this  was  burned  in  1840,  The  other,  th(  n  belonging  to 
Hczekiah  D.  Mason,  is  known  as  the  Godard  warehouse,  and  now 
belonging  to  Young  &  Backus. 

In  1840,  the  old  red  warehouse  was  built  at  the  corner  of  Monroe 
and  Water  street,  originally  40  feet  front,  but  another  40  feet  were 
added  in  1842, — the  whole  still  standing.  The  Daniels  warehouse, 
at  the  foot  of  ^'eftlrson  street,  dates  from  1843. 

The  four  stores  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Summit  and  Monroe 
streets,  are  the  oldest  substantial  brick  structures  on  either  of  the 
two  streets.  They  were  begun  in  1842,  and  finished  during  the 
next  year.  The  bluft'at  this  place  was  20  feet  high,  and  had  to  be 
dug  awiiy  to  make  room  for  the  block.  It  is  said  there  was  a  small 
military  post  [Fort  Industry]  on  this  bluff, — a  block  house, — proba- 
bly iis  far  back  as  the  lime  when  the  British  government  held  pos- 
session on  the  river,  which  they  did  as  late  as  17  6.  Soon  after  the 
digging  was  commenced,  two  skeletons  M'ere  found,  Avhich,  from 
remnants  of  shoes  and  buttons,  were  supposed  to  have  been  soldiers 
belonging  to  the  little  garrison. 

In  the  spring  of  1814,  the  corner  store  was  opened  by  A.  Ralston 
&  Co.  (Alex.  Ralston  and  and  Solomon  Linsley),  as  a  drug  store. 
Kalston  did  not  remain  long,  when  tlie  firm  became  S.  Linsley  & 
Co.,  which  firm  was  succeeded  by  West  &  Van  Stone,  the  present 
occupants, — the  stand  having  been  used  in  one  line,  for  the  same 
business,  during  the  same  pt-riod.  Where  Smith  ifc  Simmons  now 
are,  was  leased  by  Charles  O'Hara  for  a  wholesale  grocery.  After- 
wards, it  was  taken  by  V.  H,  Ketcham  &  Co.  for  their  busme&s, 
which  was  continued  thfre  for  some  years  by  their  successors,  Secor 
&  Berdan.  The  Poag  block  on  the  corner  of  Madison  street,  was 
put  up  in  1849;  and  the  Deuel  block  about  the  same  time. 

As  early  as  18:52,  attention  was  turned  towards  the  place  where 
the  Wftbash  and  Krie  Caual  and  the  Miami  Canal,  would  probably 


\Iott 


lAicas  Co. — Recollections  of  Hichavd  Mott.       555 


le  right  plaov^ 
at  ions  ot  that 
t  busineps  im- 
rought  bffore 
re  was  strong 
sared  that  the 
urged  that  the 

)UBe>  some  120 
rwarding  busi- 
e  time  Palmer, 
ands,  and  was 
tr>,  for  Wiscon- 
jkport,  and  the 
ork. 

1  1838, each  of 
Meiliiik's  furni- 
( n  belonging  to 
house,  and  now 

)rner  of  Monroe 
er  40  feet  were 
niels  warehouse, 


lit  and  Monroe 
jn  either  of  the 
ihed  during  the 
,  and  had  to  ho 
jere  was  a  small 
:  house, — proba- 
ament  held  pos- 
8oon  alter  the 
nd,  which,  from 
ivo  been  soldiers 

jd  by  A.  Ealston 
as  a  Orug  store, 
ue  S.  Linslcy  & 
one,  the  present 
no,  for  the  same 
fc  Simmons  now 
grocery.  Atttr- 
T  their  busmess, 
successors,  Secor 
dison  street,  was 
ae  time. 

tlio  place  where 
would  probably 


ir 


enter  Lake  Erie,  or  the  Maumee  river.  Not  long  afterwards,  some 
of  the  more  enterprising  men  of  Buffalo,  who  were  engaged  in  the 
forwarding  business  on  the  Erie  canal,  and  owning  large  vessel  and 
steamboat  interests  on  the  Like,  looking  to  the  further  extension  of 
their  business,  became  interested  near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  where 
is  now  Manhattan.  Among  these  parties  who  had  planned  to  make 
Manhattan  the  business  point,  was  Isaac  S.  Smith,  of  the  then  firm 
of  Smith  &  Macy,  of  Buifalo.  He  had  never  seen  the  proposed 
location,  till,  in  the  year  1834,  he  came  up  to  look  at  the  prospects 
generally,  and  then,  for  the  first  time,  visited  the  rival  sites,  from 
Maumee  to  Manhattan.  He  was  not  long  in  perceiving  the  gener- 
ally superior  advantages  of  Vistula  and  Port  Lawrence,  and  advised 
his  associates  to  look  to  these  places  as  the  more  advisable  for  their 
purposes.  Under  his  advice,  Smith  &  Macy,  and  Pratt  &  Taylor, 
agreed  to  join  in  the  purchase  of  property  ihere.  Henry  W.  Hicks, 
of  New  York,  also,  was  joined  with  them  equally  in  the  project. — 
Smith,  acting  for  the  others,  sought  out  Edward  Bissell,  whose  saga- 
city at  once  grasped  the  advantages  of  having  such  parties  for  coad- 
jutors. They  arranged  for  a  purchase  from  Oliver  &  Williams  of  a 
large  interest  in  the  Port  Lawrence  tracts,  also,  and  then  it  was 
agreed  to  unite  the  two  opposition  villages  of  Vistula  and  Port 
Lawrence,  as  one  town,  under  the  name  of  Toledo.  From  this 
time  the  growth  of  the  place  Avas  encouraging.  It  was  then  all  a 
forest,  from  near  Locust  street  to  Jtfierson  street— the  original  set- 
tlements having  been  on  and  near  Lagrange  street,  in  Vistula,  and 
about  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  in  Port  Lawrence.  These  woods 
'.vera  cut  away,  opening  the  space  between  the  two  places.  The 
next  year,  1835,  the  forest  was  cut  on  the  low  ground,  back  of  Port 
Lawrence,  and  along  the  sides  of  Mud  creek.  This  low  ground  was 
apparently  a .  swamp,  difficult  to  reclaim ;  and  it  remained  much 
in  that  condition  till  1840,  when  a  partially  successful  attempt  was 
made  to  drain  it  by  a  sewer  along  the  line  of  Oak  street,  where  is 
the  present  enlarged  sewer. 

Mr.  Ilicks  had  active  capital,  and  it  was  used  freely  in  buildings, 
and  various  improvements,  and  in  giving  a  start  generally.  The 
project  of  the  railroad  to  Adrian,  received  a  new  impetus,  and  was 
pushed  ahead  rapidly.  The  steamboats  on  the  lakes,  owned  and 
controlled  by  the  two  Buifalo  firms— Smith  &  Macy,  and  Pratt  & 
Taylor— commenced  to  stop  on  the  way  to  Detroit,  that  being  as 
far  as  they  were  regularly  run.  Ai\  occasional  trip,  however,  would 
be  made  to  Green  Bay  and  Chicago— once,  pc^li.ips,  by  each  boat 
(luring  the  season.  ThesG  boats,  on  their  returns  from  the  *'  Upper 
Lakes,"' — as  Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan  were  called, — wore  always 
decked  out  with  evergreens,  tied  to  flag-staff,  mast  liead,  and  boM'- 
sprit,  as  an  indication  of  the  far  oft"  regions  they  had  visited. 

Notwithstanding  the  adhesinn  of  these  firms  to  Toledo,  there  was 
i>tiU  a  strong  Buft'alo  interest,  backed  by  capital,  that  favored  Mau' 
hattan,  and  considerable  improvement  was  made  thgre,  in  building, 


556      Lucas  Co. — Mecolleciions  of  Richard  Molt. 


wharfing,  etc.  This  influence  was  kept  up  for  some  years  for  Man- 
hattan, and  did  not  fully  die  out  till  1844,  or  1845.  One  of  the 
Toledo  forwarders  (M.  L.  Collins,)  wa3  given  the  use  of  a  large 
■warehouse  in  Manhattan,  rent  free, — this  was  in  1843, — and  several 
canal  boats  were  sent  up  from  the  Erie  canal,  to  form  a  line  for  him 
to  run  there.  These  boats  made  one  trip  from  Manhattan  to  Lafay- 
ette and  back.  Their  second  trip  was  from  Manhattan  and  back  to 
Toledo.  They  then  went  by  river  to  Manhattan,  for  the  third  start. 
After  that,  Mr.  Collins  quit  his  free-rent  warehouse,  and  returned  to 
Toledo,  with  his  entire  line. 

It  was  not  till  June,  1836,  after  the  boundary-line  dispute  between 
Ohio  and  Michigan  had  been  settled  by  Congress  in  favor  of  the  for- 
mer, by  which  it  acquired  the  strip  of  land  including  Toledo  and 
Manhattan,  that  Ohio  went  energetically  at  work  with  her  canals 
— the  Indiana  portion  being  then  nearly  finished.  Then  came 
the  struggle  for  its  terminus  on  the  river.  Maumee  City  and  Per- 
rysburg,  being  settlements  counting  over  twenty  years'  existence, 
liad  confidently  claimed  the  terminus  as  the  proper  and  natural  one, 
being  at  the  head  of  navigation.  Manhattan  urged,  in  favor  of  its 
location,  nearness  to  the  lake,  and  consequently  more  ready  acces- 
isibility  for  sailing  ves.sels,  which  would  not  be  liable  to  the  tedious 
•delays  from  head  winds  in  the  narrow  channel  of  the  river,  to  tho 
towns  above  it.  At  this  time,  most  of  the  freight  was  carried  in 
sailing  vessels  of  GO  to  120  tons,  and  tugs  were  unknown  and  un- 
thought  of;  so  that  it  would  often  take  as  much  or  more  time  for 
sailing  vessels,  with  head  winds,  or  none  at  all,  to  get  from  or  to  the 
mouth  of  tl)e  river  to  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  as  for  the  voyage  to 
Buffalo.  Toledo  held  that  her  better  harbor,  deeper  water, — near- 
ness enough  to  the  lake  to  be  reached  by  sailing  craft,  even  with 
head  wind,  at  any  time?, — placed  her  ahead  of  Manhattan,  as  did  tho 
rock  bar  near  Maumee,  and  tho  general  shoaling  of  the  river,  in 
that  direction,  place  her  ahead  of  the  latter  place,  and  of  Perrys- 
burg. 

Another  town  was  started,  in  the  early  part  of  183G,  intented  to 
obviate  the  rock  bar  difficulty.  This  was  Marengo,  located  some 
three  miles  below  l\Iaumee  and  Perrysburg,  and  below  the  bar.  A 
steam  saw  mill  was  built— streets  laid  out — on  paper  chiefly — and 
some  houses  and  stores  put  up,  and  a  claim  boldly  made  for  the 
l)lace  as  combining  all  the  advantages  of  the  other  villages.  Con- 
siderable property  changed  owners  hero,  on  a  sort  of  lottery  ven- 
ture. Many  residents  of  Mauni'  e  and  Toledo,  are  at  this  day  hardly 
aware  that  such  a  place  as  Marengo  ever  existed  on  the  river;  and 
except  by  a  few  of  the  older  ones,  its  once  location  could  not  bo 
found, — there  being  now  no  sign  of  town  or  village,  where  its  site 
was. 

As  an  offset  to  Marengo,  Stephen  B.  Conistock,  although  largely 
interested  in  the  Port  Lawrence  portion  of  Toledo,  immediately 
made  a  paper  oil:  on  river  tracts  Iri  and  1:3,  near  tlie  mouth  of  Del- 


Mott. 


years  for  Man- 
>.  One  of  the 
use  of  a  large 
3, — and  several 
XI  a  line  for  him 
lattan  to  Lafay- 
;an  and  back  to 
•  the  third  start, 
and  returned  to 

dispute  between 
favor  of  the  for- 
ing  Toledo  and 
wiih  her  canals 
d.     Then  came 
.  City  and  Per- 
years'  existence, 
and  natural  one, 
I,  in  favor  of  its 
ore  ready  acces- 
e  to  the  tedious 
the  river,  to  the 
t  was  carried  in 
nknown  and  un- 
r  more  time  for 
;et  from  or  to  the 
r  the  voyage  to 
)cr  water,— near- 
craft,  even  with 
hattan,  as  did  tho 
t  of  the  river,  in 
\,  and  of  Perrys- 

183G,  intented  to 
iq;o,  located  some 
clow  the  bar.  A 
iper  chiefly— and 
lly  made  for  the 
3r  villages.  Con- 
it  of  lottery  ven- 
at  this  day  hardly 
m  the  river;  and 
ion  could  not  bo 
T(.^  where  its  site 


,  although  largely 

^ledo,  immediately 

Ll'.e  mouth  of  Del- 


Lucas  Co. — liecollections  of  Richard  Mott.      557 


aware  creek,  and  some  three  miles  up  the  river  from  Toledo,  having 
all  the  public  squares,  market  places,  railroad  depots  etc.,  so  easily 
made  on  maps.  Drawing  from  the  same  line  of  history,  the  name 
of  Austerlitz  was  bestowed  upon  the  paper  town.  Strange  as  it 
may  seem,  there  Avas  a  readiness  to  invest  even  in  Austerlitz  lots,  then 
covered  by  a  dense  forest,  and  as  bare  now  of  any  city  indications 
as  is  Marengo. 

On  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  Isaac  Street  had  a  town  under 
way.  Here  too  was  a  saw  mill  in  operation,  bossed  by  Frederick 
Prentice, — a  store,  a  tavern,  and  several  dwellings,  so  that  the  place 
had  the  appearance  of  quite  a  flourishing  new  settlement.  Friend 
Street  called  his  town  Oregon.  He  favored  the  bringing  of  the 
canal  in  on  the  bayou,  near  the  Michigan  Southern  Railroad  round- 
house, and  having  this  bayou  for  the  canal  basin,  and  then  making 
a  cut  from  it  to  the  river  about  where  Mitchell  &  Rowland's  saw 
mill  now  is.  Street  was  patient  and  persevering,  and  held  to  the 
faith  that  his  town  would  be  a  success,  till  about  1840.  There  re- 
main as  few  signs  of  its  location  as  at  either  Marengo  or  Austerlitz. . 
Its  site  is  now  occupied  by  the  Prentice  nursery. 

Many  people  were  drawn  into  these  wild  projects,  who  should  have 
have  been  sagacious  enough  to  have  kept  clear  of  them.  There  seemed 
to  prevail  an  epidemic  for  buying  town  lots,  that  attacked  many  at 
the  sight  of  a  handsomely  lithographed  map,  that  was,  incurably, 
proof  against  every  remedy  other  than  inevitable  experience. 

One  of  tho  objections  operating  strongly  against  Manhattan,  was 
the  fact  that  the  channel  of  the  river  ran  along  near  the  opposite 
bank.  So,  to  obviate  this  objection  some  of  the  believers  in  the 
theory  that  great  cities,  like  New  York,  grew  up  near  the  entrance 
of  rivers,  made  a  map  of  Lucas  City,  supposed  to  have  stood 
where  the  Manhattan  Iron  Works  now  are, — the  said  map  being 
the  only  existence  it  ever  knew.  Yet,  here,  too,  many  lots  were 
sold,  the  purchasers  doubtless  indulging  in  the  Micawber-like  hope 
that  something  might  turn  up  from  them. 

In  the  struggle  between  the  rival  towns,  it  became  necessary  for 
Toledo  and  Manhattan  to  make  a  common  cause,  to  prevent  the 
stopping  of  the  canal  at  Maumec.  Some  of  the  present  citizens  of 
Toledo  had  originally  cast  their  fortunes  at  Maumee, — among  them, 
General  John  E.  Hunt,  Jesup  W.  Scott,  Samuel  M.  Young,  Morri- 
son R.  Waito,  and  others.  It  is  easy  to  understand  how  powerful 
were  the  influences  which  men  of  so  much  ability  and  energy  could 
bring  to  bear  in  favor  of  their  own  location.  Notwithstanding  this 
formidable  array  for  ending  the  canal  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  the 
down-river  parties  prevailed,  ending  in  a  sort  of  triple  compromise, 
locking  the  water  in  at  all  three  of  the  places — Maumee,  Toledo, 
!ind  Manhattan,  and  bringing  it  to  the  two  latter,  on  what  was 
called  the  high  level,  that  they  could  have  the  advantage  of  the  wa- 
ter power  for  milling  and  manufacturing  purposes.  By  this  plan, 
the  nominal  terminus  of  the  canal  was  at  Manhattan,  locking  into  the 


558      Lucas  Co. — Recollections  of  Richard  Matt. 


river  by  side  cuts  at  Maumee  City,  and  at  Toledo.  The  Toledo  men 
were  rather  satisfied  at  this  arrangement,believing  that  the  superiority 
of  their  location  would  eventually  absorb  the  whole  business,  and 
their  faith  in  this  respect  has  been  fully  justified,  by  the  working 
result. 

It  was  believed  by  many  at  the  time,  that  monpy  was  used  by  the 
down-river  parties,  in  this  matter, — that  "  ring,"  perhaps,  bringing 
to  bear  more  potent  arguments  than  the  up-river  "ring"  produced; 
but  this  may  be  placed  in  the  category  of  the  many  charges  of  Brit- 
ish gold  as  having  been  used  by  successful  political  parties,  often 
made  after  election,  by  the  defeated. 


[From  memoranda  relating  to  former  political  parties,  and  con- 
flicts, the  following  are  selected :] 

It  was  during  Mr.  Edgerton's  2d  term  in  congress,  that  the  Kansas- 
-  Nebraska  bill, — rescinding  the  Missouri  Compromise,  was  passed,  he, 
with  several  other  sagacious  democratic  members,  uniting  in  determin- 
ed opposition  to  the  measure.    They  foresaw  the  probably  disastrous 
effect  it  could  not  but  have  on  their  party.    The  party,  nevertheless, 
adopting  it  as  a  party  measure,  Edgerton  was  not  re-nominated  in  '54. 
He,  however,  would  not  permit  his  name  to  be  used  as  a  candidate  be- 
fore a  mass  convention,  called  at  Defiance  in  Sept.,  18.54,  by  the  free- 
sellers  and  opponents  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  although  urged 
to  do  so;  but,  like  Potter,  remained  faithful  to  his  political  organi- 
zation.   The  Defiance  mass  convention,  in  1854,  put  in  nomination 
Richard  Mott,  of  Toledo,  who,  greatly  to  his  own  surprise,  as  well 
as  that  of  the  convention,  was  elected.    This  convention  had  been 
called  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  whatever  free  soil  strength  there 
might  be  found  to  exist  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  btate,  and 
with  little  or  no  expectation  of  overcoming  the  previously  great  dem- 
ocratic majority  in  the  district.    The  Toledo  Blade,  then  owned  and 
edited  by  Joseph  R.  Williams,  was  greatly  instrumental  in  bringing 
about  the  revolution  that  gave  the  republicans  the  ascendancy  iu 
the  district,  which  is  still  maintained.    The  plan  ot  spreading  repub- 
lican or  free  soil  speeches  made  in  Congress,  was  also  actively  kept 
up  under  the  frank  of  the  member  who,  in  this  way,  flooded  the 
district  with  the  fullest  information  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and 
thus  aided  in  keeping  unimpaired  the  republican  ascendancy.    As 
has  been  said,  the  Blade,  under  the  management  of  its  able  editor, 
was  an  early  and  earnest  advocate  of  free  soil  principles,  and  an  effi- 
cient opponent  to  the  slave  power,  as  then  known  and  felt.     Wil- 
liams' fearless  course  soon  gained  for  the  paper  its  character  as  a 
leading  exponent  of  radically  liberal  principles,  and  it  became  a 
power  in  the  northwest. 

Edgerton's  refusal  to  bolt,  in  1854,  and  his  adherence  to  his  party, 
were  mainly  the  causes  that  procured  for  him  the  nomination  iu 
1856.    The  republican  ideas  had,  however,  by  that  time  become 


d  Mott. 

The  Toledo  men 
at  the  superiority 
olo  business,  and 
,  by  the  working 

•  was  used  by  the 
perhaps,  bringing 
'ring"  produced; 
y  charges  of  Brit- 
ical  parties,  often 


m 


parties,  and  con- 

5,  that  the  Kansas- 
se,  was  passed,  he, 
niting  in  determin- 
robably  disastrous 
arty,  nevertheless, 
;-nominated  in  '54. 
as  a  candidate  be- 
,  1854,  by  the  free- 
il,  although  urged 
s  political  organi- 
put  in  nomination 
1  surprise,  as  well 
ivention  had  been 
loil  strength  there 
,  of  the  btate,  and 
iviously  great  dera- 
te, then  owned  and 
mental  in  bringing 
the  ascendancy  in 
A  spreading  repub- 
also  actively  kept 
8  way,  flooded  the 
3ct  of  slavery,  and 
1  ascendancy.    As 
of  its  able  editor, 
nciples,  and  an  effi- 
irn  and  felt.     Wil- 
its  character  as  a 
3,  and  it  became  a 

erence  to  his  party, 

the  nomination  in 

that  time  become 


Lucas  County — Willard  J.  Daniels. 


559 


> 


much  more  prevalent,  and  even  he  who  had  so  resolutely  opposed, 
throughout,  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Cdmpriniise,  popular  and 
able  as  he  was,  could  not  succeed  as  the  randidate  of  the  party 
which  had  repealed  it.  From  that  period,  the  district  has  rightly 
been  counted  upon  as  sure  for  the  republicans,  and  of  the  most  rad- 
ical stripe. 

In  1858,  James  M.  Ashley  was  nominated  and  elected,  and  re-elec- 
ted for  each  term,  till  1808,  and  the  loss  of  his  election  that  ytar 
was  owing  to  other  than  causes  indicating  a  falling  oflF  in  the  repub- 
lican strength,  as  was  shown  by  the  result  of  the  election  in  1870. 

At  the  earlier  city  elections  in  Toledo,  party  lines  were  not  much 
regarded,  till,  in  1840,  the  whgs  called  a  convention  as  such,  and 
put  up  Myron  II.  Tilden  as  candidate  for  Mayor.  Immediatfjopposi- 
tioi  waft  made  to  the  movement,  and  another  convention  was 
called  to  select  a  candidate,  without  reference  to  politics,  which  nom- 
inated James  M.  Whitney,  also  a  Whig,  as  the  citizens'  candidate, 
the  democrats  voting  for  him  en  masse,  and  some  Whigs ;  but  Til- 
den was  elected  by  four  votes.  From  that  time,  the  city  officers  have 
been  generally  selected  as  party  candidates,  with  fluctuating  success, 
the  Whigs  generally  holdmg  the  ascendancy,  till  1845.  From  that 
time,  the  democrats,  with  occasional  defeats,  were  most  of  the  time 
in  power,  till  IfsOl.  Th'o  republican  success  since  then,  in  the  city, 
is  much  indebted  to  the  German  population,  a  large  portion  of 
whom  seem  to  have  attached  themselves  to  the  party  as  upholding 
advanced  and  radical  views,  in  sympathy  with  their  own. 


WILLARU  J.  DANIELS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Addison  County,  Ver- 
mont, iu  May,  1813,  and  first  visited  Toledo  in  the  autumn  of  1832, 
When  he  came  to  the  place,  he  was  in  his  19th  year.  He  entered 
into  the  mercantile  business  with  his  brother,  the  late  Munson  H. 
Daniels,  in  a  store  on  the  corner  of  Summit  and  Lagrange  streets. 
In  the  following  year  (1833),  he  purchased  of  S.  B.  Coir.stock,  agent 
of  the  Port  Lawrence  company,  the  east  26^  feet  of  Lot  No.  10,  in 
the  Port  Lawrence  Division,  for  which  he  paid  twenty-five  dollars 
in  goods— this  being  the  first  real  estate  purchase  he  ever  made.  On 
this  lot  he  erected  a  store.  At  the  same  time  he  purchased  Lot  19 
for  fifty  dollars ;  also,  GO  feet  on  Summit,  and  100  feet  in  the  rear  of 
dock  front  on  the  river  (the  former  being  the  lot  recently  occupied 
by  Bionson  &  Mestinger,  lor  their  tobacco  store)  for  seventy  five 
dollars;  also,  about  the  same  time.  Lot  44,  corner  of  Monroe  and 
St.  Clair  streets,  for  fifty  dollars,  and  many  other  lots,  in  the  Port 
Lawrence  Division,  at  proportionate  rates.  His  aim,  in  real  estate 
purchases,  was  to  get  as  near  the  mouth  of  Swan  creek  as  possible. 
In  1836,  in  company  witli  his  brother,  R.  C.  Daniels,  they  erected  a 


500 


Lucas  County —  Willard  J.  Daniels. 


three-story  brick  store  on  lot  twelve,  corner  of  Snmmit  and  Monroe 
streets — the  ground  now  being  occupied  by  Lenk's  block. 

Willard  J.  and  Munson  H.  Daniels  erected  the  lirst  wooden  store, 
adjoining  the  Toledo  House.  They  paid  $25  for  the  lot,  No.  10  oC 
20  feet  front,  which  would  now  sell  readily  for  820,500. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  V^istula  and  Port  Lawrence  interests,  here- 
tofore referred  to,  called  lor  the  purpose  of  consolidating  the  inter 
ests  of  the  two  towns,  the  question  of  a  name  for  the  places  thus  to 
be  united,  was  a  subject  of  debate.  Several  names  were  proposed, 
when  finally  Mr.  Daniels  suggested  that  of  "Toledo," — having  de- 
rived some  knowledge  from  historical  reading  of  this  old  capital  of 
Spain.  There  then  being  no  city  or  town  having  this  name  upon 
this  continent,  was  one  of  the  strongest  reasons  for  its  adoption; 
and  here  it  may  be  proper  to  insert  the  folloM'ing  from  Appleton's 
CyclopcTdia,  Vol.  XV.: 

"  Toledo  was  the  ancient  capital  of  Spain.  It  stands  upon  a  rocky 
height,  upon  three  sides  of  which  the  river  flows  in  a  deep  and  nar- 
row channel,  crossed  by  two  stone  bridges  about  one  hundred  feet 
in  height,  one  of  which  was  built  by  the  Moors.  The  surrounding 
country  is  undulating,  and  generally  barren,  and  the  heat  in  summer 
is  very  great.  The  appearance  of  the  city  is  remarkably  pictur- 
esque. The  cathedral,  founded  in  1258,  stands  in  the  centre  of  the 
town,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  Spain.  It  is  of  the  purest  Gothic 
style,  404  feet  long,  and  204  feet  wide,  with  a  spire  324  feet  high. 
The  palace  of  the  Archbishop  (who  is  the  Primate  of  Spain,)  adjoins 
the  cathedral,  and  contains  a  library  very  rich  in  ancient  manu- 
scripts. The  Alcazar,  or  royal  palace,  is  in  a  very  dilapidated  state. 
The  principal  manufactures  are  woollen  and  silk  goods,  oil,  leather, 
and  the  sword  blades  for  which  the  town  is  so  famous.  The  swords 
of  Toledo  attained  great  celebrity  in  the  time  of  the  Moors.  Ac- 
cording to  tradition,  Toledo  was  founded  by  Jewish  colonists,  in  the 
sixth  century  B.  C,  and  called  Toledom,  'mother  of  people.'  It  was 
taken  by  the  Romans  in  192  B.  C,  and  some  portion  of  the  walls, 
and  an  ampitheatre,  erected  by  them,  still  remain.  It  was  taken  by 
the  Goths  in  A.  D.  407,  and  made  the  capital  of  Spain  in  567.  The 
Moors  captured  it  in  711,  and  under  them  it  made  great  advances. 
Allbnse  VI.,  of  Castile,  and  Leon,  wrested  it  from  the  Moors,  after 
a  terrible  siege,  in  1085,  when  it  was  again  made  the  capital  of  the 
Christian  kings,  and,  at  one  time,  had  a  population  of  200,000.  It 
afterward  suffered  many  sieges,  which,  together  with  the  removal  of 
the  Court  to  Madrid,  have  been  the  chief  causes  of  its  decline." 

In  the  summer  of  1834,  Mr.  Daniels  erected  a  warehouse  on  the 
100  feet  dock  purchase  above  mentioned,  and  in  1835-30,  erected 
the  Palmyra  Mills,  near  Adrian,  Michigan.  In  1836,  during  the 
Presidential  contest  between  Van  Buren  and  Harrison,  Mr.  Daniels 
and  Judge  Potter  were  joint  proprietors  of  the  Toledo  Blade,  and 
their  money  saved  the  paper  from  suspension,  and  continued  it  for 
several  months,  in  the  local  interests  of  the  place.  Subsequently  the 


iels. 


mit  and  Monroe 
block. 

st  wooden  store, 
lie  lot,  No.  10  ol' 
500. 

;e  interests,  hero- 
dating  the  inter 
he  places  thns  to 
i  were  proposed, 
Jo," — having  do- 
lis  old  capital  of 

this  name  upon 
for  its  adoption ; 

trom  Appleton's 

inds  upon  a  rocky 
1  a  deep  and  nar- 
>ne  hundred  feet 
rhe  surrounding 
e  heat  in  summer 
markably  pictur- 
the  centre  of  the 
he  purest  Gothic 
re  324  feet  high. 
of  Spain,)  adjoins 
in  ancient  maiiu- 

dilapidated  state. 
^oods,  oil,  leather, 
ous.    The  swords 

the  Moors.  Ac- 
3li  colonists,  in  the 
)f  people.'  It  was 
■tion  of  the  walls, 
It  was  taken  by 
pain  in  567.  The 
e  great  advances. 
1  the  Moors,  after 

the  capital  of  the 
on  of  200,000.  It 
'ith  the  removal  of 
of  its  decline." 
warehouse  on  the 
1  1835-36,  erected 
L  1836,  during  the 
•rison,  Mr.  Daniels 
Toledo  Blade,  m^ 
\  continued  it  for 
,  Subsequently  the 


^^^^^^^^^//^^z-t^ 


Lucas  County — Frederick  Prentice. 


561 


ostablishtnent  passed  into  tho  hands  of  Fairbanks  &  Willard,  two 
young  printers  from  Detroit.  Fairbanks  has  been,  during  many 
years,  one  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  Cleveland  Herald. 

The  llrst  school  house  in  Toledo  was  built  in  18;54,  at  the  expense 
of  Willard  J.  Daniels,  Stephen  B.  Comstock,  and  Stephen  Bartlett. 
It  yet  stands  on  tho  ground  near  the  African  church.  Tho  first 
school  teacher  was  Mrs.  Muuson  H.  Daniels.  Iler  maiden  name  was 
Harriett  Wright,  and  she  was  a  niece  of  Silas  Wright,  of  New  York. 
The  first  Court  of  Lucas  county  was  held  in  this  school  building. 

In  January,  1838,  Mr.  Daniels  married  Miss  Caroline  Walbridge, 
of  Toledo,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1849;  and  in  December,  1855, 
(having,  in  the  meantime,  in  the  fall  of  1853,  removed  to  Lockport, 
New  York,)  married,  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  Miss  Isadore  E. 
Hopkins. 

As  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  a  director  of  tho  Erie  &  Kala- 
mazoo Railroad,  and  in  all  the  public  schemes  that  affected  the  in- 
terests of  Toledo,  Mr.  Daniels  has  taken  a  prominent  part.  He  yet 
holds  large  real  estate  interests  in  Toledo,  and  in  Lockport,  New 
York,  the  city  of  his  present  residence.  Although,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-nine,  his  mental  and  bodily  vigor  exhibit  no  signs  of  decay,  and 
he  appears  as  ready  to  engage  in  private  or  public  enterprise  as 
when  he  commenced  his  business  career  in  Toledo  forty  years  ago. 


FREDERICK   PRENTICE. 


\    t^%' 


Joseph  Prentice  and  family  removed  f/om  Brooklyn,  New  York,  to 
Ashtabula,  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  probably  in  1814,  and  remained 
hfere  a  short  time ;  and  from  thence  to  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek — 
making  the  trip  from  Ashtabula  to  the  Maumee  with  sledges  on  the 
ice;  stopping  at  nights  at  Indian  towns,  as  there  were  then  few 
white  settlements  on  the  shore,  between  the  two  points. 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  Mr.  Prentice  connected  himself  with  the 
Cincinnati  Company,  composed  of  Major  Oliver,  Micajah  T.  Wil- 
Hams,  and  others,  the  original  proprietors  of  the  old  "upper  town," 
and  took  charge  of  their  building  arrangements.    He  erected  tho 
first  warehouse  [described  elsewhere  in  the  reminiscenceis  of  Richard 
MottJ,  also  the  tlrst  frame  dwelling  house  in  Toledo.    His  residence 
I  was  first  in  the  warehouse,  and  then  into  the  dwelling  above  men- 
tioned.   The  latter  building  was  only  a  few  rods  from  the  former, 
and  the  ground  is  now  occupied  by  the  block  embracing  the  num- 
bers 33,  35,  37,  and  39  Summit  street.    It  was  at  his  suggestion  that 
the  town  at  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek  was  named  Port  Lawrence,  in 
honor  of  the  gallant  naval  oflScer  who  bore  that  name;  and  here  it 
may  not  be  out  of  place  to  mention  that  Swan  Creek,  according  to 
jthe  statement  of  Mr.  Prentice,  was  so  named  by  the  Indians,  in  con- 
Isequence  of  the  numerous  swan  that,  every  spring  and  autumn, 
I  reveled  upon  its  bosom. 

85 


562 


Lucas  County- -Frederick  Prentice. 


Thr  precise  date  at  which  Mr.  Prentice  reached  Toledo  cannot,  by 
le.Mon  of  H  deHtru(;ti()n  by  tire  ui'  certain  maiiiiscripts,  be  given  ;  but 
i'  wa«  a  brief  period  subaequent  to  the  war  of  1812. 

Ii  was  in  the  first  frame  house  erected  in  Toledo,  above  referred 
to, that  Fie<i»ri( k  Prentice, on  the  fjth  of  Deceml»er,  1822,  was  born; 
tituig  the  first  white  child  born  in  Puit  Lawrence,  now  Toledo. 

In  his  Settlement  with  the  company,  Mr.  .Joseph  Prentice  selected 
ihe  HDUthuer^t  pnitioD  of  the  tract  on  the  eat  side  of  the  river,  to 
which  he  r*  moT<d  with  his  family  in  about  lti25,  and  where  they 
rt'Sidtd  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Mkj  6th,  1845,  at  the  age  of 
64y  ara;  that  day  being  also  the  anniversary  of  his  birth.  Mrs, 
Eeanor  Prentice,  his  widow,  remembered  by  the  old  society  of  the 
lower  portion  of  the  valley  as  a  most  estimable  and  exemplary  lady, 
survived  her  husband  about  ten  years. 

Ttiere  is  not,  probably,  in  the  Maumee  Valley,  a  gentleman  whose 
business  experience  has  been  attended  with  fluctuations  so  marked, 
and  yet  so  generally  successful,  as  that  which  has  characterized  the 
business  career  of  Frederick  Prentice.  During  his  boyhood,  there 
were  no  schools  nearer  than  the  river  Raisin,  or  Fort  Wayne  ;  and 
oonsequently  his  means  of  education,  other  than  the  instruction  im- 
parted by  his  mother,  were  very  limited.  At  the  age  of  thirteen 
years,  his  father  became  physically  infirm,  by  reason  of  a  sprain  iu 
the  back,  caused  by  a  fall ;  and  this  misfortune  imposed  upon  Frede- 
rick, mere  boy  that  he  was,  almost  the  entire  support  of  the  family; 
but  the  rough  life  he  had  led  made  him  more  of  a  man,  and  better 
fitted  for  the  responsibilities  he  had  assumed,  than  many  others  j 
whose  years  alone  indicated  manhood.  As  pork  was  $G0  per  barrel, 
flour  from  126  to  $30,  calico  from  60  to  75  cents  per  yard,  and  labor 
only  60  to  75  cents  per  day,  for  able-bodied  men,  the  self-impused 
task  of  supporting  his  parents  and  himself  by  days'  work,  seemed  | 
greater  than  even  nis  stout  heart  could  bear. 

Having  been,  from  infancy,  associated  with  Indians — an  Indian  | 
woman  having  been  his  nurse — he  had  acquired  even  a  better  knowl- 
edge of  their  language  than  of  the  Englisn.  He  therefore  addressed! 
himself  to  the  business  of  interpreter  for  Indian  agents  and  traders,! 
and  also  to  hunting  and  fishing ;  and  from  these  several  occupatiouil 
he  derived  sufiicient  means  to  maintain  his  family  in  comfortablel 
circumstances — receiving,  however,  the  efficient  aid,  as  Mr.  Prentioel 
says,  of  one  of  the  best  mothers,  house-keepers,  and  cooks,  that  everj 
blessed  a  son. 

As  good  a  hunting  ground  as  the  country  then  afibrded,  was  on  i 
around  the  place  now  within  the  city  plat  of  Toledo,  where  he  statesliej 
has  killed  many  a  ueer,  wild  turkey,  and  other  game.    The  neighbor-[ 
hood  where  now  stands  the  Oliver  House,  appeared  especially  to  be  a 
favorite  haunt  for  deer.    In  these  pursuits,  and  attending  scbool] 
winters,  he  continued,  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  18  yean 
when  he  engaged  in  the  business  of  supplying  the  Toledo  marked 
and  river  steamboats,  with  wood,  and  also  hewn  ship  timber  for  tM 


mtice. 


Toledo  cannot,  by 

ipts,  be  given  ;  bat 

12. 

•do,  above  referred 

»er,  18'22,  was  born; 

,  now  Toledo. 

h  Prentice  selected 

de  of  the  river,  to 

J6,  and  where  they 

1845,  at  the  age  of 
of  his  birth.  Mrs. 
}  old  society  of  the 
nd  exemplary  lady, 

a  gentleman  whose 
nations  so  marked, 
IS  characterized  the 

his  boyhood,  there 

Fort  Wayne ;  and 
,  the  instruction  im- 
the  age  of  thirteen 
sason  of  a  sprain  in 
imposed  upon  Frede- 
pport  of  the  family; 
f  a  man,  and  better 
,  than  many  others 
t  was  $60  per  barrel, 
;8  per  yard,  and  labor  I 
en,  the  self-imposed 

days'  work,  seemed 

Indians— an  Indian  | 
even  a  better  knowl- 
le  therefore  addressed 
n  agents  and  traders, 
se  several  occupationi 
amily  in  comfortablel 
t  aid,  as  Mr.  Prentioel 
1,  and  cooks,  that  ever] 

n  afforded,  was  on  I 
edo,  where  he  states hej 
jame.  The  neighbor! 
iared  especially  to  be  a 
and  attending  schooB 
the  age  of  18  ^m 
y  the  Toledo  markey 
m  ship  timber  for  tbj 


r/ 


Qy  O-f^T^^^P^Ly 


&,  5/^^^77^ 


Lucas  County — Gen.  John  E.  Hunt. 


563 


New  York  and  other  markets.  He  also  made  extensive  purchases 
of  wild  land,  taking  the  timber  off,  and  then  selling,  in  limited 
tracts,  to  actual  settlers, — a  policy  that  proved  not  only  advantageous 
to  purchasers,  but  hastened  the  development  of  the  region  on  the 
southeast  side  of  the  river,  embracing  a  district  of  six  or  seven  miles 
eastward  and  southward,  within  which  limit  more  than  one-half  the 
land  was,  originally,  or  is  now,  held  by  him ;  and  many,  on  that  side 
the  river  now  in  opulent  worldly  circumstances,  acknowledge  their 
indebtedness  to  Mr.  Prentice  for  his  forbearance,  and  monetary  aid, 
at  a  time  when  his  friendship  was  of  the  highest  value  to  them. 

Like  most  business  men,  who  have  been  engaged  in  enterprises  of 
considerable  magnitude,  Mr.  Prentice,  at  one  time  of  life  (1857),  met 
with  financial  reverses,  which  made  it  necessary  that  he  compromise 
with  his  creditors ;  and  although  the  disaster  was  caused  chiefly  by 
endorsements,  after  he  recuperated,  some  five  or  six  years  later,  he 
notified  his  old  creditors  that,  although  there  had  been  a  legal  set- 
tlement of  their  claims,  he  felt  under  moral  obligations  to  abandon 
the  terms  of  compromise,  and  pay  the  full  value  of  all  their  claims, 
with  ten  per  cent,  interest  on  deferred  payments.    His  action  in  this 
matter,  as  well  as  a  similar  one  on  the  part  of  Mr.  William  H.  Ray- 
mond (now  in  California),  afford  instances  of  commercial  honor 
that  will  constitute  a  bright  page  in  the  business  history  of  Toledo. 
Although,  within  the  last  few  years,  Mr.  Prentice  has  been  highly 
favored  by  fortune ;  and  although  other  commercial  cities  of  greater 
present  importance,  offer  larger  and  richer  bounties  for  his  enter- 
prise ;  and  although,  from  his  ample  means,  he  could  find  excite- 
ment and  interest  in  travel,  and  bojourn  in  the  gay  capitals  of  the 
world; — he  yet  prefers  Toledo,  his  native  place — his  old  home — 
spnctified  by  early  struggles,  and  rendered  dear  beyond  all  other  con- 
siderations, by  the  presence  of  old  friends,  who  were  witnesses  of 
the  rugged  pathway  he  travelled  in  early  life. 

Amoug  his  late  purchases  is  a  delightful  home,  formerly  the  prop- 
erty of  the  late  Truman  H.  Hoag,  situated  within  200  feet  of  the 
site  of  the  old  homestead  of  Major  B.  F.  Stickney.  In  this  delight- 
ful mansion,  the  best  now  in  Toledo,  Mr.  Prentice  will  probably 
spend  the  remainder  of  his  days. 


JOHN   ELLIOTT  HUNT. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  late  Colonel  Thom- 
.as Hunt,  of  the  First  Regiment  United  States  Infantry.  He  was  a 
volunteer,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and  also  ren- 
dered service  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  where  he  was  wounded. 
Subsequentlv,  under  General  Anthony  Wayne,  at  the  storming  of 
the  British  fort  at  Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson,  he  received  a  bayo- 
jnet  wound  in  the  calf  of  his  leg,  and  was  promoted  for  good  conduct 
|oa  that  occasion;  and,  in  1793,  he  received  his  commission  from 


564 


Lucas  County — Gen.  John  E.  Hunt. 


President  Washington,  as  Major,  and  afterwards,  from  President  Jef- 
ferson, as  Lieut.  Colonel  and  Colonel  of  the  same  regiment.  St.  Clair 
maintained  that,  if  lie  had  had  this  well-disciplined  and  gallant  First 
Eegiment  in  his  army,  at  the  critical  moment,  his  disastrous  surren- 
der would  not  have  occurred. 

Colonel  Hunt  was  in  command  of  Fort  Defiance  eighteen  months 
after  the  battle  of  the  Fallen  Timbers.  In  179G,  he  was  ordered  to 
the  command  of  Fort  Wayne,  which  post  he  held  until  1798,  when 
he  was  transferred  to  Detroit  to  succeed  Colonel  Hamtramck,  after 
the  death  of  the  latter  officer.  In  June,  1803,  he  was  ordered  with  his 
regiment  from  Detroit  to  St.  Louis.  His  regiment  landed  at  Fort 
Industry  [now  Toledo],  and  passed  a  night  here,  on  its  route  to  St. 
Louis.  Fifteen  miles  from  the  latter  place  he  built  the  cantonment 
on  the  bank  of  the  Missouri,  where,  after  three  years,  he  died.  Him- 
self and  wife,  Eunice,  are  buried  there,  at  a  place  called  Bellefontaine. 

General  John  E.  Hunt  is  the  oldest  native  citizen  in  the  Maumee 
Valley — having  been  born  within  the  enclosure  of  Fort  Wayne, 
April  11,  1798.  His  earlier  years  were  chiefly  spent  with  a  senior 
brother,  Henry  Hunt,  a  merchant  of  Detroit.  He  was  there  at  the 
time  of  Hull's  surrender,  and  a  witness  of  that  humiliating  specta- 
cle. Though  only  fourteen  years  of  age,  no  one,  whether  soldier  or 
citizen,  felt  more  deeply  the  insult  to  our  country,  involved  in  the 
imbecile  conduct  of  Hull. 

He  was  married  at  the  house  of  Governor  Lewis  Cass,  Detroit,  the 
29th  of  May,  1822,  to  Miss  Sophia  Spencer,  daughter  of  Dr.  Spencer, 
of  Connecticut. 

General  Hunt  has  several  hundred  manuscript  pages  embodying 
his  personal  reminiscences  of  the  Northwest,  which  contain  histori- 
cal matter  of  much  interest,  and  which  should  be,  at  a  future  time, 
published.    From  these  reminiscences,  the  following  is  extracted: 

"Jack  Brandy  (a  Shawanee  Indian),  while  conveying  Winchester, 
as  his  prisoner,  to  Proctor's  camp,  captured  Whittmore  Knaggs,  the 
old  Pottamatomie  agent,  and  father  of  George  and  James  Knaggs, 
Some  time  before  the  war,  Knaggs  had  caused  Jack  to  be  flogged  j 
for  some  ofience,  and  ascertaining  who  had  taken  him,  supposed,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  that  he  would  be  slain.    Jack  re-assured  him  j 
with  promises  of  safety.    Before  they  arrived  at  the  camp,  they  were 
met  by  a  band  of  Pottawatomies,  who,  with  upraised  tomahawks, 
rushed  towards  Knaggs.    Jack  stepped  between  them  and  his  pris- 
oner— told  them  they  must  kill  him  before  they  killed  Knaggs,  aud  j 
thus  savtd  him  from  massacre. 

"  This  same  Jack  Brandy,  a  few  days  before  the  massac-o  of  Eai- J 
sin,  in  conversation  with  Harry  Hunt,  of  Detroit,  told  him,  that,  iff 
occasion  ever  offered,  he  would  be  kind  to  the  Yankees,  and  bring 
any  that  might  fall  into  his  hands  safely  to  Detroit.    This  promise 
he  80  far  fulfilled,  as  to  dra^  from  the  buildings  at  the  river  Kaisin 
massacre,  a  large  KentuoVian,  named  John  Green,  who  had  been  I 
wounded  in  the  engagement.    Wrapping  him  carefully  in  his  bianj 


Imcos  County — Gen.  John  E.  Hunt. 


565 


ket,  he  laid  him  in  his  carryall,  and  started  on  a  trot  for  Detroit. — 
The  next  morning,  Hunt  saw  Jack  drive  up  in  front  of  the  town, 
and  with  one  or  two  friends  went  to  see  him. 

"'Well,  Jack,'  he  enquired,  *  have  you  brought  us  some  venison, 
to-day  ?' 

'"Yes,  Harry  Hunt,'  replied  the  Indian,  throwing  the  blanket  off 
his  captive ;  '  good  Yankee  venison.  I  told  you  Jack  Brandy  can- 
not lie.' 

*''  Mr.  Hunt  purchased  the  liberty  of  Green,  took  him  to  his  house, 
and  afterwards  restored  him  to  his  friends,  who,  supposing  he  was 
slain,  enlisted  under  Harrison  to  avenge  his  death. 

"  Some  time  before  the  close  of  the  war,  Harry  Hunt  bought  a 
fine  horse,  which  was  stolen  soon  after,  by  a  band  of  Pottawatomies. 
On  entering  his  store,  a  day  or  two  afterwards.  Hunt  encountered 
Jack  Brandy,  who,  observing  the  seriousness  of  his  countenance, 
enquired  as  to  the  cause.  On  being  informed,  Jack  replied : '  may 
be  me  get  him  again,'  and  mounted  his  pony,  and  started  in  pursuit. 
He  soon  struck  the  trail  of  the  Pottawatomies,  and  came  up  with 
them  two  days  afterwards,  and  camped  with  them,  and  told  them  he 
had  a  special  mission  to  the  Indians  near  Chicago,  which  had  an 
important  bearing  upon  the  war.  This  pleased  his  entertainers,  and 
they  told  him  about  the  fine  horse  they  had  got.  Jack,  upon  the 
plea  of  urgent  business,  bantered  them  for  a  trade,  promising,  if,  on 
trial,  the  horse  proved  to  be  good,  to  pay  the  difference  between  him 
and  his  pony.  At  daylight,  the  horse,  with  saddle  and  bridle,  was 
brought  up  for  Jack  to  prove.  He  bestrode  him,  rode  a  short  dis- 
tance in  the  direction  of  Chicago,  struck  into  the  woods,  and  that 
was  the  last  his  Indian  friends  saw  of  him.  The  next  day  he  rode 
into  Detroit  at  top  of  speed,  and  surrendering  the  horse  to  his  own- 
er, repeated,  most  emphatically: 

"'There,  Harry  Hunt,  I  tell  you  once  more,  Jack  Brandy  can- 
not lie !' 

"The  horse  was  afterwards  sold  to  General  Proctor  for  one  hun- 
dred guineas,  and  on  this  beast  this  representative  of  the  '  chivalry' 
of  Great  Britain  made  his  escape  at  the  Thames. 

"  Ottuso,  the  grand  nephew  of  Pontiac,  captured  Captain  Baker, 
of  the  17th  Infantry,  at  the  battle  of  the  river  Raisin.  On  his  return 
to  Detroit  with  his  prisoner,  accompanied  by  his  son,  Wa-se-on-o- 
qiiet,  he  encamped  the  first  night  at  Huron  river.  He  ordered  the 
boy  to  make  a  fire.  The  young  man  asked  why  the 'Yankee  dog' 
could  not  do  it? 

'"My  son,'  answered  Otussa,  'such  language  is  wrong.  This  pris- 
oner is  a  chief  among  his  own  people.  We  must  treat  him  as  we 
would  wish  to  be  treated,  under  like  circumstances.' 

"  Ottuso  obeyed  this  golden  rule,  aud  took  the  best  care  of  his  pris- 
oner. Baker  was  sent  to  Quebec,  but  exchanged  in  time  to  join  Har- 
rison's army,  and  take  part  in  the  battle  of  the  Thames. 

"The  day  after  the  return  of  the  army  from  the  Thames  to  De- 


566 


LiLcas  County — Om.  John  E.  Hunt. 


troit,  a  band  of  Indians,  with  a  white  flag,  was  seen  to  emerge  from 
the  wilderness  in  the  rear  of  the  town.  Harrison  ordered  Captain 
Baker  to  treat  with  them.  He  approached  them,  and  recognized  in 
their  leader  his  old  captor  and  friend,  Ottuso.  The  meeting  between 
them  was  highly  affecting.  Baker  did  not  fail  to  repay,  four-  fold, 
the  favors  which  had  been  bestowed  upon  him  by  the  noble  Indian." 

General  Hunt  first  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Maumee 
City,  in  1816 ;  during  the  year  1817  treaties  were  made  at  the  foot  of 
the  rapids.  His  business  partner  was  the  late  Robert  A.  Forsyth. 
It  would  suprrise  many,  if  they  would  meet  them,  to  discover  the 
number  of  those  who  are  now  wealthy  farmers,  bankers,  etc.,  who 
cheerfully  acknowledge  that  they  were  indebted  to  General  Hunt 
for  stocks  of  goods  on  credit,  which  gave  them  their  first  start  in 
business  life,  at  a  time  when  they  had  no  money,  and  could  procure 
credit  from  no  other  quarter.  His  mercantile  life  embraced  a  period 
altogether  of  twenty  years. 

No  one  was  more  prominent  than  General  Hunt  in  efforts  to  has- 
ten the  development  of  the  Maumee  Valley.  Every  scheme  of  im- 
portance, having  this  object  in  view,  oould  not  fail  to  have  his  pow- 
erful support,  A  banking  and  internal  improvement  project,  origi- 
nated with  him  in  1833,  which,  at  the  time,  evinced  a  correct  idea 
of  the  future  commercial  value  of  some  point  on  the  lower  Maumee. 
This  was  a  proposition  to  obtain,  from  the  Territorial  Legislature  of 
Michigan,  a  charter  authorizing  a  company  to  construct  a  railroad 
from  Adrian  to  Toledo — conferring,  also,  upon  the  company  bank- 
ing powers.  The  General  enlisted  in  his  enterprise,  Mr.  E.  C.  Win- 
ters, then  a  school  teacher  at  Maumee  City,  but  afterwards  a  resi- 
dent  of  Adrian,  whom  he  persuaded  to  visit  Detroit,  and  use  his 
efforts  to  obtain  from  the  Legislature  a  charter.  Mr.  Winters  was 
successful  in  his  mission,  and  this,  really,  was  the  origin  of  the  Erie 
and  Kalamazoo  railroad.  The  Kalamazoo  bank  also  derived  its  au- 
thority from  this  charter.  It  was  the  design  of  General  Hunt  to 
tap  this  road  at  a  bend  four  miles  east  of  Sylvania,  by  a  branch  lead- 
ing into  Maumee  City,  under  the  conviction  that  the  branch  would 
ultimately  constitute  part  of  the  main  line. 

In  1836,  having  received  the  Democratic  nomination,  he  was  elect- 
ed to  the  State  Senate  over  Patrick  G.  Goode,  his  Whig  opponent, 
in  a  District  that  gave,  at  the  preceding  election,  a  whig  majority  of 
1,600.  His  majority  in  this  contest  was  180.  In  1839,  he  was  re- 
elected by  a  yet  larger  majority. 

In  1849,  a  Democratic  Convention  for  the  Senatorial  District  com- 
posed of  the  counties  of  Lucas,  Wood,  Henry,  Ottawa,  and  San- 
dusky, was  called,  to  be  held  at  Woodville,  for  the  purpose  of  nomi- 
nating a  candidate  for  the  Convention,  to  frame  a  new  Constitution 
for  Ohio.  General  Hunt  had  no  wish  or  desire  to  be  a  candidate. 
On  the  other  hand,  he  had  freely  expressed  to  his  friends  his  pref- 
erence for  the  nomination  of  the  late  D.  O.  Morton,  of  Toledo. 
Upon  the  assembling  of  the  Convention  at  Woodville,  General  Hunt 


>y 


nt. 

to  emerge  from 
rdered  Captain 
d  recognized  in 
leeting  between 
repay,  four  fold, 
e  noble  Indian." 
aess  at  Maumee 
ide  at  the  foot  of 
lert  A.  Forsyth. 
to  discover  the 
ankers,  etc.,  who 
)  General  Hunt 
jir  first  start  in 
id  could  procure 
mbraoed  a  period 

in  efforts  to  has- 
ry  scheme  of  im- 
to  have  his  pow- 
mt  project,  origi- 
ed  a  correct  idea 
he  lower  Maumee. 
rial  Legislature  of 
istruct  a  railroad 
e  company  bank- 
36,  Mr.  E.  'C.  Win- 
ifterwards  a  resi- 
troit,  and  use  his 
Mr.  Winters  was 
origin  of  the  Erie 
Iso  derived  its  au- 
General  Hunt  to 
,  by  a  branch  lead- 
the  branch  would 

ation,  he  was  elect- 
8  Whig  opponent, 
a  whig  majority  of 
a  1839,  he  was  re- 

;orial  District  corn- 
Ottawa,  and  San- 
puri)08e  of  nomi- 
I  new  Constitution 
to  be  a  candidate. 
8  friends  his  pref- 
Morton,  of  Toledo, 
ville,  General  Hunt 


Lucas  County — Gen.  John  E.  Hunt. 


56*7 


was  made  chairman.  The  candidates  presented  to  the  Convention, 
were  D.  0.  Morton,  of  Lucas;  W.  V.  Way,  of  Wood,  and  Samuel 
Holliushead,  of  Ottawa.  An  obstinate  contest,  continuing  through 
several  hours,  between  the  friends  of  these  gentlemen,  failed  to  make 
a  choice.  The  convention  and  the  candidates  became  impatient,  and 
anxious  to  conclude  the  business  they  were  assembled  to  perform. 
la  this  temper,  pervading  all,  L  K.  Seaman,  of  Sandusky,  without 
consultation,  or  prompting,  took  the  floor,  and  moved  that  General 
John  E.  Hunt  be  nominated  by  acclamation.  The  chairman  prompt- 
ly declared  the  motion  out  of  order,  and  that  it  could  not  be  enter- 
tained— alleging,  among  other  reasons,  that  the  rules  adopted  by  the 
convention  for  its  government,  prescribed  that  the  vote  for  candi- 
dates should  be  by  counties,  and  by  ballot.  Mr.  Seaman  appeared 
to  falter  for  an  instant,  but  General  Brown,  of  Toledo,  came  to  his 
aid— seconded  his  motion,  and  insisted  that  it  was  competent  for 
the  convention  to  rescind  or  suspend  its  own  rules; — and  that,  there- 
fore, as  a  Mass  Convention,  the  chairman  being  temporarily  deposed, 
he  would  himself  put  the  question,  "  Shall  General  John  E.  Hunt 
be  declared,  by  this  convention,  the  nominee  of  the  Democratic 
party,  of  this  District,  for  a  seat  in  the  Constitutional  Convention? 
Those  in  favor  of  this  motion  say  aye."  And  the  shout  of  "  aye" 
was  unanimous — ^joined  in  by  delegates  and  the  late  candidates  alike 
—the  only  protestant  being  the  Presid.  nt  of  the  Conv<'ntion,  thus 
summarily  deposed,  and  so  unexpectedly,  but  flatteringly,  nomina- 
ted. The  defeated  aspirants  severally  pledged  themselves  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  nominee — and  one  of  them,  Mr.  Hollinshead.  wt  nt  so 
far,  in  the  moment  of  his  enthusiasm,  as  to  say  that  his  county  of 
Ottawa  would  more  than  double  its  usual  Democratic  majority,  and 
would  give  Hunt  150.  Extravagant  as  this  pledge  then  appeared, 
Ottawa  did  give  the  General  over  200,  and  it  occurred  from  thi^  fact 
that  an  influential  farmer,  named  Hartshorn,  then  a  resident  of 
Ottawa  county,  but  regarding  whose  existnce,  or  place  of  residence, 
General  Hunt  had  no  knowledge  for  a  long  period  of  tinif,  hi 
ppned  to  identify  thi^  name  of  General  John  E.  Hunt  as  the  one  to 
whom  he  was  indebted  for  having  saved  his  lift  dunng  a  pis.ssiire 
through  the  Black  Swamp,  thirty  <»dd  yt^ars  previous.  ,;n(l  In*  at  onri- 
aftively  took  the  field,  and  was  chiefly  inatru'nental  in  pr"tluciii<r 
the  result  in  Ot'»wa  county,  above  stated.  The  opportunity  and 
method  thus  sought  to  disclia  g-  an  old  obligation,  was  as  honora- 
ble to  Mr.  Hartshorn,  as  it  was  gratifying  to  the  feelingti  of  G-neral 
Hunt. 

H's  first  Senatorial  District  embraced  nearly  one-sixth  the  iiren  of 
the  State,  and  the  amount  of  local  legislation  dema-  ded  by  this 
sparsely  settled  region,  was  very  large,  but  faithfully  attended  to. 
During  his  service,  vital  measures  relating  to  the  canals,  and  other 
improvements  of  valu<'to  the  Northw  st,  were  before  the  legislature. 
It  was  on  the  motiofi  of  General  Hunt,  before  the  c  ntracts  for  the 
cunal  construction  were  let,  that  a  resolution  was  ad  pttd  instruct* 


568 


Luoas  County — Morrison  R.  Waite. 


ing  the  Board  of  Public  Works  to  make  the  Wabash  and  Erie  canal, 
from  its  intersection  with  the  Miami  Extension  canal,  to  its  junc- 
tion with  the  Maumee  bay,  sixty  feet  in  width  and  six  feet  deep,— 
thus  greatly  facilitating  navigation,  and  securing  the  vuluable  water 
power  since  enjoyed  by  Maumee  City  and  Toledo.  In  1835-37, 
General  Hunt,  as  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Senate,  successfully  exerted 
his  influence  to  procure  an  appropriation  of  $1,500,000  for  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Miami  Canal  to  the  Maumee  Bay;  and  had  not  this 
appropriation  been  made  at  that  session,  the  probabilities  are  that 
the  work  would  have  been  postponed  indefinitely,  as  the  financial 
revulsion  that  occurred  a  year  or  two  later,  would  have  defeated  any 
proposition  to  undertake  new  enterprises.  The  appropriation  of 
$30,000  for  the  Western  Eeserve  and  Maumee  road,  which  was  the 
first  bridge  over  the  Black  Swamp,  also  received  his  efficient  aid. 

In  1848,  General  Hunt  was  elected  Treasurer  of  Lucas  county, 
and  in  1850  re-elected.  Before  the  close  of  his  second  term,  he  was 
appointed  by  President  Pierce  postmaster  at  Toledo,  and  re-appoint- 
ed by  President  Buchanan.  To  all  his  public  trusts  he  was  ever 
faithful,  and  commanded  the  full  confidence  of  the  people,  of  all 
parties 

One  of  the  sources  of  the  remarkable  power  exercised  by  General 
Hunt  over  the  minds  of  cultivated  as  well  as  rude  men,  existed  in 
his  excellent  social  qualities.  Although  born  and  reared  in  a  wilder- 
ness country,  and  his  business  dealings  being  chiefly  with  Indians, 
and  semi-civilized  white  men,  he  has  ever  illustrated,  in  his  transac- 
tions with  mankind,  the  fact  that  he  was,  by  birth,  habit  and  instinct, 
a  GENTLEMAN,  in  the  highest  definition  of  the  word,  and  qualified, 
by  his  manners,  to  adorn  any  position  in  the  most  cultivated  diplo- 
matic and  social  circles.  His  physical  vigor  is  remarkable.  Time 
makes  no  visible  ini'oad  upon  his  features;  and  between  the  produc- 
tions of  the  faithful  artist  who  took  his  likeness  thirty  years  ago,  and 
the  one  who  executed  his  work  on  yesterday,  it  would  puzzle  his  old 
friends  to  detect  the  difference  between  the  two. 


MORRISON   R.    WAITE. 

This  gentleman  was  born  at  Lyme,  Connecticut,  November  29, 
1816,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  1837.  He  studied  law  with 
his  father,  Hon.  Henry  M.  Waite,  who  had  been  elected  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  Errors  of  Connecticut,  in  1833,  and  subse- 
quently became  Chief  Justice  of  that  Court. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  removed  to  Maumee  City,  Ohio,  in 
October,  1838,  and  resumed  law  studies  in  the  office  of  Samuel  M. 
Young,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Ohio  bar  in  October,  1839.  Pre- 
vious to  his  admission,  he  had  formed  a  law  partnership  with  his 
preceptor,  Mr.  Young,  which  continued  until  the  first  of  January, 
1854.    He  had  removed  to  Toledo,  however,  in  the  summer  of  1850. 


^aite. 


sh  and  Erie  canal, 

cjanal,  to  its  junc- 

six  feet  deep, — 

the  vuluable  water 

3do.    In   1835-37, 

LiccessfuUy  exerted 

00,000  for  the  ex- 

and  had  not  this 

babilities  are  that 

y,  as  the  financial 

have  defeated  any 

e  appropriation  of 

»ad,  which  was  the 

lis  eflBcient  aid. 

■  of  Lucas  county, 

jcond  term,  he  was 

sdo,  and  re-appoint- 

trusts  he  was  ever 

f  the  people,  of  all 

:ercised  by  General 
de  men,  existed  in 
[  reared  in  a  wilder- 
liefly  with  Indians, 
ited,  in  his  transac- 
I,  habit  and  instinct, 
ivord.  and  qualified, 
3t  cultivated  diplo- 
remarkable.  Time 
)etween  the  produc- 
hirty  years  ago,  and 
vould  puzzle  his  old 


icut,  November  29, 
le  studied  law  with 
n  elected  Judge  of 
in  1833,  and  subse- 

imee  City,  Ohio,  in 
)flice  of  Samuel  M. 
ctober,  1839.  Pre- 
artnership  with  his 
le  first  of  January, 
he  summer  of  1850. 


c 

]) 


tl 


lot 
Ico 


Idicas  County — Morrison  JR.  Waitc. 


569 


In  1858,  the  existing  partnership  with  liis  brother,  Richard  Waite, 
was  formed. 

On  the  2lBfc  of  September,  1840,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia 
0.  Warner,  of  Lyme,  Connecticut. 

Mr.  Waite  was  elected  as  a  Whig  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  Ohio  in  the  fall  of  1849,  in  a  legislative  district  then  opposed 
to  him  in  politics.  This  Avas  the  only  political  office  ever  held  by 
him; — law,  rather  than  politics,  having  always  been  his  chosen 
field. 

In  November,  1871,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  counsel  of  the 
United  States  before  the  Tribunal  of  Arbitration,  at  Geneva,  Swit- 
zerland, convened  to  adjust  the  claims  of  the  United  States  against 
Great  Britain,  known  as  the  Alabama  claims— an  appointment  that 
reflected  credit  upon  the  administration  that  tendered  it,  unsought, 
and  this  selection  was  generally  regarded  by  the  bar  and  people  of 
the  Maumee  Valley  as  a  just  recognition  of  the  forensic  and  moral 
worth  of  one  of  their  most  eminent  and  cherished  citizens. 

If  it  may  be  granted  that  any  of  the  profession  were  "  to  the 
manner  born,"  as  a  lawyer,  it  may  as  justly  be  said  of  Mr.  Waite,  as 
of  any  of  his  cotemporaries,  that  he  was  thus  created.  His  early 
predilections  for  the  law  were  perhaps  inherited  from  his  father, 
who  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  jurists  of  Connecticut. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1872,  Mr.  Waite  landed  at  New  York, 
on  his  return  home  from  his  mission.  A  committee,  in  anticipation 
of  his  arrival,  had  been  sent  forward  to  meet  him  in  New  York,  and 
escort  him  to  his  home.  The  party  reached  Toledo  on  Saturday, 
November  9,  and  the  reception  ceremonies  were  published  in  the 
Toledo  Blade,  of  that  date,  and  are  here  copied: 

"This  morning,  under  a  clear,  beautiful  sky,  our  city  presented  an 
appearance  similar  to  that  of  a  holiday,  and  flags  and  decorations 
streamed  from  many  of  the  buildings  on  Summit  street.  The  eleven 
o'clock  train  from  the  east,  as  if  to  tone  down  the  enthusiasm  of 
the  people,  kept  the  reception  waiting  some  twenty  minutes,  but  the 
ilelay  was  not  a  serious  one.  As  was  anticipated,  the  train  bore  the 
Hon.  M.  R.  Waite  and  wife,  with  the  escorting  committee  appointed 
to  meet  them  in  New  York.  Mr.  Waite  was  at  once  conducted  to 
an  open  carriage,  in  which  he  was  placed  with  his  honor.  Mayor 
•Jones,  Mr.  Samuel  M.  Young,  his  former  law  partner  in  business, 
and  Jesup  W.  Scott.  Several  other  carriages  were  filled  with  the 
committees  of  escort  and  reception,  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
IJoard  of  Trade,  and  the  remainder  of  the  party  from  New  York, 
They  were  preceded  by  the  Walbridge  Zouaves,  and  Toledo  Cadets, 
'leaded  by  Milverstedt's  band,  and  on  reaching  the  Boody  House, 
the  columns  of  military  faced  inward,  and  presented  arms  as  Mr. 
^Vaite's  carriage  passed  between  the  lines. 

''Mr,  Waite  was  at  once  escorted  to  the  St.  Clair  street  balcony, 
of  the  Boody  House,  from  which  the  party  looked  down  on  a  vast 
concourse  of  people,  who  had  assembled  in  the  streets  below.    The 


570  Lucas  County — Morrison  R.  Watte. 


assembly  was  thon  called  to  order  by  General  Lee,  who  announced 
the  order  of  exercises,  and  requented  the  quiet  attention  of  the  audi- 
ence, '  except  when  they  felt  like  shouting,  when  they  were  to 
shout  I' 

"Mayor  Jones  then  presented  hiraself,  and  spoke  as  follows: 

" '  Mr.  Waitb  :  In  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  all  the  citizens  of 
Toledo,  I  extend  to  you  a  cordial  welcome  home. 

"'A  little  less  than  a  year  ago,  when  it  was  announced  that  you, 
sir,  a  citizen  of  our  city,  had  been  selected  as  one  of  three  distin- 
guished counsel  to  present  our  long  disputed  claim  against  Great 
Britain  for  arbitrament  before  one  of  the  most  learned  and  august 
tribunals  the  world  had  ever  seen,  we  naturally  felr,  a  just  pridi-  in 
so  distinguished  an  honor.  If,  sir,  we  were  proud  of  the  selection, 
with  how  much  greater  satisfaction  do  we  hail  the  achievementH 
which  you  and  your  illustrious  associates  have  won  in  that  great 
trial  for  the  honor  and  glory  of  our  country,  and  the  cause  of  human 
peace  everywhere. 

"  'The  proceedings  of  that  great  tribunal  have  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  whole  civilized  world,  and  ccmstitute  an  epoch  in  history; 
and  we  believe  that  it  will  exercise  a  potent  influence  for  good  in  all 
coming  time,  in  substituting  reason  against  force,  peace  against  war, 
This  conflict,  in  which  you  have  borno  so  distinguished  a  part,  will 
become  one  of  the  landmarks  of  our  Christian  civilization,  and  we 
may  safely  leave  the  verdict  to  the  impartial  judgment  of  mankind. 

*' '  Our  city  is  justly  proud  of  the  intellectual  achievements,  which 
you,  as  one  of  her  sons,  have  gained  in  that  great  contest,  and  again, 
in  her  behalf,  I  bid  you  welcome  back  among  your  old  friends  and 
neiiihbors.    Thrice  welcome  home  I' 

"  As  soon  as  the  applause  which  greeted  Mr.  Waite,  as  he  stepped 
forward,  had  subsided,  he  replied  briefly  to  the  Mayor's  address  of 
welc"mi\    The  following  is  a  synopsis : 

"He  thanked  th'  m  for  th«ir  kind  r  ci^ption.  A  little  less  than  a 
year  ago,  th  y  had  bidd  n  him  God  spci  d  on  the  mission  he  had 
thtn  undertak  n.  More  than  onoe,  since  that  t,im<'.  he  had  askid 
himst'lf,  *  will  the  friends  I  hft,  be  my  friends  when  I  return  ?'  This 
demonstration  convinced  him  that  his  fri<  nds  Wrre  still  here,  and  ihat 
they  had  by  no  means  forg  itten  him. 

*'  It  was  not  expected  that  he  w  aild  enter  into  any  d  tailed  state- 
ment of  he  proceedings  at  Geneva.  The  Tribunal  thert*  assembled  had 
rendered  an  honest  judgm  nt,  which  had  been  reach  d  after  a  piitient 
and  careful  examination  of  the  facts,  by  men  willing  and  anxi  usto 
do  right.  In  time.  Great  Britain  herself  wuld  acknowl  dge  iiB 
justice.  It  was  not  surprising  rhat  she  should  now  manifest  im|)a- 
tience.  8he  had  be'  n  charged  with  u  neglect  of  her  intern  ilional 
obligations,  and  upon  the  trial  it  had  been  found  that  the  ch.irge 
was  true. 

'*  He  believed  that  a  great  ste[)  had  been  taken  towards  the  set- 
tlement of  national  disputes  by  arbitration ;  a  long  stride  towards 


'aite. 


),  who  announced 
sntion  of  the  audi- 
len  they  were  to 

e  as  follows: 

ill  the  citizens  of 

lounced  that  you, 
le  of  three  distin- 
lim  against  Great 
arned  and  august 
Ir.  a  just  pride  in 
1  of  the  selection, 
the  achievements 
won  in  that  great 
the  cause  of  human 

ittracted  the  atten- 
n  epoch  in  history; 
■nee  for  good  in  all 
peace  against  war. 
lished  a  part,  will 
ivilization,  and  we 
;ment  of  mankind, 
jhievements,  which 
contest,  and  again, 
ir  old  friends  and 

''aite.  as  he  stepped 
Mayur's  address  of 

L  little  less  than  a 
le  mission  he  had 
;,im'',  he  had  askid 
en  I  return  ?'  This 
e  still  here,  and  that 

any  d  tailed  state- 
iher*-  itssembled  had 
irch  d  after  a  patient 
ling  and  anxi  us  to 
Id  acknowldge  its 
ow  manifest  impa- 
if  her  intern  I  lional 
id  that  the  chi.rge 

n  towards  the  set- 
ong  stride  towards 


■■? 


ifi 


AjU^/ue^^-^Mu 


'mAo 


/c,     \3^^>-u%AAA7 


Liicas  County — Dr.  Ilm'atio  Conant.  5Y1 


y. 


( 


-vC^AAA^ 


the  era  of  universal  peace.  We  might  not  live  to  see  the  day  when 
there  would  be  no  more  war,  but  he  thought  wu  might  witness  the 
time  when,  before  resorting  to  the  power  of  the  sword,  nations 
would  at  least  attempt  to  settle  their  disputes  by  peaceful  arbitra- 
tion. Great  Britain  was  the  iirst  to  consent  to  be  tried  by  such  a 
Tribunal,  upon  a  charge  of  neglect  in  the  performance  of  her  duties 
as  one  of  the  family  of  nations,  and  the  United  States  the  first  to 
seek  redress  in  this  way  for  such  a  wrong.  The  world  would  give 
them  each  full  credit  for  the  example  wnich  they,  in  the  midst  of 
their  power,  had  thus  put  forth  for  the  imitation  of  others. 

"  After  giving  expression  to  the  satisfaction  he  felt  in  being  once 
more  with  his  ueighbors  and  friends,  and  again  thanking  them  for 
the  eordial  reception  given  him,  Mr.  Waite  withdrew  inside  the 
hotel,  where  a  lengthy  season  of  hnnd-shaking  closed  the  proceed- 
ings." 

Mr.  Waite  is  now  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  of  useful  activity ;  and 
it  may  be  reasonably  assumed  that  higher  honors  than  even  those  he 
has  yet  attained,  await  him  in  tiie  line  of  his  profession. 


DR.  HORATIO  CONANT,  OF  MAUMEB  CITY, 

Was  born  at  Mansfield,  Connecticut,  the  25th  of  November,  1785. 
He  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  in  V- 10,  at  Middlebury  College,  and 
in  1813  the  degree  of  M.  A.     He  was    ngaged  two  and  a  half  years, 
tutor  in  the  College.    He  studied  a     tomy  at  Malone,  New  York, 
I  with  Dr.  Waterhouse.    In  1815,  he  vi    *'d  Detr.iit,  and  spent  the 
I  winter  with  his  brother,  a  merchant;  and,  in  1810,  with  Almon 
[Gibbs,  opened  a  stock  of  goods  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  oppo- 
site Fort  Meigs.    At  this  period,  the  country  on  both  sides  of  the 
I  river  was  known  as  Fort  Meigs.    Continuing  mercantile  business 
about  one  year,  he  comnienced  the  practice  of  medicine;  and,  al- 
though at  different  periods  he  held  several  official  positions,  such  as 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  postmaster,  collector  of  the 
port,  justice  of  the  peace  for  nearly  half  a  century,  and  the  office  of 
county  clerk  after  the  organization  of  Lucas  county,  he  made  his 
profession  his  chief  business.     His  professional  visits  extended  up 
the  Maumee  river  to  Defiance,  embraced   all   the  country  below; 
north  to  the  river  Raisin,  and  east  and  south  to  the  Portage  river, 
land  Blanchard's  fork ;  and  on  one  occasion  as  high  up  the  Maumee  as 
iFort  Wayne.    In  one  instance,  in  making  a  horseback  trip  to  Defi- 
lauce,  he  swam  no  less  than  eight  streams.    At  Defiance  he  left  his 
|llor8e  and  purchased  a  oanoe,  in  which  he  floated  down  to  his  home. 
When  he  first  came  to  Maumee  City,  in  1816,  there  was  one  phy- 
[sioian  in  practice,  a  Dr.  Barton,  who  only  remained  about  one  year. 
In  December,  1817,  he  married  Mrs.  Eliza  Forsyth,  widow  of  Cap- 
fain  Forsyth.    In  1828,  Mr&.  Conant  died,  and,  in  1S32,  Dr.  C.  again 
Imarried  Mrs.  Eunice  Upton,  who  is  yet  his  wife.    The  doctor  now, 


5*72 


Lucas  County — Jesup  W.  Scott. 


at  the  age  of  87  years,  is  probably  the  oldest  citizen  of  Lucas  county; 
and  of  all  his  professional  cotemporaries,  in  practice  in  1816-17, 
whether  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  or  Michigan,  and  then  known  to  him,  not 
one  is  now  living.  His  life  has  been  one  of  remarkable  activity,  and 
although  in  the  discharge  of  professional  duties,  in  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  country,  when  streams  were  without  bridges,  and  tlie 
roads  in  bad  condition,  he  encountered  ma  .y  exposures  and  perils, 
his  general  health  is  yet  good.  He  has  witnessed  the  transformation 
of  the  country  from  a  rude  wilderness,  to  a  state  of  high  cultivation, 
and  important  commercial  marts  grow  up  in  places  where,  when  he 
first  visited  them,  were  only  the  abodes  of  Indians,  wild  beasts  and 
fowls. 

Former  pages  atibrd  evidence  that  Dr.  Conant  was  among  the 
most  public-spirited  citizens,  who  aided  in  planting  white  settle- 
ments and  civilization  in  this  then  wilderness  country.  As  he  is 
the  oldest  physician,  he  is  also  the  oldest  living  merchant  in  the 
valley. 


J^SUP  W.  SCOTT. 


Jesup  Wakeman  Scott  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Ridgefield,  Con- 
necticut, February  25,  1799  ; — nearly  all  his  ancestors  being  of  the 
New  Haven  Colony  stock,  and  embracing  the  Wakemans,  Smiths, 
Banks,  Benedicks,  Bradleys,  Lobdells,  Jesups,  etc.  His  advantages 
for  education  were  poor  up  to  the  age  of  ^5,  when  he  commencet 
teaching  and  study;  and,  at  the  age  of  20,  he  had  gone  through 
preparatory  studies  for  entry  to  the  junior  class  of  Union  College 
Schenectady,  New  York.  Afterwards,  while  teaching  in  Richmonc 
Academy,  Augusta,  Georgia,  he  studied  Greek  and  law,  and,  at  the 
age  of  23,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  that  State.  In  1822,  he  acten- 
ded  Judge  Gould's  Litchfield  school,  and  heard  a  course  of  law 
lectures. 

In  1823,  he  opened  a  law  office  at  Chesterville,  South  Carolina, 
and  in  1824  married  his  cousin,  Susan  Wakeman,  of  Southport,  Con- 
necticut. In  1825,  he  removed  to  Lexington,  South  Carolina,  where 
he  became  a  law  partner  of  John  Belton  O'Neall,  a  distinguished 
advocate,  and  Speaker  of  the  lower  House  of  the  Legislature  of 
South  Carolina,  and  afterwards,  up  to  18G2,  Chief  Justice  of  the 
State.  In  December,  18:^5,  Mr.  Scott  reported  the  great  debate 
in  the  House  of  Representatives,  between  Judge  Smith  and  his 
friends,  advocating  resolutions  in  favor  of  State  rights,  and  the  up- 
holders of  Calhoun,  in  support  of  national  views  of  Constitutiona 
powers.  For  a  short  time,  Mr.  Scott  performed  some  editoria 
labor  for  the  Columbia  lelescope,  then  the  organ  of  Colonel  Wil- 
liam C.  Prestoii,  and  President  Thomas  Cooper,  representing  the 
State  Rights  party.  But  his  sympathies  were  with  Calhoun  and  his 
doctrines,  and  he  could  not  serve  the  other  part}'.    His  friends  then 


yoott. 


i: 


i 


sen  of  Lucas  county; 
practice  in  1816-17, 
n  known  to  him,  not 
arkable  activity,  and 
,  in  the  early  settle- 
out  bridges,  and  the 
xposures  and  perils, 
d  the  transformation 
e  of  high  cultivation, 
aces  where,  when  he 
ians,  wild  beasts  and 

lant  was  among  the 
(anting  white  settle- 
is  country.    As  he  is 
ing  merchant  in  the 


m  in  Ridgefield,  Con- 
mccstors  being  of  the 
\e  Wakemans,  Smiths, 
,  etc.     His  advantages 

when  he  commenced 
he  had  gone  through 
ass  of  Union  College, 

teaching  in  Richmond 
ik  and  law,  and,  at  the 
ate.  In  1822,  he  a'.ten- 
card   a  course  of  law 

rville,  South  Carolina, 
lan,  of  Southport,  Con- 
South  Carolina,  where 
Neall,  a  distinguished 
of  the  Legislature  of  | 
1,  Chief  Justice  of  the 
ted   the  great  debate 
Judge  Smith  and  his  j 
ite  rights,  and  the  up- 
iews  of  Constitutional  I 
armed  some   editorial  | 
rgan  of  Colonel  Wil- 
oper,  representing  the  I 
(  with  Calhoun  and  his 
wt}'.    His  friends  then 


MrJ^at 


8( 


81 

!a 
tac 

01 


an 


LiLcas  County — Jesiip  W.  Scott. 


573 


procured  for  him  the  position  of  Deputy  Treasurer  ot  the  State, 
which  he  held  for  several  years,  keeping  his  law  office  in  the  State 
House. 

In  1828,  O'Neall  having  been  made  Judge,  and  nullification  cli- 
ents not  liking  to  support  a  northern  union  lawyer,  Mr.  Scott,  with 
habits  and  disposition  better  fitted  for  study  and  reflection  than  for 
the  performance  of  duties  usually  devolving  on  the  practical  law- 
yer, closed  his  office,  and  accepted  an  appointment  as  teacher  in  the 
State  FemaleCoUege,  in  Columbia;  and  when  in  the  pleasant  perform- 
ance of  the  duties  of  this  post,  his  mind,  at  intervals,  was  active  in 
the  study  of  the  natural  positions  for  future  cities,  to  grow  up  in  the 
then  almost  unpeopled  interior  of  our  country.  While  pursuing  this 
field  of  investigation,  he  addressed  a  letter,  dated  "Columbia,  So.  Ca., 
10th  July,  1828,"  now  nearly  half  a  century  ago,  to  Genrfrs;)  John  E. 
Hunt,  then  postmaster  at  Maumee,  in  which  he  said : 

"  I  wish  to  obtain  all  the  information  in  my  power  respecting 
your  section  of  country,  with  a  view  of  making  it  my  future  resi- 
dence." 

His  only  means  of  knowledge  of  the  country,  were  the  imperfect 
maps  in  use  at  that  time.  On  this  subject  he  became  somewhat 
enthusiastic,  believing  that  he  foresaw,  beyond  others,  the  prospect 
for  future  great  cities,  in  positions  then  nearly  or  quite  unknown. 
Transportation  by  water,  being  then  the  only  cheap  way,  he  expected 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  valleys  to  dominate  the  great  commerce  of 
the  interior,  at  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis,  or  Alton.  The  Erie  and 
Welland  canals,  afterwards,  opened  up  lake  navigation,  and  were 
aided  by  canals  in  Ohio  and  Illinois, — thus  changing  the  current  of 
trade  from  the  rivers  to  the  lakes,  and  demonstrating  that  the  lake  bor- 
ders would  achieve  supremacy,  instead  of  the  river  borders  in  city 
growth.  Then  he  believed  in  and  wrote  favoring  the  great  positions 
made  by  the  extensions  of  lakes  Erie  and  Michigan  inland,  and  so 
commanding  large  territories.  From  the  head  of  lake  Erie,  naviga- 
ble canals  reached  to  the  Ohio  river  at  Cincinnati  and  Evansville, 
embracing  a  distance,  on  both  lines,  of  nearly  seven  hundred  miles. 
From  the  head  of  Lake  Michigan,  a  canal  connected  its  navigation 
with  that  of  the  Mississippi,  through  the  Illinois  river.  These  chan- 
nels were  expected  to  concentrate  a  great  part  of  the  commerce 
southwestward  and  northwestward  of  the  lake  termini,  in  Toledo 
and  Chicago ;  but  soon  it  was  discovered  that  railroads  might  come 
in  Buocessful  competition  with  these  water  channels ;  and  it  was  the 
sudden  concentration  of  these,  in  Chicago,  radiating  thence  over  the 
fertile  prairies,  that  sent  Chicago  ahead,  beyond  all  precedent ;  and 
a  like  concentration  at  Toledo,  surrounded,  on  its  land  side,  by 
[  acres,  when  reclaimed,  more  fertile,  gave  promise  of  a  like  marvel- 
ous growth  to  this  city. 

In  the  light  of  these  facts  and  experiences,  and  after  maturely 

1  studying  the  progress  of  cities,  the  world  over,  and  the  direction 

and  concentration  of  city  growth  towards  and  in  a  narrow  climatic 


5U 


Lucas  County — Jesup  W.  Scott. 


zone,  Mr.  Scott  put  forth  the  results  of  his  studies  and  convictions 
in  a  pamphlet  designed  to  prove  that  the  greatest  city  of  the  futare 
would  grow  up  on  our  continent,  in  its  interior;  and,  probably, 
where  Toledo,  or  Chicago  now  forms  its  nucleus.  This  great  re- 
sult, he  claimed,  would  come  within  100  years. 

Mr.  S.  removed  with  his  family  to  Perrysburg  in  May,  1 833 ;  and 
in  December  of  that  year,  he,  with  Henry  Darling,  established,  in 
that  place,  a  weekly  newspaper,  the  first  in  northwestern  Ohio,  en- 
titl  d,  '^  Miami  of  the  Lake.''^  It  wus  intended  to  represent  all  that 
new  part  of  the  State ;  but  a  cbange  of  proprietorship  and  editors 
occurred  in  1885,  and  it  became  local  in  the  interests  of  Perrys- 
burg. and  changed  its  name.  In  his  first  number,  issued  December 
11,  1833,  referring  ti)  the  Maumee  Valley,  Mr.  Scott  said: 

"  Of  this  section  we  shall  endeavor  to  make  our  journal  a  faithful 
and  impartial  representative  organ ; — in  effecting  which,  it  will  be- 
come our  duty  to  disabuse  the  public  mind  at  the  east,  if  our  sheet 
shall  have  the  fortune  to  circulate  there,  of  the  numberless  false  im- 
pressions in  regard  to  this  section,  with  which  it  is  imbued.  This 
we  shall  endeavor  to  do,  by  giving,  as  far  as  we  are  able,  a  faithful 
picture  of  the  country,  neither  brightened  by  the  false  glare  of  un- 
deserved praise,  nor  darkened  by  the  sombre  hues  of  causeless 
reproach;  of  which,  we  regret  to  say,  the  supposed  interests  ot 
rival  points  of  trade  have  occasioned  it  to  receive  an  unwonted 
share." 

From  1832  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  S.  has,  first  in  his  own  paper, 
the  Emigrant's  Guide,  and,  afterwards,  in  the  Hesperian^  Hunt's 
Merchants'  Magazine,  and  in  the  Toledo  Blade,  of  which,  for  several  j 
years,  he  was  editor  and  proprietor,  and  in  DeBow's  Review,  writ- 
ten extensively  on  the  subject  of  the  internal  and  exterior  commerce  j 
of  our  country,  and  the  prospective  growth  of  its  cities.    Of  the  | 
chief  of  these  cities  he  early  forecasted,  with  now-recognized  accu- 
racy, their  rapid  growth  and    relative   importance.    Finally,  their  j 
future  so  loomed  up,  in  his  imagination,  that  he  confidently  anticipa- 
ted the  time  when,  in  less  than  a  century,  the  greatest  city  of  the  | 
world  would  be  in  the  interior  of  our  country. 

In  June,  1832,  Mr.  Scott  purchased  seventy  acres,  in  what  is  now, 
and  is  likely  to  remain  for  years,  the  centre  of  Toledo.    This,  with  | 
other  purchases,  based  on  his  faith  in  the  growth  of  the  city,  so  in- 
creased in  value  as  to  make  his  pecuniary  condition  suflBciently  fa-j 
vorable,  to  allow  time  for  investigation  in  his  favorite  department  of  j 
knowledge  of  which  the  law  of  growth  of  modern  cities,  forecastingj 
their  future,  has  been  the  favorite.     But  his  greediness  for  knowl- 
edge has  led  him  into  other  fields,  in  which  he  has  revelled  without  exl 
ploring  any  with  exhaustive  thoroughness.     He  has  now,  in  his  75thj 
year,  completed  papers  for  a  permanent  gift  of  one  hundred  and  sixtjl 
acres  of  land,  well  situated  for  great  future  value,  intended  to  givel 
educational  advantages  not  offered  by  our  public  schools,  and  d«j 
signed  to  enable  students  of  both  sexes  to  earn  an  independent  snp-' 
port. 


It. 


Lucas  County — Jeswp  W.  Scott. 


675 


and  convictions 
city  of  the  future 
'•,  and,  probably, 
J.    This  great  re- 

a  May,  1833-,  and 
jg,  established,  in 
(vestern  Ohio,  en- 
represent  all  that 
)r8hip  and  editors 
terests  of  Perrys- 
,  issued  December 
ottsaid: 

r  journal  a  iaithlul 
which,  it  will  be- 
e  east,  if  our  sheet 
umberless  false  im- 
t  is  imbued.    This 
are  able,  a  faitWul 
e  false  glare  of  un- 
5  hues  of  causeless 
pposed  interests  ot 
rceive  an  unwonted 

Bt  in  his  own  paper, 

i  Hesperian,  Hunls 

of  which,  for  several  ] 

Bow's  iiewew.  writ- 

1  exterior  commerce 

f  its  cities.    Ottbel 

ow-recognized  accu- 

anoe.    Finally,  their 

confidently  anticipa- 

greatest  city  of  the 

-,re8,  in  what  is  now, 
[Toledo.  This,  with 
Ihof  the  city,  so  in- 1 
lition  sufficiently  &• 
Ivorite  department  ot 
W  cities,  forecasting 

feediness  for  knowl- 
L  revelled  without  ex- 

fhas  now,  in  his  75th 
\e  hundred  and  BixtJ 
ue,  intended  to  give 
plic  schools,  and  de- 
Ian  independent  sup- 


This  bequest,  one  of  the  most  generous  ever  made  by  any  resi- 
dent of  an  Ohio  city,  is  thus  explained  in  the  Toledo  Morning  Com- 
mercial, of  October  24,  1872 : 

"A  TOLEDO  UNIVEBSITY— MUNIFICENT  DONATIONS  FOR  AN  IMPOR- 
TANT EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTION  —  SOMETUING  FOB  TOLEDO'S 
FUTURE. 

"  It  has  for  some  days  been  known  to  us,  that  our  worthy  fellow 
citizen,  Jesup  W.  Scott,  Esq.,  *vas  maturing  the  plan  of  a  movement 
which  promised  much  for  Toledo  and  the  cause  of  education ;  but 
we  thought  best  to  defer  mi^ntion  of  it  until  it  should  assume  defi- 
nite and  complete  shape.  This  was  reached  yesterday  afternoon,  and 
we  take  the  earliest  opportunity  to  present  the  facts  to  the  readers 
of  the  Commercial.  The  plan  is  for  the  establishment  of  an  insti- 
tution of  learning,  to  be  known  as  'The  Toledo  University  of  Arts 
and  Trades,'  and  to  embrace  the  objects  more  particularly  set  forth 
in  Mr.  Scott's  deed  of  trust. 

"  The  Trustees  of  the  corporation  met  on  the  23d  of  October  in 
the  Boody  housd,  His  Honor,  Mayor  Jones,  in  the  chjiir,  where  they 
organized,  by  the  choice  of  Hon.  Richard  Mott  as  President,  and 
Colonel  D.  F.  DeWolf,  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools,  as  Sec- 
retary. 

"Jesup  W.  Scott,  Esq.,  being  present,  then  delivered  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees  the  deed  of  trust  of  160  acres  of  land,  described  there- 
in, and  located  about  three  miles  from  the  post  office,  together  with 
a  plat  of  the  same,  which  were  formally  accepted  and  adopted  by 
the  Board  on  the  conditions  therein  set  forth. 

"  A  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  by-laws  and  plan  of  work, 
and  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Board  when  ready  to  report." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  Mr.  Scott's  deed  of  trust : 

Enow  all  men  by  these  presents:  That  we,  Jesup  W.  Scott  and  Susan  Scott, 
in  consideration  of  one  dollar  paid  to  us  by  the  grantees  hereinafter  named,  and 
of  other  considerations  hereinafter  expressed,  do  hereby  convey  to  William  H. 
Scolt,  Franlc  J.  ticott,  Maurice  A.  Scott,  William  H.  Raymond;,  Chas.  W.  Hill, 
Richard  Mott,  Sarah  R.  L.  Williams,  and  Albert  E.  Macomber,  Trustees  of  the 
'"Toledo  University  of  Arts  and  Trades,"  and,  by  virtue  of  their  ofBces,  the 
Superintendent  of  Public  Schools  of  Toledo,  the  Mayor  of  Toledo,  and  the 
Governor  of  the  State  of  Ohio  and  their  successors,  forever,  the  following  des- 
cribed land,  to  wit :  The  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  (W  ^  S  E  ^)  and 
the  east  half  of  ihe  southwest  quarter  (E  ^  S  W  j)  of  section  four  (4)  in  town- 
ship three  (3),  in  the  United  States  Reserve  of  twelve  miles  square,  at  the  foot 
of  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami  of  Lake  Erie,  with  the  privileges  and  the  appurten- 
ances of  the  same. 

To  have  and  to  hold,  to  the  aforesaid  grantees,  as  trustees,  and  their  succes- 
Bore  forever ;  we  hereby  covenanting  that  the  title  so  conveyed  is  unincumber- 

I  ed,  and  that  we  will  warrant  and  defend  the  same  against  all  claims  whatsoever. 
This  conveyance  is  made  to  the  said  Trustees  in  trust,  for  the  following  ob- 

I  iects  and  purposes,  and  subject  to  the  following  conditions,  to  wit :  To  estab- 
lish an  institution  for  the  prom-  ition  of  the  Arts  and  Trades  ar^d  the  related 
Sciences,  by  means  of  lectures  and  oral  instruction ;  of  models  tmd  representa- 
tive works  of  art ;  of  cabinets  of  minerals ;  of  museums  instructive  of  the 


5Y6 


Lucas  County — Jesup  W.  Scott. 


mechanic  arts ;  and  of  whatsoever  else  ra'ay  serve  to  furnish  artists  and  artisans 
with  the  best  facilities  for  a  high  culture  in  their  respective  occupations,  in 
addition  to  what  are  furnished  by  the  public  schools  of  the  city.  Also,  to 
furnish  instruction  in  the  use  of  phonographic  characters,  and  to  aid  their  in- 
troduction into  more  general  use,  by .  writmg  and  printing ;  and,  also,  to  en- 
courage health-giving,  invigorating  recreations.  All  the  advantages  of  the 
institution  shall  be  free  of  cost  to  all  pupils  who  have  not  the  means  to  pay, 
and  all  others  are  to  pay  such  tuition  and  other  fees  and  charges  as  the  Trustees 
may  require,  and  be  open  alike  to  pupils  of  both  sexes. 

All  the  income  from  lessees  of  the  lands  herein  conveyed,  shall,  after  paying 
necessary  charges  and  improvements,  be  expended  by  said  Trustees  to  accom- 
plish the  objects  herein  stated.  The  Trustees  shall  plat  and  sub-divide  the  land 
hereby  conv'eyed  according  to  the  annexed  map,  which  shall  be  a  part  of  this 
deed,  and  they  shall  dedicate  the  streets  and  open  grounds  to  public  uses  not 
inconsistent  with  the  uses  of  the  trust,  and  shall  lease,  as  opportunity  offers,  the 
lots  thereon  upon  the  terms  following,  to  wit :  For  an  annual  rental  of  not  less 
than  four  (4)  per  centum,  nor  more  than  six  (6)  per  centum  upon  the  fairly 
appraised  value  of  the  lots  so  leased ;  payable  quarter-yearly.  Said  leases  shall 
be  for  a  term  of  five  (5)  years,  renewable  at  the  option  of  the  lessee  for  an  in- 
definite number  of  years,  Trom  time  to  time,  at  the  end  of  each  five  years,  on 
the  basis  of  the  appraised  value  at  the  commencement  of  each  term  of  five  (5) 
years. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  prescribe  the  plans  of  all  buildings  to  be  erected 
upon  the  leased  lots,  and  shall  require  that  all  dwelling  houses  be  located  not 
less  than  twenty  (30)  feet  from  the  streets.  The  central  plat  five  hundred  (500) 
feet  in  diameter,  is  designed  for  the  erection  of  buildings  for  the  use  of  the 
University,  to  be  built  in  sections,  as  funds  may  be  acquired  for  that  purpose, 
the  front  of  which  shall  not  be  nearer  than  twenty  (20)  feet  to  the  avenue. 

The  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  power  to  fill  by  vote  of  a  majority  of 
its  members  (not  less  than  five  remaining),  all  vacancies  by  death  or  ©therAvise. 
If  it  shall  be  reduced  below  five,  the  Governor  of  Ohio  is  authorized  to  make 
appointments  to  fill  up  to  that  number. 

In  the  division  of  the  blocks  into  lots,  each  lot  in  the  rectangular  blocks 
should  be,  as  far  as  practicable,  twenty  (20)  feet  wide,  and  those  of  the  irregu- 
lar blocks  as  near  that  size  as  may  well  be  made. 

In  Witness  W?iereof,  The  said  Jesup  W.  Scott  and  Susan  Scott,  have  here- 
unto set  their  hands  and  r:!als,  this  twenty-first  day  of  October,  in  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-two  (1872). 

Jesup  W.  Scott  [seal]. 
Susan  Scott       [seal]. 

[Here  follow  the  witnessing  of  the  signatures,  and  the  ordinary  acknowl- 
edgment.] 

The  Commercial  concludes  its  account  as  follows: 

"It  will  be  noticed  with  what  propriety  the  memories  of  distin- 
guished scientists,  artists  and  educators  are  thus  associated  with  tlie  I 
institution  which  is  designed  to  supply  more  ready  facilities  for  the 
objects  which  they  promoted  at  so  much  disadvantage.  This  is  the 
more  fitting,  since,  but  for  the  success  attained  through  their  great 
labor  and  self-denial,  such  an  institution  could  not  have  the  promise 
of  the  appreciation  requisite  for  its  success.  May  the  merits  of  itsj 
graduates  be  found  worthy  of  like  recognition  by  future  genera- 
tions, j 

"The  site  of  this  institution  is  near  the  junction  of  the  Air  Line, 
Old  Line,  and  Detroit  Branch  of  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michiganj 


ott. 


3h  artists  and  artisans 
sctive  occupations,  in 
f  the  city.  Also,  to 
,  and  to  aid  their  in- 
ng ;  and,  also,  to  en- 
lie  advantages  of  the 
at  the  means  to  pay, 
harges  as  the  Trustees 

ed,  shall,  after  paying 
i  Trustees  to  accom- 
nd  sub-divide  the  land 
hall  be  a  part  of  this 
mds  to  public  uses  not 
opportunity  offers,  the 
iiual  rental  of  not  less 
itum  upon  the  fairly 
arly.  Said  leases  shall 
f  the  lessee  for  an  in- 
of  each  five  years,  on 
[  each  term  of  five  (5) 

buildings  to  be  erected 
liouses  be  located  not 
plat  five  hundred  (500) 
5s  for  the  use  of  the 
ired  for  that  purpose, 
eet  to  the  avenue. 

vote  of  a  majority  of 
by  death  or  otherwise, 
is  authorized  to  make 

the  rectangular  blocks 
ad  those  of  the  irregu- 

usan  Scott,  have  here- 
)ctobcr,  in  the  year  one 

3UP  W.  ScOTT  [seal]. 
jAN  SOOTT  [SEAl]. 

the  ordinary  ackncwl- 


ows: 

memories  of  distill- 
s  associated  with  the 
idy  facilities  for  the 
vantage.  This  is  the 
through  their  great 
Qothave  the  promise 
ay  the  merits  of  its 
in  by  future  genera- 
ion  of  the  Air  Line, 
Shore  and  Michigan 


Liicas  Conntu — Francis  L.  Nichoh. 


r>ll 


Southern  llailway,  wliere  large  iniprovemeuts  are  being  made,  and 
still  more  important  and  extensive  ones  are  in  progress.  With  tlie 
improvements  there  contemi)liited,  an  early  deniund  for  leases  of 
University  lots  may  be  expected." 

From  the  infancy  of  Toledo,  when  it  was  engaged  in  a  doubtful 
struggle  lor  commercial  su])renuicy,  with  rivals  long  since  disap- 
jiciired  from  the  arena  of  strife,  Mr.  Scott  has  been  conspicuous  and 
Kolf-sacrilicing  in  every  wisely-directed  elfortto  advance  the  interests 
of  his  chosen  city. 

It  may  Avith  entire  truth  be  stated,  in  concluding  this  notice,  that 
i\o  pen  has  hitherto  been  employed  with  anything  approaching  tho 
vigor  and  eflect  in  furthering  the  material  interests  of  Toledo  and 
the  Maumee  Valley,  as  the  one  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Scott.  His  logic 
in  support  of  his  favorite  theories  regarding  the  future  of  the  inte- 
rior city  of  this  continent,  attracted  the  attention  of  sound  thinkers 
not  only  in  this  country,  but  in  Europe ;  and  not  only  Toledo,  but  Chi- 
cago, Detroit,  and  other  Lake  cities,  have  gathered  strength,  popula- 
tion and  Avealth  from  his  labors.  His  life  has  been  one  of  uninter- 
rupted activity  and  usefulness ;  and  years  after  he  shall  have  passed 
away,  his  comi)rehensive,  statesman-like  mind,  and  the  valuable  ser- 
vi(;os  he  has  rendered  the  country,  will  be  more  fully  appreciated 
than  they  are  to-day,  by  a  posterity  who  shall  rejoice  in  the  realiza- 
tion of  his  Siigacious  predictions. 


FRANCIS   L.    NICHOLS 

Was  born  in  Herkimer  co.,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1805  ;  in  January,  1830, 
at  Fairfield,  same  co.,  was  married  to  Miss  Jeannette,  daughter  of 
Amza  Bushnell,  a  pioneer  of  that  country,  and  a  brother  of  whom 
was  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  North  Western  Territory  at  Ma- 
rietta, in  1787.  Judge  Nichols  removed  to  the  Maumee  Valley  in 
January,  18oG,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Manhattan, 
tlien  a  flourishing  village,  with  flattering  prospects  of  rapid  growth. 

Manhattan,  Washington,  Oregon  and  part  of  Adams,  were  at  that 
time  included  in  the  township  of  Port  Ijawrence.  Judge  Nichols 
was  elected  and  served  as  one  of  the  Trustees  of  Port  Lawrence,  and, 
after  its  separate  organization,  of  Manhattan  township. 

At  the  session  of  tiie  Ohio  Legislature,  18-11-4"^,  Mr.  Nichols  was 
elected  one  of  the  Associate  Judges  of  Lucas  county,  Avhich  position, 
being  poorly  paid  he  resigned  Ai)ril,  1844,  in  order  to  accept  the  more 
lucrative  ollice  of  Clerk  of  tho  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  of  the 
ISuiireme  Court  of  said  county. 

His  seven  years'  official  service  In  these  oflices,tlien  fdled  by  the  old 
Judges,  closed  with  the  expiration  of  the  first  Constitution  of  Ohio, 
and  since  the  present  organic  law  came  in  force,  was  re-elected  in 
1854,  by  the  people,  Clerk  for  the  constitutional  term  of  three  years. 

Judge  Nichols  then  retired  to  his  little  farm — a  delightful  situa- 
tion upon  the  banks  of  the  Maumee  river,  which  he  cultivated 

3G 


5T8 


t'ulton  and  Henry  Counties. 


combining  tlie  beautiful  with  tlie  useful,  in  his  operations,  until  the 
revolt  of  the  Southern  States  occurred ;  and  then,  although  past 
military  age,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier,  offering  his  services  to 
the  country  without  regard  to  personal  hopes  of  promotion  or  prolit, 
If  he  did  not  meet  the  foe,  and  acquire  the  soldier's  laurels  in  the 
field,  it  was  because  they  did  not  approach  and  offer  battle ;  and  it 
ho  failed  to  advance  and  meet  the  enemy,  it  was  for  the  reason  tliat 
he  was  not  ordered  to  do  so.  The  friends  of  Judge  Nichols  are  not 
ashamed  of  his  military  record,  as  the  motives  that  dictated  his 
engaging  in  the  service  were  not  to  make  money  or  secure  tinsel  Ibr 
his  shoulders,  but  to  contribute,  so  far  as  he  was  able,  to  restore 
peace,  union,  and  equal  and  exact  justice  to  all  men,  of  whatover 
persuasion,  color,  religion  or  politics. 

In  real  estate  operations,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  during  the 
past  several  years,  Judge  Nichols  has  been  success! ul,  and  lived  to 
see  his  "little  farm"  embraced  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the 
city  of  Toledo;  and  few  families  in  the  city  enjoy  a  higher  degree  of 
happiness  and  tranquility  than  do  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nichols  at  their 
pleasant  home. 


[Consulting  the  convenience  of  printers,  and  for  the  purpose  ot 
facilitating  the  issue  of  this  work,  it  is  determined  liere  to  pass  to 
the  other  Ohio  Counties  of  the  Valley,  and  to  reserve  for  conclud- 
ing pages  the  remainder  of  the  matter  relating  to  Lucas  County.] 


FULTON  COUNTY. 

This  county,  possessing  a  soil  equal  in  fertility  to  any  in  North- 
western Ohio,  was  organized  in  1849.  It  has  no  points  of  ancient 
historical  interest.  Its  progress  in  population  and  wealth,  has  been 
very  satisfactory. 

The  following  are  the  census  figures :  In  lb50,  population  7,781 : 
in  1860,  14,043 ;  in  1870,  17,789. 

Wauseon,  the  county  seat,  in  18G0,  contained  a  population  of  378, 
atid,  in  1870,  a  population  of  1,474. 

Delta,  in  1870,  had  a  population  of  753;  and  Archbald,  of  373. 

Wauseon  has  a  first  class  newspaper,  the  North-Western  Ke- 
PUBLICAN,  published  by  Messrs.  A.  B.  Smith  &  Co. 


HENRY  COUNTY 

Was  formed  April  J,  1820,  and  named  from  Patrick  Henry,  the  cele- 
brated Virginia  orator  in  the  revolutionary  era.    "The  notorious  I 
Simon  Girty,"  says  Henry  Howe,  "once  resided  five  miles   above 


Henry  County — Girty^  Kenton,  die. 


570 


rations,  until  the 
n,  although  past 
g  his  services  to 
(motion  or  profit. 
•'s  laurels  in  the 
'er  battle ;  and  it 
r  the  reason  tliat 
;e  N  ichols  are  not 
that  dictated  liis 
ir  secure  tinsel  lor 
8  able,  to  restore 
men,  of  whatever 

n^aged  during  tlie 
isiul,  and  lived  to 
rate  limits  of  the 
a  higher  degree  of 
I.  Nichols  at  their 


for  the  purpose  of 
ed  here  to  pass  to 
iserve  for  concluJ- 
o  Lucas  County.] 


to  any  in  North- 
points  of  ancient 
d  wealth,  has  been 

),  population  7,781 : 

population  of  378, 

Archbald,  of  373. 
)rth-Western  Re- 
Co, 


Napoleon,  at  ft  place  called 'Ciirty's  Point.'  His  cabin  was  on  the 
hank  of  the  Maumee,  a  few  rods  west  of  the  residence  of  the  late 
Elijah  (!unn.  All  traces  of  liis  habitation  have  been  obliterated  by 
eiiUure,  aiid  a  line  farm  now  surrounds  the  spot." 

The  following,  from  the  brave  aiul  accoifiplished  mind  of  the  late 
William  Hubbard,  may  be  here  appropriately  introduced: 

AT  GIRTV'S  ISLAND, 
nv  WM.  nunnAKO. 

It  was  once  asked:  'Who  ever  thought  of  blaming  Hercules?' 
it  is  (|uil,e  as  ])ertinent  to  inquire:  'Who  ever  thought  of  praising 
Simon  (lirty  *:"  So  far  as  he  knows,  the  writer  of  this  was  the  tlrst 
to  venture  a  word  in  his  behalf.  Crirty  had  been  taken  i)risoner  by 
the  Lidians  in  early  youth,  and  became  attached  at  once  to  the  red 
men,  and  to  the  wild  life  they  led.  That  he  sliould  abide  with  them, 
and  light  for  them,  is  not  to  be  wondered  at.  We  hear  much  of  hia 
cruelty;  but  he  was  rivalled,  at  least,  if  not  surpassed,  in  barbarism 
l)y  his  Christian  foes.  He  was  neitlier  better  nor  worse  than  the 
average  tighter  of  that  day  on  either  side.  Kenton,  for  instance,  was 
a  fugitive  from  justice,  a  stealer  of  Indian  horses,  and  withal  a  pretty 
rough  sort  of  person.  The  Wetzels  were  murderers,  with  malice 
prejiense,  and  nothing  better.  Even  Colonel  Crawford,  on  his  last 
fatal  march,  bore  the  black  Hag  into  the  Indian  country,  and  pro- 
claimed his  purpose  to  spare  neither  age  nor  sex.  Girty  was  not  so 
merciless  as  he  has  been  represented,  by  those  to  whom  his  name 
was  a  word  of  terror.  He  rescued  Kenton  from  the  stake,  and  it  is 
believed  that  he  tried  to  save  the  life  of  Crawford,  though  he  might 
well  have  been  excused  for  any  strenuous  eifort  in  that  behalf. 

'  Girty's  Island'  is  seven  miles  above  Napoleon,  and  comprises, 
as  we  are  informed,  about  forty  acres.  The  soil  is  remarkably  pro- 
lific, and  an  extremely  dense  growth  of  vegetation  is  the  result. 
Girty's  cabin  was  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river;  and  it  is  said  that 
when  he  was  apprehensive  of  a  surprise,  he  would  retire  to  the 
island,  as  the  tiger  to  his  jungle,  with  a  senije  of  almost  absolute 
security  from  his  pursuers: 

A  dense,  wild  mass  of  wood  and  vine, 

And  flowers  and  fruits  in  season, 
And  strong-armed  oaiis,  lliis  isle  of  tliine 

Was  called  so  tor  good  reason. 
The  hounded  deer  its  covert  sought, 

In  life's  last  faint  endeavor ; 
And  here  the  wild  fowl's  nest  was  wrought, 

Where  hunter  found  it  never. 


a 


ick  Henry,  the  cele- 
"The  notorious! 
d  five  miles   above] 


Thy  heart  was  like  this  isle  of  thine, 

Uncultured,  unattended ; 
"Where  wholesome  fruit  and  poisonous  vine, 

Grew  up  and  strangely  blended ;— 


•5S0 


Henry  Count tj — Pioncevf^,  <fr. 


"Whore  rcdipo  never  was  denied 

To  liny  m.llerinfr  neeker, 
And  Huecor  waiteil  Cor  the  siilo 

That  needed  it— th(>  wealier. 

Men  named  Ihce  Outlaw,  Hene<!;nde, 

Wlio  seemed  to  liavc  tbrf;;otten 
Assassin  Wet/el's  lilnody  tiude — 

Tlie  Night  of  (Inudenlmttcn — 
Tlie  l)arl)iiioiis  vaunt  of  C'luwIord'H  men, 

Tiie  Huns  oC  ohi  time  slniminir! — 
All  this  must  liuve  IbrL^otlen  lieen, 

While  thee  so  flerceiy  blaminj,'. 

No  Kuight  in  the  cliivftlric  age, 

Espoused  cause  more  deserving, 
Or  l)()re  in  tent  or  battle's  rage 

A  fealty  more  unswerving; 
No  feeble  racie  by  Alight  opjjrest. 

E'er  had  more  gallant  warder 
Than  thee,  wild  Warrior  of  tiie  West, 

Orim  Chieftain  of  the  border. 

Thy  death,  heroic  as  thy  life, 

Made  whole  its  perfect  seeming. 
To  i)erish  in  the  fateful  strife — 

Thy  cause  lost  jiast  redeeming. 
The  world  thenceforth  could  oiler  thee 

No  further  deeds  of  daring. 
And  life  would  but  a  burden  be 

Too  onerous  for  beaiing. 

Oil,  great-souled  Chief! — so  long  malign'd 

By  bold  calumniators, 
The  world  shall  not  be  always  blind, 

Nor  all  men  be  thy  haters. 
If  ever  on  the  field  of  blood, 

Man's  valor  merits  glory, 
Then  Girty's  name  and  Girty's  fame 

Shall  shine  in  song  and  story. 

Nai'OLeon,  Ohio,  August,  1871. 


The  following  were  resklenis  in  Napoleon  in  1837:     Judge  Alex- 1 
ander  Craig,  James  (1.  Haley,  General  Henry  Leonard,  James  Magill, 
John  Powell,  Hazell  Strong,  George  Stout,  and  John  Glass. 

There  were  three  small  frame  liouses,  the  other-  '     -mt        ^j,,  „( 
logs.     Tiio  first  house  erected  in  the  place,  v\aH  •  '  by  II 

feet,  and  was  ollered  to  the  public  by  Av^   ■>  A  <  cru. 

On  the  tistial  road,  on  the  north  side.  wet       Iaiui:a'| 

City  and  Fort  Wayne,  thirty-tive  years  a  alter  i  .ng  ,  .o  fornurl 
place  the  first  house  the  traveller  would  mei't  W(\.id  be  at  Water- 
ville,  six  miles  above  Maumee  City,  "where  he  wo  M  (ind  five  or  six 
dwellings.  Passing  up  seven  or  eight  miles  fartin  r,  he  would  reiicli 
the  tavern  of  Mr.  Tiehean,  a  half-breed  Indian.  The  next  house, 
eighteen  miles  above,  would  be  in  a  group  of  three  or  lour,  standin;; 
at  Providence ;  thence  he  would  reach  the  hospitable  house  of  Samii' ' 


Jlenry  County — Napoleon  Itusiness.  581 


837:  Jiulge  Alex- 
nurd,  James  Miigill, 
John  Glass. 

.    .        1  i.i.r  lit.     ,|( 

by  11 
oru. 
wet      vlannue 
.ng  1.0  foriiur[ 
ro  1 1  Id  be  lit  Water- 
Mi  fiiul  five  or  six 
liir,  he  would  reach 
The  next  house,! 
•oe  or  fuiir,  standingj 
ble  house  of  Sanni" 


Vance,  cccupyiiig  the  site  of  a  fjirin  \vlii(Oi  was  found  hy  Wuyno's 
iirniy  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  in  J794;  and  \vlii(;h  was  then 
known  as  I'rairie  (hi  Mas(|ue,  and  IU)W  as  Damascus,  This  j)oint 
would  bring  the  traveller  twenty-seven  miU'H  above  Alaumee  City. 
The  next  house,  about  two  miles  above  i>anui8cu8,  was  a  tavern  and 
tniding  j)ost,  owtu'd  by  John  Patrick'.  Three  miles  above  this,  the 
traveller  would  reach  Napoleon,  where  he  would  discover  the  settlers 
iibovo  enumerated. 

It  had  been  the  design  to  devoto  several  pages  to  the  pioneers  of 
Henry  county, — their  reminiscences,  etc., — much  of  value  on  this 
subject  having  been  furnished  by  Hon.  James  G.  Haley,  in  an  address 
delivered  at  Napoleon,  Afarch,  18(51);  but  these  already  over-crowded 
piiges  will  not  now  admit  tlie  ox<'cution  of  the  design. 

The  development  of  the  material  resources  of  the  counly  has  been 
rapid  during  the  last  several  years.  In  1S'J:{,  the  tax  valuation  of 
Uenry  county,  amounted  to  *^()8  ;  in  1871,  to  *;],905,U73. 

The  population  of  the  county  in  1830,  was  202;  in  1840,  2,503; 
in  1850,  3,434;  in  1800,  8,901 ;  in  1870,  14,028. 

Napoleon,  the  county  seat,  was  platted  in  1832,  and  the  first  dwel- 
ling, a  log  cabin,  erected  on  the  plat  that  year.  Its  advance  in  pop- 
ulation and  wealth,  during  the  last  ten  years,  has  been  highly  grati- 
lying  to  the  real  estate  owners  of  the  town.  In  1850,  the  population 
of  the  township  of  Napoleon  amounted  to  SCO;  in  18G0,  the  popu- 
lation of  the  town,  to  918,  and  in  1870.  to  2,018. 

Some  of  the  leading  interests  of  Nai)uleon,and  Avhich  will  afford  a 
2;eneral  idea  of  its  present  moral  and  business  condition,  are  here  given : 

Five  church  buildings:  Presl)yterian,  Methodist,  Catholic, Episco- 
pal, and  German  Lutheran.  The  Swedenborgians  have  also  a  church 
orj^unization.  There  are  two  well-conducted  newspapers, —  The 
y<)rlh-  [Vest,  by  L.  Orwig  &>  Co.,  and  the  Napoleon  Sif/nal,  by  P.  U. 
Ainger;  two  banks— the  First  National,  organized  February,  1872, 
and  that  of  Slufiield  &  Norton  (William  Hhenield,  and  J.  D.  Nor- 
ton), a  private  institution,  and  the  oldest,  established  in  18CG.  The 
senior  member  of  this  firm  is  a  pioneer  of  the  Northwest,  and, 
when  in  practice,  a  successful  lawyer,  and  one  of  the  best  business 
men  on  the  river,  having  held  responsit)le  olUcial  positions,  near 
thirty  years  ago;  and  Mr.  Norton  had  achieved  an  established  repu- 
tiitioii  in  commercial  circles  in  Cleveland,  before  his  removal  to 
Napoleon.  The  institution  is  upon  solid  basis,  and  commands  the  ' 
confidence  and  deposits  of  the  public.  A  suit  of  oflices,  including 
burglar  and  fire-proof  vaults  and  safes,  in  Vocke's  block.  Perry 
street,  were  completed  in  the  spring  of  1872,  and  are  equal  in  ele- 
giuico  to  some  of  the  most  attractive  in  the  largest  cities. 

In  manufactures,  there  are,  in  Napoleon,  a  shingle  factory,  planing 
mill,  gtave  factory,  asliery,  2  grist  mills,  2  saw  mills,  handle  factory, 

unery,  woollen  mill,  'J,  foundry  and  machiiio  shops,  4  wagon,  and 

■uv!'iage  do,  7  blacksmith  do,  3  tailor  do,  3  boot  and  shoe  ilo,  4 

I'peater  do,  .^  luwnoss  do,  1  brewery,  and  1  distillery. 


582 


Williams  and  Defiance  Counties. 


Also,  4  hotels,  4  dry  goods  stores,  6  family  grocery  do,  3  hardware 
do,  and  2  drug  do.  Wauseon  has  also  an  immediate  pro3pect  for 
one  or  more  new  railway  lines. 


WILLIAMS  COUNTY 

Was  formed  Ai)ril  1,  1820.  and  organized  in  April,  1824.  It  was 
named  from  Daniel  Williams,  one  of  the  three  captors  of  Major 
Andre,  in  the  war  of  the  revolntion.  The  erection  of  Defiance 
county,  in  184.5,  detaclied  from  old  Williams  the  porion  of  terri- 
tory embodying  its  lirst  settlement,  and  which  is  invested  with  the 
early  historical  matter  that  gave  it  value  and  interest.  When  the 
county  seat  was  removed  from  Defiance  to  Bryan,  in  1840,  there  was 
not  an  inhabited  dwelling  on  the  i)lace  now  occupied  by  this  flour- 
ishing town.  A  native  forest,  of  immense  trees,  bearing  evidence  of 
the  natural  wealth  of  the  soil,  covered  the  ground.  Tiie  first  Court 
House  and  offices  were  built  of  logs. 

The  first  Federal  census  was  taken  when  the  county  embraced  tlie 
present  territory  of  Williams,  Defiance,  Paulding,  and  ])art  of  Henry. 
It  then  contained,  in  1820,  a  population  of  387 ;  in  1830,  4,46.5  ;  in 
1840,  8,018  ;  in  1850  (liaving  meantime  lost  the  townships  included 
within  Defiance  county),  10,033;  and  in  1870,  20,991. 

In  1839,  the  real  and  personal  valuation  for  tax  purposes,  amount- 
ed to  $30,532,  and  the  taxes  to  §3,520.  Number  of  acres  on  the 
duplicate,  861,  and  their  value,  $8,258. 

The  following  are  tlie  present  valuations  of  lands,  Bryan  city  lots, 
and  chattels  in  Williams  county,  as  obtained  from  the  Auditor's 
books,  by  Robert  N.  Patterson,  Esq.,  and  affords  gratifying  evidence 
of  the  progress  of  the  county: 

Total  number  of  acres  of  hind  in  county,  outside  LJry ;ui 205,702 

Total  value  of  laud  in  county,  outside  Bryau f  4,673,800  00 

chattels        "  "  "      1,587,038  0(1 

"  lots  and  parcels  of  land  in  Bryan 478,685  00 

chattels  in  Bryau a97,04(i  00 

Total  value  in  county $7,030,509  00 

The  lawyers  taxed  in  1839,  were,  Horace  Sessions,  Curtis  Bates, 
Amos  Evans,  and  William  Semans ;  and  the  physicians,  .Tonus  Colin', 
C.  W.  Crawford,  James  M.  Gillespie,  Oney  Rice,  Jr.,  and  Nathan  (I. 
Sales. 

The  first  session  of  the  County  Commissioners  of  old  Willinnis, 
was  held  at  Defiance,  December  0,  1824 — the  Commissioners  being 
Benjamin  Leavell,  Cyrus  Hunter,  and  Charles  Gunnj  and  their 
clerk,  John  Evans. 

At  this  session,  authority  was  granted  for  opening  a  road  "'  on 
the  nortli  side  of  the  Maumee  river,  commencing  at  the  east  line  of 
Henry  county,,  and  running  from  thence  on  the  best  and  most  eligi- 


s. 


Williams  and  Defiance  Counties. 


583 


f  do,  3  hardware 
[vte  pro3]:)ect  for 


il,  18-^4.  It  was 
;aptors  of  Major 
tion  of  Defiance 
por  ion  of  terri- 
ivested  with  the 
n-est.  WHeu  the 
n  1840,  there  wa.s 
ed  by  this  ilour- 
jariug  evidence  of 
The  first  Court 

iiity  embraced  the 
md  ])art  of  Henry. 
11  1830,4,465;  in 
)wn8hips  inchided 

991. 

purposes,  amoiuil- 
r  of  acres  on  the 

Is,  Brvan  city  lots, 

am  the   Auditor's 

ratifying  evidence 

205,702 

.  *4,(i73,800  00 

'"  .     1,587,038  0(1 

478,685  00 

297,040  00 

!j;~,03G,5G9  01) 

ons,  Curtis  Bates. 
iians,  Jonas  Colhy, 
r.,  and  Nathan  (i. 

,  of  old  WilliHuis, 
umissioners  being 
Gunn;  and  their 

cning  a  road  "  on 

at  the  east  line  ot 

est  and  most  eligi- 


ble ground  opposite  Defiance,  Williams  county,  and  to  cross  the 
river  opposite  Jefterson  street,  in  said  town  of  Defiance." 

The  name  of  Auglaize  township  was  changed  to  that  of  Defiance. 

The  County  Auditor  at  this  time  was  S.  S.  Smith ;  Assessor, 
8arauel  Vance,  and  Sheriftj  William  Preston. 

The  first  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was  held  at  Defiance,  April  5, 
1824,  by  Associate  Judges  Pierce  Evans,  Robert  Shirley,  and  John 
Perkins. 

John  Evans  was  also  appointed  clerk  pro  tern,,  and  gave  the  nec- 
essary bond.  He  was  also  appointed  by  trie  Court  Recorder  for  the 
County  of  Williams. 

The  Court  fixed  the  following  as  the  rates  of  ferriage  across  the 
Maumee  and  Auglaize  rivers :  For  a  footman,  6^  cents  ;  man  and 
horse,  18f  cents;  loaded  wagon  and  team,  $1;  four-wheeled  car- 
riage and  team,  75  cents;  loaded  cart  and  team,  50  cents;  empty 
cart  and  team,  sled  or  sleigh  and  team,  37^  cents ;  horse,  mare,  mule, 
or  ass,  one  year  old  or  upwards,  6;^^  centp ;  neat  cattle,  per  head,  4 
cents  ;  hogs  and  sheep,  per  head,  3  cents. 

The  Court  granted  a  license  to  Benjamin  Leavell  to  keep  a  ferry 
across  the  Maumee  and  Auglaize  rivers,  at  Defiance,  upon  his  pay- 
ing into  the  County  Treasury  the  sum  of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents, 
for  the  term  of  one  year. 

At  the  May  term,  1824,  the  Court  granted  Benjamin  Leavell  a 
license  to  vend  merchandise  at  his  residence  in  the  town  of  Defiance 
for  the  term  of  one  year,  upon  his  paying  into  the  County  Treasury 
ten  dollars. 

At  the  May  term,  1825,  Rodolphus  Dickinson  was  appointed  by 
the  Court  Prosecuting  Attorney. 

Among  the  old  settlers  within  the  present  limits  of  Williams 
county,  are  Philetus  S.  Gleason,  who  removed  from  Tompkins 
county.  New  York,  to  Springfield  township,  in  1835,  where  he 
opened  a  small  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  two  years.  He  is  now 
engaged  in  buoiness  in  Bryan. 

In  the  same  year,  John  Kintigh  removed  from  Westmoreland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  to  Tifiin  township,  then  Williams  county. 
His  brother-in-law,  Isaac  Evans,  now  of  Bryan,  accompanied  him. 

Also,  in  1835,  Henry  Miller,  removed  with  his  family  from  Rich- 
land county,  to  Jefferson  township,  where  he  opened  a  farm,  and 
continued  upon  it  until  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occur- 
red in  1863. 

i/ohn  Miller,  a  brother  of  the  above  named,  also  from  Richland, 
commenced  opening  a  farm  in  Brady  township,  during  the  same 
year.    He  is  now  a  resident  of  Pulaski  township. 

Messrs.  Hood,  Thompson,  and  Joseph  Bates  were  settlers  in  1834. 
Mr.  Thompson  resides  on  the  farm  in  Jefferson  township,  that  he 
first  opened, 

Collin  and  David  Thorp  settled  in  the  county  in  1836. 

M.  B.  Plummer,  now  of  Bryan,  wiio  removed  to  the  county  in 


It 


584 


Williams  Count f/ — Po^yulation,  dc. 


October,  1841,  and  settled  near  the  village  of  Pulaski,  says  that 
Isaac  Perkins  (of  Edgerton),  is  the  oldest  resident  now  of  Williams, 
having  been  in  the  county  about  55  years.  Mr.  Plummer  also  says 
that  there  are  few  persons  living  in  the  county  who  inhabited  it  .i'J 
yeai'S  ago.  lie  still  finds,  however,  Albert' Opdyke,  George  W. 
Myers,  Isaac  Perkins.  Jacob  Youso,  Jacob  Over,  John  Kaufman, 
William  Yates,  P.  W.  Snow,  John  and  Jefterson  Miller,  Turner 
Thompson,  Samuel  Beerbower,  John  and  Hiram  Opdyke,  Elijaii 
Perkips,  Jabez  Jones,  senior  and  junior,  John  B.  Jones,  Andrew 
Smith,  Stephen  Dougbten,  A.  J.  Tressler,  William  AVyatt,  James 
Oliver,  and  George  Buchler. 

The  following  were  the  officers  of  Williams  county  in  18T3 : 

Lewis  E.  Brewster,  Clerk  of  Court;  P.  Smith,  Prosecuting  Attor- 
ney; Simeon  Gillis,  Auditor;  Melvin  M.  Boothman,  Treasurer ;  H. 
L.  Walker,  Sheriff;  Robert  D.  Dole,  IJecorder ;  James  Paul,  Sur- 
veyor ;  11.  S.  Kirk,  Coroner ;  Eli  Booth,  D.  Farnham,  and  F.  W. 
Stocking,  Commissioners. 

Bryan,  the  seat  of  justice  of  Williams  county,  is,  in  several 
respects,  one  of  the  most  desirable  inland  towns  in  the  Valley  for 
residence.  Among  its  chief  advantages,  is  the  abur^dant  supply  of 
pure  water,  readily  and  cheaply  obtained  from  Artesian  Wells,  which 
have  been  discovered  from  analysis  of  eminent  chemists,  to  contain 
properties  of  medicinal  value. 

The  town  was  surveyed  and  jdattcd  by  Miller  Arrowsnaith,  in 
July,  1840, — it  having  become  an  incorporated  village,  by  an  act  of 
the  Legislature,  passed  March  7,  1849. 

Pulaski  township,  in  which  Bryan  is  located,  contained,  in  1840, 
a  population  of  ^79;  in  1850,760;  in  1800,  2,258,  and  in  1870, 
5,831.  The  relations  of  population,  business,  and  wealth  existin}^ 
between  Pulaski  township  and  Bryan,  are  so  intimately  associated, 
that  it  is  deemed  proper  to  combine  the  census  returns. 

Bryan  contains  four  church  edifices — Presbyterian,  Baptist,  Methoillst,  nnd 
German  Lutlioran — and  seven  congregalions.  In  addition  to  well-conducted 
schools,  the  Normal  Academy,  under  the  management  of  C.  W.  Mykranlz,  is 
in  very  successful  operation. 

Two  banking  institutions— one  National,  and  one  organized  under  Stale 
laws — are  prosecuting  a  safe  and  sound  business. 

Two  newspapers  arc  well  su.^tained — the  Bryan  Democrat,  by  Robert  N. 
Patterson,  and  the  Bryan  Press,  by  P.  C.  Hayes. 

In  manufacturing,  the  city  contains  a  hub  and  spoke  factory ;  foundry  am! 
machine  shop ;  stove  factory  ;  two  grist  mills ;  three  saw  do ;  sash  and  blind 
factory;  Ifax  mill;  shingle  and  handle  factory;  three  ccMjper  shops;  thrci' 
wagon  and  carriage  do;  pump  and  cistern  factorj"^ ;  brewery,  ashery,  tannery; 
two  cigar  manufactories  ;  three  cabinet  and  four  blacksmith  shops. 

The  city  has  also  three  hotels ;  six  dry  goods,  live  grocery  and  provisions, 
four  clothmg,  four  boot  and  shoe,  and  three  drug  and  medicine  stores;  three 
harness  shops;  five  meat  markets;  seven  millinery  shops,  and  two  livery 
stables. 

In  1872,  the  amount  paid  at  Bryan  for  timber,  amounted  to  $40,000,  and  for 
flax  straw,  #20,000. 

O.  T,  Letcher  &  Co.,  in  1871-72,  paid  for  domestic  produce,  |14'i,000.  Other 
firms  pfljd  out  an  aggregate  equaling  this  amQimt,    This  firm  of  0.  T,  Letcher 


&(?. 


Defiance  County — Early  History. 


585 


laski,  says  that 
ow  of  Williams, 
[iimer  also  says 
inliabited  it  :i'2 
^ke,  George  W. 
John  Kaufman, 
Miller,  Turner 
Opdyke,  Elijaii 
Jones,  Andrew 
I  Wyatt,  James 

ty  in  1872 : 
o'secuting  Attor- 
i,  Treasurer ;   H. 
ames  Paul,  Sur- 
ham,  and  F.  W. 

y,  is,  in  several 
.  the  Valley  for 
ir,dant  supply  of 
sian  Wells,  which 
3mi8ts,  to  contain 

Arrow  smith,  in 
age,  by  an  act  oi' 

ntaincd,  in  1840, 
iilS.and  in  18T0, 
Avealth  oxistinf; 
lately  associated, 
urns. 

ilist,  Methodist,  iiiul 
n  to  well-coiuUiclL'il 
C.  W.  Mykraiitz,  is 

:iini7.'?(l  under  State 

ocrat,  hy  Robert  N. 

ctory ;  foundry  and 
do;  siish  and  bliiul 
;ooper  shops;  three 
ry,  ashery,  tannery; 
th  shops. 

ery  and  provisions, 
dicine  stores;  three 
ops,  and  two  livery 

1 10  $40,000,  and  for 

ICC,  $145,000.  Other 
irm  of  O.T.Letcher 


&  Co.,  which  controls  chiefly  the  produce  trade  of  the  Bryan  market,  was  es- 
tablished in  1800,  wlien  the  wiiole  payments  (or  domestic  produce  would 
scarcely  exceed  $75,000.  IJy  business  slvill  and  fair  dealini^,  tliey  liave  obtain- 
ed full  confidence  of  farmers  and  conunercial  men,  and  tiieir  business  is  in- 
creasing with  the  rapidly  advancing  wealth  of  the  country.  The  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  firm,  Mr.  William  Letcher,  is  a  pioneer  of  the  Maumee  Valley,  and 
first  established  himself  in  business  at  Fort  Wayne,  in  1841. 

One  dry  goods  firm  (Ashtcm  &  Co.,)  made  sales,  in  1871-72,  of  goods 
iiinounting  to  $100,000,  and  disbursed  an  e(|ual  amount  for  produce — a  sum 
eiiuivalent  to  the  entire  business  of  the  town  in  185G,  when  the  house  com- 
menced business.  Its  first  year's  sales,  including  produce  transactions,  did  not 
cvceed  $25,000.    This  fact  illustrates  the  vigorous  growth  of  the  town. 

One  of  the  best  agricultural  townships  in  the  county,  is  that  of  Brady,  em- 
bracing the  town  of  West  Unity.  Tin;  population  of  Brady,  including  West 
Unity,  w^as,  ia  1840,  351 ;  in  1850,  1,138  ;  in  1800,  1,83(5;  and'iu  1870,  2,218. 

Madiscm  township,  which  includes  Pioneer,  hud  a  population  in  1850,  of  227; 
in  1860,  960,  and  in  1870,  1,865. 

Edgerton,  a  new  town  on  the  Air  Line  road,  in  St.  Joseph  township,  had  a 
population  in  1870,  of  690. 

Strykcr,  in  Springfield  township,  on  the  Air  Line  railway,  returned,  in  1870, 
ft  population  ot  G71. 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 

In  matter  of  historical  interest,  connected  with  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  West,  the  site  of  the  old  Fort  Defiance,  or  Fort  Win- 
chester, as  sometimes  known, — as  the  reader  will  have  discovered  in 
preceding  pages, — was  the  scene  of  stirring  and  important  events. 
Like  Fort  Wayne,  it  was  a  favorite  point  with  the  savages.  Rev. 
0.  M.  Spencer,  who,  during  his  boyhood,  in  1793,  was  a  prisoner 
among  the  Indians,  and  spent  most  of  his  captivity  at  Defiance,  says 
that  "  from  this  station  I  had  a  fine  view  of  the  large  village  more 
than  a  mile  south,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Auglaize,  of  Blue  Jacket's 
town,  and  of  the  Maumee  river  for  several  miles  below,  and  of  the 
exteusive  prairie  covered  with  corn,  directly  opposite,  and  forming 
together  a  very  handsome  landscape."  On  his  expedition  against 
the  Indians  on  the  Maumee,  two  years  later,  General  Wayne,  also,  in 
a  communication  to  the  War  Department  (which  will  soon  follow), 
refers  to  "  the  extensive  and  highly  cultivated  fields  and  gardens,  as 
showing  the  work  of  many  hands." 

The  late  Chief  Richardvillo,  often  asserted  to  Judge  Borden  and 
others,  of  Fort  Wayne,  that  Pontiac  was  born  at  Fort  Defiance, — 
one  of  his  parents  being  a  Miami,  and  the  other  belonging  to  the 
Ottawa  tribe  of  Indians. 

According  to  Heckewelder,  "  the  Miami  of  the  Lake,  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Auglaize  with  that  river,"  was  the  place  of  abode  and 
refuge,  in  1781,  for  a  remnant  of  the  Moravian  Christian  Indians, 
after  the  massacre  on  the  Muskingum. 

Prom  manuscript  prepared  by  Mr.  Holgate,  of  Defiance,  and  designed  as  a 
contribution  to  tUo  Maumeo  Valley  Historical  Society,  the  following  is  ex- 
tracted regarding  the  captivity  of  John  BrickcU,  of  Pittsburg,  who,  during 
his  boyhood,  in  February,  1791,  was  captured  near  his  horno,  and,  after  a 
painful  and  tedious  march,  reached  Dcfianca  in  May,  1791,  and  w«s  adopted  by 


58fi        Defiance  County — Captivity  of  Brichell. 


Whing-wy-pooshies,  or  "Big  Cat,"  a  Delaware  Indian,  in  whose  family  be  lived 
until  Jnne,  1795;  when  his  captors  surrendered  themselves  and  their  white 
prisoners  to  the  commandant  at  Fort  Defiance.  During  his  residence  amoni; 
the  Indians,  two  very  important  military  events  occurred— the  defeat  of  St. 
Clair,  in  IIOI,  and  the  victory  of  Wayne,  in  1794;  and  it  was  probably  one  of 
the  results  of  the  latter  event,  added  to  the  neglect  of  the  British  to  supply 
them  with  food  and  clothing,  that  the  Indians  sought  terms  with  the  Ameri- 
cans.  During  his  residence  of  five  yeai-s  among  the  Indians,  young  Brickell 
had  become  so  deeply  attached  to  them  and  their  customs,  that  he  hesitated  to 
accept  the  proposition  to  leave  Ihem,  and  to  return  to  his  own  family,  Mr. 
Brickell  stales  thai  when  intelligence  of  the  approach  of  St.  Clair's  army  reached 
the  Indians  at  Defiance,  the  w(nnen,  children,  and  such  valuables  as  could  be 
transported,  were  (ronveyed  down  the  river,  while  the  able-bodied  men  went 
to  resist  the  white  invader. 

In  reference  to  Wayne's  campaign,  Mr.  Brickell  says:  "In  the  mouth  of 
June,  1794,  two  Indian  men,  boy  mid  myself,  startecl  on  a  candle-light  hunt- 
ing expedition  up  the  Blanc;hard.  We  had  been  out  about  two  months,  and 
returned  to  the  towns  in  August,  and  found  them  entirely  evacuated,  but  gave 
ourselves  no  uneasiuess,  as  we  suppo.sed  the  Indians  had  gone  to  the  foot  of  the 
Maumee  rapids  to  receive  their  presents  from  the  British,  as  tht.v  were  in  tiie 
habit  of  doing.  Wo  encamped  on  the  lowest  island,  in  the  middle  of  a  corn 
field.  Next  morning  an  Indian  runner  came  down  the  river  and  gave  the 
alarm  whoop,  which  is  a  kind  of  yell  they  used  for  no  other  purpose.  The 
Indians  answered,  and  one  went  over  to  the  runner,  and  immediately  returniujr, 
told  us  the  white  men  were  upon  us,  and  we  must  run  for  our  lives.  We  scat- 
tered like  a  flock  of  partridges,  leaving  our  breakfast  cooking  on  the  fire.  The 
Kentucky  riflemen  saw  our  smoke,  anil  came  to  it,  and  just  missed  me  as  I 
passed  them  in  my  flight  through  the  corn.  They  took  the  whole  of  our  two 
month's  work — breakfast,  jerk,  skins  and  all.  Wayne  was  then  only  four 
miles  from'us,  and  the  vanguard  pressed  us  close.  The  bo;'-  and  myself  pursued 
the  trail  of  the  Indians  till  we  overtook  them.  Two  or  three  days  after  we 
arrived  at  the  rapids,  Wayne's  spies  came  boldly  into  our  camp  and  fired  upon 
the  Indians.  Their  names  were  Miller,  McCleUan,  May,  AVelLs,  Mahaffy,  and 
one  other  whose  name  I  forget.  Miller  received  a  wound  in  the  shoulder; 
May  was  chased  to  the  smooth  rock  in  the  bed  of  the  river,  where  his  horse 
fell,  and  he  was  taken  prisoner;  but  the  others  made  their  escape.  May  was^ 
taken  to  camp,  and  identified  as  an  old  prisoner  who  had  made  his  escape,  and 
on  the  next  day  (the  one  preceding  the  battle)  he  was  tied  to  a  tree  and  his 
body  riddled  by  fifty  bullets.  On  the  day  of  the  battle,  I  was  about  six  miles 
below  with  the  squaws,  and  went  out  hunting.  The  day  being  windy,  I  heard 
nothing  of  the  battle,  but  met  some  Indians  on  the  retreat,  one  of  whom  told 
mc  they  were  beaten.  Many  Delav  ares  were  killed  or  wounded — among  the 
former  the  one  who  took  May.  He  was  much  missed,  being  their  only  gun- 
smith. Our  crops  and  every  means  of  support  being  cut  off,  we  had  to  winter 
at  the  mouth  of  Swan  creek,  where  Toledo  now  stands.  We  were  entire!) 
dependent  on  the  British,  and  they  did  not  half  supply  us,  and  thi  Indians 
became  exasperated  at  their  Jconcluct.  It  was  concluded  to  send  a  flag  to 
Fort  Defiance,  in  order  to  make  a  treaty  with  the  Americans ;  and  reaching 
that  place,  we  found  the  Americans  ready  to  treat,  and  an  exchange  of  pris- 
oners was  agreed  upon.  Nine  whites  were  exchanged  for  nine  Indians.  I  was 
left,  there  being  no  Indian  to  give  for  me.  Patton,  Johnston  and  Mrs.  Baker 
were  three  of  th    nne ;  the  names  of  the  others  I  have  forgotten. 

"  On  the  openit  of  spring  we  all  went  up  to  Defiance,  and  arriving  on  the 
shore  opposite,  saluted  the  fort  with  a  round  of  rifles,  and  they  shot  a  cannon 
thirteen  times.  We  then  encamped  on  the  spot.  On  the  same  day,  Whing-wy- 
poo-shies  told  me  I  must  go  over  to  the  fort.  The  children  hung  round  mc 
crying,  and  asked  me  if  I  was  going  to  leave  them  ?  I  told  them  I  did  not 
know.  When  we  got  over  to  the  fort,  and  were  seated  with  the  officers, 
Whinwy-poo-sUics  addressed  me  in  about  these  words :    '  My  son,  these  arc 


ichell. 


Defiance  County — Indian  Captives. 


587 


liose  family  he  lived 
/es  and  their  white 
lis  residence  umonj; 
l—the  defeat  of  St. 
Aras  probably  one  of 
e  British  to  supply 
US  with  the  Amevl- 
ans,  young  Brickell 
that  he  hesitated  to 
s  own  family.  Mr. 
.  Clair's  army  reached 
■aluables  as  could  he 
ile-l)0(lied  men  went 

"In  the  mouth  of 
.  a  caudle-light  hunt- 
ut  two  months,  and 
evacuated,  but  gave 
one  to  the  foot  of  the 
as  tht.v    were  in  the 
:he  mi'ddle  of  a  com 
B  river  and  gave  the 
other  purpose.    The 
umediately  returning, 
r  our  lives.     We  scut- 
dug  on  the  fire.    The 
I  iiist  missed  me  as  I 
he  whole  of  our  two 
was  then  only  four 
[>"  and  myself  pursued 
"three  days  after  we 
1-  camp  and  fired  upon 
Wells,  Mahaffy,  and 
und  in  the  shoulder; 
iver,  where  his  hor.se 
■ir  escape.     May  was 
made  his  escape,  and 
ed  to  a  tree  and  his 
I  was  about  six  miles 
being  windy,  I  heard 
It,  one  of  whom  told 
wounded— among  the 
being  their  only  gun- 
ofl,  we  had  to  winter 
Is.    We  were  entirely 
us,  and  th2  Indians 
ed  to  send  a  flag  to 
ericans ;  and  reaching 
an  exchange  of  pns- 
r  nine  Indians.    I  was 
iston  and  Mrs.  Baker 
forgotten. 

and  arriving  on  the 
,d  they  shot  a  cannon 
same  day,  Whing-wy- 
dreu  hung  round  me 
told  them  I  did  not 
ted  with  the  oflicers, 
'  My  son,  these  arc 


men  the  same  color  with  yourself,  and  some  of  your  own  kin  may  be  here,  or 
they  may  l>o  a  great  way  olT.  You  have  lived  a  long  time  with  us ;  I  now  call 
upon  you  to  say  if  I  have  not  been  a  fattier  to  you-^if  I  have  not  used  you  as 
a  father  would  a  son  T  I  replied :  *  You  have  used  me  as  well  as  a  father 
could  use  a  son.'  He  replied  :  '  I  am  glad  you  .say  so ;  you  have  lived  long 
with  me  ;  you  have  hunted  for  me  ;  but  our  treaty  says  you  must  be  free.  If 
you  choose  to  go  with  the  people  of  your  own  itulor,  i  have  no  right  to  say  a 
word  ;  but  if  you  choose  to  stay  with  me,  your  people  have  no  right  to  .speak. 
Now  reflect  oil  it  and  take  your  choice,  and  tell  us  as  soon  as  you  make  up 
your  mind.'  I  was  silent  a  few  nunutes,  during  which  time  it  seemed  as  if  I 
thought  of  almost  everything — of  the  children  I  had  just  left,  crying — of  the 
Indians  I  was  attached  tc,  anil  I  tliought  of  my  people,  whicii  I  remembered, 
and  this  latter  thought  predominated,  iiiid  1  suid:  '  I  will  go  with  my  kin.' 
The  old  man  then  said:  '1  hav(^  raised  you;  I  have  learned  you  to  hunt. 
You  are  a  good  hunter;  you  have  l)ecn  better  to  me  than  my  own  s<ms.  I  am 
now  getting  old,  and  cannot  hunt.  1  thouglit  you  would  be  a  support  to  my 
age;  I  leaned  upon  you  as  on  a  stall ;  bui  now  it  is  broken  ;  you  are  g<ting  to 
leave  me  and  I  luive  no  right  to  .say  a  word  ;  liut  I  am  ruined.'  He  then  sank 
hack,  in  tears,  to  his  seal  1  liearldy  Joined  him  in  his  tears— parted  with  him, 
and  have  never  seen  or  heard  ot  him  since." 

After  his  return  from  captivity,  Mr.  Hri(;kell  settled  at  Columbus,  Oldo,  and 
became  one  of  its  most  esteemed  citizens  and  honored  (Uiristians. 

Rev.  O.  M.  Spencer,  already  (jiioted  iVoru,  tluis  describes,  in  his 
narrative,  the  site  upon  wliicli  Fort  Jleiiance  was,  two  years  after- 
wards, erected. 

On  this  high  ground,  extending  IVom  the  Muumee  a  ipiarter  of  a  mile  up  the 
.Vuglaize,  about  two  hundred  yards  in  width,  was  tin  open  sjiace,  on  the  west 
and  south  of  which  were  oak  woods,  with  ha/.el  undergrowth.  Within  this 
opening,  a  linv  hundred  yards  above  the  jioint,  on  the  stceji  high  bank  of  the 
Auglaize,  were  five  or  si\  cabins  and  log  houses,  inhabited  principally  by 
Indian  traders.  The  most  northerly,  u  hewed  log  house,  divided  below  into 
three  apartments,  was  occupieil  as  u  warehouse,  store,  and  dwelling,  by  George 
Ironside,  the  most  wealthy  ami  intluential  of  the  traders  on  the  point.  Next 
tohisweni  the  houses  of  PirauU  [Pero|,a  French  baker,  and  McKcnzie,  a 
Scot,  who,  in  addition  to  merchandizing,  followed  the  occupation  of  silver- 
smith, exchanging  with  the  Indians  his  brooches,  ear-drops,  and  other  silver 
ornaments,  at  an  immense  profit,  for  skins  and  f  lu's.  Still  fart'.'.er  up  were  sev- 
eral other  fannlies  of  French  and  English.  Fronting  the  house  of  Ironside, 
;md  about  filly  yards  from  the  bank,  was  a  small  stockade,  enclosing  two  heweil 
log  houses,  one  of  which  was  occupied  by  .lames  Girty  (brother  of  Simon), 
the  other,  occasionally,  by  McKee  and  Elliott,  llritish  Indian  agents,  living  at 
Detroit. 

Brief  extracts  from  the  following  copy  of  tlie  letter  of  General 
Wayne  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  have  been  made  in  preceding  pages ; 
bat  it8_historical  and  local  value,  and  the  high  estimate  given  tlic 
place  as  a  military  point,  authorizes  its  full  insertion  here : 

IIk.\diju.vuteks,  Guand  Glaize,  ) 
14th  August,  1791.  \ 

Sill:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  army  under  my  command 
took  possession  of  this  very  important  post  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  instant 
—the  enemy,  on  the  preceding  evening,  having  abandonedall  their  settlements, 
towns  and  villages,  with  such  apparent  marks  of  surprise  and  precipitation,  as 
to  amount  to  a  positive  proof,  that  our  approach  w^as  not  discovered  by  them, 
until  the  arrival  of  a  Mr.  Newman,  of  tlie  Quartermaster  General's  Depart- 
ment, who  deserted  from  the  army  near  the  St.  Mary's,  and  gave  them  every 
information  in  his  power,  as  to  our  force,  the  object  of  our  destination,  stale 


588      Defiance  County — Oen.  Wayne^s  Dispatch. 


of  provisions,  number  and  size  of  the  artillery,  etc.,  etc.,  circumstances  and 
facts  that  he  had  but  too  good  an  opportunity  of  knowing,  from  acting  as  a 
field  (Quartermaster  on  the  march,  and  at  the  moment  of  his  desertion.  Hence, 
I  have  good  grounds  to  conclude,  that  the  defection  of  this  villain  prevented 
the  enemy  from  receiving  a  fatal  blow  at  this  place,  when  least  expected. 

1  had  made  .such  demonstrations,  for  a  length  of  time  previously  to  taking 
up  our  line  of  march,  as  to  induce  the  savages  to  expect  our  advance  by  the 
route  of  the  Miami  villages,  to  the  left,  or  towards  Roche  do  Bout,  by  the  right ; 
which  feints  appear  to  have  produced  the  desired  ell'ect,  by  drawing  tlie  alteiw 
tion  of  the  enemy  to  those  points,  and  gave  an  opening  for  the  army  to  ap- 
proach undiscovered  by  a  devious  route,  t.  e.,  in  a  central  direction,  and  wliicli 
would  be  impracticable  for  an  army,  except  in  a  dry  season,  such  as  then  pre- 
sented. 

Thus,  sir,  we  have  gained  possession  of  the  grand  emporium  of  the  hostile 
Indians  of  the  West,  without  loss  of  blood.  The  very  extensive  and  highly 
cultivated  fields  and  gardens,  show  the  work  of  many  hands.  The  marglus  ol 
those  beautiful  rivers,  the  Aliamies  of  the  Lake,  and  Au  Glaize,  appear  like 
one  continued  village  for  a  numl)er  of  miles,  both  above  and  1  low  this  place, 
nor  have  I  ever  before  beheld  such  immense  fields  of  corn,  in  any  part  of 
America,  from  Canada  to  Florida. 

We  are  now  employed  in  completing  a  strong  stockade  fort,  with  four  good 
block  houses,  by  way  of  bastions,  at  the  C(nifluence  of  the  Au  Glai/e  and  tlio 
Miamies,  which  I  h:ive  called  Defiance.  Another  fort  was  also  erected  on  the 
bank  of  the  St.  Mary's,  twenty-four  miles  advanced  of  Kecovery,  which  was 
named  Adams,  and  endowed  with  provision  and  a  proper  garrison. 

Everj'thing  is  now  prepared  for  a  proper  move  to-morrow  morning,  towards 
Roche  de  B()Ut,  or  foot  of  the  rapids,  where  tlie  British  have  a  regular  fortifi- 
cation, well  supplied  with  artillerj',  and  strongly  garrisoned,  in  the  vicinity  of 
which  the  fate  of  the  campaign  will  probably  be  decided;  as,  from  the  best 
and  most  recent  intelligence,  the  enemy  are  there  collected  in  force,  and  joined 
by  the  militia  of  Detroit,  etc.,  etc.,  possessed  of  ground  very  unfavorable  for 
cavalry  to  act  in.  Yet,  notwithstanding  this  unfavorable  intelligence,  and 
unpleasant  circumstances  of  ground,  I  do  not  despair  of  success,  from  the 
spirit  and  ardor  of  the  troops,  from  the  generals  down  to  the  privates,  both  of 
the  legion  and  mounted  volunteers. 

Yet,  I  have  thousrht  proper  to  offer  the  enemy  a  last  overture  of  peace ;  and 
as  they  have  everything  that  is  dear  and  interesting  now  at  stake,  1  have  rea- 
son to  expect  that  they  will  listen  to  the  i)roi)osition  mentioned  in  the  enclosed 
copy  of  an  address,  despatched  yesterday  by  a  special  flag,  who  I  sent  under 
circumstances  that  will  ensure  his  safe  return,  and  which  may  eventually  spare 
the  effusion  of  much  human  blood. 

But,  should  war  be  their  choice,  thnt  blood  be  upon  their  own  heads.  Amer- 
ica shall  no  longer  be  insulted  with  iinpunitj'.  To  an  all-powerful  and  jusl 
God  I  therefore  commit  myself  and  gallant  arinj',  and  have  the  honor  to  be, 
with  every  consideration  of  respect  and  esteem, 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

ANTHONY  WAYNE. 


A  resident  of  Monroe,  Michigan,  has  recently  communicated  to 
the  newspaper  press  the  following : 

Among  the  many  interesting  documents  bearing  on  early  history,  and  events 
of  a  past  generation,  which  have  been  brought  to  life  recently,  is  the  original 
record  of  "  General  Orders,"  issued  by  General  Winchosler  during  the  mareli 
from  Kentucky  to  the  River  Raisin,  fronj  early  in  Soplember,  1812,  to  January 
20,  1813,— and  which  was  no  doubt  left  iicdiind  when  tiie  army  nstreated,  It 
was  found,  and  for  numy  j'cars  remained  in  the  family  of  Colonel  John  Ander. 
son.  It  is  a  weather-scained  volume,  bearing  uiimistakablo  signs  of  frequent 
\)&tl\(i^  nyitj)  l\\o  ejepieiite,    Tlio  pfvp<?r  b  yellow  wiiU  age,  but  tho  writing  \i 


\patch. 


circumstances  and 
,  from  acting  lis  a 
desertion.   Hence, 
villain  prevented 
iast  cxpecteil. 
reviousiy  to  taking 
ur  advance  by  the 
Bout,  by  the  right; 
drawing  the  alteu- 
)r  the  army  to  ap- 
.irection,  and  which 
1,  such  as  then  pre- 

rium  of  the  hostile 
tensive  and  highly 
ds.  The  margins  ot 
Glaize,  appear  like 
idl  lovv  this  place, 
corn,  in  any  part  of 

tort,  with  four  good 
I  Au  Glaize  and  the 
3  also  erected  on  the 
lecovery,  which  was 
garrison. 

ow  morning,  towards 
mve  a  regular  fortifi- 
led,  in  the  vicinity  of 
d ;  as,  from  the  best 
d 'in  force,  and  joined 
very  unfavorable  lor 
ble  intelligence,  and 
of  success,  from  tlio 
the  privates,  both  ot 

/erturc  of  peace  ;  and 
at  stake,  1  have  rea- 
soned in  the  enclosed 
.r  who  I  sent  undi'r 
may  eventually  spare 

^>ir  own  heads.  Amcr- 
[dl-powcrful  and  just 
iive  the  honor  to  be, 

rilONY  WAYNE, 
communicated  to 

ly  history,  and  events 
cently,  is  the  origu'id 
ter  (luring  the  marcli 
uber,  1812,  to  January 
armv  retreated,    It 

Colonel  John  Ander. 
bio  signs  of  frequent 
'c,  but  Uio  writing  U 


Defiance  County —  Gen .  Winchester'' s  Orders.      /) 8 0 


pcrfcctily  legible,  the  ink  in  most  places  being  as  black  and  brilliant  as  though 
written  yesterday.  Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Anderson  Wing,  the  present 
])ossessor,  I  am  enabled  to  make  a  few  extracts.  The  army  left  Kentucky  in 
August,  1812,  Most  of  the  men  were  clothed  in  their  linen  hunting  shirts,  and 
very  few  provided  with  woollen  clothing — as  a  consc(iuence  sutfering  severely 
with  cold  before  their  supplies  reached  them.  General  Harrison  joined  the 
army  on  October  iJd,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  order : 


GKNBRAL  ORDEBB. 


Camp  at  Defiance,  / 
October  3,  lbl2.      S 


I  have  the  honor  of  announcing  to  this  army  the  arrival  of  General  Harri- 
son, who  is  duly  authorized  l)y  tile  executive  of  the  Federal  Govermnent  to 
take  command  of  the  Northwestern  Army.  This  oflicer  is  enjoying  the  im- 
jjlieit  conlidence  of  the  States  from  whose  citizens  this  army  is  and  will  be 
collected,  and  possessing,  himself,  great  military  skill  and  reputalu)n,  the  Gen- 
eral is  confident  in  the  belief  that  his  presence  m  the  army,  in  the  character  of 
its  chief,  will  be  bailed  with  unusual  approbation. 

J.  WINCHESTER, 
Brigadier  General  U.  S.  Army. 

The  narrative  of  the  march  of  the  army  through  Ohio,  is  very  interesting, 
and  contains  many  details  of  the  hardships  and'  privations  of  the  little  army, 
tiuongh  woods  and  streams,  snow,  ice  and  mud,  the  sleds  and  baggage  vans 
often  being  drawn  by  the  men.  Occasional  desertions  took  place,  and  these 
otfensts  were  severely  punished.  One  young  man,  Frederick  Jacoby,  was  sen- 
tenced to  be  shot  for  sleeping  upon  his  post  while  on  sentry.  An  order  was 
issued  by  J.  Winchester,  Brigadier  General,  dated  at  Camp  Defiance,  on  the 
9th  of  October,  1812,  instructing  the  officer  of  the  day  in  all  necessary  prepa 
rations  for  the  execution  of  Jacoby,  which  were  duly  made,  and  the  army 
drawn  up  to  witness  the  first  scene  of  this  kind.  The  young  man  was  placed 
at  the  distance  of  about  twenty  paces  from  the  platoon  of  men  constituting 
the  firing  party.  They  were  waiting  in  painful  suspense  the  order  to  fire, 
when  a  reprieve  from  the  General  was  received,  and  the  fortunate  young  man 
released.  The  effect  was  not  lost  upon  the  command,  and  no  further  cases  of 
a  similar  kind  ever  were  known. 

The  weather  began  to  be  very  cold  (November  1),  and  the  suimlies  which 
were  ordered  from  Philadelphia  had  not  made  their  appearance.  The  General 
endeavored  to  appease  the  clamors  of  the  soldiers  by  issuing  the  following 
order : 

FOUT  WlNOriESTER,  ) 

November  1,  1812.     ( 
geneuai,  ouueus. 

With  great  pleasure  the  General  announces  to  the  army  the  prospect  of  au 
early  supply  of  winter  clothing,  amongst  which  are  the  following  articles, 
shipped  from  Philadelphia  on  the  9lh  of  September  lust:  10,000  pairs  of  shoes, 
5,000  blankets,  5,000  round  jackets,  ,3,000  pairs  of  pantaloons,  woollen  cloth  to 
be  made  up,  besides  the  under  clothing  for  Cohmcl  Wells'  regiment,  100  watch 
coats,  5,000  blankets,  and  10,000  yards  of  flannel,  10,000  pairs  shoes,  Ic.OOO 
l)airs  wool  socks,  10,000  of  wool  hose. 

This  bountifid  supply  evinces  the  constant  att(!ntion  of  the  government  to 
the  comforts  of  its  arniics,  although  the  immense  distance  this  wing  hath  been 
detached  into  the  wilderness,  has  prevented  it:*  receiving  those  ccmiforts  in 
due  season,  owing  to  causes  not  within  the  control  of  human  foresight,  yet  a 
few  days  and  the  General  consoles  himself  with  the  idea  of  seeing  those  whom 
he  has  the  honor  to  command  dad  in  warm  woollen  (apable  of  resisting  the 
northern  blasts  of  Canada,  cither  from  the  bellows  of  Boreas,  or  the  muzzles 
of  British  cannon.  J.  WINCHESTER,  Buio.  Gen., 

(,'omman(litig  Left  Wing  N.  W.  Army. 


590      Defiance  County — Gen.  WinclLester\'i  Orders. 


Some  of  tlie  iiuniHhmenls  inflicted  were  of  a  very  ridirnlons  nature,  and 
(.•aiculated  to  hurt  the  prid«,  especially,  of  the  prisoucVs.    As  an  iiistan(;(!: 

Camp  Winciikstku,   | 
28tli  Ootoher,  1812,     i 
spE(;iAi,  onnicns. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

James  Givins,  private  in  Captain  ("mghan's  Company,  charged  with  sillini; 
down  near  his  post,  apparently  asleep,  with  his  gun  out  of  his  hands,  last  niijlii, 
October  25,  1813,  found  guilly,  and  sentenced  to  recu'ive  ten  eohs  on  liin  btiiv 
postei'm;  well  laid  on,  with  a  paddle  four  inches  wide  and  one-half  an  indi 
thick,  bored  fnll  of  holes. 

Thomas  Clark,  ('handed  with  altering  his  uniform  without  leave,  senteiicfil 
to  a  repiimand  on  parade. 

J.  WINCHESTER,  Buio.  GKN'r,. 

The  records  close  at  a  dale  when  they  begin  to  be  the  most  interesting,  Jiist 
before  the  arrivnl  of  the  army  iit  the  Hiver  Raisin,  the  last  entry  being  as  fol- 
lows: 

Cami'  Miami  Rapids,   / 
lUiLi/s  ItoAi),  Jan.,  181:!.  \ 

CENEKAI,  ORDEllS. 

As  ordered  yesterday,  the  line  of  march  shall  be  kept  well  closed,  every  ofli- 
cer  in  his  proper  place,  and  no  nou-commissioneil  ofUcer  or  private  sutferod  to 
straggle  from  the  lines  except  from  urgent  necessity,  and  then  with  leave  to 
return  to  his  place.  Perfect  silence  is  enjoined  during  the  march,  being  in  tin 
immediate  neighborhood  of  tiie  enemy. 

J.  WINCHESTER,  Bine  Gen., 
Commanding  Ijclt  Wing  N.  W.  Arnij. 


The  Defiance  Democrat,,  of  May,  18G(),  in  a  notice  of  "  Our  Old 
Apple  Trees,"  has  the  following : 

Defiance  has  been  famed  for  the  possession  of  a  monstrous  apple  tree.  Stran- 
gers have  seldom  failed  to  visit  it,  to  measure  its  proportions,  and  speculate 
npon  its  age  and  origin.  It  stands  on  the  narrow^  bottom,  on  the  north  side  of 
Maumee,  and  nearly  opposite  the  old  fort.  It  has  never  failed,  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  present  settlers,  in  producing  a  crop  of  very  cixcellent  apples.  One 
large  branch,  however,  has  of  late  years  been  broken  olf  by  the  storms,  and 
which  has  nuich  marred  its  proportions.  The  remainder  is  yet  healthy  ami 
prospering. 

Before  the  town  was  laid  out,  then;  were  many  trees  C(iually  thrifty,  and  not 
less  in  size,  in  this  vicinity.  Their  origin  is  variously  conjectured.  The  most 
probable  is,  that  they  were  planted  by  French  missionaries  and  traders,  during 
the  French  dominion  on  the  lakes,  arid  cared  for  afterwards  by  the  Indian^, 
trappers  and  traders. 

Thomas  Warren,  of  this  vicinitj',  who  came  here  about  fifty  years  ago,  in- 
forms us  that  these  apple  trees  stood  in  a  row,  al)ont  fifteen  feet  from  the  edge 
of  the  bank,  and  extended  from  the  point  up  to  the  bridge,  and  that  they  were 
then  in  excellent  bearing  condition.  These  trees  are  now  all  gone,  as  well  a? 
the  ground  they  stood  on.  The  ccmtinual  Avearing  away  of  the  bank,  from 
ice,  freshets,  and  frosts,  has  amounted,  in  that  time,  to  about  twentj'-flve  feet 

On  the  Maumec  bank,  extending  from  where  the  canal  now  empties,  up  lO 
the  residence  of  T.  J.  Cole,  was  another  row  of  similar  trees — the  most  ol 
these  standing  on  the  Wasson  property.  These,  also,  are  all  gone,  except  one 
in  the  rear  ot  Mr.  Cole's  house.  These  died  from  various  causes — cattle,  culti- 
vation, and  malicious,  or  mischievous  boys. 

Chance  trees  stood  also  over  most  of  the  present  town  plat,  but  not  of  ?o 
large  a  growth — probably  volunteers.    Some  of  the  smaller  ones  were  taken 


Orders. 


Defiance  Conniij — Old  Ap2>le  Trees. 


501 


•ulons  naUirc,  ami 
9  an  inslan(;(! ; 

fVlNCIIKSTKU,    \ 
ctobor,  1H12.     S 

«  * 

invficd  with  sillini'; 
lis  luuulH,  last  niiilu, 
n  colis  oJi  ''•*■'  ft'"'' 
(1  oiuvlialf  an  iiK  h 

ut.  Ipavo,  sentencca 

ER,  Bhio.  Gkn'i- 

ost  inlercHting,  .inst 
t  entry  beini;  as  lol- 

Miami  lUi'ins,   i 
loM>,  .T«"-,  l^^l'^-  ^ 

rcUclosca,  evcrj'offi- 
31-  private  s\itreve(l  to 
I  then  with  leave  to 
c  march,  heingmllu' 

R,  IJiuc.  Gkn., 
Yin.i?  N.  VV.  Army. 

,ti,.c  of  "  Our  01.1 

•\i9 apple  tree.  Strati- 

Irtioiis,  and  spccuhK' 

on  the.  north  side  (U 

tailed,  in  the  knmvl- 
<ccllent  apples.    One 

V  t)v  the  storms,  ami 
|.i-  i's  yet  healthy  and 

[not 

iniectnreu.  jiu>^  n^."^' 
lea  and  traders,  during 

Jards  by  the  Indian'^, 

III  fifty  years  ago,  in- 
ten  feet  from  the  edge 
|.rc,  and  that  they  were 
I'w  all  gone,  as  well  a? 
Lay  ot  the  bank,  trom 
Ibont  twenty-five  ieei. 
ll  now  empties,  up  ^o 
lar  trees— the  rAOSt  ol 
Ic  all  gone,  except  one 
Lcausea-cattle.culti- 

In  plat,  but  not  of  so 
lller  ones  were  taken 


liually  thrifty,  and  not 
blioctnred.    The  most 


lip  and  removed  by  the  early  settlers.  Samnel  Kepler,  another  early  settler, 
stiirled  his  orchard  with  trees  of  this  kind.  On  the  small  bottom,  on  the  north 
si(l(!  of  the  Maumee,  opposite  Defiance,  were  quite  a  number  of  trees  extend- 
ing up  as  far  as  the  county  bridge;  some  of  these  were  on  the  towing  path, 
and  others  in  the  way,  so  that  they  were  cut  down.,  or  died.  Tiie  old  tree  s<> 
liimous,  is,  perhaps  one  of  tliis  row.  Standing  furiher  in  from  tiie  bank,  and, 
being  private  property,  it  has  been  saved  from  the  general  dcstrurtion. 

At  the  so-called  "  Orchard  Hollow,"  eight  miles  up  tin;  Maumee,  was  also 
(|iiite  a  number  of  these  old  trees,  and  probably  were  of  like  origin  and  age, 
'hii'V  were  on  the  highland,  on  the  south  side,  and  immediately  opposite  ilie 
(lid  Indian  Delaware  town,  on  the  bottom,  now  the  property  of  Chaa.  Speaker, 
ll  is  remarked  by  Parkman,  in  his  Jesuit  and  Pioneer  Ilistory,  that  the  mis- 
sionaries and  traders  always  fixed  their  stations  on  high  grounds,  overlooking 
liie  Indian  towns ;  and  the  selection  of  the  high  grounds  at  Defiance,  and  at 
Orchard  Hollow,  was  in  accordance  with  this  general  rule.  None  of  these 
trees  are  yet  in  existence,  at  the  last  named  place.  The  fruit  of  all  these  trees 
was  better  than  that  of  the  present  so-called  natural  trees — grew  larger,  and 
had  more  agreeable  taste.  The  stocks  of  the  trees  were  more  like  those  of  the 
forest,  higher  to  the  branches,  longer  in  the  limb  than  the  grafted  trees  of  the 
present  day' — which,  as  compared  with  the  Indian  trees,  are  mere  overgrown 
shrubs.  The  few  trees  of  large  growth  at  Ottawa,  Charloe,  and  Fort  Brown, 
were  probably  planted  by  the  Indians  themselves. 

In  early  days,  the  Indians,  before  the  whites  obtained  property  in  the  land, 
guarded  carefully  these  old  trees.  The  fruit  they  claimed  for  themselves,  and 
distributed  to  the  remotest  sections  of  their  tribes  a  share.  Probably  a.s80cia- 
tions  of  historic  interest,  of  days  of  larger  populaticm  and  greater  jrower,  or 
(it  kindly  regard  for  the  French  missionaries,  by  whom  they  were  introduced, 
nave  an  extraordinary  value  to  these  old  trees,  in  the  estimation  of  these  un- 
tutored sons  of  the  forest. 

No  trees  of  similar  age  are  known  to  have  existed  on  the  Maumee,  below 
Defiance.  It  was  upon  the  upper  waters  of  the  river,  that  the  Indians  had 
their  chosen  seats,  and  here  those  who,  from  benevolence  or  trade  sought  their 
acquaintance,  must  come. 

After  the  extinguishment  of  the  Indian  title,  the  United  States  lands  at  De- 
tiance  were  surveyed  by  Capt.  James  lliley,  whose  name  had  become  noted  for 
having  suirercd  shipwreck  and  captivity  on  the  deserts  of  Africa. 

The  following  were  the  boundaries  of  the  three  school  districts  as  laid  ofi' 
June  5, 182G,  by  John  Evans,  Arthur  Burrows,  and  John  Perkins,  Township 
Trustees  :  District  No.  1,  to  intdude  the  town  of  Defiance,  ;ind  all  the  settlers 
within  one  mile  of  Defiance  district.  No.  2,  all  the  settlers  on  the  Auglaize, 
from  Rol)crt  Shirley's  to  Isaac  Carey's,  and  all  the  settlers  between  the  Au- 
jllaize  and  Maumee  rivers,  embraced  within  one  mile  of  Defiance.  No.  3,  to 
include  all  the  settlers  on  Bean  creek,  and  all  the  settlers  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Maumee,  above  the  mouth  of  Bean  creek,  in  said  township. 

District  No.  1  contained  eleven,M)istriel  No.  2  thirteen,  and  District  No.  3 
tifteen  householders. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  these  rapidly  accumulating  pages 
require  the  omission  of  many  notes  relating  to  the  pioneer  history 
of  Defiance,  and  the  counties  -wliich  follow.  Two  or  three  delight- 
ful days  were  passed,  during  the  summer  of  1.S72,  under  the  hospita- 
ble roof  of  Samuel  Kepler,  who  was  then  in  good  liealth,  but  who 
died  December  10,  of  pneumonia,  at  the  age  of  79  years,  nine 
months,  and  seven  days.  Mr.  Kepler  came  to  the  Maumee  Valley 
in  1821,  and  entered  a  tract  of  land  east  of  Defiance.  On  the  2d  of 
December,  1827,  he  married  Miss  Rachel,  daughter  of  Robert 
McKinnis,  of  Hancock  county,  Ohio — being  the  first  white  couple 


592  Defiance  County — Early  Irihahitants. 


married  in  tbat  county — the  ceremony  being  solemnized  by  Wilson 
Vance,  Esq.  Mr.  McKiunis  resided  on  the  Blanchard,  six  miles 
below  Findlay. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kepler  had  lived  together  happily  for  near  halt  a 
century,  and  raised  a  family  of  six  daughters  and  two  sons. 

Thomas  Warren,  of  Defiance  Bays:  "My  brotber-in-law,  Montgoincrv 
Evaus,  established  iiimselt  in  business,  as  au  Indian  trader,  i'lirnier,  and  reiil 
estate  dealer,  lu  Defiance,  in  181H,  or  1819,  and  occupied  one  of  Winchester's 
block  houses  as  a  residence,  during  a  period  of  about  two  years.  He  had  hteii 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  haviiig  enlisted  in  Chlllicothe,  in  a  company  nl 
rangcjrs. 

"  With  a  young  adventurer  named  Parmcnas  Wasson,  1  first  visited  Defimin' 
in  1822.  On  our  route  hither  from  Delaware  county,  whidi  led  througii  Sun- 
dusky,  Tymochtee,  and  Fort  Findlay,  I  passed  through  the  Indian  village  thtn 
known  as  Ottawa  Town,  where  we  found  many  Indians  as-semblcd,  and,  us  I 
they  were  intoxicated,  we  pressed  forward,  and  reached  a  crossing  at  Powell's 
creek,  where  we  remained  over  night.  Returning  after  a  brief  visit  to  tlie  coiiii- 1 
try,  we  passed  through  Ocanoxa's  village  (now  Ch&rloe),  Forts  Brown,  Jen- 
nings, Amanda,  Wapaukonnetta,  and  St.  Mary's." 

Joshua  Hilton,  with  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  eight  children,  | 
—seven  sons  and  one  daughter, — removed  to  the  Maumee  river,  December ;;, 
1828.  Mr.  Hilton  had  purchased  his  land  the  spring  previous,  and  planted  ;i 
crop  of  corn.  The  cabin  be  erected  was  tlie  second  known  to  luive  been  occu- 
pied by  white  settlers,  between  Fort  Wayne  and  Defiance — the  fir.st  havinL' 
been  built  by  Mr,  Rogers,  five  miles  below  Fort  Wayne.  Brice  Hilton,  oi 
Brunorsburg,  at  the  age  of  65  years,  is  the  only  member  of  the  original  family 
now  in  the  Valley — the  only  sister,  Mrs.  Philbrick,  residing  near  Cleveland, 
and  his  only  surviving  brother,  Horace  Hilton,  being  a  citizen  of  Kansas. 

During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1833-23,  the  following  named  families  becnme 
occupants  of  lands  between  Defiance  and  Fort  Wayne :  Thomas  Driver,  Mrs. 
Hill  (widow)  and  family,  Benjamin  Mullican,  Thomas  Warren,  Peter  Lunibr, 
Samuel  Hughes,  William  Gordon,  Oliver  Crane,  Samud  Reynolds,  Samud 
Gordon,  Henry  Hughes,  Dennison  Hughes,  and  Mr.  Quick,  (the  last  named  a 
bachelor  and  Indian  trader). 

During  the  following  year  (1823-34),  Richard  Banks,  William  Banks,  Thomas 
Banks,  Frederick  W.  Sperger,  James  Shirley,  Gad  Bellair,  Gen.  Hoiatio  \\ 
Curtis,  Mr.  Snook,  and  his  sons,  John,  AVillsou,  W.  N.  and  Peter,  and  two  fami- 
lies named  Champion,  removed  to  the  Valley. 

Moses  Heatley  removed  from  Miami  county,  Ohio,  cutting,  a  considerablf 
portion  of  the  distance,  his  own  road-way  for  the  passage  of  his  ox  team,  draw- 
ing his  family,  bed,  and  goods,  in  the  fall  of  1824,  and  settled  on  Blodgetl'sl 
Island,  Auglaize  river,  three  nules  above  Defiance.  His  family  consisted  of  his 
wife  and  two  children— only  one  of  whom,  J.  B.  Heatley,  now  survives,  ki 
having  been  a  resident  of  Defiance  and  vicinity  48  years. 

Dr.  Jonas  Colby,  a  graduate  of  Dartmoulli  College,  N.  H.,  removed  to  Defi- 
ance in  18;j3,  and  is  the  oldest  physician  in  practice  on  the  Maumee  river.  Tlie| 
incidents  of  his  early  adventures  in  swinuning  over  the  swollen  streams  of  tlii 
country,  to  reach  his  patients,  Avould  form  a  chapter  of  courage  and  peril  that 
his  professional  coleniporaries  of  later  years  have  not  been  under  the  uecessilv 
of  encountering.  His  co-practitioners  in  early  days,  were  Drs.  Conant  an' 
White,  of  Maumee  City,  Dr.  Peck,  of  Perrysljurg,  and  Dr.  Thompson,  of  Furl 
Wayne. 

Edwin  Phelps,  William  A.  and  S.  R.  Brown,  James  S.  Greer,  Wm.  TraversfJ 
John  and  David  Taylor,  Dr.  John  Paul,  Hugh  J.  and  David  W.  Marcellus,  Drj 
George  W.  Crawford,  Elijah  Shipley,  William  and  John  B.  Semans,  Rev.  Sim- 
ford  C.  Parkes,  E.  F.  Liudenberger,  C.  L.  Noble,  Rev.  Wm.  B,  Stowe,  (wL«t( 
organized  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in  Defiance)  Rev.  E.  R.  Tucker,  CurtB''' 


Hants, 


3mni/.ccl  by  'Wilson 
ianchard,  six  miles 

Uy  for  near  halt  a 
i  two  sons. 

r-in-law,  Moutsomcry 
•ader,  rainier,  and  riiil 
d  one  of  Wincbpslurs 
/o  yciirH.  He  l»ad  l)ecii 
othc,  in  a  company  m 

1  first  visited  Dcfisune 
rhich  led  tliroiij,Mi  San- 

the  Indian  village  then 
ians  ttSHeniblcd,  imd,  jf  I 
il  a  crossing  at  lowtlls 
a  brief  visit  to  the  coim- 1 
loc).  Forts  Brown,  Jen- 

ifo  and  eigbt  clilUlroii, 
mce  river,  December  o, 
orcvious,  and  planted  ;i 
lown  to  have  been  occ\i- 
"fiance— the  first  havuiL' 
avne     Brice  Hilton,  ol 
ler  of  the  original  family 
•esiding  near  Cleveluml, 
I  citizen  of  Kansas, 
r  named  families  became 
P.  •    Thomas  Driver,  mi. 
I  Warren,  Peter  Lumbiir  I 
,miul  Reynolds,  Samuel 
iuick,  (the  last  named  aj 

William  Banks, Tbomw 

■"Bellair,  Gen.  Horatio  >. 
and  Peter,  and  two  lami- 

^,  cutting,  a  consideraWel 
a.'c  of  his  ox  team,  draw 
lul  settled  on  Blodpetu 
is  family  consisted  of  his 
catley,  now  aurvivcs.he 

"vrs  '  I 

N.  II.,  removed  toDeti 

atheMaumceriver.    11 

he  swollen  streams  of  11 

„f  courage  and  peril  m 

been  under  the  neccssil 

3,  were  Drs.  Couant  a"J 

d  Dr.  Thompson,  ot  Dor 

S.  Greer,  Wm.  Tmvei^ 
David  W.  Marcellus,  D 
linB.  Semans,  Rev.  ban 
3V.  Wm.  B.  Stowe,  (w 
Rev.  E.  R.  Tucker,  Cutti 


Willianu  and  Defiance  Counties. 


iO:^ 


Bates,  (lawyer  and  Slate  Senator,)  Orlando  and  Alvaro  Evans,  (now  of  California,) 
Albert  G.  Evans,  Allen  Hraucher,  S.  A.  Sanford,  Wm.  Wall,  E.  V.  Case, 
Uliarles  V.  Royce,  Benjamin  Brubaker,  James  Cbenev,  N.  M.  Laiidls,  Wm.  D. 
Haymaker,  Geo.  B,  Way,  S.  H.  Greenlee,  John  H.  Riser,  Jehu  P.  Downs,  C. 
('.  Waterbouse,  Addison  Goodyear,  Sylvester  Medberry,  G.  W.  B.  Evans,  and 
William  Carter,  in  addition  to  others  heretofore  and  liereafter  mentioned, 
we.o  also  early  residents  of  Defiance.  Among  its  early  and  enterprising  busi- 
ness men,  was  Sidney  S.  Spraguo. 

Ulualdo  Evans,  son  of  Judge  Pierce  Evans,  occupies  the  old  homestead,  en 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  below  Defiance. 

Lost  Creek,  since  changed  to  Farmer,  was  among  the  first  townships  settled 
by  whites— the  first  Iniiabitant,,  Nathan  Farmer,  having  removed  to  the  town- 
sliip  in  1833.  Miller  Arrowsmith,  in  a  communication  which  appeared  in  the 
Defiance  Democrat^  in  1871,  gives  bis  rccolleclions  as  follows  : 

My  first  visit  to  the  township  was  in  the  fall  of  18.'>4.  At  this  time,  Nathan 
Farmer  and  John  Heckman  lived  m\  Section  1,  and  Keelin  Leonard  had  raised 
II  cabin  on  Section  2,  on  lands  afterwards  owned  and  occupied  by  Collin  Tharp. 

.V  hunter  had  lived  on  the  east  side  of  Section  !»,  and  Findlay  had  lived 

in  a  but  on  Lost  Creek,  in  Section  3:3.       But  few  entries  of  land  had  been 
made  in  the  township. 

The  ne.xt  year  a  nuniber  of  emigrants  bought  and  moved  on  their  land,  of 
whom  were  Oney  Rice,  sr.,  Dr.  Oney  Rice,  Jr.,  John  Rice,  Jacob  Conker ,  Widow 
Hopkins,  W.  G.  Pierce,  Randall  Lord,an(i  Lyman  Luugdon.  These  were  from 
St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York;  Levinus  Bronson  and  William  Powell,  who 
were  from  near  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Isaac  and  William  Wartenbc,  David  Corn- 
stock,  James  Crane,  Nathan  Smith  and  William  Mann,  who  were  from  Mus- 
kingum county,  Ohio;  Thomas  Dew,  from  Hocking  county;  Elijah  Lloyd  and 
Daiius  Allen,  whose  homes  in  the  east  are  not  now  recollected.  I  think  that 
Isaac,  Elisba  and  Collin  Tbarp  came  this  year  from  Allen  county,  Ohio. 

About  this  time  the  township  was  organized  and  named  Lost  Creek.  At  the 
first  election,  there  was  not  an  ollicer  in  the  township  authorized  to  administer 
an  oath.  The  people  met  and  selected  the  Election  Board,  and  one  of  their 
number  swore  a  Clerk,  who  in  turn  qualified  the  other  members  of  the  Board. 
Many  of  the  citizens  had  not  gained  a  residence,  but  they  extended,  by  com- 
mon consent,  the  elective  franchise  to  all  the  male  population  over  twenty-one 
years,  and  from  their  number  elected  their  oflicers.  Dr.  Nice  was  afterwards 
elected  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  continued  to  fill  this  ofiiee  for  many  years, 
administering  justice  in  its  mildest  form. 

A  good  story  is  told  of  his  administration  in  these  early  times.  The  first 
settlers  were  not  rich  ;  their  lands  were  to  be  cleared,  fenced  and  cultivated, 
before  they  could  realize  returns  from  their  labor.  The  Defiance  merchants 
sold  goods  and  groceries  on  credit,  adding  heavy  profits.  The  settlers  made 
debts  from  necessity,  which  in  most  cases  became  due  before  their  farms  were 
yielding  a  profit  to  meet  their  payments  for  goods.  The  result  was  that  the 
merchants  sent  their  accounts  to  the  Justice  for  collection,  and  one  amongst 
tbera  was  up  m  himself.  He  notified  the  parties,  who  confessed  judgment  and 
entered  bail  for  stay  of  proceedings,  not  forgetting  to  give  bail  on  the  docket 
for  the  amount  claimed  from  the  Justice. 

The  first  marriage  might  have  been  noticed  in  a  newspaper  published  then 
j  in  Perry sburg: 

"  Married, <peptember  10, 1834,  by  Jesse  Ilaller,  Esq.,  of  Defiance  township, 
Iveelln  Leonard,  to  Elizabeth  Ice,  all  of  Lost  Creek  township." 

The  first  death  in  the  township,  was  that  of  the  hunter  in  Section  9.  The 
Icoflin  was  made  by  Obadiah  Webb,  who  lived  on  the  east  bank  of  Bean  creek, 
opposite  to  the  farm  now  ownied  by  Lyman  Langdon.  The  coflin  was  lashed 
to  a  pole,  and  carried  by  Abraham  Webb  and  William  Kibble,  on  their  shoul- 
|(iers,  to  the  hunter's  camp,  a  distance  of  nearly  thirteen  miles  on  a  direct  line, 

37 


ill 


594  Defiance  County — Miller  Avrowamith. 


and  their  route  wns  throiigh  tlio  woods  without  a  path  to  guido  tlinn.  Tiicy 
crossed  Ilean  (MTcii  at  (iusi<,  and  witli  a  pocitet  conipasH  to  guide  tlioni,  and  a 
Jdcitory  barii  tondi  to  lijflit  their  way,  tlicy  set  tuit  willi  liioir  burden  on  tlieir 
ionely  route,  and  readied  tlie  liuf  al'3  o'ciock  in  tlio  morning.  He  was  buried 
on  tlio  nortliwest  quarter  of  Section  10 

Exceptions  were  talten  to  tlie  nanie  of  tlie  towislup,  and  it  was  cliangcd  to 
tiiat  of  Farmer.  Tins  was  cluinged  at  tlie  instnn(;e Of  the  citizens,  because 
tlicy  tliou^lit  it  moH!  ai^propriiitc,  and  it  was  also  designed  to  perpetuate  tlie 
name  of  tlie  first  settler. 

t)f  the  voters  at  the  first  election,  Elisha  Tharp  is  the  only  one  now  living 
in  the  township.     Home  of  tliem  have  removed  to  other  localities. 

Our  place  of  voting  was  near  the  centre  of  Section  — ,  where  a  log  cabin 
had  been  built  for  this  purpose,  and  was  also  us«l  for  a  school  house.  Some 
vears  ago,  a  graveyard  was  located  at  this  place,  and  many  of  the  pioneers 
have  been  gathered,  one  by  one,  to  this  jihice  of  burial,  where  their  names  arc 
recorded  on  neat  nuirble  monuments." 


MILLER  ARROWSMITH. 

7Ir.  Ari'owsmith  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  March  14, 
1808,  and  was  married  in  the  same  county  July  1,  1832,  to  Miss 
Celinda  Caraway,  also  a  native  of  tlic  tamo  county.  Mrs.  A.  died 
at  Defiance,  August  10,  1847. 

The  first  \isit  of  Mr.  Arrowsmith  to  the  Matimce  Valley,  was  in 
Jtme,  18.33.  He  then  bought  land  near  Defiance,  on  which  he  set- 
tled in  October  following.  Judge  John  Perkins  whs  tl)en  County 
Surveyor,  and,  from  age,  and  being  engaged  in  other  pursuits,  he  did  not 
wish  to  perforin  the  work  of  the  otlice,  and  appointed  Mr.  Arrowsmitii 
deputy  County  Surveyor,  the  duties  of  which  ofKce  he  discharged  with 
accuracy  and  fidelity,  during  a  period  of  fifteen  years.  He  is  one  of 
the  oldest  surveyors  in  North  Western  Ohio. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Ohio,  at  its  session  of  1845-46,  elected 
Mr.  Arrowsmith  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Equalization  ;  and 
♦he  proved  one  of  the  most  efficient  members  of  that  body.  From 
1848  to  1852,  he  was  Auditor  of  Defiance  county;  and  Postmaster 
at  Arrowsmith's,  dating  a  period  of  about  lifteen  years.  Excepting 
minor  offices,  those  enumerated  fill  the  measure  of  his  public  life. 
Mr.  Arrowsmith  might  have  continued  in  office,  and  filled  ii 
larger  space  iu  the  public  eye,  but  his  tastes  and  inclinations  led 
him,  in  1852,  to  engage  in  agriculture,  and  in  this  favorite  pursuit, 
on  his  well  cultivated  acres,  and  among  books  and  friends,  in  Farmer 
township,  he  is  spending  the  evening  of  his  days.  He  is  now  sixty- 
five  years  of  age,  and  in  full  possession  of  physical  and  mental 
vigor.  The  pioneers  of  the  Valley  are  ever  specially  welcomed  under 
hid  hospitable  roof. 


THE  LATE  HORACE   SE.SSIONS. 


This  gentloman,  whose  moral,  social,  and  professional  qtialities 
were  widt  ly  known  and  highly  valued,  tliroughout  the  Maumee  Val- 
ley, was  born  in  Painesville,  Ohio,  April  IG,  1812,  and  removed  to 


mith. 


;ul(1()  tliPtn.  They 
guide  tliem,  niitl  a 
ir  biinlcn  on  their 
g.     Ho  was  buried 

it  was  clinngcd  to 
('  citizenH,  because 
I  to  pei-petuute  tlie 

ily  one  now  living 
;iilitieH. 

wbcre  a  log  cabin 
iiool  house.  Some 
my  of  llie  jiioncers 
re  their  uaiiu's  are 


,  Ohio,  March  14, 

1,  183-2,  lo  Miss 

ty.     Mrs.  A.  died 

ec  Valley,  was  in 
on  which  he  set- 
wjis  then  County 
)nrsiiit8,  hediclnot 
d  Mr.  Arrowsmitii 
le  discharged  witii 
iirs.     IIo  is  one  of 

r  1845-46,  elected 
Squulizution  ;  and 
hat  body.  From 
;  and  Postmaster 
years.  Excepting 
)t'  his  public  life. 
ice,  and  tilled  ii 
1  inclinations  led 
I  favorite  pursuit, 
riends,  in  Farmer 
He  is  now  sixty- 
sioal  and  mental 
V  welcomed  under 


n^ 


^. 


o^ 


'^i^-ti^d-'-^'p^i^c^oCt^ 


essional  qualities 
the  Maumee  Val- 
,  and  removed  to 


■f. 


'2. 


f<^JL 


1 


/y     ^  ^  <!>x^;2.^^ 


c 

V 

b 
1) 
/ 

a: 
tl 
fi 
al 
ci 
w 
ol 

us 

('( 
tb 

lU 

w 

c'c 
fa 

SU 

fa 

t;l 
sfi 


m 
to' 

10 
Hi 

01 

tic 
to 
til 
ot. 
\k 
Si' 
ud 
th 


ilC 


Defiance  County — Horace  Semions. 


595 


Defiance  in  1833.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Lucia  C.  Candee,  Jan- 
uary 3,  1854,  at  Watertown,  New  York,  and  died  at  Adrian,  Mich: 
gan,  June  G,  18(58.  Mr.  S.  left  no  children  living, — two  having  diec 
in  infancy,  and  one  daughter  at  the  age  of  live  or  six  years,  Afte^ 
Ills  decease,  his  widow  returned  to  her  former  home,  at  Watertown, 
New  York  ;  but  within  the  last  two  years  removed  to  Painesville, 
where  she  now  resides. 

A  meeting  of  the  bar,  held  at  the  Court  House,  Defiance,  on  the 
I5ih  of  June,  1808,  at  which  William  C  Ilolgate, — who,  during  a 
period  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  was  his  intimate  asso- 
ciate and  friend, — was  made  chairman,  and  Edwin  Phelps  secretary, 
will  convey  an  idea  of  the  esteem  in  which  Mr.  Sessions  was  held 
by  his  professional  brethren.  Upon  accepting  the  position  tendered 
him,  Mr.  Ilolgate  addressed  the  meeting  as  follows  : 
Brethren  of  the  Bar  : 

Horace  Sessions  is  gone !  Tlie  Allwiso  Bciug,  who  rule,  md  governs  tho 
affairs  of  men,  has  taken  him  to  himself.  Ileclieil  at  Adrian,  Michigan,  on 
the  6th  inst.,  where  he  had  stopped  oif  to  visit  a  friend,  as  he  was  returning 
from  th"  Hepubllcau  Katiouai  Convention,  at  Chicago,  whicli  he  hod  been 
attending  as  a  delegate.  I  was  present  at  his  deatli,  and  with  other  friends  and 
citizens  of  our  town,  accompanied  his  r;;inains  to  rainesville,  in  this  State, 
wliere,  on  the  9th,  they  were  interred,  in  a  beautiful  cemetery,  near  the  tomb 
of  a  loved  little  daugli'ter,  and  of  a  father,  a  mother,  and  other  relatives. 

Oiu-  relations  with  him,  and  his  wurtli.  require  something  more  than  the 
usual  resolutions  of  respect  and  sympath3\ 

Bein.g  the  first  lawyer  that  ever  settled  and  stayed  here,  he  may  truly  be  call- 
ed the  father  of  the  Defiance  liar,  lie  was  also  a  pioneer  of  our  valley,  and 
the  son  of  a  noble  patriet  of  our  country,  mid  pioneer  of  our  State.  In  1794, 
under  Anthony  Wayne,  his  father  was  in  tlie  great  battle  that  first  seciu'cd  the 
white  man  possession  of,  and  title  to,  the  lands  we  occupj'',  and  he  helped  to 
c'onstruct  the  fort  which  gives  our  town  its  name.  In  18J0,  he  settled  on  a 
farm  near  Painesville,  and  there,  on  the  IGth  day  of  April,  1812,  Horace  Ses- 
sions was  born.  He  was  a  vigorous,  stout  boy,  r.elightiug  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  ;n  watching  the  habits  and  caring  for  tlie  animals  reared  upon  the 
farm.  But,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  a  great  misfortune  befel  him.  He  was 
taken  down  \\ith  a  severe  illness,  resulting  in  a  fever  sore  that  racked  his  cou- 
sfitullon,  shattered  his  nervous  sj'stem,  producing  untold  pain,  and  crippling 
him  througli  his  whole  life.  His  father,  dying  In  1827,  left  him  a  poor,  crip- 
pled boy,  and  a  widowed  mother  and  sisters  in  destitute  circumstances.  Find- 
ing that  he  would  be  unable  to  procure  a  living  liy  the  manual  labor  incUlent 
to  farm  work,  he  reluctantly  relinquished  his  favorite  calling,  and  cast  about 
to  see  what  he  could  do  to  make  a  living  for  himself  and  his  destitute  relatives. 
He  chose  our  profession. 

H"ing  admitted  to  the  bar,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  first  went  down  the 
Ohi,  .,ud  Mississippi,  as  fur  as  Vicksburg.  without  finding  a  satisfactory  loca- 
tion, when,  returnimr,  he  came  to  the  Maumee  Valluy,  and,  arriving  at  our 
town  in  1833,  he  began  the  first  practice  of  his  profession.  Defiance,  at  that 
time,  was  the  county  seat  of  Williams  county,  and  to  It  was  attached  several 
otli3r  counties  for  judicial  purposes.  Though  the  field  was  enii.ely  open,  there 
lit'iug  no  other  lawyer  here,  profes.-iionui  DUi-iness  was  very  liiniteil.  Hut  Horace 
Sessions  was  poor,  he  had  a  mihision  to  fe.lfiU,  and  he  would  not  be  idle.  In 
iitlditiou  to  his  professional  duties,  he  wrot(>  in  the  county  ollices,  and  taught  in 
till'  di.->triet  school. 

1  see  several  present  here,  who,  like  myself,  have  had  .v  life-long  business 
acquaintance  with  him ;  mine,  perhaps,  has  been  the  longest,  and  of  the  most 


596 


Defiance  County — Horace  SesHons. 


intimate  character.  Thirty-three  years  a<»o,  accompanying  my  fatlier  from  the 
State  of  New  York,  on  a  tour  of  exploration  to  tlio  Wabash,  with  an  eye  to  a 
settlement  at  Fort  Wayne,  we  spent  a  week  or  more,  as  we  were  passing,  at 
Defiance.  During  that  week,  I  first  became  acquainted  with  Horace  Sessions, 
and  I  have  often  since  thou'  'it  that  acquaintance  fi.\ed  my  destiny  in  the  choice 
of  a  future  home,  and  biought  me,  a  year  later,  to  come  here  to  live.  At  the 
time,  he  was  occupying  a  room  in  the  second  story  cf  (he  brick  building  on 
lot  58,  of  tlie  original  i)lat  of  Defiance,  wliich  building  was  the  Court  House, 
and,  1  may  add,  the  school  house,  and  also  ''the  meeting  house"  of  the  village. 
In  the  same  room  was  kei>t  the  ofiiees  of  the  county.  He  Invited  me  to  occupy 
tlic  room  with  him,  and  continue  the  study  of  the  law,  which  I  had  before 
lK;:,un.  His  bed  was  in  the  same  room,  and  this  we  occupied  together.  From 
tliat  time  to  the  time  of  his  decease,  whilst  a  generation  of  men  have  passed 
from  earth,  we  continuously  occupied  an  oftlee  together. 

From  the  time  he  came  here,  each  sununer  he  would  go  to  the  home  of  his 
aged  mother,  consoling  and  comforting  her  with  his  presence,  and  giving  that 
material  aid  that  relieved  the  wants  of  herself  and  family.  And  glad  was  I, 
the  other  day,  whilst  assislinir  at  Painesville  in  the  performance  of  the  last 
duties  to  the  deceased  on  earth,  to  hear  an  aged  and  eminent  statesman  of  that 
place  say  :  "Mr.  Sessions  has  been  very  generous  with  his  father's  family  ;  he 
has  ever  most  bountifully  provided  for  them." 

And  here  let  me  sa}',  his  generosity  was  not  confined  to  his  relatives  alone. 
In  all  his  dealings,  he  was  liberal.  Every  charitable  enterprise  and  good  cause 
he  helped  on.  He  was  industrious,  temperate,  a  id  frugal  in  all  his  habits.  lie 
cut  his  own  wood  at  his  ofllce  for  years.  He  built  his  fires  at  his  house.  He 
sousrht  property  only  to  make  himself  independent,  and  to  do  good ;  and  iu 
this  God  bountifully  blessed  him.  as  He  will  ever  bless  any  man  of  like  indus- 
trj',  temperance,  carefulness,  frugality,  and  honesty  of  purpose. 

As  a  huvyer,  to  understand,  digest, "and  bring  to  a  successful  issue  delicate, 
intricate  and  complicated  business  matters,  Horace  Sessions  had  few  or  no  su- 
perioi's ;  and  I  believe  that  no  party,  selecting  him  as  their  counsellor,  ever  had 
occision  to  regret  their  choice. 

He  was  warm  in  his  friendships,  social  in  disposition,  hospitable,  unostenta- 
tious and  mihl  in  his  manners.  He  was  viniformly  the  same  unruflled  Horace; 
Sessions,  yesterday,  to  daj%  and  to-morrow.  Though  unobtrusive  and  mild, 
within  him  was  a  heart,  he  has  said  to  me,  that  never  had  a  sensation  of  lear: 
which  statement  his  truthfulness  leaves  me  no  reasons  to  doulit.  It  is  apart  of 
the  history  of  that  conn  try,  that  his  father  "was  the  bravest  man  that  ever 
lived  on  Grand  Hiver."  Truly  can  we  say,  as  we  look  back  on  the  battle  of 
life  he  has  fought,  Horace  Sessions  w.as  a  brave  son  of  that  brave  man. 

To  him  the  summons  came  suddenly.  His  sickness  was  brief  and  severe. 
Loving  hearts  and  willing  hands  did  all  that  could  be  done  to  stay  the  dread 
approach  of  the  destroyer.  Confident  that  the  trying  hour  had  come,  he  calni- 
ly  approached  the  grave,  "  lik<'  one  whc  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch  about 
him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

On  motion,  a  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  William  Carter,  Edwin  Pheliia, 
Hamilton  Davison,  William  D.  Hill,  and  Henry  Newbegin,  were  appointed  to 
draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the  feelings  of  the  members  of  this  bar,  which 
committee,  through  their  chairman,  Hon.  William  Carter,  reported  the  fol- 
lowing: 

Whereas,  By  a  dispensation  cf  an  all-wise  Providence,  our  Inte  associate 
and  brother,  Horace  Sessions,  has  been  removed  from  our  midst  by  death,  it  is, 
by  the  Bar  of  Defiance  county,  as  expressive  of  the  great  loss  they  have  sus- 
tained, 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  death  of  Horace  Sessions,  the  Bar  of  Defiance  county 
has  lost  one  of  its  oldest,  ablest,  most  nseful  and  worthy  memliers,  and  this 
community  one  of  its  most  worthy  citizens. 


■  father  from  the 
witli  ail  ej;e  to  a 
were  passing,  at 
[lorace  Sessions, 
tiny  in  the  choice 
to  live.  At  the 
briclc  building  on 
ae  Court  House, 
e"  of  the  village, 
ted  me  to  occupy 
eh  I  had  before 
together.  From 
mcu  have  passed 

the  home  of  his 
and  giving  that 
A.nd  glad  was  I, 
nance  of  the  last 
statesman  of  that 
ther's  family ;  he 

3  relatives  alone, 
■^e  and  good  cause 
ill  his  habits.  lie 
t  his  house.  He 
do  good ;  and  iu 
lan  of  like  indus- 

ISC. 

ul  issue  delicate, 
lad  few  or  no  su- 
uusellor,  ever  had 

(itable,  unostenta- 
unrufrted  Horace; 
trusive  and  mild, 
sensation  of  tear: 
l)t.  It  is  a  part  of 
st  man  that  ever 

on  the  battle  of 
rave  man. 

brief  and  severe. 
to  stay  the  dread 
ad  come,  he  calm- 
if  his  couch  about 

ter,  Edwin  Pheliis, 

iverc  appointed  to 

if  this  bar,  which 

reported  the  fol- 

our  late  associate 
idst  by  death,  it  is, 
loss  they  have  sus- 


)f  Defiance  county 
meml)er8,  and  this 


Defiance  County —  Wm.  C.  Tlohjate. 


59^ 


Resolved,  That  we  pincerely  deplore  the  loss  of  our  departed  hrother  and 
associate,  and  shall  revere  his  memory  as  one  whose  professional  life  was  with- 
out blemish,  and  worthy  of  imitation. 

Resolved,  Thnt  our  heartfelt  sympathies  are  extended  to  the  widow  and  rela- 
tives of  the  deceased. 

Resoleeu,  That  these  resolutions,  together  with  the  proceedings  of  this  meet- 
ing, be  published  in  the  Definnce  papers,  witli  a  request  that  the  same  be  cop- 
ied in  the  several  jupers  published  in  the  Maumee  Valley,  and  at  Painesviile, 
Oliio. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  furnished  by  the  Secretary  to 
the  widow  of  the  deceased. 

On  motion,  the  resolutions  were  received,  am'     lanimously  adopted. 

It  was  also  resolved  tliat  the  proceedings  oi  liiis  meeting  be  presented  by 
the  chairman  to  tlie  Honorable  Julge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Deli- 
nnee  county,  at  its  next  session,  with  the  request  tliat  tlie  same  be  entered  upon 
the  journal  of  said  court. 

WILLIAM  C.  IIOLGATE,  Chairman. 

E.  Phklps,  Secretary. 

It  may  be  added  that  intelligence  of  the  death  of  no  member  of 
the  old  bar  of  the  Maumee  Valley,  produced  a  feeling  of  more  gen- 
eral and  profound  sorrow  among  his  professional  brethren,  than 
that  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  Mr.  Sessions. 


5^ 


WILLIAM   (J.   HOLGATK. 

Curtis  Holgate,  residing  at  the  time  in  Utica,  New  York,  accom- 
panied by  his  son,  the  subjec<  of  this  sketch,  William  C.  Ilolgate, 
made  a  visit  to  the  Maumee  .  alley  ia  the  spring  and  summer  of 
18;)5.  On  this  trip  he  visited  ^lanhatt.an,  Toledo,  Perrysburg,  Mau- 
mee City.  Napoleon  iind  Delianco.  Ohio,  and  Fort  Wayne  and  Hun- 
tington, Indiana,  The  journey  was  made  on  horseback  from  Mau- 
mee City— (the  horses  being  procured  of  Dr.  Conant) — and  pur- 
chases of  land  made  as  follows  : 

June  8, 183,1,  of  Isaac  Hull,  80  acres  in  sees.  23  and  U,  T.  4,  U.  4,  on  north 
side  of  the  Jlaumee,  opposite  Defiance,  on  wiiich  was  situated  the 
town  plat  of  VVilliamstown  ;  and  which  purchase  included  tlie  unsold 

lots  of  this  town  and  five  in  Defiance, ^SjoOO 

Jiuie  10,  of  Ignatius  Byrnes,  95  G)-100  acres,  on  tlie  south  side  of  the 
Maumee,  in  Indiana,  near  the  Ohio  State  line HOO  ■ 

June  2,'5,  of  Judge  Jlenjamin  lieavell,  an  undivided  part  of  305  23-100 
acres,  which  embraced  the  town  ])lat  of  Napoleon,  and  luuls  adja- 
cent— (H(n"ati()  G.  Pliiilips,  of  Dajton.  and  p]ln!illiKn  Cory,  of  New 
Carlisle,  CL;rk  couniy,  Oliio,  owning  tlie  remaining  two-tliirds  of  said 
property) 2,500 

June  25,  of  same,  117  05-100  acres,  on  the  west  side  of  tlie  Auglai//', 
south  and  adjacent  to  Deliance,  in  sections  25  and  2(i,  iind  now  be- 
ing a  part  of  the  town 2,500 

June  25,  of  same,  one  undivided  half  of  180  98-100  acres  of  sections  33 
and  24,  and  adjacent  to  the  Maumee  and  Auglaize  rivers,  and  which 
included  the  original  town  plat  of  Deliance — all  which  was  deeded, 
exeep*^  the  lots  then  disposed  of— Horatio  G.  Phillips  ovvning  the  other 
undivided  half 7,500 


598 


Defiance  County —  Wm.  C.  Ilohjate. 


October  17,  1835,  of  nr  .Inlni  Evanp,  part  of  Hip  po  itlieast  qr.,  N.  W. 
qr.,  sec  26,  T.  4  N.,  It.  (1  E,  W)  uens.  wliieh  in  now  within  the  cor- 
porate limits  of  D('llanc(',  and  on  wbich  is  siliiated  tlie  Hub  and  Spolic 
factory,  etc 2,731) 


Total |l8,'-3} 

Previous  to  this,  about  tlic  year  1S;)2,  Mr.  Ilolgale  purchaseil  sev- 
eral town  lota  in  Fort  Wavno,  iind  located  al)>ut  one  tiiousauil  acres 
of  land  near  the  same  place,  in  Indiana;  and  near  the  time  of  mak- 
ing the  above  dtscribcd  purchases,  at  Uctiancc,  he  invested  some 
S7,()0()  in  property  at  Manhattan.  His  Napoleon  interest  was  sold 
and  deeded  to  Horatio  G.  I'hillips,  in  July,  1S.')9.  He  moved  his 
family  to  Defiance,  consisting  ot  his  wife,  Eliza,  daughter, 
Juliet,  and  two  small  children,  Frances  M.  and  A.  Hopkins  Holgate, 
and  began  boarding  with  Lyman  Langdon,  on  Saturd.iy,  October 
T,  18.'J7.  On  Monday,  2.  th  of  November,  of  the  same  year,  he  mov- 
ed into  a  liouse  on  lot  101,  old  plat  of  Detiance.  Mr.  Uolgate  died 
on  the  ir)th  of  January,  IblO. 

Willi'am  C.  Holgate  was  living  at  Di  fiance  at,  the  time  of  the 
arrival  of  his  father; — having  established  himself  there  the  year 
alter  the  trip  of  18.']r>  was  made,  arriving  on  Monday,  :2d  of  May, 
1S3G — and  has  uninterruptedly  made  that  town  his  home  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  Tie  was  born  at  ]?urlington,  ^'e^mont,  November  'Z'\ 
1814;  graduated  at  Hamilton  Colle^^e,  New  York,  in  the  summer  ot 
1834;  and  the  same  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
A.  M.,  in  1841.  He  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  ofHcc  of 
Willard  Crafts,  Esq.,  in  Utica,  immediately  alter  leaving  College, 
and  continued  a  student  in  his  office  up  to  the  date  of  leaving  ior 
Defiance,  in  April,  18.'>().  At  the  latter  place,  ho  entered  the  law 
office  of  Horace  Sessions,  Esq.,  continued  his  studies,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio  in  the  summer  of 
1838.  George  T.Hickcox,  Clerk  of  the  Court,  dying  about  this  time, 
he  was  appointed  to  succeed  him,  Avhich  position  he  resigned  in  the 
spring  of  1839,  Avhen  he  received  the  appointnienf  of  prosecutiii!!; 
attorney  for  the  county  of  Williams,  and  began  as  such  his  first 
practice  of  the  law. 

Mr.  Holgate  drafted  the  bill  erecting  the  county  of  Defiance,  in 
January,  184.'),  and,  through  his  persistent  efforts,  and  in  iiace  of  ;i 
well-organized  and  jjowerful  opposition,  the  bill  became  a  law,  on 
the  4th  day  of  March  of  the  same  year.  He  was  active  in  the 
organization  of  the  first  agricultural  society  for  the  county,  in  18-fS, 
and  in  getting  uji  its  first  annual  fair,  in  October,  ls5l.  For  the 
projection  and  construction  of  roads,  affording  encouragement  to 
manufacturing  and  kindred  enterprises,  ami  the  care  of  all  public 
interests  aftecting  the  town  and  county,  he  was  ever  vigilantly  engaj:^'- 
ed.  He  sufiered  much  from  the  bilious  derangements  incident  to 
the  climate  in  the  first  settlement  of  the  country,  being  prostrated 
upon  beds  of  sickness  more  than  half  of  the  time. 


ate. 


Defiance  Covniy —  Wm.  0.  HolcjaU. 


590 


fir.,  N.  W. 
liii  till!  cor- 
b  ami  Spoke 


In  th( 


1851-5?,  the  buf 


J  eel 


2,731) 


i|l8.':3') 

le  ])urcl»!i8CMl  sev- 
lie  tlinusiiuil  acres 
iho  time  of  mak- 
he  invoste<l  some 
interest  was  sold 
.     lie  moved  his 
Eliza,    (laughter, 
Hopkins  llol^'ate, 
^aturd'.iy,  October 
anio  year,  he  mov- 
Mr.liolgatc  dieil 

[,  the  time  of  the 
If  there    the  year 
)naay,  ^d  of  May, 
i  home  to  the  pres- 
nt,  November  2:], 
,  in  the  summer  of 
lim  tlie   degree  of 
sv  iu  the  office  of 
leaving  College, 
ate  of  leaving  lor 
e  entered  the  law 
iL'S,  and  was  admit- 
»  in  the  summer  of 
ig  about  this  time, 
he  resigned  in  tlu' 
.'nt  of  proseeutiiiii 
111  as  such  his  first 

ily  of  Detiance,  ill 
I,  and  in  lace  of  u 

became  a  law,  on 
was  active  in  the 
he  couiity,  in  1848, 
or,  1H51.     For  the 

encouragement  to 
I  care  of  all  public 
or  vigilantly  engaj^- 
cments  incident  to 
y,  being  prostrated 


iness  prospects  of  Defiance  seemt 
likely  to  bo  lost,  on  account  of  the  projection  and  construction  of 
railroads  passing  lier  on  all  sides,  threatening  to  destroy  her  exist- 
ing trade,  and  luturo  business  prospects.  Foreseeing  the  danger, 
Mr.  Iloigate's  efforts,  during  these  years,  wire  unremitting  in  the 
work  of  securing  for  Defiance  a  railroad,  that  the  town  nrght  bo 
spared  the  destruction  lliar  menaced  it.  I'ndiably  it  wa-i  on  account 
of  enfeebled  physical  condition,  resulting  from  over-work  and  the 
illness  referred  to,  that  his  system  broke  down  in  I800,  and  he  rianlc 
in  a  state  of  congestion  almost  apoplectic.  Unable  to  read  or  write 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  succeeding  tweh'o  years  or  more,  ho  was 
compelled  to  give  up  the  law  practice,  which  he  has  never  resumed. 
Though  now  comfortable,  and  capable  of  transacting  much  busi- 
ness, Mr.  llolgate  has  never  entirely  recovered  from  tlio  congestive 
utt.ack  mentioned. 

In  March,  1804,  when  the  two  sections  of  land  thit  had  boon 
granted  to  the  town  some  fourteen  years  previously  for  the  Defi- 
ance Female  Seminary,  had  been  forfeited  for  want  of  payment, 
and  a  bill  was  on  its  passage  requiring  the  Auditor  to  sell  the  same, 
Mr.  llolgate,  volunteering  his  services,  made  a  visit  to  Columbus 
and  secured  the  passage  of  an  act  authorizing  the  lands  still  to  be 
deeded  on  payment.  The  amount  dtdiiKiui'nt  Mr.  llolgate  arl- 
vanced  from  his  own  j)rivate  funds,  Mr.  Sessions  sharing  the 
advancement  with  him,  and  so  secured  ami  saved  to  the  town  these 
1,280  acres  and  their  growing  avails. 

In  all  important  schemes  devibed  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the 
town  and  county  of  his  residence,  M".  llolgate  has  been  ever  diligent 
.ind  prominent.  On  the  5th  of  January,  1851,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Hillrick,  who  died  June  (5,  i8()5,  leaving  two  children, 
W.  Curtis  llolgate,  .aged  18,  November  29,  1872,  and  Fanny  Maud 
llolgate,  .ag.'d  "iG,  October  2,  1872. 


Aocordini!;  to  the  recollections  of  Frederick  F.  Stevens,  who  was  a  resident 
of  Putnam  county,  iu  182"),  and  removed  to  Detiauce  in  1820,  the  following 
persons  were  tlieli  rciiidents  on  the  Auglaize  below  the  moutli  of  the  Blan- 
ch;ird:  Mr.  Frazee,  Thomas  and  Silas  McClisli,  William  Bishop,  Mr.  Kava- 
nangli,  Christupher  Sroufe,  Al)el  Crossley,  Koljcrt  Foster,  Isaac  Oarey  (oppo- 
site the  present  town  of  Junction),  Elias  and  Nathan  Shirley,  Abram  and  Jolin 
Hudson,  John  Oliver,  James  Hudson,  and  R(d)erf,  Shirley,  senior  and  junior, 
who  were  living  upon  u  farm  [lart  of  which  is  now  within  the  corporation  of 
Defiance. 

Defiance  county  w,as  cr(!cted  ^larch  4,  18f."),  and  its  territory  was  composed 
of  fight  original  townships,  taken  from  Williams,  three  from  Henry,  and  a 
half  township  from  Paulding.  W.  C  llolgate,  Esq.,  prep  -red  tlie  following 
exhihit  ot  tlie  population  of  this  territory  from  the  cnsus  returns  of  1840: 
From  Williams  countv  :  Dcfianee,  !>44 ;  Delaware,  201 ;  F.irmcr,  (now  Farmer 
and  Mark)  281;  Hieksvilie,  (57;  T=iin.  222;  Wasliiiigton,  !)^;  Millbrd,  17.5. 
From  Henry  county.  Adam.s,  188;  Richland  and  Higldand,  (the  Littir  then 
imorganized)  542.  From  Paulding  county:  The  north  half  of  Auglaize,  100. 
Total  population  of  tlie  territory  in  1840,  which  tormed  th"  new  county,  and 
which  had  not  been  materially  increased  at  the  time  of  its  formation  iu  1845, 
2,218. 


M 


600 


JJefia  11  ce  Co u n  ty — Stat, id ics. 


TIio  first  federal  census  of  Defiance  county  was  returned  in  IH.jO, 
wlion  it  exhibited  a  i)0[)ulation  of  (),!)(J(» ;  in  JhCiO,  11,hS(>,  and  in 
1810,  1 ,-»,';  I ». 

Tho  twelve  towndiips  returned,  tos orally,  in  I«iO,  the  following; 
enumerations  of  iiihahitantH :  Adams,  l,r.':.M;;  Defiance,  .'5,01;");  Del 
aware,    1,100;   Farmer,    l.lHl;    llicksville,   1,;*n7  ;    lii<;]dand,  5M0; 
Mark  (in    I8f)l,  taken  frem  Farmer).  r){)5  :  Milford,  \J)i)ct;  Noble, 
807;  liichland,  1,104;  Tiflin,  l,()(S(>;  Washini^ton.  1,010. 

The  county  has  erected  n  Court  House,  one  of  tho  best,  as  regards 
style  of  architecture,  interior  arranj^ements.  and  cost  considired,  in 
the  State, 

Tho  value  of  the  public  ])ro])erty  of  the  county,  is  estimated  at 
$205,000,  free  of  incumbrance,  except  a  debt  of  8r),O0O,  on  account 
of  new  Court  House.  The  County  Infirmary  pays  an  annual  sur- 
phis  into  tho  Treat^ury  exceeding  §1,0U0.  Tliere  is  probably  no 
county  in  Ohio  that,  from  its  organization,  has  been  under  more  ju- 
dicious financial  management.  The  taxal)le  valuation  of  tho  county 
in  184;'),  was  S484,U()4  •  in  1871,  64.702,707. 

Tlie  first  ofHeers  of  tlie  eounty,  alter  tlie  O'^.miziilioa  of  Williums, 
and  wliose  oflii-es  were  tlieii  locMteil  at  tlie  tlien  county  Kent,  at  Deliunee,  liavr 
been  lieretolore  stated.  Tliose  now  in  olliee  aro  tin;  tollowin^f :  ProbiUc 
.Ju(l,i:!;c,  J.  .1.  Greene;  Clerk,  Elwin  Phelps;  Proseeutin^j;  Attorney,  Silas  T.  Siit- 
pheii;  yiieritr,.!.  15.  Hootniaii;  Coroner,  .I(jliii  II.  Kiser:  Auditor,  John  II.  (!oiiidc; 
Treasurer,  Asa  Tol)ereu ;  Iteeonler,  Lewis  Neiil ;  Surveyor,  I).  H.  Eniflisli ; 
Connnissioners,  Win.  ]{.  Me.xwell,  Adam  Willieini  and  Iss'uie  Carver. 

Tlie  town  was  laid  out  in  November,  18ri'2,  by  Benjamin  Lcavell, 
of  Piqua,  and  Horatio  G.  l^hillips,  of  Dayton,  and  acknowledged 
by  Charles  (Junn,  .J.  P.,  April  18,  IS2:{.  and  recorded  tho  28th  of 
the  same  month  in  the  records  of  VVood  county,  by  Thomas  K, 
McKnight,  Recorder.  Tiie  county  seat  ol"  Williams  was  established 
at  Defiance,  on  condition  of  a  donation  by  tho  proprietors  of  one 
third  of  their  lots,  and  erecting  a  jail,  in  182.5.  lionjamin  Leavell, 
in  1835,  sohl  his  whole  interest  in  the  town  and  vicinity  of  Defiance, 
to  Curtis  Holgate.  in  tho  winter  of  18:50-40,  tiie  action  of  the 
commissioners  removed  the  c;)unty  seat  to  Bryan. 

The  several  towns,  during  tho  three  decadts.  exhibited  the  fol- 
lowing census  results  : 

Defiance,  population  in  1850,  800;  in  1800,  93^;  in  1 870. 2,750. 

Brunersburg,  in  1850,  KiO;  in  1800.  194;  in  1870.  185. 

Evansport.in  1850,  105;  in  1800,  218;  in  1870,  191. 

It  will  bo  discovered  that  Biunersburg  and  Evansport  have  retro- 
graded, while  tho  population  of  Defiance  exhibits  residts  that  must 
be  most  gratifying  to  those  interested  in  its  progress.  Of  the  five 
largest  cities  of  Ohio,  Toledo  made  tho  greatest  advance  during  the 
last  decade ;  and  of  the  eight  lesser,  Defiance  is  first— exceeding, 
indeed,  in  ratio  of  growth,  any  city  in  Ohio. 

The  late  Secretary  of  State,  (ieneral  Sherwood,  in  his  analysis  of 
the  per  cent,  of  increase  made  by  eight  of  the  smaller  cities,  during 
obt  period  between  1800  and  1870,  gives  the  following  results:  De- 


Defiance — The  County  and  Town 


601 


turned  in  IR50, 
1 1  ,bbU,  and  ill 

I,  tlio  fbllowino; 
20,  ;J,Gir);  Del- 
[li^'hland,  1)40; 
1.5;').-);  Noble, 
010. 

best,  as  rcgaivls 
,  coiisidi  red,  in 

is  cstitnatcd  at 
JOO,  on  account 
an  annual  sur- 
is  y^robably  no 
under  more  ju- 
n  of  the  county 

o:i  o(  WlUiiims, 
at  Doliunce,  liivvi' 
lowinji; :  Probuti! 
)rncy,'8ilaH  T.  Sut- 
r,  Jolm  II.  Conklc; 
,r,  I).  H.  English; 
[;  Oarver. 

enjainin  Leavell, 
I  aoknowledgod 
led  tbc  5i8th  of 
by  Thomas  K. 
s  was  established 
prietors  of  one 
enjamin  Ijeavell, 
inity  of  Defiance, 
le  action  oi    the 

xhibited   the  iol- 

in  18TO,i},7r)0. 
).  18."). 
191. 

isport  have  retro- 
results  that  must 
ii!<3.  or  the  live 
ivance  durinf;  the 
iirst— exceeding, 

in  his  analysis  of 
,ller  cities,  during 
i'ing  results  :  De- 


fiance, 105;  Younpjstown,  Wl\  Akron,  1S4;  Canton,  114;  Spring 
field,  HO;  Portsmouth,  67;  Steubcnville,  (55,  and  Newark,  io. 

Commercially,  Detianco  is  most  favorably  situated,  being  at  tho 
ooniluenco  of  two  important  rivers,  wiiich  bear  upon  their  surface 
largo  values  of  timber,  and  also  possessing  the  advantage  of  two 
canals,  -which  guarantee,  during  stasons  of  navigation,  not  only 
cheap  freights,  but  also  alTord  most  valuable  water  power.  Added 
to  these  are  tho  Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western  IJailway,  which  has  a 
ropair  shop  at  Defiance,  and  the  Jialtimore,  Pittsburg  &  Chicago 
Kailway  Company  arc  now  constructing  their  trunk  line  through 
the  town.  The  appearances  and  j)robabilities  indicate  that  the  fed- 
eral census  of  ISHO  will  exhibit  a  per  cent,  of  growth,  as  compared 
with  the  returns  of  1870,  fully  ccpial  to  that  of  the  decade  to  which 
Gen.  Sherwood  calls  attention  in  his  report. 

The  value  of  exports  of  ship  timber  from  Defiance,  it  is  claimed, 
exceeds  that  of  any  town  in  Ohio. 

In  the  town  there  are  eight  ohureboa— 3  Jlethodist,  1  Catholic,  I  Pr('8l)yto. 
rian,  2  Lutlioran,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Universalist ;  two  newspapers — the  Defiauce 
Ikmocrat,  by  J.  J.  Greene,  and  the  Defiance  Express,  by  F.  Brooks  ;  one  pub- 
lic and  three  private  schools. 

The  banking  facilities  have  grown  from  a  small  and  modest  beginning, 
some  ten  years  since,  to  their  present  magnitude  and  usefulness.  The  business 
WHS  first  instituted  by  Ahira  Gobi)  and  Virgil  Squire,  under  the  linn  name  of 
Cobb  &  Sfiuire.  Mr.  Cobb,  being  a  heavy  capitalist,  and  extensive  business 
man,  of  Cleveland,  liis  time  was  necessarily  given  to  that  city,  while  the  bank 
ing  business,  at  Defiance,  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Squire,  who,  from  his  long  ex- 
perience of  30  years  in  active  mercantile  life,  was  eminently  fitted  to  judge  of 
the  wants  and  nc(!ds  of  business  men,  and  in  whose  hand.'^  the  bank  speedily 
i^ssumed  growing  and  enlarged  (•a])al)ilities, — so  much  so,  that,  in  the  course  of 
a  few  years,  it  demanded  an  extended  l)asis,  and  was,  .January  1,  1872,  re -or- 
ganized under  the  National  fianking  act,  liy  Mr.  S(iuire  and  li'is  son  Edward, 
who,  during  the  year  previous,  had,  by  experience  and  observation,  become 
thoroughly  qualified  for  the  discharge  of  their  several  duties.  The  new  bank 
was  chartered  as  the  "Defiance  National  fJank,"  Avith  a  paid  up  capital  of 
>iUK),000 — the  father  and  son  being  chosen,  the  one  President,  and  the  other 
eashier,  with  a  Hoard  of  Directors  composed  of  some  of  th(!  most  i)rosper- 
ous  luisiness  men  of  th'."  town,  aslbllows:  Henry  Kahlo,  Virgil  Squire,  .fames 
A.  Orcutt,  .Joshua  P.  Otley,  William  fjuuster,  John  Crowe,  and  Edward  Squire, 
.bulging  from  results  thus  far,  a  highly  remunerative  and  exceedingly  prosper- 
ous career  can  safely  l)e  i)redicted  for  this  bank. 

Among  the  important  industries  of  the  town,  is  the  Defiance  ISIanufaeturing 
t'onipany,  which  organized  and  connnenced  Itiisincss  on  a  small  f).isis,  .January 
1,1870,  and,  in  the  "year  ending  1871.  the  sales  had  reached,  including  those 
made  by  their  newly-established  branch  at  IiOgans])ort,  Indiana,  ij}!  150,000,  and 
had  giveu  employment  to  liiO  men.  About  the  close  of  .January,  1872,  a  tire 
destroyed  the  shops  and  machincrj',  involving  heavy  lo.«s;  but  tiie  Company, 
undismayed  l)y  the  disaster,  have  re-built,  and  are  again  in  operation  with  in- 
creased facilities,  and  arc  now  enabled  to  produce  daily,  of  sjjokes,  l.'JjOUO ;  of 
lumber  wagon  hubs,  100  set ;  and  of  b(mt  work,  a  proportionate  amount — con- 
stituting it  the  most  extensive  manufacturing  establishment  of  its  character  in 
the  Maumee  Valley.  The  business  is  managed  by  Henry  Kahlo,  President ;  E.  P. 
Hooker,  Secretary,  and  .John  Crowe,  Superintendent. 

In  other  industries,  the  town  has  also  two  grist,  one  saw,  one  planing, 
and  one  Avoollen  mill ;  one  stave  faetory  ;  one  stove  foundry  ;  three 
furnitiure  factories;  one  carriage,  and  two  carriage  and  wagon  shops ;  six  black- 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


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s^ 


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w. 


602 


Paulding  County — Statistics,  <&c. 


smith  do;  one  machine  do;  two  harness  do;  one  mirble  do;  ttn  boot  nnd 
shoe  do,  and  three  nlillinery  do.  Four  hotels ;  three  livery  stables ;  five  dry 
goods,  three  clothing,  one  ascrirultural  machine,  three  drug,  and  three  family 
grocery  stores ;  thirty  two  family  groceries  and  saloons;  five  meat  markets; 
one  n'^WB  depot ;  three  jewelers ;  two  cabinet  bjIrs  rooms ;  three  tobacconists ; 
three  brick  yards ;  one  brewery ;  two  insurance  agencies,  representing  fifteen 
companies. 

The  town  of  the  county  next  in  importance  to  Defiance,  is  Hicksville — these 
two  being  the  principal  points  iu  the  county  which  will  be  upon  the  line  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  no-v  being  constructed.  A»  Hicksville,  also,  the 
Fort  Wayne  and  Detroit  road  will  cross  the  B,  and  O.  road.  As  regards 
health,  no  town  in  the  M  lunee  Valley  excseds  Hicksville.  Its  'supply  of  pure 
water,  from  Artesian  Wells,  is  abundant  for  all  uses. 


PAULDING  COUNTY, 

Formed  April  1,  1820,  was  named  irom  John  Paulding,  a  native  of 
Peeksville,  N.  Y.,  and  one  of  the  three  militia  men  who  captured 
Major  Andre,  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  who  died  in  1818. 
The  county  was  organized  in  1839. 

The  population  of  the  county  in  1830,  was  161;  in  1810,  1,034; 
in  1850,  1,766 ;  in  1860,  4,945,  and  in  1870,  8,544. 

The  returns  of  the  census  of  1870,  exhibited  the  following  as  the 
census  of  the  several  townships : 

Auglaize,  788;  Benton,  404;  Blue  Creek,  163;  Brown,  1,140; 
Carryall,  1,087;  Crane,  l,68tJ;  Antwerp,  717;  Emerald.  717;  Bar- 
rison,  304;  Jackson,  5o6;  Latty,  294;  Paulding,  448 :  Washington, 
957, 

General  Horatio  N.  Curtis  is  an  old  resident  of  the  county.  In  a  com- 
munication to  the  Antwer[i  Gazette,  he  states  that  he  made  his  second  visit  to 
the  county  on  the  10th  of  March,  1825.  "  At  this  time,  Defiance  was  quite  a 
small  village,  containing  one  swull  store,  one  tavern,  and  some  five  or  six  fami- 
lies. Isaac  Hull  kept  a  s'^re  on  the  north  side  of  the  Maumce,  opposite  Defi- 
ance, and  liad  an  extensi"e  trade  with  the  Indians. 

"  Among  the  first  settlers  of  what  is  now  Delaware  township,  in  Defiance 
county,  were  Montgomery  Evans,  William  Snook,  Thomas  Warren,  and  Sam- 
uel and  Dennison  flu.iibes,  who  settled  there  in  1823-24.  Soon  after,  Gavin  W. 
Hamilton  and  Jacob  Platter  moved  in.  The  first  death  that  occurred,  was 
Andrew,  son  of  Jacob  Platter. 

"  The  two  first  justices  of  the  peace,  were  Oliver  Crane  and  Montgomery  Evans. 
The  next  township  organized  was  Crane,  which  extended  south  and  west  from  I 
Delaware  township  to  the  State  line.     The  township  derives  its  name  from 
Oliver  Crane.     Among  the  first  Fettiers  of  what  is  now  Crane  township,  were 
Oliver  Crane,  William  Gordon,  Epbraim  Seely  and  Samuel  Reynolds,  who 
settled  in  1833-24.    damuel  Gordon  and  Dennison  Hughes  moved  to  the  town- 1 
flnp  in  the  early  part  of  1825.     The  first  justices  of  the  peace  elected  were 
Tliomas  P.  Quick  and  H.  N  Curtis.    Tiie  first  marriage  in  what  is  now  Crane,! 
was  solemnized  by  Oliver  Crane,  who  joined  in  holy  wedlock  a  Mr.  Young  tol 
Miss  Sherry.  I 

"  About  this  time,  Brown  township  was  organized.  This  township  woh  iipj 
the  Auglaize,  south  of  Defiance.  The  first  settlers  there  were  Shadrack  Hiul-j 
son,  Isaac  Carey,  John  Kingery  and  Christopher  Sronfe.  The  township  tookl 
its  namo  from  a  small  fort  or  stockade  that  was  built  by  a  part  of  General  Harj 
rison's  army  during  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain.    It  occupied  the  poiull 


5c. 


do;  ttQ  boot  flnd 
y  stables ;  five  dry 
r,  and  three  family 
Sve  meat  marketB; 
three  tobacconists; 
repreasnting  fittecn 

is  Hicksville— these 

upon  the  line  of  the 

Hicksville,  also,  the 

road.     As  regards 

Its  'supply  of  pure 


Paulding  (Jounty — Early  Settlers. 


603 


tiding,  a  native  of 
len  who  captured 
vho  died  in  1818. 

1;  in  1840,1,034; 

be  following  as  the 

63;  Brown,  1,U0; 
merald,717;   Har- 

,  448 :  Washington, 

county.  In  a  com- 
ide  bis  second  visit  to 
Defiance  was  quite  a 
I  some  five  or  six  fami- 
laumce,  opposite  Defi- 

township,  in  Defiance  ] 
nu8  Warren,  and  Sam- 
Soon  after,  Gavin  W. , 
ith  that  occurred,  was  j 

ind  Montgomery  Evans, 
eel  south  and  west  from 

derives  its  name  from 
^  Crane  township,  were 
Samuel  Reynold?,  who 
hes  moved  to  tlie  town- 
the  peace  elected  were 
e  in  what  is  now  Crane, 

edlock  a  Mr.  Young  to 

This  township  wna  up 
ere  were  Shadrack  Ilm- 
to  The  township  took 
,v  a  part  of  General  Hat- 
It  occupied  the  poinl 


at  the  junction  of  the  Big  and  Little  Auglaize  river.?.  A  part  of  the  pickets  or 
prtllisades  were  still  standing,  and  seen  by  the  writer  m  passing  down  the 
Auglaize  river  in  the  spring  of  1825.  This  was  called  Fort  Brown,  and  was,  i 
think  so  marked  upon  the  early  maps  of  the  country. 

"The  next  township  organized  was  Carryall,  which  took  its  name  from  a 
large  rock  in  the  middle  of  the  Maumee  river.  It  was  so  called  by  the  French 
on  account  of  its  resembling  a  vehicle  of  that  name.  This  stone  is  abcuit  one 
mile  above  the  village  of  Antwerp.  Carryall  township  lies  west  of  Crane. 
Among  the  first  pettkrs  were  William  Banks,  Reason  V.  Spurrier,  David 
Applegate  and  Thomas  Runyan,  who  settled  there  in"1827-28.  The  first  mar- 
riage that  took  place  was  that  of  Phillip  Murphey  to  Miss  Nancy  Runyan,  and 
was  solemnized  by  IT.  N.  Curtis,  then  justice  of  the  peace,  in"  October,  18;3l>. 
The  three  townships  last  named  are  now  within  tlie  limiis  of  Paulding  county. 

"  The  first  Associate  Judges  were  Nathan  Eaton,  John  Hudson  and  Gilman 
C.  Mudgett,  who  met  in  the  fall  of  1839,  and  appointed  H.  N.  Curtis,  Clerk  jaro 
Um.y  and  Andrew  J.  Smilh,  Sheriff".  The  first  Court  was  held  in  the  spring  of 
1840,  Hon.  Emery  D.  Potter  presiding,  in  the  then  fiourishing  village  of  New 
Rochester,  at  that  time  containing  some  twenty  families,  and  tlie  most  suitable 
place  in  all  the  county  to  hold  a  Court.  (There  is  now  scarcely  a  mark  of  all 
Its  former  greatness  remaining.)  From  there  the  Court  and  county  business 
were  removed  to  Charloe,  in  1841 — the  county  seat,  meantime,  having  been 
established  at  that  point,  and  continuing  there  until  removed  to  its  present  loca- 
tion. The  bounty  on  wolf  scalps  in  the  early  settling  of  the  county,  together 
with  the  large  quantities  of  furs  and  peltries  taken  liy  the  trappers  and  hunters, 
formed  quite  a  revenue,  and  arsslsted  much  in  paying  taxes,  and  in  procuring 
the  common  necessaries  of  life. 

"  This  county,  in  early  time,  was  one  of  the  favorite  hunting  grounds  of  the 
Indians,  and  they  yielded  their  right  of  dominion  to  the  '  chemocoman,'  or 
white  man,  with  reluctance.  It  vras  noted  for  the  abundance  and  fine  quality 
of  the  furs  and  peltries  taken  within  its  limits. 

"  I  recollect,  while  acting  as  Clerk  of  the  Court,  to  have  had  candidates  for 
marriage  frequently  pay  me  my  fees  in  raccoon  skins  for  granting  the  marriage 
license.  One  case  I  well  recollect,  of  having  been  called  upon  to  marry  a 
couple ;  and  having  done  so,  the  gentleman  informed  me  that  he  had  nothing 
to  pay  me  for  my  services.  I  told  him,  all  right ;  but  in  the  fall  they  gathered 
and  sent  me  a  fine  lot  of  hickory  nuts  as  compensation  for  my  services. 

"  The  first  trading  house  in  the  county  was  opened  by  Thomas  P.  Quick  in 
1896,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  furs  and  peltries  from  the  Indians.  The  first 
citizen's  store  in  the  county  was  opened  in  the  fall  of  1829,  by  the  writer.  The 
tirst  white  man  that  settled  in  the  county  was  John  Driver,  a  silversmith,  who 
made  broaches  and  ear-rings  tor  the  Indians." 

Among  the  early  settlers  at  Charloe,  were  John  Taylor,  (now  of  Perrysvilie,) 
.John  W.  Aj'ers,  George  H.  Phillips  and  A.  II.  Palmer ;  and  at  the  Junction, 
Capt.  Dana  Columbia,  Dr.  Henry  Marcellus,  and  Capt.  Thomas  Lough. 

General  Curtis  was  well  acquainted  with  the  Indian,  Occanoxa,  with  whom 
lie  frequently  had  business  transactions.  He  was  chief  of  a  band  numbering 
about  six  hundred,  his  town  occupying  the  present  site  of  Charloe.  He  was  a 
large,  powerfully-built  Indian,  but  advancing  years  had  made  inroads  upon  his 
constitution.  Ho  was  naturally  ugly,  audVhen  intoxicated,  malicious.  On 
one  occasion,  visiting  the  store  of  General  Curtis  for  the  purpose  of  trading, 
j  and  being  under  the  infiuence  of  liquor,  he  was  describing,  in  a  ferocious  man- 
ner, his  ancient  feats  in  scalp-taking.  This  fighting  of  his  old  battles  against 
white  women  and  children  over  again,  upon  his  own  premises,  was  not  agree- 
able to  the  General,  and  in  a  moment  of  excitement  he  advanced  npon  the 
[Indian  and  knocked  him  to  the  ground. 

William  and  John  Moss,  brothers,  and  native.?  of  England,  visited  Paulding 

I  county  in  1834,  and  established  themselves  as  residents  the  year  follo-ving. 

The  patent  for  the  land  entered  at  the  Piquo  Land  Office,  for  the  N.  E.  Qr.  of 


604 


Van  Wert  County — Populatioro^  dc. 


Sec.  26.  T.  8  N.,  R.  3  E.,  (now  Jackson  towaship,)  bears  date  May  11,  1835; 
and  tbat  for  the  land  of  his  brother  John  being  on  Sec.  24  adjoining,  bears  the 
same  date.  These  brothers  were  probably  the  first  white  settlers  in  that  Section 
of  Paulding  county,  excepting,  possibly,  one  family  on  the  Little  Au^iaue, 
named  Earl. 


VAN  WERT. 

This  county  was  formed  April  1,  1820 ;  and,  like  Williams  and 
Pauldino;,  named  from  one  of  the  captors  of  the  unfortunate  Andre- 
Isaac  Van  Wert.  The  county,  at  the  time  of  its  formation,  liad  few 
white  inhabitants,  and  until  J  836  was  attached  to  Mercer  county  for 
civil  purposes. 

The  first  Court  was  held  at  Willshirc.  October  3,  ]837,  by  Associ- 
ate Judges  Joshua  Watkins,  Benjamin  Griffin,  and  Oliver  Stacey. 

The  first  session  of  the  Commissioners  was  a  special  one,  also  con- 
vened at  Willshire,  on  the  29th  of  April,  183G. 

At  the  time  of  its  organization,  Van  Wert  consisted  of  twelve 
townships,  only  four  of  which,  namely:  Pleasant  Ridge,  Willshire 
and  Jennings,  were  organized. 

"Davis  Johnson  settled  in  Harrison  Township,  5  miles  north  of  the  town  of 
Willshirc,  in  April,  1836.  At  that  time,  in  Willshire,  were  the  following  fami- 
lies :  James  Majors,  Sr.,  and  William  Majors,  Jr.,  (the  latter  having  no  family,) 
and  the  following  sons  of  the  former,  part  of  whom  had  families:  David, 
llobert,  Jonathan,  George,  James,  Jr..  and  William,  Jr. ;  Charles  Mount,  (mer- 
chant,) Henry  Reichard,  (merchant )  Wm.  Case,  (the  first  Co.  Treasurer,)  Daniel 
Cross,  (blacksmith,)  Thorn,  Harper,  and  Wm.  Purdy.  At  this  date  there  was  not 
an  inhabitant  north  of  him  to  the  Maumec  River.  '  Willson,  (first  surveyor.)  and 
Ansel  Blossom,  then  the  oldest  settler  resident  of  the  town,  who  came  to  Willshire 
in  1819.  On  tlie  St.  Mary's,  ten  miles  above  Willshire,  were  the  families  of  John, 
Jacob,  and  Peter  Bolenbancher,  and  Solomon  Harzack.  At  the  Presidential  elec- 
ion  of  1836,  there  were  15  votes  polled  in  tlie  township  of  Willshirc,  which  then 
embraced  all  Van  Wert  county,  and  Black  Creek  tov/nship,  Mercer  county.  At 
the  election,  held  October,  18;J7,  a  ticket  was  formed,  regardless  of  party 
interests,  on  the  morning  of  the  election,  and  received  the  unanimous  vote  of 
the  electors. 

"The  first  public  sale  of  lots  in  the  town  of  Van  Wert  was  made  on  the  17th 
of  June,  1837. 

Mr.  Johnson  continued  on  his  first  homestead,  which  he  yet  owns,  though 
having  at  several  elections  been  chosen  to  the  oflUce  of  County  Surveyor,  until 
18"i4,  when  he  removed  to  Van  W^ert,  where  he  continues  to  reside." 

William  -Tohns  removed  to  Harrison  township  in  October,  1837,  and  in  1839 
to  Pleasant  township,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  December  4, 1871.  In 
the  first  years  of  his  residence  he  was  connected  with  the  Indian  trade— bujine 
chicfiy  for  the  Hollisters,  of  Perrysburg. 

Jacob  Goodwin  removed  to  the  present  township  of  York,  in  December, 
1834.  "  Peter  and  John  K.  Harter  came  to  the  neighborhood  about  the  same 
date.  Washington  Mark,  John  Rich,  and  Benjamin  Griffin,  had  preceded  him 
a  few  months,  and  were  then  the  only  inhabitants  of  Jennings  Prairie.  The 
only  survivors  of  those  named  above  are  Peter  Harter  and  myself.  Mr.  Hnrter 
is  one  of  the  most  advanced  in  years  among  the  early  pioneers  ot  Van  Wert 
county." 

Joseph  Gleasou  removed  to  Pleasant  township.  Van  Wert  county,  in  August, 
1837,  and  in  December,  1839,  to  the  town  of  Van  Wert,  where  he  yet  resides. 
"  In  1837  there  were  only  two  families  in  Van  Wert — those  belonging  to  Daniel 


Al 


^ 


(&G. 


Van  Wert  County — Population,  <&c. 


605 


ite  May  11,  1835; 
djoining,  bears  the 
ers  in  thai  Section 
c  Little  Au^iaize, 


io  Williams  and 
rtunate  Andre— 
rmation,  had  few 
fiercer  county  for 

1837,  by  Associ- 
Oliver  Stacey. 
cial  one,  also  con- 

nsisted  of  twelve 
Ridge,  AVillshire 

lorth  of  the  town  of 
;  the  following  fami- 
!r  having  no  family,) 
ad  families:  David, 
[Charles  Mount,  (raer- 
lo.  Treasurer,)  Daniel 
jis  date  there  was  not 
I,  (tirst  surveyor.)  and 
vliocametoWillshire 
I  the  families  of  John, 
the  Presidential  elec- 
JVillshire,  which  then 
),  Mercer  county.   At 
,  regardless  of  party 
le  unanimous  vote  of 

was  made  on  the  17th 

he  yet  owns,  though 
ounty  Surveyor,  until 
I  to  reside." 
ler,  1837,  and  in  1839 
)ecember  4, 1871.    In 

Indian  trade— buying 

York,  in  December, 
rhood  about  the  same 
fin,  liad  preceded  him 
ennings  Prairie.  The 
d  myself.  Mr.  Barter 
)ioncers  ol  Van  Wert 

crt  county,  in  August, 
where  he  yet  resides, 
se  belonging  to  Darnel 


Cook  and  John  F.  Dodds,  with  whom  c:ime  William  Parent.  The  families  of 
James  G.,  John,  Adam,  Thomas,  Robert,  and  Hugh  Gilliland,  William,  John, 
and  James  Young,  Hill,  John  Poole,  William  Priddy,  John  Mark,  Peter  Wills, 
David  King,  and  Oliver  Stsmey,  were  living  east  of  town,  on  or  near  "  the 
Ridge ;"  and  on  Jennings  Prairie  resided  WHshington  Mark,  Benjamin  Griffin, 
Jolin  K.  and  Peter  Harter,  Jacob  Goodwin  and  John  Case.  West,  on  the 
Ridge,  were  the  families  of  James  and  Samuel  Maddox,  William  Miller,  George 
Baney,  and  William  Bronson. 

There  were  no  residents  in  the  north  part  of  the  county.  On  a  trip  to  Defi- 
ance as  late  as  1840  or  1841,  he  found  no  settlement  between  Van  Wert  and  the 
mouth  of  the  Little  Auglaize. 

Dr.  P.  John  llines,  tlie  first  physician,  and  yet  living,  removed  to  the  town 
in  1838.  The  Gillilands,  the  Hills,  and  John  Mark,  came  in  the  year  1835. 
The  first  named  family  and  Peter  Wills  cut  20  miles  of  the  track  for  the  road 
known  as  the  Bucyrus  and  Fort  Wayne  road,  commencing  about  4  miles  west 
of  Van  Wert.    The  road  followed  the  Indian  trail. 

Elias  Evers  removed  to  the  township  now  known  as  Union,  in  October,  1839. 

The  following  were  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Van  Wert  in  1812 : 

J.  Ilf.  Barr,  S.  Engleright,  Wm.  Parent,  Joseph  Gleason,  Samuel  Clark,  E.  R. 
Wells,  Thomas  11.  Mott,  William  Thorn,  Daniel  Cook,  David  Fisher,  Thomas 
R.  Kear,  John  W.  Lown,  (who  removed  to  Van  Wert  in  June,  1840,)  Isaac 
Doherty,  Robert  Gilliland,  Dr.  P.  John  Hines,  David  Richey,  Jacob  Thorn, 
John  Roach,  George  McManama,  Thomas  Thorn,  Samuel  Parent,  James 
Graves,  William  Caton,  William  and  Jacob  Stripe,  Joshua  and  Isaiah  Shaffer, 
George  Cress,  William  Fronefield  and  Reuben  Frisbie. 

The  nearest  water  mills  were  at  Fort  Wayne  and  Piqua ;  though  there  was  a 
horse  mill  at  which  corn  and  buckwheat  were  ground  on  Jennings  Prairie,  and 
another  in  Union  township,  Mercer  county.  Little  wheat  was  then  raised. 
The  "arm-strong,"  or  hand-mill — the  stones  being  "  nigger  heads,"  and  turned 
by  hand — would,  by  dint  of  hard  labor,  turn  out  a  peck  of  corn  meal  during 
the  day,  and  found  a  place  beside  a  hand-loom  in  nearly  every  household. 

Population  of  Van  Wert  county  in  1830,  49;  in  1840,  1,577;  in 
1850,  4,793;  in  1860,  10,238  ;  in  1870,  15,823. 

In  1871,  the  tax  valuation  of  real  and  personal  property  amounted 
to  $5,065,623. 

The  first  officers  elected  were,  Clerk,  Ansel  Blossom ;  Recorder, 
same;  Sheriff,  Wra.  Major;  Kecorder,  Charles  Mount;  Commission- 
ers, Jesse  Atkinson,  Joshua  Goodwin,  and  William  Priddy;  Assessor, 
John  Kuth. 

The  following  are  the  county  officers  in  1872-73  :  A.  W.  Baker, 
Probate  Judge;  Julius  A.  Gleason,  Auditor;  George  W.  Day,  Clerk, 
James  L.  Price,  Prosecuting  Attorney ;  John  Seaman,  Treasurer ; 
Abraham  B.  Gleason,  Sheriff";  P.  C.  Conn,  Recorder:  James  W. 
Rimer,  Surveyor;  A.  N.  Krout,  Coroner;  Samuel  Miller,  Abijah 
Goodwin,  and' Abraham  Balyeat,  Commissioners. 

The  town  of  Van  Wert  was  laid  out  on  the  30tli  of  March,  1835. 
George  Marsh,  James  Watson  Riley,  and  Peter  Aughinbaugh  being 
the  original  proprietors.  The  last  addition,  by  Judge  Wm.  L.  Hel- 
fenstein,  was  made  on  the  29th  of  August,  1840. 

Population  of  the  town  in  1850,  268 ;  in  1860,  1,015  ;  in  1870,  2,- 
625.    Valuation  of  real  and  personal  estate,  in  1871,  $866,991. 

The  St.  Louis  and  Toledo  Railway  will  cross  the  P.  F.  W.  and  C. 
R.  W.  at  Van  Wert,  passing  through  Kalida  to  Ottawa. 


606  Putnam  County — Early  Inhabitants. 


An  error  having  occurred  in  stating  the  population  of  Delphos, 
pnge  401,  it  is  here  re-stated :  In  1850,  374  ;  in  I860,  425  ;  in  1870, 
1,667.  The  taxable  basis  in  the  Van  Wert  portion  of  Delphos 
amounting  to  about  one-third  the  part  included  in  Allen  county, 
was,  in  1872,  ^142,089. 

Wilishire  is  the  oldest  town  in  the  county,  having  been  founded  in 
1822  by  Capt.  Riley,  who  was  prominently  identified  with  the  early 
history  of  North  Western  Ohio,  and  who  made  the  first  survey  of 
United  States  lands  in  the  Maumee  Valley.  In  1872,  Wilishire  "hiwl 
a  population  of  208. 

In  Van  Wert  there  are  nine  churches — 1  Presbyterian ;  1  M.  E. ;  1  English 
and  one  German  Lutheran ;  1  Baptist ;  1  Disciple  ;  1  Catiiolic ;  1  Evangehcal 
Protestant ;  and  one  African  M.  E.  A  new  public  Bcbool  building,  at  a  cost  ex- 
ceeding $40,000,  has  been  erected  within  the  last  two  years,  which  the  State 
Superintendent  of  Schools  pronounces  the  best,  consiiiering  its  cost,  erected 
within  the  last  ten  years. 

Fully  six  hundred  thousand  dollars  are  invested  in  the  following  named 
manufacturing  industries:  5  stave  factories ;  1  foundry;  2  steam  tlour  mills; 
3  planing  mills;  1  saw-mill ;  4  brick  yards;  1  hub  and  spoke  factory ;  1  woolen 
mill;  3  cabinet  factories;  3  wagon  and  2  carriage  factories;  3  hanicss  shops; 
2  marble  shops ;  1  lumber  yard,  selling  pine  dressed  lumber ;  1  broom-handle 
factory ;  1  tile  fav^tory ;  7  shoe  and  3  tailor  shops ;  1  ashery  ;  1  brewerj- ;  1  tlax 
mill ;  1  cheese  factory  and  2  cooper  shops.  Eighteen  steam  engines  are  work- 
ing within  and  directly  outside  (he  corporation. 

The  banking  business  is  in  the  hands  of  the  First  National  and  the  Van  Wert 
County  Bank. 

The  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  .T.  II.  Foster,  editor,  and  Van  Wert  Times,  W.  H.  Cly- 
mer,  editor,  are  issued  irom  establishments  well  supplied  with  material  for  exe- 
cuting  superior  job  printing.  There  are  also  4  hotels ;  six  general  merchandise 
stores ;  13  grocery  and  provision  stores  ;  8  produce  warehouses  ;  4  drug  stores ;  2 
clothing  stores  ;  7  boot  and  shoe  stores ;  1  dress-makerand  3  milliners ;  2  jewelry 
stores;  3  hardware  stores;  2  tin  and  stove  stores;  3  livery  and  sale  stables;  0 
sewing  machine  depots ;  1  fancy  furnishing  store ;  2  tobacco  and  cigar  stores. 


PUTNAM. 

This  county,  formed  April  1,  1820,  was  named  from  Gen.  Israel 
Putnam,  an  officer  of  historical  fame  connected  with  the  American 
Revolution.  Until  1834  it  Avas  attached  to  Williams  county  for 
judicial  purposes. 

Frederick  F.  Stevens,  who  originally  settled  in  Putnam  county,  but  removed 
to  Defiance  in  1826, says:  "  On  the  Blanchard,  in  1885,  one  mile  above  its  mouth, 
resided  John  Ridenour,  and  at  the  junction  of  that  stream  with  the  Auglaize, 
Andrew  Craig,  who  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  white  settler  in  Putnam 
county.  Excepting  these  two,  there  were  no  white  families  on  the  Bla  ichard 
below  Findlay.  Henry  Wing  had  previously  settled  near  the  mouth  of  Bianchard, 
but  abandoned  his  place,  and  removed  to  Defiance.  Sebastian  Sroufe  was  on 
the  Auglaize,  one  mile  above  Blanchard's  Fork,  and  Wm.  Bowen  \\  miles 
above  Myers'  Mill,  or  '  Kilkannon's  ripple ;'  and  yet  above  these,  on  the 
Auglaize,  Elias  Wallace,  James  J.  Martin,  Daniel  Sullivan,  David  Murphey, 
(who  also  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  white  settler  in  Putnam  county;)  Kufus 
Carey,  (8+  miles  below  Fort  Jennings,)  and  a  Mr.  Harris,  then  the  only  inhabi- 
tant at  Fort  Jennings.    Yet  above  the  Fort  were  Mr.  Hill,  Joseph  Sutton,  Wni. 


Ms. 


Putnam  County — Early  Inhahitants.  607 


If! 


;ion  of  Delphos, 
0,  425  ;  in  1870, 
tion  of  Pelphos 
n  Allen  county, 

been  founded  in 
(1  with  the  early 
le  first  survey  of 
r2,  Willshire  hiwl 

1  M.  E. ;  1  English 
olic;  1  Evangelical 
lilding,  at  a  cost  ex- 
,ia,  which  the  State 
ing  its  cost,  erected 

e  following  named 
5  steam  tlour  mills ; 
:e  factory ;  1  woolen 
s ;  2  harness  shops ; 
er ;  1  broom-handle 
,' ;  1  brewery ;  1  flax 
m  engines  are  work- 

al  and  the  Van  Werl 

'xi  Times,  ^N.  H.  Cly- 
rith  material  for  exe- 
general  merchandise 
ases  ;  4  drug  stores ;  3 
J  milliners;  2  jewelry 
y  and  sale  sUibles;  G 
10  and  cigar  stores. 


from  Gen.  Israel 
kvitli  the  American 
illiams  county  for 

I  county,  but  removed 
mile  above  its  mouth, 
m  with  the  Auglaize, 
ite  settler  in  Putnam 
illcs  on  the  Bla  ichanl 
le  mouth  of  Blanchard, 
)astian  Sroufe  was  on 
Nm.  Bowen  1^  miles 

above  tliese,  on  the 
ivan,  David  Murphey, 
iitnam  county;)  Kufus 

then  the  onlv  inbabi- 
1,  Joseph  Sutton,  Wni. 


Cochran,  Josiab  Closson,  John  Welch,  Daniel  and  Wm.  Sunderland,  Thos.  and 
Wm.  Berryniun,  and  Samuel  Washburn. 

John  Lang  made  a  publication  in  the  Delphos  Herald,  containing  the 
following  statement : 

"  The  Indians  remained  in  this  neighborhood,  their  last  encampment  being 
at  Sulphur  Springs,  nntil  the  year  isS'i,  and  below  Fort  Jennings  as  late  aa 
1839.  Settlements  were  made  at  Fort  Jennings  in  1834,  when  Von  der  Embz, 
,lohn  Wellman,  and  others,  settled  there,  and  were  soon  after  joined  by  Henry 
Jo.'-eph  Boehmer.  Disher,  Peters,  Raabe,  liader  aijd  Shroeder, '  E(iuatted '  on 
Jennings  as  early  as  1882." 

Judge  George  Skinner,  who  removed  to  Kalida  in  18-19,  and  is  yet  a  resident 
in  that  neighborhood,  says :  "  David  Murphey  was  the  first  white  settler  in  this 
county— residing  in  a  bouse  he  had  built  of  poles  at  the  mouth  of  Blanchard. 
The  first  house  built  was  by  two  men  and  one  woman,  a  mile  above  the  moutli 
of  Blanchard.  The  first  county  Court  was  held  in  the  house  of  Christian 
Sarber,  half  a  mile  south  of  Kalida— Wm.  L.  Helfenstein  presiding  as  Judge, 
and  the  family  table  serving  as  Judge's  and  Clerk's  desk,  bar  table,  etc.,  and  the 
Judge  making  use  of  the  bed  for  a  seat.  The  jury  held  their  private  consulta- 
tions in  the  woods.  John  Sarber,  Christian  Sarber,  and  Ezra  Hicks,  members 
of  the  first  grand  jury,  are  yet  living. 

"  The  third  order  issued  by  the  Auditor  read  as  follows  : 

'"  To  the  Treasurer  of  Putnam  county,  Ohio :  Pay  William  Treat  three  dol- 
lars and  eighty  cents  for  services  as  pack  liorse  in  running  the  Napoleon  road.' 

"  On  the  Court  record  of  1836, 1  find  this  entry  :  '  The  Court  appoint  James 
Tay?or  Clerk  pro  tern.,  in  place  of  Daniel  W.  Gray,  rpsigned.'  William  ('Com- 
modore') Phillips  obtained  a  renewal  ot  his  tavern  license.  Marriage  licenses 
were  granted  to  David  Stoufer  and  Elizabeth  Nicewarner,  John  Armstrong  and 
Elizabeth  Strain,  Christian  Lugibill  and  Catharine  Stoufer. 

"  Jennings  creek  took  its  name  from  Col.  Jennings,  who  led  a  body  of  men 
there  from  Fort  Recovery  and  built  a  stockade  at  the  junction  of  that  stream 
with  the  Auglaize.  C(il.  Jennings  died  and  was  buried  here.  Ottawa  river 
was  named  from  the  Indian  tribe  who  had  their  hunting  grounds  along  its  course. 
The  name  of  Hog  Creek  had  its  origin  in  the  fact  that,  during  the  war  of  1812, 
some  white  men  living  near  Piqua  undertook  to  drive  a  lot  of  hogs  to  tlie  mili- 
'  y  garrisons  on  the  Maumee ;  and  having  reached  this  stream,  which  they 
found  much  swollen,  and  becoming  alarmed  at  the  hostile  movements  of  the 
Indians,  they  undertook  to  force  their  stock  across,  some  of  which  reached  the 
opposite  shore,  another  portion  perished  in  the  waters ;  but  the  most  remained 
upon  the  first  bunk,  and  all  were  left  to  their  fate  by  the  owners,  who  made  a 
rapid  retreat  homewards.  The  surviving  hogs  multiplied  and  replenished  the 
wilderness.  Hence  the  name  of  '  Hog  Creek,'  or  '  Swinonia,'  as  Count  Cof- 
finberry,  under  a  poetic  inspiration,  de&ignated  it. 

"  Sugar  Creek  derived  its  name  from  the  maple  orchards  which  supplied  the 
Indians  at  Charloe  with  their  sugar ;  Plum  Creek,  from  the  annual  wealth  of 
wild  plums  that  its  rich  bottoms  srupjilied, '  without  money  and  without  price ; 
and  Cranberry,  from  the  numerous  marshes  that  bore  that  fruit  in  its  vicinity. 
Riley  and  Deer  Creeks  were  named  by  the  Government  Surveyor,  Capt.  James 
Riley;  and  Blanchard,  by  an  Indian  trader,  who  was  the  first  white  settler 
upon  its  margin. 

"The  first  store  in  the  county  was  established  by  an  Indian  trader  on  Sec- 
lion  16,  Liberty  township.  Thu  first  general  muster  was  held  at  Ottawa,  in 
1839.  at  which  all  the  able-bodied '  sovereigns'  of  the  county  were  gathered,  with 
plenty  of  '  corn  dodgers,'  music  and  whiskey." 

Among  the  veterans  at  Gilhoa,  on  the  Blanchard,  were  Andrew,  Thomas  R. 
and  William  McClure,  John  P.  Flemming,  Otho  and  John  Crawfis,  Elisha  and 
Isaac  Stout,  Nathaniel  M.  Creighton,  J()8e|)h  Hiokei-son,  Matthew  Chambers, 
Abraham  Hardin,  Samuel  and  Jesse  Hall,  Wm.  B.  Thrao,  Colonel  Milton  C. 
Ewing,  Stauberry  Sutton,  Dr.  Hiram  Alford  and  Dr.  H.  Luce. 


603 


Putnam  County — Pioneers,  (&c. 


At  Croghan  Post  Office,  which  place  was  afterwards  Shannon,  and  now  Bluflf. 
ton,  Allen  county,  were  the  families  of  Daniel  W.  Goble,  Mr  Viers,  John 
Anistutz,  John  Carnahan,  John  McIIeury,  Jolin  Stciner,  Josiah  and  Budd 
Gasl^ill,  and  Hugh  Lee. 

At  Pendleton  were  Joseph  Patterson,  Dr.  11.  Day,  Mr.  Kilheffbr  and  Mr,  Hamil- 
ton; at  Columbus Grovo, Capt.  Fred.  Fruchey,,Iohn  Bogartand  Mr.  Turner;  at 
Ottawa  and  vicinity,  Dr.  C.  T.  Pomeroy,  Wm.  and  Jonathan  Y.  Sackett,  Wm. 
Henderson,  George  Agner,  Moses  Sutton,  John  Race,  James  Clarlc,  Christian 
Huber,  Wm.  Galhreath,  James  F.  Adgate,  Dr.  C.  M.  Godfrey,  Michael  Row, 
Samuel  Runj-an,  John  and-Di.vid  Cox  and  Wm.  Williams;  at  Glandorf,  Rev. 
John  W.  Horstman,  Henry  Ridenour  and  Ferdinand  Breidilte,  who  settled  i;i 
1833,  and  in  the  same  year,  in  the  neighborhood,  John  F.  Kable,  the  first  Ger- 
man naturalized  in  Putnam  counly.  At  au  early  date,  also,  were  Gasper  and 
Wm.  Schierloh,  Henry  Umverfert,  B.  H.  Kemper,  Lewis  Baker,  and  Messrs. 
Bookhold,  Oskamp  and  Mohrman. 

On  the  Blanchard,  below  Glandorf,  were  W.  Leemaster,  Henry  Wing,  Jolm 
Snyder,  Nutter  Powell,  John  P.  Simons,  Solomon  Carbaugh,  Joel  Wilcox,  Dil- 
man  Swifzer,  John  Ridenour,  Wm.  Bell  and  Mr.  Shank. 

At  Kalida  and  neighborhood  the  following  were  among  th  j  early  residents ; 
Winchton  and  Orville  Risley,  Francis  H  Gillett,  Dr.  Moses  Lee,  James  Wells, 
George  J.  Wichterman,  James  H.  Vail,  Jacob  Bean,  Robert  McCreary,  Robert 
and  Isaac  McCracken,  Hugh  and  Willie  Crawford,  Sheldon  Guthrie,  Clark 
H.  and  Levi  Rice,  Col.  J.  White,  Capt.  Thomas  Coulter,  George  Skinner, 
Alonzo  A.  Skinner,  James  Thatcher,  J.  S.  Spencer,  Wm.  Monroe,^James  and 
Andrew  J.  Taylor,  David  Ayers,  Wm.  Phillips,  Richard  Lee,  Jesse  Higlit,  Ezra 
Hicks,  Adam  Sarber,  John  Parrish,  Joseph  Nichols,  Hugh  Hughes,  Evan  R. 
Davis,  Henry  Moneyamith,  John  Ayeni,  James  Rodgers,  and  several  families 
named  Guy. 

On  and  near  Hog  Creek,  above  Kulida,  were  Benjamin  Clevinger,  and  his 
sons,  Joseph,  George,  Jacob,  Eli,  James,  Samuel  and  John;  Col.  John  Kuhns, 
Jenkins  Hughes,  John  GufTey,  James  Nicholas,  Mr.  Rhoades  and  John  Gander. 

Below  Kalida,  and  on  Hog  Creek  and  the  Auglaize,  were  James  Hill,  Rufus 
Carey,  Wm.  H.  Harris,  Elias  Wallen,  Wm.  Bowen,  David  Murphey,  Daniel  and 
Jackson  Sullivan,  Thomas  Carder,  Obed  Martin,  Rev.  P.  B.  Holden,  Rev.  John 
Tussing,  Henry  Pence,  Wm.  and  Daniel  Thatcher,  Samuel  and  Peter  Myers, 
Ellison  Ladd  and  Mr,  Rhoades.  Thr  early  inhabitants  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  junction  of  Bog  Creek  with  the  Auglaize,  by  reason  of  the  eccentricities  of 
some  of  them,  were  generally  known  as  the  "  Auglaize  rangers." 

la  Greensburg  township  the  first  white  inhabitant  was  Henry  Wing,  who  re- 
moved to  it  in  1825.  At  Ihe  first  election  held  April,  1835,  Wm.  Bell,  Abraham 
Crow  and  Joshua  Powell  were  elected  Trustees ;  Frederic  Brower,  Clerk ; 
Nutter  Powell,  Treasurer ;  and  Frederic  Brower,  Justice  of  the  Peace.  At  Ibis 
election  eight  votes  were  cast.  F.  Brower  is  the  oldest  resident  now  living  in 
the  township,  having  settled  there  in  1883. 

Liberty  township  was  settled  in  1835 — Alexander  Montooth  being  the  first 
white  male  inhabitant.  Then  came,  a  lew  months  later,  C.  Hofstaeter ;  Nicho- 
las McConuel ;  Samuel,  James  and  John  Irvin  ;  Mr.  Krebs  and  Oliver  C.  Pome- 
roy. In  the  succeeding  years  came  L.  Hull ;  Jacob  Sigler ;  Henry  Knop ; 
George  Hagle ;  Robert  Lowry ;  James  Woodell ;  George  Bell ; 
and  James  McKinnis.  Pete  Arm,  one  of  the  head  of  the  Tawa  tribe  of 
Indians,  opened  a  small  stock  of  goods  on  Section  IG— he  being  thefirst  merchant. 

The  township  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1837 — Nicholas  McConnel, 
Hugh  S.  Ramsay  and  John  E.  McConnel  being  among  the  qualified  electors, 
and  voting.  A.  T.  Prentiss,  who  furnishes  these  notes,  opened  a 
school  in  the  township,  in  the  winter  of  1839-40.  The  first  church  was  the  As- 
sociate Presbyterian,  of  Poplar  Ridge,  organized  by  Rev.  Samuel  Willson— 
Nicholas  McConnel  and  James  Strain  being  ruling  elders.  The  first  settled 
minister  was  Rev.  Samuel  McLane,  who  took  charge  of  the  church  in  1843,  and 
remained  until  1848,  the  period  of  his  death.     The  first  church  building,  and 


n,  and  now  Bluff. 
Mr  Viere,  John 
oaiuh  and  Budd 

"eraiidMr.HamU- 
d  Mr.  Turner ;  at 

Y.  Sackett,  Wm. 

Clark,  Christian 
}v,  Michael  Row, 
at  Glandorf,  Bev. 
ce,  who  settled  in 
ihle,  the  first  Ger- 

were  Gasper  and 
laker,  and  Messrs. 

^enry  Wing,  John 
,  Joel  Wilcox,  Dil- 

J  J  early  residents: 
Lee,  James  Wells, 

McCreary,  Robert 
on  Guthrie,  Clarl; 
,  George  Skinner, 
ionroe,"'James  and 
,  Jesse  Higlit,  Ezra 

Hughes,  Evan  R. 
id  several  families 

Clevinger,  and  his 
,  Col.  John  Kuhns, 
s  and  John  Gander. 
>.  James  Hill,  Rufus 
urphey,  Daniel  and 
Holden,  Rev.  John 
1  and  Peter  Myers, 
he  neighborhood  of 
the  eccentricities  ot 
gers." 

lenry  Wing,  who  re- 
Wm.  Bell,  Abraham 
!ric  Brower,  Clerk; 
•  the  Peace.  At  this 
3ident  now  living  in 

ooth  being  the  first 
i.  Hofstaeter ;  Nicho- 
and  Oliver  C.  Pome- 
igler;  Henry  Knop; 
11 ;     George     Bell ; 
the  Tawa  tribe  ot 
eg  the  first  merchant. 
Nicholas  McConnel, 
he  qualified  electors, 
e    notes,    opened    a 
3t  church  was  the  As- 
v.  Samuel  WilUon— 
18.    The  first  settled 
e  church  in  1843,  and 
church  building,  and 


Putnam  County — Pionaera — Clark  II.  Mice.     GOO 


II 


the  first  established  cemetery  wcrn  upon  the  landfi  of  James  McKinnia.  The 
town  of  Metliiry  was  laid  out  in  1^45,  by  S.  Modary,  Dr.  Win.  Trevilt,  J.  W. 
Walters  and  J.  M.  Palmer ;  Leipsic,  in  1852.,  by  Jobii  W.  Pecklnpaugh.  Before 
the  opening  of  the  Dayton  and  Michigan  road,  the  average  prices  current  for 
produce  at  Leipsic  were,  for  wheat,  per  buuhel,  87@50c. ;  corn,  15@20c. ;  oats, 
I2®30c. ;  flour,  per  hundredths.,  iU(r/i|2  ;  pork,  per  lb.,  3(a)8c. ;  honey,  8& 
10c. ;  butter,  4@6c. ;  eggs,  S@Oc.  per  do/.,  and  other  articles  of  farm  products, 
except  fruit!!,  in  proportion." 

Among  the  first  lawyers  in  Putnam  county,  were  F.  H.  Gillett,  W.  L.  Birge, 
A.  A.  Bkinacr,  John  Morris,  E.  T.  Mott,  and,  later,  B.  F.  Metcalf  and  James 
Mackenzie. 

The  old  physicians  were  Drs.  Moses  Lee,  P.  L.  Cole  and  Andrew  McCIure,  ol 
Kalida ;  Drs.  Alford  and  Luce,  of  Gilboa ;  Drs.  Godfrey  and  Pomero/,  of 
Ottawa ;  Drs.  Cooper  and  Dewues,  of  Franconia  and  Dr.  Day,  of  Pendleton. 

Wm.  Galbreath  aided  in  the  erection  of  Fort  Moigs — was  present  during  the 
two  seiges— and  witnessed,  from  the  pallisades  of  the  Fort,  (May  5,  1813,)  the 
disaster  which  occurred  to  the  forces  of  Col.  Dudley ;  and  three  days  afterwards 
was  with  a  force  which  crossed  the  river  to  bury  the  dead ;  but  the  bodies  were 
80  advanced  in  decomposition,  that  it  was  impossible  to  execute  their  mission. 
The  wolves,  eagles  and  buzzards  held  t'lieir  hideous  feasts  during  several  days 
and  nights.    Mr.  Galbreatli  removed  to  Putniim  county  in  1834. 

Oliver  Talbert,  one  of  the  old  residents  of  the  county,  was  at  the  surrender  of 
Hull  at  Detroit,  in  1812. 

The  author  of  this  work  was  formerly  a  citizen  of  Putnam  county,  and  at  one 
time  Representative  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Ohio ;  and,  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  state,  c  riginated  the  proposition  to  reduce  the  valuation  of  the  State 
Canal  Lands,  and  secure  their  sales,  iu  restricted  quantities,  to  actual  settlers. 

George  Skinner  made  Kalida  his  residence  in  Aoril,  1839.  During  this  period 
he  has  served  as  Associate)  Judge,  had  charge  of  the  settlement  of  numerous 
estates,  and  probably  made  surveys  of  more  acres  of  land  in  the  county  than 
any  other  person  now  living,  and  has  discharged  these  several  duties  satisfactorily 
to  the  public  and  to  all  parties  in  interest. 

Dr.  C.  M.  Godfrey,  born  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  17,  1816,  es- 
tablished himself  in  Ottawa,  Putnam  county,  in  1837 — studied  medicine  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  Pomeroy,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  1840. 
Directly  after  he  became  a  resident,  Dr.  Godfrey  took  a  leading  part  in  every 
proposition  made  to  hasten  the  development  of  the  resources  of  the  county .  He 
was  elected  County  Treasurer  in  1842,  and  re-rlected  in  1844;  Presidential 
elector  on  the  Cass  and  Butler  ticket  in  1848;  appointed  Trustee  of  the 
new  Lunatic  Asylums  in  the  State  in  1854,  and  re-appointed  in  1855,  and  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Senate  in  1861.  Dr.  Godfrey  is  a  good  specimen 
of  the  race  of  self-made  men  who  were  so  largely  instrumental  in  giving  a  high 
character  to  the  business  and  social  life  of  the  places  of  his  residence. 

CLARK  H.   RICE. 

The  name  of  this  honored  citizen,  as  one  of  the  old  residents  of 
Putnam  county,  has  been  elsewhere  mentioned.  Mr.  Rice  was  born 
November  19,  1804,  in  Essex  county,  New  York,  near  Lake  Cham- 
plain;  and  in  1812,  with  his  parents,  removed  to  Richlnnd  county, 
Ohio.  He  was  married  December  6,  lb32,  near  Perrysville,  Ashland 
county,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Catharine  Mowers,  who  still  survives  him. 

Mr.  Rice  removed  to  Kalida  in  June,  1839^  and  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business,  in  which  he  continued  during  a  period  exceeding 
twenty  years.  From  here  he  removed  to  Ottawa  in  November,  1868, 
and  established  the  banking  house  of  C.  II.  Rice   &  Co.,  and 

88 


610     PiUrimn  Count  t/ — Pioneers — Clarh  IF.  Jiioe. 


remained  in  this  business  until  the  time  of  his  donth,  which  occurred 
Sentember  27,  1870. 

It  may  with  entire  truth  be  stated  that  no  man  lias  lived  in  the 
Maumee  Valley  who  left  a  more  honorable  business  record  than  Mr. 
Rice;  and  although  successful  in  worldly  accumulations,  his  kindred 
and  friends  honor  the  stainless  name  he  left,  and  esteem  it  a  legacy 
of  higher  value  than  his  wealth,  considerable  as  that  was.  With  him, 
hia  word  and  his  bond  vcie  convertible  terms,  and  both  would  com- 
mand unlimited  credit  wherever  he  was  known. 

It  will  net  be  deemed  Improper  or  uncalled  for  here,  inaamueb  fts  a  professed 
"  history"  of  the  pivrt  Ohio  Holdiers  bore  in  tlie  late  (rivd  war,  has  failed  to  ren. 
der  Justice  to  the  military  record,  among  others,  made  by  Brig.  (Jen.  A.  V.  Rice, 
son  of  the  above,  to  brietly  recapitulate  tiie  part  the  latter  acted  in  that  contlict. 
Gen.  Rice  wag  born  at  Perrysville,  then  Richland  county,  Ohio,  in  1838-gradu- 
uted  in  the  class  of  1800,  at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  New  York ; — was  a  law 
Btudent  until  the  war  between  the  States  happened ;  when,  to  aid  in  the  preser- 
vation of  the  Federal  Union,  he  offered  Ids  services  as  a  private  soldier,  with 
old  school-mates  and  acquaintances,  under  the  three  month's  call  of  President 
Lincoln.  April  21),  18(jl,  he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  E., 
21st  Reg.,  Olun  Infantry ;  May  16,  elected  CJaptain,  and  served  as  such  in  the 
campaign  of  Western  Virginia  under  Qen.  J.  D.  Cox,  until  the  muster  out  of 
his  regiment,  in  August,  1861. 

During  the  month  of  September,  1861,  he  recruited  a  Co.  for  the  3  year's 
service,  and  was  mustered  in  as  Capt.  Co.  A.,  57th  Ohio  Infantry,  which  Regi- 
ment he  largely  assisted  to  recruit  and  organize.  On  the  8th  ot  February,  1802, 
he  was  appointed  Lt.  Col.  by  Gov.  Tod,  at  the  instance  of  his  friends,  and  on 
the  unanimous  recommendation  of  the  Officers  of  hia  Regiment.  He  accom- 
panied his  command  to  Paducah,  Ky.,  when  it  was  made  a  part  of  what  is 
proudly  spoken  of  as  "  Sherman's  Division." 

At  the  ever  memorable  battle  of  Shiloh,  Miss.,  April  6th  and  7th,  1802,  lie 
commanded  his  Regt.,  as  Lieut.  Col.,  which  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
losing  one-third  of  its  men, — he  being  wounded  l)y  concussion  of  a  shell  above 
him,  and  knocked  off  his  horse  during  the  engagement. 

In  the  advance  and  siege  on  Corinth,  Miss.,  he  took  an  active  part  in  all  the 
battles,  and  commanded  his  Regiment  in  such  a  manner  as  to  elicit  the  encomi- 
ums of  his  superior  officers.  He  was  constantly  with  and  followed  the  fortimes 
of  Sherman's  Army,  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1862 ;  and  at  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  Miss.,  in  Sherman's  effort  to  reduce  Vicksburg,  assumed  command  ol 
his  Regiment,  during  the  different  engagements  there  from  Dec.  27,  1802,  to 
.Tan.  2,  1863.  On  the  last  day,  under  instructions  from  Sherman,  he  com- 
manded the  rear  guard  of  the  evacuating  army.  He  was  with  his  Regiment 
at  the  battle  of  Arkansas  Post,  Ark.,  Jan.  10th  and  11th,  1863,  and  within  70 
sters  of  the  enemy's  works,  imdcr  orders  to  charge  the  same  at  the  time  of  the 
surrender.  He  worked  on  the  "Canal"  at  Vicksburg  from  Jan.  21st  to  Feb. 
12th,  1863.  In  March  he  commanded  the  1st  Brig,  of  the  1st  Div.  15th  A.  C. 
in  the  "  Black  Bayou  Expedition  " — an  eifort  of  Gen.  Sherman  to  reach  a  point 
on  the  Yazoo  river  above  Haine's  Bluff,  and  thus  invest  Vicksburg.  In  this 
expedition  his  Brigade,  by  its  prompt  and  energetic  movements,  relieved  one 
gun-boat  under  Porter,  and  a  part  of  the  2nd  Brigade,  which  were  surrounded 
by  the  enemy  and  in  a  most  perilous  condition. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  he  took  his  command  to  Snyder's  Bluff,  on  the  Yazoo 
river,  and  assisted  in  making  the  diversion  against  that  point,  which  enabled 
Gen.  Grant  to  capture  Grand  Gulf,  Miss.  By  rapid  marches  his  command 
circled  round  Vicksburg,  by  the  way  of  Richmond,  La.,  and  Grand  Gulf,  Miss., 
and  reached  Baker's  Creek,  Miss.,  in  time  to  engage  in  the  battle  of  Champion 
Hills,  May  16,  1863.    He  led  his  command  in  the  engagement  at  Big  Black 


-r-r 


m 


I.  ItiGe. 


Hancock'  County — Organization. 


Gil 


which  occurred 

as  lived  in  the 
•ocord  than  Mr. 
)ii8,  his  kindred 
,eein  it  a  legacy 
^as.  With  him, 
oth  would  com- 


lUch  as  a  profcsacrt 
',  hii9  failed  to  ren- 
(Jen.  A.  V.  Rice, 
;ed  in  tlmt  conflict, 
lio,  in  1886-gradu- 
York ; — was  a  law 

0  aid  in  the  preser- 
iviite  soldier,  with 
8  call  of  President 
t  of  Company  E., 
vcd  as  suck  in  the 

the  muster  out  of 

;o.  for  the  3  years 
mtrv,  which  Kepi- 

1  ot  February,  18tJ2, 

Uis  friends,  and  on 

ment.    He  acconi- 

a  part  of  what  is 

land  7th,  1802.  he 
ickest  of  the  tight, 
ion  of  a  shell  above 

ctive  part  in  all  the 
to  elicit  the  encomi- 
allowed  the  fortunes 
;  and  at  Chickasaw 
lumed  command  ol 
n  Dec.  27,  18(52,  to 
Sherman,  he  com- 
with  his  Regiment 
863,  and  within  70 
le  at  the  time  of  the 
tti  Jan.  2l8t  to  Feh. 
IstDiv.  15th  A.  C. 
nan  to  reach  a  point 
Vicksburg.  In  this 
iments,  relieved  one 
ch  were  surrounded 

Bluff,  on  the  Yazoo 
oint,  which  enabled 
Tches  bis  command 
d  Grand  Gulf,  Miss., 
battle  of  Champion 
cment  at  Big  Black 


river,  May  17th,  and  pushing  on  to  Vickshurg,  was  in  the  first  assault  on  that 

tlace  after  its  investment  on  the  10th  of  May,  1863.  On  the  22nd  of  May  he  led 
is  command  in  the  terrible  charge  of  the  enemy's  works  at  VIcksburg,  in 
which  he  was  severely  wounded,  his  right  leg  broken  by  a  shot  below  the  knee, 
and  a  minnie  ball  received  in  bis  thigh.  These  wounds  kept  him  out  of  active 
service  till  January,  1804. 

For  his  actions' in  the  va'iiouscanipiii<;n8  about  Vicksburg,  Gen.  Sherman 
reconmicndcd  him  for  p<-om<>tion  us  lirigiuliur  General.  In  the  meantime.  May 
16.  1801,  be  was  appointed  Colonel  ot  bis  Regiment. 

lie  was  ngitin  with  Hiiorniiin  on  his  most  notable  campaign  of  1864  against 
Atlanta,  taking  part  in  the  ditlercnt  battles  of  Sugar  Vallev,  Rcsaca,  Dallas, 
New  Hope,  Rig  Shanty  and  Little  Kenesaw,  from  the  rttb  of  May  till  the  27ih 
cf  June,  1804,  when,  at  the  assault  on  Little  Kenesaw,  he  received  three 
wounds  almost  simultaneously— the  first  resulting  in  amputation  of  the  right 
leg  above  the  knee ;  the  second  badly  shattering  his  left  foot,  and  the  third 
raking  his  head  suflicii'Ht  to  bleed  him  freely. 

For  his  action  at  Resaca,  Georgia,  May  14,  18G4,  he  again  received  an 
impromptu  recommendation  from  the  general  officers  for  promotion  to  Briga- 
dier General  for  "  gallant  conduct  on  the  field,  imder  their  personal  observa- 
tion ;"  but  the  appointment  was  not  made  till  May,  1805. 

His  terrible  wounds  at  Little  Kenesaw  kept  him  out  of  the  service  till  April, 
ISO),  when  he  again  joined  his  army  at  Newburn,  North  Carolina.  He  passed, 
with  his  command,  in  the  great  review  at  Washington  May  24,  1865,  and  in 
June  took  them  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he  was  jissigned  tf>  the  command  of 
the  8rd  Brigade  of  the  2nd  Division  of  the  15th  A.  C.,— which  he  took  to  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas,  June  24, 1865.    The  same  was  mustered  out,  August,  1805. 

Gen.  Rice  was  honorably  discharged,  January  15th,  1860,  havmg  given  his 
best  energies,  and  nearly  5  years  of  the  best  part  of  his  life,  together  with  a  part 
of  his  physical  being,  to  the  service  of  his  country.  He  was  married  to  the 
eldest  daughter  of  the  late  Judge  Metcalf,  Lima,  Ohio,  October,  1806,  and  now 
lives  in  his  old  county  of  Putnam,  at  Ottawa,  and  succeeds  his  honored  father 
us  the  head  of  a  prosperous  banking  institution. 

The  population  of  Putnam  county,  in  1830,  was  230 ;  in  1840,  5,189  ;  in  1850 
7,221 ;  in  1860, 12,808  ;  and  in  1870, 17,081.  In  1852,  the  tax  valuation  of  real 
and  personal  property  amounted  to  $1,109,954  ;  in  1882  to  $3,115,499;  and  in 
1872,  to  $5,386,908. 

Notes  regarding  the  progress  and  prospects  of  the  several  towns  are  very 
reluctantly  omitted. 


HANCOCK, 

With  many  of  the  other  counties  heretofore  named,  was  formed  by 
the  legislative  enactment  of  April  1,  1820,  and  named  from  John 
Hancock,  first  President  of  the  Revohitionary  Congress.  Th«  organi- 
zation of  the  county  was  made  in  April,  1828— the  only  voting  place 
being  Findlay,  and  seventy-two  being  the  whole  number  of  votes  cast. 
A  very  clear  view  of  the  early  history  of  the  county  is  embodied  in 
former  pages. 

"From  Urbana  the  army,  on  the  16th  of  June,  1812,  moved,  on  its  march 
towards  the  foot  of  the  Maumee  Rapids,  as  far  as  King's  Creek,  and  from  this 
point  opened  a  road  as  far  as  the  Sciota,  where  thev  built  two  block-houses, 
which  they  called  Fort  McArthur,  in  honor  of  the  officer  whose  regiment  had 
opened  the  road.  To  this  Fort  the  whole  army  came  on  the  19th,  and  on  the 
21st  Colonel  Finley  was  ordered  to  open  the  road  as  far  as  Blanchard's  fork, 
whither  the  army,  excepting  a  guard  left  at  Fort  McArthur,  again  followed  on 


612 


Hancock  County — Pioneers^  (&c. 


the  22nd.  Here,  amid  rain  and  mud,  another  block-house  was  erected,  which 
was  called  Port  Necessity.  From  this  point  the  army  soon  after  moved  to 
Blanchard's  forlc,  where  Colonel  Finley  had  built  a  blockhouse,  which  wag 
callbd  in  honor  of  that  officer." — Amencan  State  papers. 

Squire  Carlin  says  of  the  condition  of  the  old  fort,  in  1826 :  "  The  pickets 
next  the  river  were  in  a  good  condition  of  preservation ;  but  travellers  who 
had  camped  in  the  fort  had  chopped  off  the  tops  of  many  of  those  enclosing 
the  other  three  sides,  for  firewood.  Within  the  enclosure  was  a  block-house 
yet  standing,  and  two  small  houses  which  had  probably  been  used  for  barracks. 
The  pickets  inclosed  about  one  acre  ot  ground." 

Regarding  the  siege  of  the  fort,  during  the  war,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
letter  of  Major  Oliver,  pp.  159-160. 

Joseph  Gordon  was  *he  first  mail-carrier — concluding  his  twenty  year's  ser- 
vice  about  1840.  In  an  editorial  notice  of  Mr.  Gordon,  published  in  the 
Findlay  Courier,  January  23, 1847,  Wm.  Mungen  said : 

"  Few,  indeed,  have  constitutions  sufficiently  strong  to  endure  such  labor,  for 
such  a  length  of  time.  To  think  of  carrying  a  weekly  mail,  ninety  miles 
through  a  wilderness,  under  the  scorching  rays  of  a  summer's  sun — through  the 
chilling  winds  and  rains  of  winter — and  that,  too,  for  a  mere  pittance,  is 
enough  to  make  a  person  shudder.  It  is  to  such  men  as  Mr.  G. ,  to  our  hardy 
pioneers,  who  were  ready  to  encounter  all  kinds  of  toil  and  privation,  that 
Ohio  owes  her  present  stale  of  prosperity  and  advancement.  For  such  men  we 
cannot  but  cherish  sentiments  of  respect : 

"  Joseph  Gordon  was  bom  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  29th 
day  of  January,  A.  D.  1784.  In  the  year  1801,  when  but  17  years  old,  he  com- 
menced carrying  the  mail,  on  horseback,  from  Russellsville,  Kentucky,  via 
Bowling  Green,  to  Glasgow,  a  distance  of  eighty-five  miles,  once  in  two  weeks, 
for  which  he  received  twelve  dollars  per  month.  In  1808  he  took  a  contract 
to  carry  the  mail  from  Shelbyville,  Ky.,  to  Nashville,  Tennessee.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  route  being  changed,  he  carried  this  mail  only  two  months. 
From  that  time  till  October,  1804,  he  carried  it  from  Shelbyville  to  Russells- 
ville,  Ky.  In  October,  1804,  he  commenced  carrying  the  mail,  on  horseback, 
from  Wheeling,  Virginia,  to  George  Beymer'sin  this  State,  semi- weekly,  a  dis- 
tance of  fifty  miles,  with  a  led  horse  and  a  heavy  mail  on  each.  In  1805  and 
1806,  until  the  stages  commenced  running,  he  carried  it  from  Wheeling,  Va,, 
through  St.  Clairsville,  Zanesville,  and  New  Lancaster,  to  Chilicothe.  In 
February,  1823,  he  commenced  carrying  the  mail  from  Bcllefontaine,  Logan 
county,  to  Perrysburg,  Wood  county,  a  distance  of  eighty-one  miles  through  a 
wilderness,  there  being  but  one  family  residing  in  Hardin  county,  and  but  one 
Post  Office  on  the  route,  and  that  at  this  place.  Now  there  are  eleven  Post 
Offices  on  the  route,  which  produce  about  three  thousand  two  hundred  dollars 
per  annum.  Mr.  Gordon  was  the  only  contractor  on  this  route  from  Febnmiy 
7th,  1823,  to  December  31st,  1839.  Since  1839  he  has  carried  the  mail  semi- 
weekly  from  Bcllefontaine  to  this  place,  a  distance  of  fifty -five  miles." 

Mr.  Mungen  also  contributes  the  following : 

"  For  a  long  time  what  goods  were  purchased  and  brought  here  came  via  the 
Maumee,  Auglaize  and  Blanchard,  to  Findlay,  from  Perrysburg,  the  head 
of  navigation  on  the  Maumee.  The  furs  and  such  articles  of  sale  and  com- 
merce as  the  new  country  furnished  went  there  by  the  same  route.  The  ves- 
sels  used  in  the  transportation  of  these  articles  Vfero  pirogues,  or  the  bodies  of 
large  trees  hollowed  out  by  the  axe  and  by  fire. 

"  Sometime  about  1834,  Michael  Price,  William  Taylor,  John  McKinnis,  his 
father,  Robert  McKinnis,  and  one  or  two  others  not  now  remembered,  who  hud 
baen  on  a  trading  trip  to  Perrysburg,  were  returning  with  goods,  &c.,  and  hav- 
ing got  up  into  Blanchard  a  few  miles  above  its  mouth,  and  landed,  discovered 
a  large  bear  running  past  them.  They  gave  chase,  overtook  or  intercepted  >t, 
attacKed  and  killed  it  with  the  poles  they  used  to  propel  their  pirogues,  after  a 


JC. 


Hancoch  County — Pioneers,  &c. 


613 


was  erected,  which 
oon  after  moved  to 
li-house,  which  wag 

[826:  "The  pickets 
but  travellers  who 

jr  of  those  enclosing 
was  a  block-house 

;n  used  for  barracks. 

ler  is  referred  to  the 

is  twenty  year's  ser- 
1,  published  in  the 

idure  such  labor,  for 
J  mail,  ninety  miles 
r's  sun — through  the 
a  mere  pittance,  is 
[r.  G.,  to  our  hardy 
and  privation,  that 
t.    For  such  men  we 

flvania,  on  the  29th 
.7  years  old,  he  com- 
?ille,  Kentucky,  via 
!,  once  in  two  weeks, 
!  he  took  a  contract 
ennessee.  In  conse- 
1  only  two  months. 
Ibyville  to  Eussells- 
mail,  on  horseback, 
5,  semi-weekly,  a  dis- 
I  each.  In  1805  and 
"rom  Wheeling,  Va,, 
,  to  Chilicothe.  lu 
Jcllefontaine,  Logan 
y-one  miles  through  a 
county,  and  but  one 
lere  are  eleven  Post 
two  hundred  dollars 
route  from  February 
rried  the  mail  semi- 
'-five  miles." 

ht  here  came  via  the 
errysburg,  the  head 
ea  of  sale  and  com- 
me  route.  The  ves- 
mes,  or  the  bodies  of 

,  John  McKinnis,  his 
smembered,  who  hud 

foods,  &c.,  and  hav- 
landed,  discovered 
5ok  or  intercepted  »t, 
heir  pirogues,  after  a 


serious  and  dangerous  combat.    TJiey  had  no  gun  in  the  fight,  their  guns  being 
in  the  boats  when  bruno  made  bis  appearance." 

The  same  gentleman  furnishes  the  following  list  of  early  settlers : 

"In  1818,  came  Wilson  Vance;  and  in  1822,  John  P.  Ilambleton  and  Robert  Mc- 
Kinnis and  his  sons  Charles,  Phillip,  James  and  John,  and  son-in-law,  Jacob 
Poe  ;  and  on  Blanchard,  below  Findlay,  in  1837,  were  John  Fishel,  and  his 
sons,  Michael  and  John,  and  son-in-law,  John  Magee ;  and  prior  to  1830,  Geo. 
Shaw,  Wm.  Downing,  John,  Richard  and  Lewis  Duke;  from  1830  to  1835, 
Wm.  and  John  Moflit,  Wm.  Birckhead,  Thomos  Hobbs,  Daniel  Cusack,  Isaac 
Corner,  John  Povenmire,  John  Byall,  .James  Jones,  John  Fletcher,  .John  Lytle 
and  George  Chase ;  from  1835  to  1840,  James  Jones,  Absolom  Hall,  John  Price, 
Thos.  Cook,  Solomon  Lee,  Rich'd  and  Wm.  Watson,  .Johnson  and  Robt.  Bonham, 
Wm.  Fountain,  Robert  L.,  Isaac  and  John  Stroter,  Rev.  Geo.  Van  Eman,  Wm. 
Ebright,  Van  Burson,  Thos.  Cook,  Moses  Predmorc,  Nathan  Frankes,  Thomas 
and  John  Jones,  John  Smeltzer,  B.  McClish,  Enos  I^addox  and  A.  C.  Worden. 

"At  Findlay  and  neighborhood,  from  1825  to  1830,  were  William  Taylor, 
James  B.  Thontas,  David  Egbert,  Squire  Ciirlin,  Ebenezer  Wilson  and  Ab'm. 
Huff;  and,  during  the  period  from  1830  to  1835,  there  appeared  Wm.  Burns, 
Chas.  Thomas,  Wm.  Gillespie,  Wm.  Marvin,  Aldlen  Wisely,  Leonard  Baumgart- 
ner,  Jacob  Baker,  John  Moore,  John  Graham,  Wm.  Roller,  Cornelius  Poulson, 
John  Shoemaker,  Moses  McAnelly,  John  Huff,  Aaron  Swihart,  George  Uollen- 
bach,  Wm.  S.  Birkhead,  John  Bermnan,  Charles  Thomas,  John  Burman,  John 
Franks,  Valentine  Earns,  Peter  Wyant,  John  Edington — and,  (dates  being 
mostly  uncertain,)  Josiah  Elder,  George  Fahl.  Godfrey  Wolford,  Jacob  Shaffer, 
John  Lafferty,  John  Rose,  Nathaniel  Miller,  .J  acob  Shoemaker,  Michael  Misa- 
more,  Peter  and  Joseph  George,  (1827,)  Elisha  Brown,  Joseph  Twining,  Chas. 
Van  Home,  Andrew  Morehart,  Uriah  Egbert,  Daniel  Alspach,  Stephen  Lee. 
John  Beach,  Aquilla  Gilbert,  (1828,)  Mordecai  Hammond,  John  and  Henry  Or- 
wick,  Henry  Treace,  Robert  Russel,  John  Vanatta,  John  D.  and  Henry  Bishop, 
Lower  Walters,  JoJm  Scothorn,  Elijah  Woodruff,  Joshua  Hartmun,  Robert 
Crawford,  A  Keel,  G.  W.  McClelland,  Wm.  Cameron,  Wm.  W.  Hughes, 
Henry  Oman,  Nathaniel  Stout,  Simon  Crist,  Isaac  Smith  and  Moces  Elza. 
And  again,  between  1830  and  1835,  came  Samuel  Huntington,  John  Kemphir, 
John  Stump  and  John  Fenstermaker ;  and,  between  the  years  183  >  and  1840, 
the  following  named  persons  became  residents :  Robert  Sherrard,  James,  John 
and  Amos  Cooper ;  James  Barr,  Alfred  and  Isaac  N.  Davis ;  John  and  Joseph 
Radabaugb  ;  Robert  Barnhill,  Emanuel  L^ngbrake,  Adam  li^ramer,  John  Berg- 
man, John  Schoonover,  Henry  Kainps,  Charles  Henderson,  Archibald  Wilson, 
H.  B.  Thomas,  Siias  Leonard,  Christopher  and  James  Wiseman,  Peter  Glothart, 
Mordecai  Haddox,  Elihu  Dennison,  Frederick  Dudduit,  Ab'-aham  W.  Beales, 
Abraham  Schoonover,  Joshua  Smitli,  Geo,  Van  Eman,  Jos.  ^^h  Johnson,  Daniel 
Fairchild,  Joseph  Lash,  Grafton  Baker,  John  P.  Ebersole,  Wm.  Fox,  Jacob 
Hissong,  Samuel  Heller,  Thomas  Ivelley,  Caleb  Roller,  Francis  Renfern,  Sr., 
Paul  Matthias,  Thomas  Watkins,  James  McConnel,  and  Samuel  Morehead. 
And  also  at  an  early  date  came  C.  W.  O'Neal,  John  Morrison,  James  M. 
and  Charles  Cofflnberry.  M.  C.  Whitely,  Dr.  Bass  liawson,  John  Mungen,  Abel  F. 
Parker,  Parlee  Carlin,  Robert  Bovard,  John  Reed.  Jacob  Ewing,  John  Fair- 
child,  Phineas  Mapes,  George  Downing,  Christian  Barnes,  (and  his  sons,  .John, 
Abney,  Jacob,  Elijah  and  Gamaliel,)  Jacob  Rosenberg,  Benj.  Huber,  Dr.  Jacob 
Carr,  Judge  M.  C.  Whitely,  Jacob  Crumley  and  others." 

Drake  'Taylor,  with  part  of  his  family,  (including  bis  two  sons,  Stephen  and 
Henry  D.,)  removed  to  the  farm  2  miles  below  Gilead,  (now  Grand  Rapids,) 
in  Noveml)er.  1828.  The  families  then  at  the  head  of  the  liapids  were  Edward 
and  Robert  Howard  and  William  Pratt ;  and  between  these  and  Mr.  Taylor's 
place  were  Joseph  Keith  and  a  Mr.  Laugbrey.  On  the  north  side,  at  Provi- 
dence, resided  Peter  Manor,  the  only  inhabitant  on  that  side  between  Water- 
villo  and  Prairie  du  Masque,  where  Samuel  Vance,  Mr.  Scribner,  (father  of 
Edward  Scribner,  new  of  Napoleon,)  inid  Mr.  liucklin,  resided.    There  was  a 


614 


Hancoch  County — Pioneers,  (&c. 


settler  opposite  Damascus,  on  the  south  side,  named  Delong,  and  below  him, 
on  the  same  side,  were  Jacob  Brown  and  Amos  Pratt,  who  lived  about  two 
miles  above  Grand  Rapids.  Returning  to  tlie  north  side,  and  above  Mr.  Patrick, 
resided  the  families  of  Elijah  Gunn,  senior  and  junior ;  and  above  them,  at  the 
place  now  called  Florida,  lived  Jesse  Bowen  and  Mr.  Hunter.  Opposite,  at 
Snaketown,  were  the  families  of  Messrs.  Mayhew  and  Hunter. 

From  the  place  above  mentioned,  Mr.  Taylor  and  part  of  his  family  removed 
to  the  twrelve  mile  reservation  above  Waterville,  (being  the  first  white  settlers 
on  that  reservation.)    Henry  D.  Taylor  is  now  a  resident  of  Hancock  county. 

Wilson  Vance,  before  mentioned,  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  fatlicrs  of 
Findlay.  He  first  came  to  the  place  as  representative,  under  a  power  of  attor- 
ney, of  the  one-fifth  interest  of  his  brother,  Joseph  Vance,  subsequently  Gover- 
nor of  Ohio.  The  family  of  Wilson  Vance  made  the  seventh  household  of 
Hancock  county.  As  an  honest  man,  and  prominent  leader  in  all  good  works, his 
memory  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  old  citizens  of  Findlay  and  of  North 
Western  Ohio. 

John  Eckles,  with  his  wife  and  three  sons,  settled  in  Cass  township,  Han- 
cock county, — removing  from  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania — landing 
at  the  place  above  named  on  the  17th  of  April,  1836.  Mr.  Eckles  and  his  three 
sons,  namely :  Charles  J.,  James  M.,  and  Cyrus  L.,  are  yet  living — all  at  Find- 
lay^ except  James  M.  who  is  a  resident  of  Fort  Wayne. 

Robert  Hurd,  who  came  to  the  county  in  18159  or  1810,  laid  out  the  town  ot 
Arlington,  in  1841. 

Dr.  Osterlin,  representative  in  1871-73  in  the  Ohio  House  of  Representatives, 
settled  in  Findlay  in  1834,  and  John  Adams  about  the  same  time. 

The  first  white  settler  in  the  county  of  Hancock  Wiis  a  single  man  by  the 
name  of  Tharp,  who  was  at  Findlay  during  the  war,  and  remained  un'il  after 
its  close,  with  several  of  the  garrison,  and  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade.  A 
family  whose  head  was  Benjamin  Ci<x,  settled  in  1818. 

The  first  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was  held  November,  1829— 
Ebenezer  Lane,  President,  and  Abraham  Huff,  Robert  McKlnnis  and  Ebenc- 
zer  Wilson,  Associate  Judges.    Only  one  case  appears  upon  the  docket. 

The  record  of  the  first  session  of  the  Commissioners  bears  date  March  2, 
1829.  At  this  time  John  Long,  Charles  McKinnis  and  John  P.  Hambleton 
appear  to  have  been  the  acting  Commissioners,  and  the  following  persons 
filling  other  county  ofllces  :  Assessor — Don  Alonzo  Hamblin,  (whose  bill  for  the 
assessment  of  the  county  for  1829  amounted  to  nineteen  dollars  and  seventy, 
five  cents ;)  Auditor — William  Hackney ;  Surveyor — William  Taylor. 

At  the  session  of  June  5, 1831,  the  Commissioners  sold  to  tlie  Reverend  Peter 
Monfort  Lots  Nos.  105  and  14.^  in  the  village  of  Findlay  for  forty-three  dollars 
and  twenty-five  cents.  Tho  taxable  valuation  of  these  lots  ft>r  1872  amount, 
with  improvements,  to  $1658. 

Edson  Goit  removed  to  Findlay  and  opened  a  law  oflUce  in  August,  1832. 
He  was  the  first  lawyer  who  settled  in  that  place.  The  second  was  John  H. 
Morrison,  who  came  to  Findlay  about  the  year  1834,  having  removed  from 
Bucyrus,  where  he  had  served  as  Prosecutina:  Attorney  and  Treasurer  of  Craw- 
ford county.  The  third  was  Chas.  W.  O'jifeal,  who  is  yet  in  practice,  and 
about  the  fourth  Attorney  was  the  late  Jude  Hall. 

Edwin  F.  Jones,  now  of  Chillicothe,  Illinois,  communicated  to  the  Findlay 
Jeffemonian,  in  1872,  some  reminiscences  of  Hancock  county,  from  which  the 
following  is  extracted : 

Mr.  Jones  visited  the  county  in  May,  1827 — was  a  guest  at  the  house  of  Wm 
Hackney,  and  afterwards  of  John  P.  Hambleton.  In  company  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hambleton  they  made  a  visii  to  "  the  fort,"  H  miles  below — crossing  Lye 
and  Eagle  Creeks  on  trees  and  tops  fallen  from  either  side.  He  was  introduced 
to  Wilson  Vance,  "  the  head  centre,  and  a  gentleman  in  deed  and  truth,  and 
chief  agent  of  the  town  proprietors."  In  the  town  Mr.  Jones  also  met  John  C, 
Wickham,  (school  teacher,)  Joseph  and  Wm.  De  Witt  and  Sijuire  Carlia, 


Hancock  County — Resources^  t&o. 


615 


d  out  the  town  of 


"Sometime  in  1828,  Wm.  Taylor  made  his  appearance  there,  and  gave  Mr. 
Riley  the  job  of  building  him  a  house,  16  or  18  by  32  feet,  Mr.  Riley  furnishing 
tiie  materials  and  fiDisbing  it  off  in  different  compartments  for  about  $380. 
Sometime  after,  Mr.  Taylor  moved  on,  with  his  amiable  wife,  Margaret.  Mrs. 
Taylor  was  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  Pa.  They  were  a  great  accession  to 
Findlay,  and  would  have  been  an  honor  to  Washington  Cil}'.  Mr.  Taylor 
brought  on  about  $800  worth  of  dry  goorls  and  groceries,  which  he  put  up  in 
one  end  of  his  house.  In  the  fall  ot  183S.  Mr.  Joshua  Powell  and  wife 'and 
sons,  Eli  and  Nutter,  and  one  daughter,  settled  on  a  donation  lot,  and  built  a 
iiewed  log  house  back  in  the  brush.  They  were  an  honest  and  industrious 
family.  Sometime  after  Mr.  Powell  bought  land  up  the  River  and  left  his 
house.  In  October  of  that  year,  we  had  a  j^reat  accession  to  Findlay  in  the  ar- 
rival among  us  of  Dr.  Bass  Rawson,  one  ot  God's  noblemen,  and  his  kind  lady 
and  little  daughter  Hattie.    They  took  up  their  abode  in  Mr.  Powell's  house. 

"  In  1829  or  1830,  we  were  wvored  with  another  accession  of  Robert  L. 
Strolher,  with  his  mother  and  sister,  Malinda  Strother,  afterwards  wife  of 
Joseph  C.  Shannon." 

At  an  early  day  the  facilities  for  intercommunication  were  of  a  limited  char- 
acter. There  was  but  one  really  passable  road— leading  from  Bellefontaine 
to  Perrysburg,  perhaps  better  known  as  "  Hull's  trace,"  having  been  the  route 
he  pursued  in  his  march  to  Detroit.  By-paths,  blazed  through  the  woods,  were 
about  the  only  things  to  be  relied  upon.  Of  course  there  was  little  home  mar- 
ket for  any  thing.  There  was  scarcely  ever  a  surplus  raised,  and  those  who 
had  wheat  to  sell  would  haul  it  to  Maumee  or  Sandusky  City  and  there  sell  it 
for  from  40  to  60  cents  per  bushel ;  hogs  were  driven  to  Detroit  and  sold 
there. 

In  1839  the  railway  fever  broke  out  and  took  shape  in  the  form  of  an  appro- 
priation of  $100,000  by  the  County  to  the  Bellefontaine  &  Perrysburg  railway 
company,  but  the  enterprise  vanished  into  air — and  but  few  people  are  aware 
that  such  an  entei  prise  was  ever  contemplated. 

The  first  real  impetus  its  growth  received  was  by  the  building  of  the  branch 
load  between  Findlay  and  Cai'cy,  in  1850-51.  By  means  of  it  Findlay  became 
a  desirable  market  and  reached  out  for  trade  in  every  direction.  Subsequently 
the  Lake  Erie  &  Louisville  road  was  completed  from  Fremont  to  Findlay,  giv- 
ing competition  in  freights,  and  materially  benefitting  the  town. 

The  Fremont  and  Indiana  railroad  was  put  in  running  arder  from  Fremont 
to  Findlay  in  1861,  but  owing  to  the  embarrassments  of  the  company,  the  road 
was  not  completed  further  until  1872. 

This  road  was  sold  in  1861,  and  a  new  company  organized  under  the  name 
of  the  Fremont,  Lima  and  Union  railroad  company.  In  1865  the  Fremont, 
Lima  and  Union  and  the  Lake  Erie  and  Pacific  railroad  companies  Avere  con- 
solidated under  the  name  of  the  Lake  Erie  and  Louisville  R.  R.  company. 

The  census  returns  for  the  several  decades  from  1830  to  1870,  inclusive,  exhi- 
bit the  following  results : 

Population  ot  Hancock  county  in  18  jO,  813;  in  1840,  9,986;  in  1850,  16,751 ; 
in  1860,  22,886  ;  in  1870,  23,847. 

The  original  proprietors  of  the  land  upon  which  Findlay  was  built,  were 
EInathan  Cory,  of  Clark  county,  Joseph  Vance,  (subsequently  Governor  of 
Ohio,)  of  Champaign  county,  Maj.  Wm.  Oliver,  of  Cincinnati,  and  Wm.  Neil 
and  John  Mcllvaine  of  Franklin  county;  but  the  three  last  named  disposed  of 
their  interest,  and  on  the  26th  of  Septeml)er,  1839,  the  town  was  platted  and 
recorded  by  Joseph  Vance  and  EInathan  Cory. 

In  1826  the  post-oflice  paid  to  Wilson  Vance,  postmaster,  a  commission  for 
bis  services,  amounting  to  $3,18,  or  79i  cents  per  ((iiarter.  The  office  now 
pays  the  postmaster  a  commission  of  nearly  $2,000  per  annum. 

The  population  of  the  town  in  1850  amounted  to  1,256  ;  in  1860,  to  3,467 ;  in 
1870,  to  3,315. 

The  assessed  valuation  of  real  and  personal  property  in  1871,  amounted  to 
$1,035,539. 


616         Lucas  County — Its  History  Resumed. 


It  would  have  been  gratifying  could  more  space  have  been  devoted 
to  the  pioneer  men  and  times,  and  present  resources  of  Hancock 
county;  but  historical  matter  of  much  value,  and  not  hitherto  pub- 
lished, regarding  its  earlier  history,  are  embraced  in  preceding  pages. 


LUCAS  COUNTY. 

Resuming  and  continuing  now,  from  the  interruption  explained 
on  page  578,  the  concluding  sheets  of  this  volume  will  be  devoted 
chiefly  to  Lucas  county — commencing  with  the  reliable  contribu- 
tion of  Sanford  L.  Collins,  whose  official  and  other  trusts  were 
ever  executed  with  fidelity  to  public  and  personal  interests,  as  all 
the  old  citizens  of  Lucas  county  will  gladly  bear  witness. 

H.  8.  Kna7p,  Esq. — My  Dkab  Sib  :  As  per  request,  I  send  recollections  of 
the  early  settlement  of  Toledo.  My  residence  there  was  from  December,  1831, 
to  February.  1813,  in  th^  employ  of  Lewis  Godard,  Esq.,  of  Detroit,  whose 
interest,  under  his  instructions,  both  in  merchandise  and  real  estate,  I  closed 
out,  in  February,  1833,  then  returned  to  Detroit,  During  this  time,  however,  I 
had,  in  connection  with  Mr,  Godard,  purchased  lands  at  Ten  Mile  Creek,  aller- 
ward  Trema'nville,  to  which  place  1  came  from  Detroit  in  July  followina;, 
erected  a  store,  went  to  New  York  for  goods,  returned  in  Octobir,  and  com 
menced  improvements  iu  laud  clearing,  selling  goods,  &c.,  at  which  place  1 
have  since  resided. 

The  resident  heads  of  families,  .January  1,  1832,  embraced  within 
the  limits  of  what  was  then  Port  Lawrence  township,  comprising 
what  is  now  the  city,  Washington  township,  Manhattan,  Oregon, 
and  a  part  of  Adams  township,  were  as  follows :  In  the  city  limits,  north  side 
ot  the  river.  Major  B.  F.  Stickney,  William  Wilson,  Wm.  Riley,  (brother  of 
Capt.  James  Riley,  tfce  old  sea  navigator,)  Hiram  Bartlett,  Dr.  J.  V.  D. 
Sutphen,  Michael  T.  Whitney,  James  M,  Whitney,  Harman  Crane,  (father  of 
C.  A.  Crane,  Esq.,)  Noak  A.  Whitney,  Sen,,  and  Peter  Bertbolf. 

In  what  is  now  Washington  to'wnship,  were  Major  Coleman  I.  Keeler, 
Deacon  Samuel  J.  Keeler,  (father  of  Salmon  Keeler,  Esq.,)  Charles  G.  Keeler, 
Noah  A.  Whitney,  Jr.,  Milton  D.  Whitney,  Eli  Hubbard,  Cyrus  Fisher,  John 
Phillips,  P.  J.  Phillips,  John  and  Joseph  Hoop,  Capt.  A.  Evans,  W.  R.  Merrltt, 
Charles  Evans,  Peter,  David  and  Wm.  Lewis,  Caleb  Horton,  Samuel  Horton, 
widow  Holmes,  Wm,  Sibley,  Andrew  Jacobs,  Christian  Roop,  Philip  and 
Abel  Mattoon,  Dr.  Wordon,  Wm.  Wilkinson,  Moody  Mills,  John  Leybourn, 
Peter  Corno  and  Alexander  Bernard. 

In  what  was  afterwards  Manhattan,  were  Tibbies  Baldwin,  Francis  Loveway, 
Joseph  Trombley,  N.  Guoir,  and  Peter,  Robert,  Alexander  and  James  Navarre. 

In  Oregon  were  Joseph  Prentice,  (father  of  Frederick  Prentice,  Esq.,)  Ebene- 
zer  Ward,  Robert  Gardner,  Mr.  Whitmore  and  Mr.  Crane. 

In  what  is  now  Adams,  were  Ezra  Goodsell  and  Oliver  P.  Stevens. 

The  winter  of  1831-32  was  employed  by  Capt.  Hiram  Brown  and  Capt,  John 
and  Tibbies  Baldwin  in  establishing  a  fishery  on  a  large  scale — using  a  seine 
near  the  place  now  covered  by  the  T.  T.  and  Eastern  Railway,  that  swept  the 
river  from  shore  to  shore. 

The  commencement  of  Toledo,  starting  out  with  two  names.  Port  Lawrence 
and  Vistula,  may,  I  think,  fairly  be  dated  January  1,  1832,  at  which  time  Capt. 
Samuel  Allen  and  Otis  Hathaway  came  on  from  Lockport,  N,  Y.,  to  commence 
improvements  in  accordance  with  a  contract  made  with  Major  Stickney  in 
September  or  October  previous.  Mr.  Lewis  Godard,  of  Detroit,  above  men- 
tioned, and  also  a  former  Lockport  man,  (and  the  father  of  A,  Godard,  Esq.,  of 


Liicas  County — Early  History  of  Toledo.       617 


Hi 


!  been  devoted 

of  Hancock 

hitherto  pnb- 

eceding  pages. 


ion  explained 
ill  be  devoted 
able  contribu- 
trusts  were 
nterests,  as  all 
less. 

d  recollections  o( 
I  December,  1831, 
f  Detroit,  whose 
1  estate,  I  closed 
i  time,  however,  I 
Mile  Creek,  alter- 
1  July  followinij, 
ictobi  r,  and  com 
at  which  place  1 

embraced  within 
ship,  comprising 
nhattan,  Oregon, 
'  limits,  north  side 
liley,  (brother  of 
;tt,  Dr.  J.  V.  D. 
Crane,  (father  of 
olf. 

oleman  I.  Keeler, 
)harles  G.  Keeler, 
yrus  Fisher,  John 
ns,  W.  R.  Merritt, 
,  Samuel  Horton, 
loop,  Philip  and 
1,  John  Leybourn, 

Francis  Love  way, 
id  James  Navarre, 
tice,  Esq.,)  Ebene- 

Stevens. 

m  and  Capt,  John 
lie — using  a  seine 
ly,  that  swept  the 

es.  Port  Lawrence 
t  which  time  Capt. 
.  Y.,  to  commence 
Major  Stickney  in 
etroit,  above  men- 
L,  Godard,  Esq.,  of 


your  city,)  came  down  and  made  a  farther  contract  with  Major  Stickney  for 
some  three  acres  of  ground,  lo  be  selected  after  the  same  should  have  been 
platted,  under  which  agreement  Mr.  Godard  was  to  send  here  a  stock  of  goods, 
which  goods  were  sent  in  the  month  of  December,  1831,  under  my  charge,  I 
being  then  in  his  (Mr,  Qodard's)  employ,  and  were  put  up  in  an  old  deserted 
block-bouse,  which  Philo  Bennett,  also  from  Lockport,  had  put  in  condition 
for  their  reception,  having  come  down  from  Detroit  for  that  purpose,  and  who 
became  a  settler  here,  purchasing  the  tract  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
next  below  the  Yondota  plat. 

This  block-house  into  which  the  goods  were  placed,  was  built  by  William 
Wilson,  Esq.,  (afterwards  Jud^e  Wilson.)  at  the  time  that  the  town  of  Port 
Lawrence  was  first  originated  by  the  Cincinnati  Company,  in  1816— ond  had 
been  so  long  deserted  that  it  was  perfectly  surrounded  with  an  undergrowth  of 
timber  of  considerable  size. 

Why  I  say  that  the  commencement  of  Toledo  may  fairly  be  dated  on  the  1st 
of  January,  1832,  is,  that  the  contractors,  with  Major  Stickney,  were  then  on 
the  ground  to  commence  the  performance  of  their  contract.  Mr.  Godard,  on 
his  part,  had  sent  the  stock  of  goods,  which  were  then  opened  and  for  sale. 
These  demonstrations  on  the  paft  of  Messrs  Allen,  Hathaway  &  Godard,  in  the 
way  of  town  building,  as  well  as  their  presence,  were  made  the  occasion  of  a 
grand  ball  to  be  holden  in  the  old  log  warehouse  then  standing  at  the  mouth 
of  Swan  Creek,  occupying  a  portion  of  ground  now  in  use  by  the  Messrs  Roff, 
lor  their  hardware  store.  This  building,  together  with  the  old  block  house, 
now  occupied  for  the  store,  were  about  all  tliat  existed  of  the  improvements  of 
the  Cincinnati  Company  in  their  attempt  to  build  up  a  town  here  in  1816. 

The  old  log  warehouse,  at  this  time,  notwithstanding  its  antiquity,  was  really 
a  building  or  great  convenience.  While  a  portion  served  for  what  was  then 
considered  a  comfortable  dwelling,  occupied  by  Capt.  John  Baldwin,  the  upper 
part  afforded  the  room  for  the  grand  ball  upon  the  occasion  before  referred  to, 
and  which  was  participated  in  b^'  the  citizens  generally  (old  as  well  as  young) 
of  old  Port  Lawrence  township,  as  well  as  with  fair  representations  from 
Maumee,  Perrysburg,  Bay  Settlement  and  Monroe ;  and  as,  upon  all  occasions 
of  this  kind  in  the  then  new  settlement  of  the  country,  the  best  of  feeling  was 
manifested,  especially  among  the  residents  of  old  Port  Lawrence,  who  seemed 
to  think  that  a  new  order  of  things  was  about  to  be  inaugurated ;  that  improve- 
ments they  had  so  long  and  so  anxiously  waited  for  were  now  about  to  be  com- 
menced. 

The  Vistula  part  of  the  city  was  then  laid  off  and  plaited,  and  the  clearing  of 
the  plat  of  brush  and  timber  commenced;  also,  the  putting  in  of  a  long  line  of 
docking  in  front  of  the  property  at  the  foot  of  Lagrange  street,  extending  down 
toward  Elm  street  some  40  rods  or  thereabouts.  This  line  of  docking  was  built 
upon  the  ice,  and  notwithstanding  its  great  weight,  it  being  some  nine  feet 
high,  it  did  not  break  through  until  the  ice  began  to  give  way  in  the  spring ; 
and  of  course,  while  kept  up  by  the  ice,  presented  a  very  formidable  appear- 
ance ;  so  much  so,  that  it  attracted  the  attention  of  our  enterprizing  neighbors 
of  Perrysburg,  wlio  came  down  upon  the  ice  with  a  large  party  to  pay  their 
respects  to  the  new  proprietors  and  witness  the  new  mode  of  building  docks 
without  piling.  After  examining  carefully,  they  said  it  looked  very  well,  but 
thought  it  would  disappear  with  the  ice  in  the  spring,  and  perhaps  the  same 
might  be  the  case  with  many  of  the  new  inhabitants  m  the  coming  months  of 
.lulv  and  August,  with  fevers  and  agues,  which  they  most  assuredly  would  have. 

'fhe  spring  came,  and  contrary  to  tlie  predictions  of  our  Perrysburg  neigh- 
bors, the  dock  did  not  disappear,  but  became  greatly  displaced  ;  and  so  with 
the  new  settlers,  they  did  not  disappear,  but  had  any  amount  of  shaking. 

After  the  opening  of  navigation  that  year,  an  attempt  was  made  on  the  part 
of  the  proprietors,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Godard,  to  make  an  arrangement 
with  some  one  of  the  boats  then  running  in  the  regular  line  from  Buffalo  to 
Detroit,  to  come  in  here  on  her  up  trip,  thereby  having  one  boat  a  week.     In 


618      iMcas  County — Ea/rly  History  of  Toledo. 


'■**•«»»!?    -|F 


thisj  however,  they  did  not  succeed,  but  made  an  arrangement  with  the  steamer 
"Pioneer"  to  run  between  here  and  Sandusky,  meeting  the  regular  boats  at 
Sandusky,  and  bringing  passengers  and  immigrants  destined  far  the  Maumee  V^- 
ley  and  Southern  Michigan,  direct  to  Vistula.  To  aid  in  this  matter,  Two 
Stickney  was  sent  as  the  agent  of  the  proprietors  to  Buffalo,  to  change  the  tide 
of  immigration  or  immigrant  travel,  so  far  as  it  was  possible,  to  this  route,  by 
giving  the  necessary  assurance  that  a  boat  would  be  m  readiness  at  Sandusky 
to  take  them  to  Vistula.  Under  this  arrangement,  the  steamer  "  Pioneer  "  per- 
formed a  lew  trips,  and  then  abandoned  it,  as  not  paying.  During  this  tinaj, 
however,  the  fine  schooner  "  Eagle,"  with  its  gallant  Captain,  David  Wilkinson, 
made  her  regular  trips  from  Perrysburg  to  Buffalo.  Also  the  regular  weekly 
trips  of  the  steamer  "  General  Gratiot,"  Captain  Arthur  Edwards,  from  Detroit 
to  Maumee,  touching  at  Vistula,  and  affording  a  communication  wita  Bufialo 
by  way  of  Detroit. 

Durmg  that  spring  and  summer,  (1832)  there  came,  as  settlers,  Capt.  Samuel 
Allen  anU  family,  Otis  Hathaway,  (did  not  bring  his  family,)  Munson  H.  Daniels, 
Daniel  Washburn,  C.  Q.  Sbaw  and  family,  Oliver  Stevens  and  family,  James 
Maddox,  Stephen  B.  Comstock,  Philander  Wales,  Dr.  Fassett,  (who,  with 
Stevens,  Wales  and  Maddocks,  and  other  families,  settled  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river,)  and  Richard  Greenwood,  I  think,  came  in  that  year.  Oliver  Spaul- 
ding  and  Daniel  O.  Comstock,  came  in  the  fall. 

Among  the  improvements  that  were  made  that  year,  and  the  most  important 
in  the  way  of  building,  was  the  erection  of  a  store  under  instructions  from  Mr. 
Qodard,  on  the  S.  E.  corner  of  Summit  and  Lagrange  streets,  being  on  the 
property  embraced  in  the  purchase  by  him  of  Major  Stickney,  before  referred  to, 
which  purchase  covered  the  whole  front  on  Summit  from  Lagrange  to  Elm 
streets,  running  to  the  river,  covering  the  line  of  docking  mentioned.  On 
the  front,  on  the  north-westerly  side  of  Summit,  from  Lagrange  to  Elm,  except 
two  lots,  the  consideration  was  the  payment  of  i|300,  and  the  sending  down 
of  the  stock  of  goods,  put  up  in  the  old  block-l^usc  heretofore  mentioned; 
during  the  summer,  and  while  the  store  was  being  erected,  Mr.  Godard  formed 
a  cd-partnership  with  Elkanah  Briggs,  from  tlie  vicinity  ot  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Mr. 
Briggs  purchasing  the  undivided  one-half  of  that  portion  of  the  real  estate 
already  referred  to,  above  Cedar  street,  including  the  store,  which  was  after- 
wards completed  and  supplied  with  goods  by  the  purchases  of  Mr.  Godard,  and 
sent  here  for  Briggs  &  Godard.  In  October,  Mr.  Briggs  came  here  with  his 
family,  occupying  lor  a  dwelling  the  upper  part  of  the  store,  which  had  been 
fitted  up  for  that  purpose.  On  the  arrival  of  the  goods  for  Briggs  &  Godard, 
the  remaining  stock  in  the  old  block  house  was  sold  to  Capt.  John  Baldwin, 
who  fitted  up  a  small  unoccupied  building,  into  which  they  were  put,  together 
with  purchases  from  other  sources,  making  a  very  respectable  store.  (This 
building  stood  on  Summit  street,  between  Perr^'  and  Monroe,  and  was  known 
in  after  years  as  the  old  Saux'  grocery ;)  so  that  in  the  fall  of  1832  both  the 
upper  and  lower  town,  (the  old  town  of  Port  Lawrence  having  been  revived 
under  the  agency  of  Stephen  B.  Comstock)  could  each  boast  of  a  store  of  some 
credit,  especially  that  of  Briggs  &  Godard,  both  in  its  building  as  well  as  in  its 
stock.  Mr.  Godard's  interest  in  the  store  nnd  real  estate  of  Briggs  &  Godard, 
was  sold  to  Briggs  in  January,  1833,  he  (Briggs)  selling  to  Edward  Bissell,  I 
think,  in  thefalTof  1833;  this  store  was  thenoccupied  by  Flagg  &  Bissell,  then 
by  M.  L.  Collins  &  Co.,  then  by  Clark  &  Bennett,  then  by  Dr.  Jacob  Clark,  then 
by  Ketcliam  &  Snell,  and  finally  burned  while  being  occupied  by  Elijah  S. 
rianks,  in  1845  or  1840. 

During  the  year  1832,  notwithstanding  the  importance  of  tlie  two  rival  towns, 
(Vistula  and  Port  Lawrence,)  they  were  yet  without  any  mail  facilities,  their 
post-office  nearly  three  miles  distant,  at  Ten  Mile  Creek,  on  the  line  of  the  old 
United  States  Turnpike,  (so  called.)  Cyrus  Fisher,  Esq.,  P.  M.,  resided  in  a 
block-house  of  some  considerable  size,  kept  as  a  tavern  and  store,  standing  en 
the  ground  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Sharer's  old  tavem  bouse,  the  mail  being  car- 


'edo. 


Lucas  County — Em^ly  History  of  Toledo,       610 


irith  the  steamer 

egular  boats  at 

he  Maumee  Yal- 

is  matter,  Two 

change  the  tide 

;o  this  route,  by 

;ss  at  Sandusky 

"Pioneer"  per- 

uring  this  tim:, 

)aviil  Wilkinson, 

regular  weekly 

rds,  from  Detroit 

on  witQ  Bufialo 

rs,  Capt.  Samuel 
mson  H.  Daniels, 
id  family,  James 
sett,  (who,  with 
le  opposite  side  of 
r.    Oliver  Spaul- 

2  most  important 
•uctions  from  Mr. 
Bts,  being  on  the 
before  referred  to, 
Laerange  to  Elm 
mentioned.    On 
ge  to  Elm,  except 
ae  sending  down 
:ofore  mentioned; 
r.  Godard  formed 
Ibany,  N.  Y.,  Mr. 
[)f  the  real  estate 
which  was  after- 
t  Mr.  Godard,  and 
me  here  with  his 
,  which  had  been 
BriggB  &  Godard, 
it.  John  Baldwin, 
were  put,  together 
able  store.  "(This 
,  and  was  known 
of  1832  both  the 
ving  been  revived 
of  a  store  of  some 
ig  as  well  as  in  its 
Briggs  &  Godard, 
EdWard  Bisf^ell,  I 
igg  &  Bissell,  then 
Jacob  Clark,  then 
ipied  by  Elijah  S. 

le  two  rival  towns, 
lail  facilities,  their 
Ihe  line  of  the  old 
'.  M,,  resided  in  a 
store,  standing  en 
the  mail  being  car- 


ried through  for  the  supply  of  the  offices  along  the  line,  from  Fremont  to 
Detroit,  on  horseback,  some  three  times  a  week,  I  think.  The  name  of  this 
post-offlce  was  the  same  as  that  of  the  township,  Port  Lawrence.  Mr.  Fisher, 
the  then  P.  M..  leaving  the  neighborhood,  Mr.  Calvin  Tremain,  a  very  worth}' 
man  from  Vermont,  settling  there  with  a  small  store  of  goods,  was  appointed  P. 
M.  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Fisher. 

Mr.  John  P.  Converse,  the  Mail  Contractor,  on  the  route  from  Fremont  to 
Detroit,  changed  the  horseback  mail  to  a  daily  line  of  conches.  This  was  ut 
that  time  a  very  great  convenience,  affording  an  opportunity  by  public  convey- 
ance of  reaching  Detroit,  or  East  to  Buffalo,  during  the  winter  months. 

About  this  time  the  question  of  petitioning  for  a  post  office  was  talked  about, 
and  of  course  each  locality  wanted  not  only  the  office  on  account  of  the  name, 
hut  the  P.  M.  also.  The  lower  town  wanted  the  name  of  Vistula,  and  the 
upper.  Port  Lawrence.  A  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  both  towns  was  called, 
and  a  strong  effort  made  to  agree  upon  some  one  for  P.  M.,  also,  the  name  of 
the  office,  and  to  at  once  petition  for  its  establishment. 

Among  the  reasons  for  prompt  action  in  this  matter,  aside  from  the  long  dis- 
tance we  were  compelled  to  travel  for  mail  accommodations,  were,  that  some- 
times when  one  was  commissioned  to  bring  in  the  mail  tor  all  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  happening  not  to  be  supplied  with  the  ready  money  necessary, 
(which  unfortunate  circumstance  would  sometimes  occur,  in  spite  of  us,)  the 
P.  M.,  although  a  worthy  man,  but  not  sufficiently  appreciating  the  efforts  that 
were  being  made  in  building  up,  not  only  one,  but  two  towns,  would  decline 
parting  with  the  mail  until  the  money  was  forthcoming,  so  that,  in  some  instan- 
ces, the  second  journey  would  have  to  be  performed  for  the  same  mail. 

Some  time  during  the  winter  of  1833-3,  (I  have  forgotten  the  precise  date,)  a 
post-office  was  established,  taking  the  name  of  the  Ten  Mile  Creek  office,  (Pott 
Lawrence,)  and  giving  to  that  effice  the  name  of  Tremainville,  simply  adding 
the  ville  to  the  name  of  its  then  P.  M.,  (Tremain.)  Stephen  B.  Coms'ock  had 
the  appointment  of  P.  M.  at  the  Port  Lawrence  office.  The  post-offlce  depart- 
ment also  established  a  new  mail  route  from  Tremainville  to  Toledo,  or  Port 
Lawrence.  Major  B.  F.  Stickney  had  the  contract  for  carrying  the  mail  upon 
this  route,  supplying  the  Port  Lawrence  office  with  its  mail  from  the  Tremain- 
ville oflBce  three  times  a  week  for  the  net  proceeds  of  the  Port  Lawrence  office, 
provided  the  same  did  not  exceed  #15  per  quarter.  Under  this  arrangement 
Tremainville  became  the  distributing  office  for  Port  Lawrence  and  Vistula, 
instead  of  their  delivery  office  as  theretofore. 

This  state  of  things,  however,  did  not  last  always.  During  the  fall  and 
winter  of  1834-5,  the  Manhattanites,  a  most  enterprizing  people,  opened  up  a 
new  road  in  the  direction  of  Monroe,  intei-secting  the  old  Turnpike  near  the 
State  line,  while  Vistula  and  Port  Lawrence,  anxious  to  improve  their  mail 
facilities,  had  opened  a  road  along  the  bank  of  the  river  to  Fort  Miami,  thereby 
making  a  very  passable  road  from  the  old  Turnpike  at  Fort  Miami,  by  way  of 
Port  Lawrence,  Vistula  and  Manhattan,  intersecting  the  old  Turnpike  at  the 
State  line,  as  before  stated. 

The  mail  upon  the  old  Turnpike  ro\ito  was  then  changed  to  this  new  route, 
and  the  writer,  who  was  then  P.  M.  at  Tremainville,  was  advised  of  that  chance 
March  3,  1835,  and  also  that  thereafter  the  post-offlce  at  Tremainville  would  be 
supplied  with  ita  mail  from  the  Port  Lawrence  office,  and  instructed  to  give  to 
Major  Stickney  for  such  mail  service  the  same  compensation  allowed  in  the 
supplying  of  the  Port  Ijawrence  office,  to  wit :  the  net  proceeds  of  the  Tremain- 
ville office,  provided  the  same  did  not  exceed  the  sum  of  fifteen  dollars  per 
quarter ! 

The  office  was  continued  until  the  cliange  in  the  rates  of  postage,  and  then 
abandoned. 

Yours,  as  of  old. 


Sanfobd  L.  Collins. 


620     Toledo — Something  of  its  Past  and  Present. 


Sandford  L.  Oollins,  Esq.,  who  contributes  the  foregoing  valuable  historical 
letter,  had  two  brothere,  early  residents  ot  Toledo :  John  W.  Collins,  now 
li'/ing  near  Trcmainvillc,  and  the  late  Morgan  L,  Collins,  one  of  the  oldest, 
most  active  and  useful  business  men  of  Toledo,  whose  spotless  name  will  long 
be  remembered,  and  who  died  in  the  spring  ot  1865.  The  two  last  mentioned 
brothers  cams  to  the  Valley  in  1834.  Few  names  are  more  prominent  in  the 
early  history  of  the  Lower  Valley,  or  command  higher  respect,  than  those  of 
the  Messrs.  Collins. 


TOLEDO— SOMETHING  OF  ITS  PAST  AND  PfiESENT. 

The  spirited  frontispiece,  by  0.  J.  Hopkins,  of  the  landing  of  the 
old  Continental  First  Regiment  of  Infantry,  at  Fort  Industry  (now 
Toledo),  will  attract  the  attention  of  the  reader.  Its  gallant  com- 
mander, Colonel  Thomas  Hunt,  received  his  "  baptism  of  fire"  in  the 
first  battle  of  the  Kevolution,  and  continued  in  active  service 
throughout  that  conflict.  The  First  Continental  was  a  favorite  reg- 
iment with  Washington  and  the  country.  On  its  route  from  Detroit 
to  St.  Louis,  in  June,  1803,  a  night  was  passed  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
fort,  under  tents.  This  old  Fort  stood  near  the  edge  of  the  bluff,  about 
30  feet  above  the  river.  Richard  Mott's  block  occupies,  probably,  the 
central  portion  of  the  old  post,  erected  under  the  orders  of  Gen. 
Wayne,  in  1794,  and  the  place  where  the  treaty  between  the  Comrais- 
sioneirs  of  the  United  States  and  several  tribes  of  Indians  was  made, 
July  4, 1805 — [ante,  p.  227J.  Some,  whose  knowledge  of  the  place 
is  limited  to  a  period  of  thirty  or  forty  years,  may  be  disposed  to 
question  the  fidelity  of  certain  points  in  the  representation  conveyed 
by  the  engraving;  but  those  persons  will  remember  that  even  with- 
in their  time,  every  prominent  landmark  in  existence  when  they 
had  their  first  view  of  its  physical  features,  has  also  forever  disap- 
peared. 

The  early  history  of  Tohdo  has  been  partly  given  in  preceding 
pages.  The  city  is  already  the  recognized  commercial  capital,  not 
only  of  the  Maumee  Valley,  but  of  large,  highly  productive  and 
populous  districts  in  Ohio  and  adjacent  and  distant  States ;  and  yet 
it  may  safely  be  assumed  that  the  'village'  has  scarcely  entered  upon 
the  period  of  its  commercial  growth. 

Its  infSftt  struggle  for  commercial  position,  is  very  fully  and  sat- 
isfactorily given  in  the  reminiscences  of  Major  B.  F.  Sfcickney,  and 
Messrs.  Scott,  Prentice,  Mott,  Daniels,  and  others ;  but  the  original 
design  of  giving  full  statistics  of  its  present  and  prospective  com- 
merce, railways,  manufactures,  bauks,  etc.,  has  been  defeated  by  rea- 
son that  it  would  extend  this  work  beyond  all  reasonable  limits.  A 
general  and  imperfect  view,  therefore,  of  the  present  business  of 
Toledo,  is  all  that  can  be  given. 

Its  progress  may,  in  some  degree,  be  measured  by  the  valuations, 
at  different  periods,  for  taxation  purposes,  as  given  below : 


Toledo — Soinetliing  of  its  Past  and  Present.    621 


v.l' 


PRESENT. 


Value  of  real  and  personal  property  in  1837 $  249,008  00 

In  1840,  valuation  of  real  property  (exclusive  of  chattels) 225,331  00 

In  1850,  valuation  of  real  and  personal  property 895,403  00 

In  1872,  valuation  of  real  and  personal  property 16,518,850  00 

And  in  1873,  the  Board  of  Equalization  have  established  the 

value  atabout 18,000,000  00 

In  1836,  Sanford  L.  Collins,  Esq.,  then  Treasurer  of  Lucas,  the 
limits  of  which  embraced  nearly  the  present  territory  of  Fulton  coun- 
ty, paid  into  the  State  Treasury,  on  his  annual  settlement  with  the 
State,  $940  05  8,  (nine  hundred  and  forty  dollars  five  cents  and 
eight  mills,)  as  the  proportion  due  from  Lucas  county  to  the  State. 
In  1872-73.  Mr.  Kountz,  Treasurer  of  the  county  thus  shorn  of 
a  large  portion  of  its  territory,  paid  the  State  $61,737  34,  (sixty-one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-seven  dollars  and  thirty-four 
cents,  as  the  proportion  due  from  the  county  to  the  State. 

There  are  many  persons  in  Toledo  to-day  who  are  in  possession  of 
more  wealth  than  the  entire  valuation  of  the  city  in  1837;  and  there 
are  several  whose  resources  exceed  the  whole  taxable  wealth  of  1850. 
Yet,  it  must  be  stated  that  the  mass  of  the  population  of  the  city 
are  real  estate  owners,  and  that  society  presents  few  extremes  of 
overshadowing  wealth  and  penury.  A  large  per  cent,  of  laboring 
men  in  Toledo,  are  owners  of  the  property  on  which  they  reside. 

Its  advance  in  population  is  indicated  by  the  census  returns  which  follow  : 

In  1840 1,234 

In  1^50 8,829 

In  1800 18,7«8 

In  1870 31,584 

Hon.  Isaac  R.  Sherwood,  late  Secretary  of  State,  in  his  annual  re- 
port made  to  the  Governor  of  Ohio,  in  1871,  makes  an  analysis  of 
the  per  cent,  of  increase  in  population,  durin^  the  decennial  period 
between  1860  and  1870,  of  the  five  principal  cities  of  Ohio,  resulting 
as  follows:  Toledo,  136  per  cent.;  Cleveland,  112;  Columbus,  66 ; 
Dayton,  51 ;  Cincinnati,  35. 

Mayor  Jones,  the  able  chief  magistrate,  who  permits  nothing  of 
importance  to  the  interests  of  Toledo  to  escape  his  attention,  thus 
refers,  in  his  annual  message  to  the  City  Council  of  April,.  1872,  to 
the  commercial  Importance  of  the  city : 

"  The  imports  of  the  city  dui'ing  the  year  1871,  amounted  to 
$201,826,917;  the  exports  to  213,547,610,  making  a  total  value  of 
$415,375,527,  an  excess  over  the  year  previous  of  $34,390,395,  not- 
withstanding that  values  have  been  lower  than  for  many  years  pre- 
vious. 

"The  receipts  of  grain  during  the  year  amounts  to  35,000,000 
bushels,  an  increase  of  12,000,000  over  the  receipts  of  any  previous 
year. 

"  The  grain  traffic  of  this  city  is  exceeded  by  no  other  receiving 
or  ehippingport  in  the  United  States  (from  first  hands),  except 
Chicago.  While  most  of  the  wheat  from  that  and  other  lake  cities, 
is  of  the  kind  denominated  Spring,  ours  is  entirely  Winter  Wheat." 


622     Toledo — Something  of  its  Past  and  Present. 


Mr.  Wales,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  furnishes,  in  his  last 
report,  the  following  table  of  imports  and  exports,  from  1858  to 
1S72,  inclusive: 

Imports.  Exports. 

1858 $  81,700,085  00  |  85,4fi0,08l  00 

18G0 40,727,754  00  52,248,027  00 

1864 81,180,306  00  05,905,758  00 

1885 158,967,000  00  177,547,071  00 

1866 161,052,597  00  181,829.400  00 

1867 167,786,626  00  185,145,096  00 

1868 179,452,650  00  197,814,241  00 

1869 182,800,700  00  108,723,432  00 

1871 201,820,917  00  218,547,610  00 

1872 204,700,000  00  218,672,000  00 

The  depth  of  water  at  the  mouth  of  the  harbor  has  been  such  as 
to  exclude  from  the  port  vessels  of  the  largest  class.  Inadequate 
appropriations  for  the  improvement  of  the  channel  have  been  here- 
tofore made;  but  during  the  session  of  Congress  which  terminated 
March  4,  1873,  the  liberal  appropriation  of  $100,000  was  made  for 
enlarged  prosecution  of  the  work,  and  a  precedent  thus  established 
which  will  doubtless  secure  in  future  such  aid  from  Congress  as  the 
interests  of  the  rapidly  growing  commerce  of  Toledo  may  require, 
and  enable  vessels  of  the  heaviest  tonnage  that  navigate  the  lakes  to 
enter  and  clear  the  port  without  obstruction. 


Railways. — High  in  importance  to  the  business  interests  of  the 
city,  and  the  one  that  has  contributed  more  largely  than  all  other 
lines  now  in  opei-atiou  to  place  it  in  its  present  commercial  position, 
is  the 

TOLEDO,  WABASH  AND   WESTERN  RAILWAY. 

In  the  year  1852,  two  companies  were  organized,  having  in  view 
the  construction  of  a  great  through  line  of  railroad,  from  the  city 
ot  Toledo,  Ohio,  to  the  city  of  St.  Loais,  Missouri,  and  through 
auxiliary  lines,  open  a  direct  route  to  the  extensive  producing 
regions  of  central  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  the  more  prominent 
towns  and  cities  upon  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers. 

The  corporations  thus  created,  were  the  Toledo  and  Illinois  Rail- 
road Company,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  the  Lake  Erie,  Wabash 
and  St.  Louis  Railway  Company,  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  both  ot 
which  were  merged  into  one,  by  consolidation,  at  a  subsequent 
period.  Through  the  zealous  efforts  of  the  persons  having  the  con- 
trol of  the  Indiana  organization,  and  who  at  the  time  substantially 
represented  the  interests  of  the  entire  undertaking,  the  Hon.  A. 
Boody,  of  New  York,  was  induced  to  assume  the  control  and  direc- 
tion of  the  enterprise,  provide  the  means,  and  undertake  the  con- 
struction and  equipment  of  the  entire  road. 


"^resent 


Toledo — lt8  Railway  System, 


623 


nshes,  in  bis  last 
.a,  from  1858  to 

Exports. 

I  85,400,081  00 
53,243,«27  00 
05,905,758  00 
177,547,071  00 
I  181,329.490  00 

I  185,145,090  00 

197,814,341  00 
1«8,723,433  00 
313,547,010  00 
218,672,000  00 

'  has  been  sucb  as 
class.  Inadequate 
j1  bave  been  bere- 
wbicb  terminated 
000  was  made  for 
nt  thus  established 
m  Congress  as  the 
olcdo  nmy  reciuire, 
avigate  the  lakes  to 


dss  interests  of  the 
ely  than  all  other 
Dinmercial  position, 

lILWATf. 

;ed,  having  in  view 
road,  from  the  city 
jsouri,  and  throiigli 
xtensive  producing 
le  more  prominent 
uri  rivers. 

do  and  Illinois  Rail- 
Lake  Erie,  Wabash 
of  Indiana,  both  ol 
3n,  at  a  subsequent 
ons  having  the  con- 
5  time  substantially 
;aking,  the  Hon.  A. 
e  control  and  direc- 
undertake  the  con- 


Upon  the  conclusion  of  this  arrangement  with  Mr.  Boody — which 
occurred  in  March,  1853, — that  gentleman,  with  that  practical  skill 
and  business  energy  which  has  uniformly  characterized  all  his  busi- 
ness operations,  proceeded  to  the  immediate  organization  of  the 
means  and  appliances  required  for  the  etticient  an  J  successful  prose- 
cution of  this  large  and  somewhat  difficult  work.  The  preliminary 
surveys  and  location  of  the  route  through  the  States  of  Ohio  and 
Indiana,  were  so  far  advanced,  that,  early  in  the  month  of  May, 
1853,  the  entire  line,  in  both  States,  was  placed  under  contract,  in 
suitable  divisions,  and  to  responsible  and  experienced  contractors, 
and  the  whole  was  supplied  with  ample  forces  of  laborers  and  ma- 
chinery, and  all  the  departments  of  the  work  was  placed  under  vig- 
orous and  effective  management.  The  grading  and  general  con- 
struction work  continued  to  be  prosecuted  during  the  ensuing  year, 
with  all  possible  energy,  and,  notwithstanding  the  serious  difKcul- 
ties  encountered  by  reason  of  climatic  and  local  hindrances,  and 
especially  from  the  general  financial  depression  existing  throughout 
the  country,  the  first  division  of  the  road,  from  Toledo  to  Fort 
Wayne, — a  distance  of  94  miles, — was  opened  for  business  in  July, 
1855,  and  the  remaining  division,  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  in  the 
month  of  December,  185G.  In  each  and  all  departments,  the  work 
was  planned  and  executed  as  a  first-class  road,  and  in  adaptation  to 
the  vast  and  varied  tratiic  expected  co  be  transported  over  it.  Its 
equipment  and  machinery  was  procured  from  the  most  celebrated 
manufacturers  in  the  country,  and  having  reference  to  the  highest 
standard  of  quality  and  efficiency.  The  extensive  additions  more 
recently  made  to  the  rolling  stock  and  equipment,  and  indeed  the 
improvements  made  upon  the  line  generally,  indicate  an  adherence 
to  a  like  standard  of  thoroughness  and  completeness,  so  that  in  all 
its  appointments,  it  rank^  among  the  first  of  our  American  Rail- 
ways. 

tJpon  the  completion  of  this  great  work  through  Ohio  and  Indi- 
ana, and  with  a  purpose  of  fully  accomplishing  the  cardinal  objects 
of  its  projectors,  this  company  has  acquired,  by  perpetual  lease  or 
consolidation,  the  control  of  important  lines  of  continuous  and  con- 
necting railways,  leading  to  the  cities  of  St.  Louis,  Hannibal,  Quincy, 
Keokuk,  Pekin,  and  Bloomington,  thus  securing,  under  one  united 
management,  about  1,000  miles  of  railway,  passing  through  a  coun- 
try ot  unsurpassed  fertility,  and  reaching  all  the  most  thriving  and 
prosperous  towns  in  Central  Illinois,  and  upon  the  Mississippi  river. 

The  advantages  to  the  somewhat  remote  and  inaccessible  regions 
of  the  Maumee  Valley,  incident  to  the  building  of  this  railway,  are 
witnessed  in  the  immediate  influx  of  population,  doubling  and 
quadrupling  its  towns,  as  well  as  the  contiguous  country,  and  espe- 
ciailv  in  the  marked  development  and  improvement  of  its  agricul- 
tural and  other  resources. 

To  the  city  of  Toledo,  this  line  of  railway  has  brought  corrtspond- 
ing,  and  possibly  still  greater  advantages. 


624 


Toledo — Its  Mailway  System. 


Tho  establishment  of  its  principal  terminus  at  Toledo,  and  the 
avoidance  of  consolidation,  and  other  distracting  alliances,  has  mea- 
surably centralized  in  tl  at  city  the  vast  grain  traffic  of  the  most  exten- 
sive and  productive  regions  of  the  west,  rendering  it  one  of  the  mont 
important  grain  markets  in  the  world.  Moreover,  the  localizing  of 
its  larger  manufacturing  and  repairing  shops  at  Toledo,  is  conferring 
benefits  which  must  continue  to  tell  with  marked  and  signiticaut 
effect  upon  its  growth  in  population,  us  well  as  its  advancement  in 
material  prosperity. 

The  total  movement  of  grain  upon  the  railway  of  this  company, 
for  the  year  1871  (reducing  flour  to  bushels),  was  18,05.3,282  bushels. 

The  movement  of  gram  in  the  year  1872,  reached  *il,320,23G 
bushels,  showing  a  large  annual  increase,  and  which  is  destined  to 
expand  in  greater  proportions  with  each  returning  year. 

The  officers  of  this  road,  elected  for  1872-73,  are,  Azariah  Boody, 
New  York,  President;  J.  N.  Drummond,  Assist.  President,  Toledo; 
A.Anderson,  Vice  President,  do;  William  B.  Corneau,  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  do ;  Union  National  Bank,  Transfer  Agent,  New 
York.  And  among  tho  oflicers  of  the  line,  whose  offices  are  at 
Toledo,  are  George  H.  Burrows,  Superintendent;  John  U.  Parsons, 
General  Ticket'  Agent;  John  B.  Carson,  General  Freight  Agent; 
John  E.  Carpenter,  Paymaster;  W.  S.  Lincoln,  Engineer  Ohio  and 
Indiana  Division ;  J.  I.  Nessle,  Supply  Agent ;  David  Hoit,  Master 
Car  Repairer ;  G.  A.  Beach,  Superintendent  Telegraph  Line,  East- 
ern Division,  and  W.  L.  Malcolm,  General  Passenger  Agent. 

LAKE  SHORK  AND  MICHIGAN  SOUTHERN. 

The  old  Erie  and  Kalamazoo  road,  one  of  the  first  railway  enter- 
prises undertaken  in  the  West,  formed  the  nucleus  which  resulted  in 
the  construction,  at  intervals,  of  tho  various  links  which  were  finally 
consolidated  under  the  name  of  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  South- 
ern Railway,  extending  to  Chicago,  a  distance  of  243  miles;  branches 
penetrating  the  State  of  Michigan, — one  near  the  southern,  two  near 
the  central,  and  one  towards  the  western  portions  of  the  State.  The 
Air  Line  passes  through  the  extreme  Northwestern  counties  of  Ohio 
and  Northern  Indiana,  and  the  Toledo  Division  runs  along  the  Eouth 
shore  of  Lake  Erie 

The  Erie  and  Kalamazoo  Railway  was  the  first  built,  and  operated  west- 
ward of  Buffalo,  and  was  projected  in  the  winter  of  1832-1833  by  Dr.  Daniel 
O.  Comstock,  older  brother  of  Stephen  B.  and  James  M.  Comstock.ln  correspon- 
dence with  J.  W.  Scott.  Its  charter  was  obtained  by  the  efforts  of  Addison  J. 
Comstock  of  Adrian,  then  a  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  of  Michigan. 
It  was  allowed  to  pass,  on  the  supposition  that  it  was  a  merely  fanciful  pro- 
ject— out  of  which  could  come  no  barm,  but  would  please  the  Comstocks  of 
Toledo. 

Dr.  Comstock  was  the  purchaser,  in  1833,  of  one  quarter  interest  from  the 
Port  Lawrence  company,  of  river  tracts  one  and  two,  for  $4,500,  with  an  en- 
gagement to  act  as  agent.  He  was  a  man  of  much  ability,  and  good  foresight, 
ais  this  purchase  and  the  entry  at  $1,35  per  acre  of  river  tracts  13  and  13,  clearly 


Ibledo — It8  liailway  Systetn. 


«2r) 


proved.  But,  he  soon  died  of  conaumptlon,  Icaviiip  bis  properly  to  brolbers 
and  sisttTH— inukinj?  them  indt-pcnduiit,  if  not  rich.  Tlic  Couistrcks  were 
ninnng  the  principul  promuters  uf  the  construction  uf  the  Erie  and  Kiiliimazuo 
liiillrond. 

This  rond  lins  a  ropnir  shop  nonrly  finished,  nnd  contemplate  the 
building  of  car  whops  duiinj^  iho  8ea»  )n.  ut  iho  '•  jtniction,"  hiuI  thfse 
impiovi'men^s.  \\\  i>n  com)  litid  uid  in  oporatiun,  will  ulT  >rd,  it  is 
expect* d.  employment  to  at  leiist  tweI\o  hniidred  hands.  The  viil- 
ue  of  this  reinfoicfmont  to  the  manufacturing  powor  of  the  citVi 
can  Bcarct'ly  bo  nver-eBtimateJ. 

DAYTON'   AND  MICHIGAN 

Crosses  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  connocts  Toledo  nnd  Cincinnati,  and 
ig  the  shortest  railway  route  between  Lake  Erie  and  the  Ohio  river, 
ftnd  aflbrds  the  cheapest  avinno  for  much  of  the  traffic  of  Ohio,  as 
well  as  of  that  of  States  south  of  thiit  river,  seeking  the  /seahoard. 
This  road  delivered  ut  Toledo,  in  1871,  about  two  and  a  half  mil- 
lions bushels  of  grain,  besides  large  quantities  of  cotton,  live  stock, 
tobacco,  hard-wood  lumber,  staves,  and  other  commodities;  and  car- 
viis  honee  to  southern  markets  a  large  amount  of  lumber,  salt,  etc. 

FLINT  AND    rF.IlE   MARQUETTK 

Exteud-s  from  Toledo  by  a  very  direct  route,  througii  the  Saginaw 
Valley,  and  during  that  period  of  the  year  when  navigation  is  closed, 
ii.  is  the  only  outlet  for  tlie  immense  products  of  the  pine  and  ealt 
regions  of  Michigan.  The  opening  of  this  road  has  greatly  in- 
creased the  importance  of  Toledo,  as  a  lumber  and  salt  market. 

TOLEDO,  TIFFIN  AND   EASTERN, 

At  the  hour  of  the  issue  of  this  volume,  is  quite  completed,  li 
passes  through  a  very  rich  section  of  Ohio,  to  Mansfield,  where  it 
has  important  connections.  This  road  connects  Avith  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Cenf.ral,  and  forms  a  direct  line  to  Philadelphia.  It  will  secure 
to  Toledo  a  large  and  valuable  traffic,  and  prove  a  powerful  compet- 
itor for  eastward-bound  freights.  The  first  locomotive  passed  over 
the  road  March  10,  1873. 

COLLMlUiS   AND  TOLEDO 

Is  designed  more  especially  as  a  coal  road,  to  connect  with  the  Hock- 
ing  Valley  Railroad  at  Columbus,  and  thus  furnish  an  outlet  for  the 
•oal  of  the  Hocking  Valley. 

ATLANTIC   AND  LAKE   ERIE 

Is  a  road  now  building,  designed  to  run  entirely  across  the  State, 
having  its  southern  terminus  at  Pomeroy,  on  the  Ohio  river.  It  is 
in  a  forward  state  of  completion,  and  passes  through  some  of  the 
most  extensive  mineral  fields  in  the  State.  The  Company  building 
this  road,  have  acquired  very  extensive  dock  lines  in  this  city,  for  the 
purpose  of  handling  coal  and  iron  ore — this  road  furnishing  the 
best  means  for  distributing  Lake  Superior  ore  among  the  iron  manu- 
facturers in  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 
39 


626 


Toledo — It%  Railway  System. 


TOLEDO,  ANN  ARBOR  AKD  NORTHERN 

Is  intended  to  cross  the  State  of  Michigan,  running  in  a  northwest- 
erly direction,  to  Frankfort,  on  Lake  Micliigan.  It  is  nearly  com- 
pleted to  the  centre  of  the  State. 

CANADA    SOUTHERN. 

This  ruad  is  designed  to  run  from  this  city  to  the  Detroit  riv(M', 
and,  crossing  that  stream  near  its  month,  terminate  at  Fort  Erie, 
near  Buffalo.  The  Canada  portion  of  the  road,  225  miles  in  length, 
is  ironed  and  equipped.  The  line  from  Toledo  to  the  Detroit  ri^er 
is  graded,  and  the  entire  line  to  Fort  Erie  will  doubtless  be  com- 
pleted during  the  present  season.  At  Fort  Erie  the  road  will  cross 
the  Niagara  river,  over  a  new  International  Suspension  Bridge,  where 
it  will  make  connections  with  the  Erie  Railway,  Now  York  Central, 
tiie  Midland  and  the  Lake  Shore  (Ontario)  rond.  The  opening  oi' 
thianew  route  will  afford  another  outlet  to  the  east,  for  the  immense 
amount  of  produce  maiketed  at  Toledo,  and  will  be  a  cpmpt titer  of 
the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern  Railway;  and  it  possesses 
connections  which  will  enable  this  city  to  retain,  during  the  winter, 
a  large  New  England  trade,  which,  each  year,  has  gone  to  other 
markets,  because  of  the  difficulty  of  shipping  to  the  New  England 
States.  It  is  also  expected  that  a  connection  will  be  made  with  the 
Grand  Trunk  Railway  of  Canada,  with  the  Canada  Southern;  and 
should  such  be  the  case,  shipments  of  grain  and  other  produce  will 
be  made  to  points  in  Canada,  with  as  much  facility  in  winter  as  du- 
ring the  summer  season.  Such  a  connection  also  enables  Toledo 
shippers  to  supply  northern  New  Englaud  with  ?*s  produce  through- 
out  the  entire  year. 

TOLEDO  AND   SOUTHWESTERN 

Is  designed  to  run  from  Toledo  through  Maumee  City,  Grand  Kapids, 
Van  VVert,  Willshire,  in  Ohio,  and  thence  on  nearly  an  air  line  to 
Indi-  napolis.  This  road  will  alford  the  shortest  route  from  Indian- 
apolis to  the  east,  and,  as  compared  with  the  present  eastern  outlet 
from  Indianapolis,  will  lessen  the  distance  to  Buffalo  upwards  of 
tifty  miles. 

These  several  lines  may  be  thus  enumerated :  1.  Toledo,  Wabash 
and  Western.  2.  Lake  fchore  Line  to  Buffalo.  3.  Michigan  South- 
ern (old  lire)  to  Chicago.  4.  Air  Line  to  Chicago.  5.  Dayton  and 
Michigan  to  Cincinnati,  fi.  Toledo  and  Detroit.  7.  Flint  and  Pere 
Marquette.  8.  Toledo,  Tiffin  and  Eastern,  fl.  Columbus  and 
Toledo.  10.  Atlantic  and  Lake  Erie.  11.  Toledo,  Ann  Arbor  and 
Noithern.  12.  Canada  Southern.  1.3.  Toledo  and  Southwestern. 
These  routes  combine  a  total  distance  of  nearly  3,000  miles,  and 
penetrate  regions  of  great  wealth,  in  agriculturai,  lumber,  and  coal 
productions.  

Such  of  the  ancient  rivals  of  Toledo  as  live  to  utter  any  voice 
now  manifest  pride  in  her  prosperity.  The  prediction  of 
Judge  Mason,  made  nearly  forty  years  ago,  that  Toledo  had  an  in- 


S' 


'  in  n  northwesl- 
t  is  nearly  com- 


he  Detroit  river, 
ite  at  Fort  Erie, 
5  miles  in  length, 
the  Detroit  ri^er 
oubtless  be  com- 
e  road  will  cross 
non  Bridge,  where 
c'W  York  Central, 
The  oponing  of 
h,  for  the  immense 
be  a  compititor  of 
;  and  it  'possesses 
luring  the  winter, 
iiis  gone  to  other 
he  New  England 
be  made  with  the 
da  Southern;  and 
)ther  produce  will 
y  in  winter  as  du- 
so  enables  Toledo 
s  produce  through- 


ty,  Grand  Kapidfc. 
rly  an  air  lino  to 
'oute  from  Indian- 
i'ut  eastern  outlet 
Jutlido  upwards  cf 

_.  Toledo,  Wabash 

5.  Michigan  South- 

I.    5.  Dayton  and 

r.  Flint  and  Pero 

,.    Columbus  and 

0.  Ann  Arbor  and 

and  Southwestern. 

y  3,000  miles,  and 

,  lumber,  and  coal 

to  utter  any  voice 
'he  prediction  of 
Toledo  bad  an  in- 


Toledo — Officers  and  Membei'S  Board  of  Trade,    627 


terest  iu  the  thrift  of  Manhattan,  becauso  ultimately  the  former 
would  extend  her  boundaries  ho  as  to  embrace  the  latter,  is  even 
now  upon  tho  eve  of  fulfilment.  But  Marengo,  Austeilitz, 
etc.,  fretted  their  brief  hour,  and  are  nn1y  known  ass  having  speedily 
I'ound  their  Waterloo.  The  harbor  of  Toledo  is  claimed  by  business 
men,  not  only  of  thoMaumee  Valley,  but  by  those  hundreds  of  miles 
distant  from  it.  From  the  time  when  the  writer  of  this  took  the 
11] et  federal  census  of  Toledo,  and  when  the  population  of  tho  vil- 
lage amounted  to  onlv  \'<i.'H,  uj)  to  this  date,  when  ih*?  city  con- 
taii'is,  proliably,  4o.00().  he  has  i-ver  fi-lt  a  deep  int'^rest  in  its 
pi'ospeiiiy. 

The  Board  of  Trade  of  Toledo  btiiigcomiiosed  largely  of  represen- 
tative business  men  of  the  city,  it  is  deemed  proper  here  to  make  a 
record  of  its  officers  and  members: 

Offickrs.— President,  .Tohn  Sinclair;  Ist  ViiHi  Prcsidfiit.  A.  "W.  Colton;  2d 
Vice  Pre>ldent,  E.  C.  IJodmau;  Sixrotary.  Chark's  T.  Wales;  Treasurer. 
Carlos  UoltDii. 

Directors— T.  «.  Casov.  S.  C.  Jloynoids,  11.  E.  Banc;s,  V.  Ilarailton,  II.  ,T. 
Hayes,  W.  II  Bellman,'.!.  B.  Curson. 

Bejcreme  Comnnt/ee—GoorgQ  Woodbury,  F.  W.  Anderson,  C.  A.  King,  W.  R. 
Uicliards,  .1.  K.  Strong. 

Inspection  Committee — E.  C.  t^mitli,  N.  M.  Howard,  .1.  Tliorner,  R.  W.  Bakei-, 
£.   Williams. 

Floor  Committee— ^o\m  Stevens,  II.  S.  Yonnjr,  E,  A.  Curti-;. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  members: 


Auchard,  C. 
Anderson.  F.  W. 
Amtin,  M.  II. 
Avcrj%  Ed. 
Anderson,  A. 
Andrews,  A.  Jr. 
Andrews,  F.  B. 

1?  rooks,  Sam'l. 
Maunigardner,  L.  S. 
Hirclthead,  P.  il. 
llerdan,  P.  F. 
i^uck,  C.  H. 
Mucknian,  Wni.  il. 
Uoos,  G.  W. 
Hackns.  A.  E. 
Backus,  AV.  W. 
Brown,  Matthew. 
Bodman,  E.  C. 
Braisted,  E.  E. 
Bushare,  Milo. 
Baker,  C.  H. 
Brown,  E.  F. 
Bowman,  J.  H. 
Baldy,  J.  B. 
Bellman.  W.  II. 
Brand,  Ilenrv. 


Boody,  Azariidi. 
Btirdiek.  L. 
Brown,  II.  G. 
Brainurd,  W.  S. 
Bana;9,  II.  E. 
Bildwin,  D.  C. 
Ballard,  E.  M. 
Blinn,  Doau 
Baldwin,  S. 
Brown,  Andrew. 
Baker,  B.  W. 
Braun,  V. 
Brown,  Stillnuiii. 
Brown,  i).  A. 
Brown,  W.  <). 
Brown,  T.  P. 
Bert^ep,  8.  IT. 
Bauer,  Eiuil. 

Curtis,  C.  F. 
Coy,  C.  IL 
Collins.  T.  J. 
Curtly  E.  A. 
Ci-lton,  A.  VV. 
Croninger,  C  A. 
Crowell.  .1. 
Coon,  W.  M. 


Cnibbs,  P. 
Carrintrton,  M.  D. 
Casey,' T.  B. 
Carson,  J.  B. 
Cummings.Johii. 
Castle,  J"^,  A. 
Curtis,  .1.  C. 
Cook,  T.  M. 
Casement,  J.  S. 
Coiu'lright,  T. 

Dodge,  F.  B. 
Dovllle,  E. 
Davis,  O.  W. 
Daniel,  H. 
Dickinson,  R.  C. 
Dennis,  J.  A. 
Drummond,  J.  K. 
Dixon, X. 
Dickinson,  J.  S. 
Di.x,  W.  B.  .Ir. 
Dyer,  W.  II. 
Dick,  Sturgis  T. 

Emerson,  Goo. 
Eddy,  C.  H. 
Enright.  Jno. 


G2S      .   Toledo — Officers  of  the  City  Government. 


Finlay.  W.  J. 
FUkc,  n.  F. 
Fisk,  J.  B. 
Fisk,  W.  C. 
Fallis.  J.  R 
Fnsl.r,  F.  E. 
Flower,  G.  VV. 
\  11  Her,  J.  \V. 
Fi.cb,  teiuieon 

Grlffln,  C.  r. 
Oolilsniiili,  E. 
G<  rbt-r,  C. 
Griffltli,  \V.  W. 
Godard,  A. 
Goode,  B.  W. 
G;)^llne.  \V.  A. 
Gassiiway,  George 

Ilnltnran.R. 
lliimiliou,  V. 
Hnihawav,  I.  N. 
Howard,  N.M. 
lliiycs,  II.  J. 
Ihibbard,  Franklin. 
Ilamillon,  \\.  W. 
Ilurd,  Frank,  H. 
llainin,  I'.  T. 
I'art,  G.  W. 
Hand,  A  J. 
Uazzard,  Sani'l.  P. 

JonoR,  Lucien. 
Jones,  Jno.  Fuul. 

Kraus,  William. 
Kt'tcliam,  .1.  B. 
Keen,  D.  M. 
Ki;!ly,  VV.  I. 
Kii:g,  C  A. 
Kii'iiiiicr  J. 
Kelley,  W.  li. 
Koiini!^.  J.  L. 
Kf'iclinm,  V.  H. 
King,  F.  J. 
l\.ci.-«».y,  A.  L. 
Keck.T.  L 
Kels.  y,  J.  W. 


Luce,  C.  L. 

Linton,  S.  S. 
Littlefield.  \V. 
Litthfieid,  M.  R. 
Lenderson,  E.  W. 
Landuiuu,  J. 

macnmbcr,  A.  E. 
McCiine,  lioLt. 
Mesbiiigtr,  C.  R. 
l^lilinine,  George 
Meibsner,  George 
Monroe,  J.  B. 
Morse,  J.  G. 
^IcMaken,  E.  V. 
McMillan,  W.  A. 
McLaughlin,  A.  S. 
Miller,  David. 

Norton,.!.  S. 
Neal,J.M.  S. 

Odbon,  W.  II. 

Philipps,  Ilenry 
Parnielce,  W.  E.  Jr. 
Pomeroy,  Geo.  E.  .Tr. 
Phillips,  P.  A. 
Peter,  William. 
Pomeroy,  II.  B. 
Plait,  H.  P. 

Reed,  Alex. 
Kolland,  G.  II. 
Richards,  W.  R. 
•Reynolds.  S.  C. 
Royce,  C.  il. 
Rouse,  B.  W. 
Reynolds,  Chas.  L. 
Roemer,  J. 
Raymond,  George 

Swigart,  J.  R. 
fit.  John,  Williiiiii 
Slack,  T.  A. 
Sinclair,  John. 
Southard,  T. 


Smith,  D.  B. 
Simmons,  W.  XL 
Smith,  E.  C. 
Stevens,  Jolin 
Stevens,  John  II. 
Scribner,  Charles. 
Shoemaker,  F.  B. 
Swayne,  Wa^er. 
Siephan,  Andrew. 
Secor,  J.  K. 
Shears,  Sam'l. 
Si  owe,  W.  L. 
Mnnig,  J.  R. 
Stcbbins,  Geo. 
Scott,  W.  C. 
Segur.  D. 
Sweet,  B.  G. 

Tafe,  Jno,  W. 
Tate.  J.  S. 
Tutu,  D.  M. 
Thorner,  Joseph 
Tryon,  W.  W. 

Walbridn-e,  11.  S. 
Waite.  M.  R.  ■ 
Wuerfel,  G.  A. 
Wittsteiu,  Gus. 
Williamn,  E. 
Wales.  C.  T. 
AVhitaker,  W.  II. 
Waikiiis,  George 
Walbiidge,  H.  D. 
Woodbury.  Geo. 
AVilliams,  E.  R. 
Woodward,  II.  I). 
Wilcox,  M.  I. 
Walker,  W.  T. 
Whitney,  B.  H. 
Walterhouse,  J.  W. 
Wilde,  L  L. 
Wiltbank,  W.  B. 
Waite,  H,  S. 

Young,  H.  S. 
Young,  S.  M. 
Young,  C.  L. 


CITY  G0VERN3IENT  OP  TOLEDO— 1873. 

Mayor,  AVilliiim  W.  .Tones;  ('ily  Solicitor,  Frank  II.  Ilurd;  Members  ot'tlit- 
t.'ouucii,  VVm.  St.  John,  J.  E.  BaiLy,  Luther  Whitney,  Geo.  Stetter,  T.  M. 
Cook,  R.  II.  Bell,  J.  W.  Toullerlon,  Geo,  Meissner,  Daniel  Segur,  R.  .L  Gib- 
bon.s,  J.  McD.  R.e,  I.  K.  Seaman,.!.  L.  Sirarton,  .loseph  KiniDger,  Michael 
Geelan,  VVm.  H.  Dyer.  Piesidunt,  Luther  Whitney;  President,  jiro  tem.y  T. 
M.  Cook  ;  City  Clerk,  T.  M.  Merrill. 


mt. 


K  B. 
3,W.  H. 

:.  c. 

John 
John  H. 
,  Chitrles. 
*er,  F.  B. 
,  Wa^L-r. 
,  Anurew. 
.K. 
Sam'l. 
5V.  L. 
J.  iT. 
3,  Geo. 
7.  C. 
3. 
B.Q. 

ao.  W. 
.  S. 
I.  M. 

r,  Joseph 
W.  AY. 

il-re,  TI.  S. 
M.  R  ■ 
i\,  G.  A.. 
iu,  Gust, 
nw,  E. 
C.  T. 

ttr,  VV.  II. 
18,  George 
dgc,  H.  D. 
mry.  Geo. 
118,  E.  R. 
,vard,  11.  D. 
s,  M.  I. 
r,  W.  T. 
ey,  B.  H. 
rhouse,  J.  W. 
,  I.  L. 
ink,  W.  B. 
,  H.  S. 

r,  H.  S. 

,  S.  M. 

r,  C.  L. 


i3. 

;  Mcnilit'is  of  the 
;o.  Stetter,  T.  M. 
i^cgur,  K.  J.  Gil'- 
Ciiiinger,  Michael 

out,  pro  tern.,  T. 


loledo — Banlcs  and  Banhe 


vs. 


G29 


MONETARY-BANKS  AND  BANKERS. 

Toledo  conunenced  its  business  life  at  a  period  when  the  finances  of  the 
country  were  in  a  disturbed  condition,  j^rowing  out  of  ihe  elfi'rt  of  the  United 
States  Bank  to  obtain  from  Congress  a  re-cliurter.  During  the  "  Hush  limes" 
of  1835  and  18JJ0,  paper  money  ruled  all  values,  and  everyl)ody  was  ricli  iu 
"  rags  and  lamp  black,"  and  "  water"  or  "  coiner"  lots.  There  then  existed,  on 
beautifully  engraved  maps,  one  continuous  city  from  the  mouth  to  the  foot  of 
the  rapids  of  the  Maumee  river.  A  spiiit,  adverse  to  making  money  by  the 
old  methods,  was  rife  throughout  the  land.  The  few  who  held  tolbrmer  ways 
of  accumulation,  were  regard'  d  by  the  multitude  iis  "old  fogies,"  and  "bel-Ind 
the  age."  It  was  a  common  occurrence  of  that  period  for  a  man  w'io  had 
made  fortunate  investments,  though  owning  but  a  few  hundreds  tlie  day  be- 
fore, to  be  considered  worth  as  n.any  thousands  the  day  after;  but  like  all 
mania  of  this  type,  the  decline  of  these  brilliant  prospects  was  generally  as 
rapid  as  its  rise. 

There  were  very  few  manufacturing  or  mechanical  establishments.  They 
were  not  in  demand;  and  if  they  had  been,  there  were  none  to  opera'e  them. 
Farmers  had  mostly  deserted  their  fields;  mechanics  their  shops;  physicians 
and  lawyers,  to  a  ctnisiderable  extent,  their  oflices  ;  and  even  many  clergymen 
their  pulpits, — all  classes  and  conditions  of  people  becoming  seized  wiiii  tiie 
fever  of  speculation,  and  of  gathering  speedy  wealth  by  means  of  their  wits. 
Every  one  was  rich.  lie  indeed  was  a  thriftless  man,  who,  in  these  times, 
was  not  qualified  to  assess  his  real  estate  at  a  value  greater  than  ^50,000. 
Old  ideas  of  obtaining  competen-y  and  wealth  infields  of  legitimate  industry, 
were  banished;  and  old-fashioned  toil  was  at  a  discount. 

The  specie  circular,  issued  from  the  Treasury  i)eparlment,  under  Jickson's 
administration,  was  tollowed  by  the  general  bank  suspensicm  under  Van  Bu- 
ren,  in  Maj',  1837.  Coiti  disappeared  as  a  circulating  medium.  The  cxigm- 
cies  of  the'tiiiies  created  a  substitute  in  the  form  of  a  fractional  currency  then 
issued  by  almost  every  business  man,  and  known  as  "  shin  plasters,  *  reading 
something  as  follows : 

!  "  Toledo,  July  4,  1838.      | 

1      "Good  for  Tweutj-.Five  Cents,  when  presented  in  sums  amounting  to  j 

['•  Five  Dollars,  at  my  store  in  Toledo.  JOHN  DOE."      \ 

I  I 

Thus,  every  one  who  chose  became  his  own  banker.  And  this  fractional  cur- 
rency was  generally  redeemed,  cither  in  goods,  at  enormous  profits,  or  in  Mich- 
igan bank  notes,  the  intrinsic  value  of  which  could  not  lie  estimated  by  the 
amount  promised  to  be  paid,  but  proximately  ascertained,  l)y  the  scales  pa  pi  r 
manufacturers  resort  to,  in  the  purchase  of  their  stock.  8uch  was  the  circula- 
ting medium,  not  only  in  Toledo  and  the  Miumee  Valley,  but  throughout  the 
west  and  south,  which  soon  followed  ttie  general  baiik  susieuNicm  of  May, 
1837 — the  currency'  l>y  which  all  values,  for  the  time,  were  measured. 
Mr.  Mott,  in  his  valuable  reminiscences,  thus  graphically  sketches  this  period  : 
"  Hardly  was  the  digging  begun  on  the  Ohio  portion  of  the  canal,  when  the 
financial  break-down  «)f  1837  came,  involving  banks  and  individuals  in  the 
general  ruin.  It  is  diflElcult  to  make  the  present  generation  comprehend  the 
depth  and  extent  of  the  di'jaster.  Heal  estate  became  worthless — worse  than 
worthless; — it  would  bring  nothing;  yet,  taxes  w^'re  necissnrily  apscsscd  upon 
it,  which  were  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  of  p  lyment.  Lots  and  lands  were 
offered  for  sale  tor  taxf'R;  but  very  small  was  the  amount  sold.  Tliis  wis 
especially  the  case  in  1838.  1839,  and  1840.  The  publicati'm  of  the  extraordi- 
nary delinquent  and  forfeited  lists,  occupied  severd  full  sheets  of  sipplc- 
ments  of  the  Toledo  Ulade.  It  mattered  little  what  the  amount  of  debt 
one  owed  ;— were  it  ever  so  small,  the  debtor  was  powerless — pay  he 
could  not.  It  was  vain  to  offer  anything  but  money;  yet,  money  was  not  to 
be  had ;  and  as  for  credit,  it  had  no  existence.  The  people  hud  become  demen- 


030 


Toledo — Banks  and  JJanhers. 


ted  by  the  mania  of  speculation.  The  looked-for  rist*  in  tlio  value  of  town 
lots  and  town  sites,  was  to  have  made  every  one  rich  without  hiUor.  Tiie  ristj 
did  not  come,  l)ut  the  fall  did;  and  the  tumble  was  beyond  getting  up  Irom. 
The  only  rise  that  followed,  was  in  the  prices  of  provisions  and  oilier  necessit- 
riea  of  life.  Tlic  army  of  speculators  had  become  ccinsumer^,  without  adding 
anytliinc:  to  the  common  stock.  Theconscciuentl.v  limited  production  was  inatf- 
equate  to  our  support.  Flour  doubled  in  price  iii  the  next  year.  Only  those 
who  owed  nothinif,  or  those  who  had  nothing,  escaped  the  eifects  of  the  insane 
ilelusion.  It  was  a  hitler  experience,  but  it  taught  practical  lessons  in  political 
economy  suJliciently  impressive  to  have  lasted  the  lifetime  of  every  scholar, 
smarting  under  their  infliction. 

"  In  few  places  were  the  effects  of  the  crash  felt  as  severely  as  in  the  Mau- 
inee  Valley.  The  contractors,  who  had  taken  jobs  on  the  canal,  could  not  go 
on  with  their  work  for  want  of  money.  The  State  was  out  of  funds,  and  short 
of  credit,  and  could  not  pay  according  to  contract.  It  was  feared  that  the 
work  would  be  stopped — and,  if  8topi)ed,  its  resumption  might  be  indefinite. 
.Much  anxiety  was  felt  on  the  subject,  and  various  plans  suggested  to  pniveni 
such  misfortune. 

"  Subsequent  to  tlic  crash  of  1837,  the  State  of  Michigan  enacted  a  general 
banking  law,  with  the  forlorn  hope  of  remedying  the  financial  trouble,  ami 
numberless  banks  had  been  started  uuder  its  provisions— all  of  them  by  par- 
ties who  wanted  to  borrow,  and  not  one  of  them  with  any  actual  capital.— 
Tlicse  concerns  soon  became  known  as  the  wild-cat  banks.  Michigan  luomy 
was  in  poor  repute  in  Ohio,  and  not  generally  received. 

"  In  order  to  prevent  the  suspension  ot  the  canal  work,  arrangements  were 
niade  for  loaning  tliis  wild-cat  money  to  contractors  and  for  the  business  men 
of  the  town  to  receive  it  trom  the  workmen  in  payment  for  goods  and  provi- 
sions. The  remedy  was  a  desperate  one,  but  it  did  keep  the  work  in  many 
cases  from  suspension.  These  bank  notes  were  worthless ;  but  it  was  supposed 
or  hoped  they  might  possibly  have  some  value.  Their  '■robin's  alive'  charac- 
ter gave  them  a  very  quick  circulation ;  and  thus  this  villainous  trasii  was 
made  serviceabL',  keepitig  along  the  contracts  on  the  canal  for  several  months, 
till  the  State  was  able  to  pay  oi¥  the  contractors.  It  was  under  such  circuni 
stances  that  the  work,  esi)ecially  in  the  sections  about  Toledo,  Maumee  anct 
Manhattan,  was  carried  to  completion.  The  wildcat  system  of  course  soon 
exploded,  loading  the  communiiy  with  piles  of  broken  bank  notes,  nearly  as 
valueless  as  so  many  pieces  of  blank  paper.  A  very  few  of  the  iaslitulions 
struggled  along  for  a  few  years,  but  eventually  had  to  succiT^nb,  tor  in  1843  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Michigan  considerately  stepped  in  and  decided  the  law  to 
bo  unc(mstitutional — thus  saving  all  furllicr  troulde,  and  squelching  all  suits 
and  proceedings  that  had  been  commenced  in  the  vague  hope  of  realizing  some- 
thing from  their  so-called  assets. 

"Some  of  the  then  residents  of  Toledo  may  recollect  a  handsome  grey  horse, 
owned  in  the  city,  called  "  wildcat."  He  was  bought  by  one  of  the  old  citi- 
zens who  is  still  living,  lor  $2,300  of  these  bank  notes,  instead  of  $70  iu  par 
money,  which  was  the  price  asked  lor  him. 

"Banks  were  at  Monroe  and  Adrian — but  of  small  capitals  and  lees  means. 
Tho  business  men  were  sometimes  obliged  to  resort  to  Detroit  and  Cleveland, 
and  even  as  far  as  BufTalo,  for  money  facilities.  Think  of  these  distances,  with  the 
slow  modes  ot  travel  then  at  command.  In  1818  Prentiss,  Uow  &  Co.,  estab- 
lished a  branch  office  in  Toledo,  first  opening  in  the  second  story  office  of  the 
building  then  standing  where  JIarkschoeffel  &  Bro  ,  near  corner  JMouroe  and 
Summit  Streets,  uow  conduct  business.  This  was  followed  in  1815  by  two 
branches  of  the  Stjite  Bank  of  Ohio — the  Bank  of  Toledo  and  the  Commercial 
Bank— Chas.  U.  Miller,  cashier  «)f  the  former,  and  Matthew  Johnson  of  the 
la  ter.  Miller  was  not  successful  at  banking,  and  quit  it  iu  1818.  llo  then  cs- 
ttiblishcd  the  Toledo  Jiepublican,  a  Democratic  free  soil  sheet,  conducted  with 
c  )n8Merable  ability,  in  which  ho  was  associated  with  Josiah  Kiley,  who  con- 
tinued iha  paper  some  years  alter  Miller  left  it.    The  Bank,  uf  ter  long  struggles. 


Toledo — Banks  and  Bankers. 


C3l 


was  taken  hold  of  by  strong  parties,  and  fell  in  charge  of  Siimucl  M.  Young, 
President,  and  Paul  Jones,  Cashier,  under  whose  maniigement  it  is  now  known 
as  the  Toledo  National  Bank.  The  Commercial  Bank  was  still  more  nnsuc- 
eessful.and  was  woundup  In  1"51.  Its  Cashier,  Mr.  Johnson,  was  United 
States  Marshal  for  the  Federal  District  of  Northern  Ohio  under  Mr.  Buchanan. 
He  died  in  Cleveland  in  1802." 

Reluming,  finally,  and  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  record,  to  the 
l)eriod  of  intoxication  resulting  from  tlie  flood  of  irredeemable  bank  issues  and 
its  demoralizing  effects  upon  morals  and  busines?,  when  the  agricultural  pro- 
ducti(ms  of  the  country  had  become  suspended  to  a  degree  that  even  bread- 
stuffs  were  imported  from  Europe,  instead  of  being  sent  there,  it  may 
lie  mentioned  as  an  honorable  point  in  Toledo  liistorv  that  no  worthless 
banking  establishment,  so  common  at  that  day,  in  the  West  and  South,  and 
organized  for  plunder,  found  welcome  or  hospitality  within  its  limits. 
Here  the  old  wnys  of  Inisiness  integrity  strugirled  manfully  agnin  t  the  temjv 
tations  of  the  time.  A  nice  sense  of  commercial  honor,  which  has  in  nil  in- 
stances been  the  guide  of  men  wliohave  adjusted  permanently  the  foundations 
(if  great  ciiies,  was  the  rule  of  the  early  business  men  of  the  place,  and  has 
been  adhered  to  by  their  successirs. 

One  or  two  banks,  it  is  true,  have  existed,  whose  assets  have  passed  into  the 
liands  of  receivers,  but  noteholders  were  secured. 

Having  given  this  general  sketch,  it  may  be  stated  that,  in  1873-73,  the  bank- 
ing faciliiies  of  the  city  are  in  the  hands  of  five  National  Banks,  whose  agi^re- 

gate  capital,  exclusive  of  surplus,  is, $1,800,000  00 

.Vnd  private  and  Savings'  BanKs,  and  Loan  Associations,  whose 

capital  and  deposits  iiiay  be  stated  at $2,425,000  00 

Making  a  total  of f  4,2B),000  00 

The  history  and  condition  of  some  of  the  more  prominent  of  these  institu- 
tions are  here  briefly  sketched  : 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  OK  TOLKDO. 

In  1851,  a  private  bank,  known  a?  Poag  &  Ketcham,  and  in  the  follow  inj; 
year,  under  the  name  of  V.  II.  Kelcham  &  Co.,  was  in  operation,  and  continu- 
ed until  1800,  when  the  style  of  the  firm  became  Ketcham.  Berdan  &  Co.  This 
latter  organizaticm,  in  18U3,  was  dissolved,  and  the  First  N  itional  Bink  of  To- 
ledo estalilished  upon  its  capital — being  one  of  the  earliest  National  B  inks  or- 
cr  vnized  in  Oliio.  Its  capital  now  amounts  to  $')00,030,  and  its  surplus  to 
:B100,01)0.  Its  president,  commencing  as  one  of  the  first  merchants,  is  a'nong 
the  oldest  now  in  banking  business  in  Toledo.  Since  the  organization  of  this 
bank,  very  few  changes  have  been  mule  in  its  management.  lis  oftlC3rs  now 
are,  V.  H.  Ketcham,  President;  M.  bearing,  Vice  Pre-iident;  8.  S.  Hubbard, 
Cashier;  Joseph  Spen'-er.  Teller ;  V.  H.  Kotcham,  M.  Neiring,  Geo.  Spencer, 
Charles  F.  Curtis,  T.  B.  Casey,  M.  B  )os  and  S.  S.  Hubbard,  Directors. 

T0L.ED3  NATIONAL  BANK. 

This  institution,  referred  to  by  Mr.  Mott  as  "  having  passed  into  the  hands 
of  strong  parties,"  is  now  under  the  management  of  Samuel  M.  Youncr,  Presi- 
dent; Paul  Jones,  Cashier;  H.  C.  Ilahn,  Teller,  and  S.  M.  Young,  Morrison 
11.  Waite,  P.  II.  Birckhoad,  Haricc  S.  Walbridgc,  Directors.  Its  capital 
amounts  to  $300,000. 

TUB   SECOND  NATIONAL   BANK  OF   TOLKDO 

Is  controlled  by  those  among  the  most  sulratan'ial  business  men  of  the  city. 
The  followinc  named  gentlemen  compose  its  ofHcers  and  Board  of  Directors : 
George  W.  Davis.  President;  Joseph  K.  Secor,  Vice  President,  Charles  F. 
Adams,  Cashier ;  Nelson  Todd,  Jr.,  Teller ;  G.  W.  Davis,  J.  K.  Becor,  D.  Cogh- 
lin,  J.  A.  Moore,  Robert  Cummmgs,  Matthew  Brown,  Warren  Colburn,  F.  J 
Kin^  and  P.  F.  Berdan,  Directors. 


632 


Toledo — Banhs  and  Bankers. 


NORTHERN  NATIONAL  HANK. 

The  following  representative  business  men  control  this  inbtitutution  :  E.  C. 
Bodman,  President;  O.  8.  Bond,  Vice  President;  F.  B.  Shoemnker,  Cashier; 
L.  C.  De  Wolf,  Teller ;  and  E.  C.  Bodmiin,  M.  Shoemaker,  P.  B.  Hhoemaker. 
O.  8.  Bond,  J.  H.  Whitaker  and^W.  V.  Way,  Directors. 

merchant's  NATIONAL   BANK. 

Authorized  capital,  !5l,000,000 ;  paid  up  capital,  $500,000.  This  institution, 
also,  is  in  the  hands  of  strong  financial  parlies,  consisting  of  W.  W.  Griffith, 
President;  N  M.  Howard,  Vice  President ;  Chas.  C.  Doohttle,  Cashier ;  Monroe 
C.  Warn,  Teller,  and  W.  W.  Griffith,  J.  H.  Whitaker,  John  Cummings.  J.  R, 
Baldy,  Wag'T  Swayne,  A.  P.  Miller,  C.  R.  Messinger,  N.  M.  Howard,  Fred'k. 
Eaton,  W.  W.  BoUos  and  B.  Meilink,  Directors. 


PRIVATE  BANKS. 

In  addition  to  the  five  National  Banks  above  mentioned,  Toledo  h?s  at  this 
time  four  Private  Banks,  doing  business  under  the  following  names : 

THE  CITY  BANK. 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  private  banks  in  Toledo — the  firm  being  composed 
of  Wm.  Kraus  and  Wm.  H.  Smith,  both  having  large  experience  in  banking 
and  of  the  highest  financial  credit. 

C.  H.  COY  &  CO. 

This  firm  is  composed  of  Cyrus  H.  Coy  and  Warren  Waite,  who  have  also 
been  engaged  in  banking  for  several  years,  and  command  the  confidence  in  n 
high  degree  of  their  patrons. 

THE  BANK  FOR  THE  PEOPLE. 

H.  S.  Walbridge,  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  citizens  of  Toledo, 
is  the  proprietor  of  this  bank,  assisted  by  E.  H.  Van  Hocsen  as  Cashier.  The 
credit  of  the  bank  stands  very  high,  and  it  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
reliable  moneyed  institutions  in  the  city. 

KEELER,  nOLCOMB  Ss  CO. 

This  firm  is  composed  of  Salmon  N.  Keeler,  Horace  Holcomh,  and  Elijah  N 
Norton,  They  bring  to  their  business  experience,  combined  with  ample  capi- 
tal, and  the  credit  of  the  bank  ranks  with  the  first. 


SAVINGS  INSTITUTIONS. 

The  Toledo  Savings  Institution  is  the  oldest  incorporated  savings  bank 
in  Toledo.  It  was  incorporated  in  May,  1868,  by  Hon.  Richard  Mott,  Hon. 
James  C.  Hall,  Joseph  K.  Secor,  Frank  J.  Scott,  Israel  Hall,  James  M.  Corn- 
stock,  Ignatius  Wernert,  Bernard  Meilink,  John  T.  Maher,  John  F.  Witker 
and  Albert  E.  Macomber.  Among  these  gentleme  i  the  public  will  recognize 
some  of  the  oldest  and  most  substantial  business  men  of  Toledo.  The  charter 
was  obtained  because  "it  was  believed  that  such  an  institution  would  add 
largely  to  the  capital  of  the  city,  and  would  be  a  powerful  incentive  to  habits 
of  indu-itry  and  economy  among  our  large  laboring  population."  The 
object  was  "  to  encourage  the  industrious  and  prudent,  and  to  in- 
duce those  who  have  not  hitherto  been  such,  to  lessen  their  unnecessary 
expenses  and  to  save  and  lay  by  something  for  a  period  of  life  when  they  will 
be  less  able  to  earn  a  support."  The  present  Board  of  Trustees  are  Hon. 
Richard  Mott,  Hon.  Guiilo  Marx,  John  P.  Freeman,  Horace  S.  Walbridge, 
Edward  Malone,  David  R.  Locke  and  Albert  E.  Macomber.  The  officers  are, 
H  >n.  Richard  Mott,  President,  E-Jward  Malone,  Vice  President,  Albert  E. 
Macomber,  Treasurer,  and  Wm.  H.  Reed,  Cashier.  This  inslltuilon  has  a 
capital  of  |100,0O0.  and  its  deposits,  according  to  the  last  published  state- 
ment, were  upwards   of  |S0O,UOO.     It   is  managed  in  the  most  cautious 


1^' 


Tohilo — Labor  and  Loan  Aanociations. 


633 


itututioii :    E.  C. 

mnker.  Cashier ; 

B.  Shoemaker. 


This  institution, 
W.  W.  Griffith, 
Cashier ;  Monroe 
Dummings.  J.  R. 
Howard,  Freil'l<. 


oledo  h?s  at  thi« 
names : 

I  being  composed 
ence  in  bankin.ir 


Le,  who  have  also 
!  confidence  in  a 


tizens  of  Tolrdo, 
as  Cashier.  The 
one  of  the  most 


nb,  and  Elijah  >' 
with  ample  capi- 


ted  savings  bank 

chard  Mott,  Hon. 

James  M.  C«)m- 

John  F.  Witker 

lie  will  recognize 

edo.    The  charter 

ution  would  add 

icenlive  to  habits 

)opulation."    The 

nt,   and    to     in- 

their  unnecessarj' 

fe  when  they  will 

'rusfoes  are  Hon. 

ICO  8.  Walbridge, 

The  officers  are, 

isident,  Albert  E. 

institution  has  a 

published  state- 

je  most  cautious 


and  conservative  manner;  its  business  is  confined  c.xcluHlvely  to  the  receipt 
»nd  investment  of  savings  deposit.",  upon  which  it  pays  interest  at  the  rate  of 
six  per  cent,  per  annum,  compounded  semi-annuully.  No  conunercial  oi' 
;,^eneral  banking  business  is  transacted.  As  regards  its  general  rules  and 
routine  of  business,  it  coincides  with  the  oldest  and  most  reliable  institutions 
of  the  same  class  in  New  York  and  New  England.  All  depositors  are  re- 
quired to  subscribe  to  the  by-laws  ot  the  institution,  and  to  give  notice  of  the 
withdrawal  of  deposits,  in  case  of  financial  excitement.  The  Institution  dis- 
counts no  commercial  paper  and  accepts  no  personal  securities.  Its  deposits 
are  held  as  tni8t  fund'*,  and  carefully  invested  in  mortgages  upon  real  estate 
in  Toledo ;  bonds  of  the  city  of  Toledo,  and  United  Slates  Government  bon(1i=^. 
The  admirable  custom  of  making  an  annual  exliibit  of  its  afitiirs  for  the  benefit 
of  the  public  is  adopted.  In  making  loans  upon  real  estate  preference  is  given 
to  those  who  deposit  with  it,  and  who  desire  to  build  houses  or  purchase  free- 
hold property  or  remove  incumbrance  therefrom.  About  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars  has  for  several  years  been  loaned  and  re-loaned  upon  real 
estate  security,  and  by  this  means  some  hundreds  of  families  have  been  aided 
in  securing  homes,  'the  conservative  management  of  the  Institution,  together 
with  the  character  of  its  Trustees,  have  secured  for  it  the  fullest  confidence  of 
the  large  class  of  depositors  for  whose  benefit  it  was  established. 

THE  NORTH  WESTERN  SAVINGS  DEPOSITORY 

Was  incorporated  in  1839  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  Its  Directors  are, 
Horace  8.  Walbridge,  Hon.  M.*R.  Waite,  Hon.  Richard  Mott,  Heman  D. 
Walbridge,* David  Smith,  A.  E,  Macomber  and  ValentineBraun.  The  officers 
Hre,  Horace  S,  Walbridge,  President,  Hon.  M.  R.  Waite,  Vice  President,  and 
E,  H.  Van  Hoj-sen,  Treasurer.  It  receives  deposits  from  mechanics,  clerks, 
laborers,  servants  and  others,  and  pays  therefor  interest  at  the  rate  of  six  per 
cent,  per  annum,  compounded  semi-annually.  Its  business  is  managed  with 
great  care,  and  C"'mmHnd8  the  fullest  confidence  of  the  public.  Its  Directors 
are  among  the  most  solid  business  men  of  the  city. 

THE  merchant's  AND  CLERK'S  SAVINGS   INSTITUTION. 

Capital,  $150,000;  President,  Matthew  Shoemaker;  Vice  President,  Chns. 
L.  Luce;  Treasurer,  Oliver  8.  Bond;  Directors,  Matthew  Shoemaker,  ('has. 
I/.  Luce,  Oliver  S.  Bond,  N.  M.  Hownrd,  James  Secor,  Fred'k  Eaton,  E.  H. 
Wright,  L.  31.  Skidmore  and  John  H.  Whitaker.  Tnis  institution  has  recently 
fitted  up  and  removed  into  an  elegant  banking  room  in  the  building  of  O.  S. 
Bond,  78  Summit  street.  Though  youngest  of  its  class,  it  is  under  control  of 
some  of  the  most  substantial  business  men  of  Toledo. 


BUILDING  LOAN  ASSOCIATIONS. 

THE  GERMAN  LABORER'S  SWINOS  AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATION 

Was  organized  in  18  9.  The  present  officers  am,  Fred.  Gr.idolph,  President, 
}i\.  Boos,  Vice  President,  and  John  P.  Scliuck,  Secretary  and  Treasurer;  and 
Jacob  Landman,  M.  Boos,  William  Kiau<,  John  A.  Spiyer,  F.  Gradolph, 
Charles  Villliauer,  Ignatius  Wernert,  Andrew  Spross  and  George  Stetti-r, 
Director*.  These  gentlemen  are  prominent  in  business  circles  and  possess  the 
confidence  of  their  German  fellow  citiz;n'».  This  is  a  co-operative  associa- 
tion for  the  benefit  of  its  members.  It  also  receives  deposits,  upon  which 
io'erest  is  psiid. 

The  following  Building  Loan  Associations  were  also  organized  for  the  mutual 
l)en<  fit  of  all  the  members.  All  payments  upon  shares  are  loaned  to  members 
for  building  purposes.    No  deposits  are  received. 

The  Toledo  Savings  and  Building  Loan  Association  ;  Edwin  Morgm,  Presi- 
dent. 

Tiie  Mechanic's  Savings  and  Building  Loan  Association ;  Wm.  C.  Earl, 
President. 


m 


634 


Toledo — Insurance  Companies. 


The  Muluiil  Savings  and  Building  Loan  Association ;  D. 
dent. 

Tlio  P\irnier'8  and  Mcolianic's  Savings  and  Building  Loan 
MoMalinn,  Si-crttiry  and  Treasmrr. 

Tlic  Liibonr's  8;ivings  and  Building  Loan  Association  ;  \Vm. 
dent;  O.  S  Bond,  St'ciotary  and  Trcasnivr. 

The  liquitablu  Savings  iind  Building  Loan  Association  ;  A. 
dent. 

The  Provident  Savings  and  Building  Loan  Association. 

Inilustrial  Savings  and  Building  Loan  As-socialiou ;  Alex.  Reed,  Pivsideiit, 
O.  S.  Bond,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 


A.  Pease,  Presi- 

Associafon ;  A 

,  W.  Jones,  Presi 

Saxauer,  Preai- 


IXSUUANCE  COMPANIES. 

Life,  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance. — The  amount  paid  annually  on  premiutrifi 
through  Lilo  Insurance  CompanicH  represented  in  Toh  do  nmouiat  to  $155,0(H). 

The  Guardian  Mutual  of  New  York  is  the  only  foreign  Company  having  a 
niumbt.r  of  she  Board  of  Dirtcloi's  a  resident  of  Tolcd<»;— and  this  fad  gives  it 
the  charat'tcr  ol  a  home  Company,  as  western  interests  are  managed,  to  ii  large 
extent,  by  this  Directory.  The  Bomd  is  composed  of  gentlemen  wlio,  on  tlio 
score  of  litnmcial  ability  and  character,  possess  a  nati(mal  reoutation. 

The  Executive  ofHc'ers  consist  of  VVallon  H.  Peckham,  President;  Wm.  T. 
Hooker,  Vice  President;  Lucius  IM-Vdam.  Secretivry  and  Actuary;  Henry  C. 
Clench,  Asnstant  Secretary,  and  \V.  E.  Vermilye,  Medical  Examiner.  The 
Branch  Olfli-e  in  Toledo  is  in  charge  of  Chas.  P.  Griflin,  Esq.,  manager  for  the 
area  embracing  Western  and  Central  Ohio,  Southern  Michisran  and  Northfrii 
Indiana,  wlih^B.  F.  Griflin.  General  Travelling  Agent ;  D.  A.  Curtis,  Cashier, 
and  Dr  Geo.  W,  Bowen,  Medical  Eximiner. 

The  Toledo  Branch  oftice  is  in  Nos.  30  and  31,  Chamber  of  Commerce  build- 
ing, eml)iaoiug  one  of  the  tinest  suite  of  romns  in  that  splendid  block.  This 
branch  has  been  under  its  present  management  about  four  years,  and  the  grns? 
receipts  of  the  business  within  the  territorial  limit  above  named,  amounted  for 
the  year  ending  July,  1812,  to  over  !J10U,00().  This  Company  is  purely  mutual- 
does  its  business  on  the  all  cash  plan — makes  dividends  at  the  end  of  one  year, 
which  dividends  may  be  used  to  reduce  second  payment,  or  to  increase  policy. 
All  its  policies  are  nonfoileiting  alter  two  payments,  except  the  Tontine  Sav- 
ings Policies,  wliich  are  a  specially.  The  assets  of  the  Company  are  now  ovor 
$J,'  00,iiOO.    The  home  companies  are : 

Home  Insurance  Company;  George  W.  Davis,  President. 

Mutual  Insurance  Company  of  Toledo;  C.  A.  King,  l*resident. 

Germmia  Insurance  Company  of  Toledo;  John  F.  Witker,  President. 

Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Toledo;  V.  II.  K  Mcliam,  President. 

Toledo  Mutual  Lite  Insurance  Compuny;  S.  H.  Bergen,  President. 

Toledo  Branch,  Missouri  Valley  Life-insurance  Company;  "Wm.  Baker, 
President. 


MANUFACTURES  AND  OTHER  INDUSTRIES. 

The  first  of  tbc.se  are  destined  to  becnnio  one  of  the  chief  sources  of  the  wealth 
of  Toledo.  Several  railway  lines,  which  will  soon  be  opened,  will  secure  the 
deliviry  of  coal  at  as  cheap  rates  as  are  furnished  manufacturers  at  any  of  the 
lake  port  or  interior  cities;  and  no  city  on  the  chain  of  lakes  will 
have  better  facilities  for  transportation,  to  any  part  of  the  world,  of  manufac- 
tured goods. 

The  Lake  Shore  nnd  Michigan  Southern  railway,  after  their  contemplated 
improvements  are  made,  will  give  emploj'ment  to  from  1,U00  to  1,500  men ;  and 
a  wagon  shop  soon  to  be  ervcted,  will  employ  from  (iOO  to  1,000. 


"T^ 


*. 


D.  A.  Pouse,  Presi- 
in  Associtit'on ;  A 
'^111.  W.  Joues,  Prtsi 
V.  SaxuiKjr,  Preai- 

'X.  Rl'oiK  Pivsideiii, 


inimllyon  j)rc-miumf 
nmoiint  1o  ^155,00U. 

Company  liuving  a 
ind  lliis  fuel  gives  it 

managed,  to  a  large 
itlenien  wlio,  on  tlie 
con  I  111  ion. 

PiX'sidunl ;  Wni.  T. 
ActUiiry ;  Henry  C. 
r;iil  Examiner.  Tbc 
Isq.,  niiinflgor  for  the 
liisran  and  Northf^rii 
I.  A.  Curtis,  Casliier, 

of  Commerce  build- 
ilendid  block.  This 
r  years,  and  the  gross 
)amed,  amounted  for 
ly  is  purely  mutual— 
,  the  end  of  one  year, 
or  to  increase  policy, 
['pt  the  Tontine  Sav- 
)mpany  are  now  ovrr 

■nt. 

ssident. 

^er,  President. 

K  .'tcham.  President. 

,  President. 

ipauy;    Wm.  Baker, 


ITRIES. 

sources  of  the  wealth 
ened,  will  secure  the 
cturers  at  any  of  thp 
:hain  of  lakes  will 
)  world,  of  manufac- 

their  contemplated 
00  to  1,500  men  ;  and 
1,000. 


Toledo — Manufactures  and  other  Industries.     635 


Some  of  the  prominent  estnblisliments,  enu'agcd  in  these  important  interests, 
;ire  mentioned  below : 

ArtixU. — Eight  photograph  gallcrie.-j — the  principal  of  which  is  ninniiged  by 
Nor'h  ic  Oswald,  (Jliamiier  ot  COinniene  Ituildiiig.  Tiiis  lirm,  and  Mr.  ShoxJl', 
i)t  Fort  Wayne,  produced  tlie  best  photouTaphs.  from  wliich  the  lllhograiihs 
ilial  embellish  this  work,  were  t.ikcn.  VV.  II.  Maclien,  Gradolph  Block,  has 
produced  works  of  art  that  have  (  hallcnged  the  admiration  of  competent  critics 
ill  home  and  altroad.  The  Tt»l<'do  Coinmncial,  in  June,  iHTii,  had  the  following 
iiotioe  of  Mr.  Machen's  work  : 

]\Ir.  W.  II.  Machen,  a  well  known  artist  of  this  city,  has  just  completed  for 
I).  W.  II.  Howard,  Esq.,  of  Fulton  County,  two  very  tine  companion  painiinijs, 
which  will  l)e  more  readily  understood  from  a  brief  historical  statement. 

In  18 W  Mr.  Edward  Howard,  with  bis  family  (including  Mr.  D.  W.  H.  IIow- 
:ird,)  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  at  the  bead  ol  the  rapids  and  on  the  south  bank 
of  the  Maumee  River,  near  to  the  site  of  the  present  village  ot  (;lrand  Rapids, 
(late  Gilead)  at  which  time  tiie  country  was  almost  entirely  new.  One  ol  the 
paintings  represents  the  log-house  and  surroundings  of  the'pioneer  family,  willi 
iliu  rapids  in  fnmt  and  an  almost  unbroken  lorest  on  each  side  and  iu  rear, 
Tlirce  islands  app»;ar  in  the  river,  of  which  one  has  since  been  washed  away  by 
the  water.  On  the  bank  opposite  to  the  cabin  appear  several  Indian  wigwam.s, 
with  two  or  tiiree  ludi  ins  about — the  hour  being  too  early  for  many  of  those 
late-risers  to  be  out.  Furlher  up  thi-  stream  and  at  the  water's  edge  stand  sev- 
Mi\\  deer,  held  at  bay  by  the  appearance  of  the  elder  Howard  and  I'amily  on 
tlio  opposite  shore  ;  while  still  furlher  up,  appear  two  wolves,  having  evident 
designs  on  the  deer,  who  subsv(|uently  take  fright  at  their  known  enemy  and 
cross  the  stream  above  the  log-house.  IN' ear  the  cabin  was  a  piece  ot  clear 
^'round,  which  subsequently  was  washed  away  by  the  water.  It  is  a  truli' 
primitive  scene,  and  one  well  calculated  to  enlist  ihc  love  and  attachment  of 
one  whose  childhood  is  associated  with  it. 

The  second  painting  presents  the  hame  localilj'  as  seen  at  this  time,  with  all 
the  changes  which  half  a  century  has  wrought.  The  dense  forests  have  melted 
luvay  ;  Iiulians,  deer  and  wolves  have  disappeared  ;  the  log  cabin  has  been  sup- 
planl^ed  by  a  sione  dwelling;  improvement  is  seen  on  every  hand,  including  a 
dam  acro-s  the  river,  a  canal  on  the  north  side,  cultivated  lands  on  botii  sides, 
and  the  towns  of  Grand  Rapids  and  Providence  in  the  distance.  The  contrast 
isgrijat,  but  can  best  be  appreciated  by  one  who,  like  Mr.  Howard,  the  present 
owner  of  the  original  'clearing,'  has  Irom  the  tir.st  been  identitied  in  life  and 
interest  with  it. 

It  was  eminently  fitting  that  local  paintings  like  these  should  be  executed  by 
II  home  artist,  and  we  are  glad  that  one  so  fully  qualitied  for  the  work  was 
;i.l  hand,  in  which  view  all  who  examine  the<e  works  wi  1  lully  agree.  The 
chiet  diliiculty  in  the  case  grew  out  of  the  first  view  for  which  Mr.  Machen  was 
dependent  upon  the  verbal  desciiption  furnished  by  Mr.  Howard's  recolleciion  ; 
but  the  picture  shows  all  the  naturalness  of  a  copy  from  nature.  Both  are  ex- 
cellent in  design  and  admirable  in  execution. 

Bi-sides  tlieso.  Mr.  Machen  has  painted  two  scones  on  Mr.  Howard's  homc- 
slead  farm  in  Fulton  county,  eight  miles  from  Wauseon,  which  are  very  at- 
tractive in  view  and  most  successfully  painted. 

We  much  admire  Mr,  Howard's  taste  and  judgment  iu  thus  directing  his  at- 
tentioi:  to  the  collection  of  pictures  of  home  Id'o,  instead  ot  gathering  views 
iVom  foreign  and  unknoivn  localiiifs,  chittiy  valued  because  they  arc  far- 
li;t(hed  and  strange.  We  cherish  likenesses  of  friends  and  acquaintances  more 
th;in  those  of  strangers,  on  account  of  our  pei-sonal  relations  to  and  knowledge 
of  them.  Why  should  not  the  same  principle  apply  to  localities  ?  Few  people 
buy  photograi)hs  of  strangers,  merely  because  they  aie  handsome  or  odd;  no 
niiire  should  they  seek  unknown  landscapes  having  no  stronger  bold  on  their 
interest  and  afteclion,  especially  while  so  many  home  scenes,  constituting  parts 
of  our  very  selves,  are  at  band. 


:gL 


636     Toledo — Manufactures  and  other  Industries. 


O.  J.  ITopkiiiH,  the  (Icsigner  of  tlio  frontispiece  for  IIiIh  volume,  is  nii  artist  of 
nire  merit  ami  clevcniiss.  His  produetions  iire  published  in  (he  illustratpd 
papers  of  the  Atlantic  and  other  eilies,  and  his  reputation  as  a  carricaturist  h!i» 
a  vigorous  growlli. 

Aruixtrofig  ITenter  ManvJueUiriiig  Co>iipan>/. — This  eHtiibllslmicnt  was  in- 
corpiiraied  in  Jannfiiyof  the  present  year,  r.nd  has  erected  a  building  <'ront. 
ing  'S'\  on  Summit,  l^JJJ  n  fjocust,  and  an  L  of  50  teet.  occupied  as  a  foundry. 
The  Company  already,  within  the  first  six  months  of  it-'  exidleuce,  atford  tni- 
ployment  to  a  force  of  50  men. 

Ales. — Finlay  &  Klemm  manul'acture  a  quality  of  ale  thai  has  ncldeved  » 
market  in  the  principal  cities  in  Ohio  and  the  West— their  goods  being  shipped 
nciarly  to  the  eustern  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  They  produced  in  1872, 
15,000  bbls;  and  the  enlargement  of  their  facilities  now  in  progress,  will  pro- 
bably enable  them  to  double  this  amount  during  the  current  year.  They  em- 
ploy an  average  of  30  hands. 

Bathing  liooms. — Three  public  bathing  rooms,  principal  of  which  is  170 
Summit  street,  Taylor  &  Freer,  proprietors,  having  fourteen  elegantly  lUted 
ror)ras.  Attached  to  this  establishment  is  the  most  extensive  laundry  in 
Ohio. 

Beer. — The  value  of  Inger  beer  manufactured  at  live  esttblishments  iu  1871 
\\:\t  islimaled  at  $3U1,6J0,  and  the  probable  amount  for  the  current  year  is 
^108  800.    Employment  is  given  to  about  155  hands. 

Of  last  year's  business,  the  establishment  of  Grisser  &  Brand  made  sales 
ainouniing  to  $90,000.  Tue  firm,  during  the  first  year,  niMde  sales  scarcoiv 
reaching  $10,(>0>).  This  year  they  will  amount  fully  to  $150,000,  and  their 
esiablishment,  tn(mgh  the  yi  ungest,  furnis-hes  the  largest  local  supply. 

The  Toledo  Brewing  Company,  established  by  the  well  known  Peter  Lenk, 
was  re-organized  during  1871  under  the  following  management:  President, 
Peter  Lenk;  Vice  President  and  Superintendent,  Fred.  Lang;  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  Geo  Sietter;  Directors,  Peter  Lenk,  F.  Lang,  Geo.  Stelter,  J.  hn 
Oroenwold  and  Fred.  Grndi>l|.h.  This  is  a  powerful  organization,  andinvnlves 
the  consolidation  with  the  Eagle  Brewery,  owned  by  F.  Cang  &  Co.  It  will  here, 
alter,  by  retson  of  its  great  resources,  rank  as  one  of  the  most  extensive  brew, 
cries  in  Ohio.  The  quality  ol  this  Ijcer  is  said  to  compare  favor  ibly  with  thai 
manufactured  at  Chicago,  Cincinnati  or  Milwaukee.  Shipments  are  made  to 
New  York  City,  and  West  to  the  neighborhood  ot  Chicago. 

The  brewery  of  A.  Stephan  &  Co.,  also  occupies  a  prominent  position. 

B'l'iaM  Tahlts  — 0.  D.  Benjamin  employs  twelve  hands  in  the  manufactnre 
of  Bilh'Td  Tables,  and  sells  work  amounting  to  an  annual  value  of  $l'5O,000. 
He  also  deals  in  Bdliard  materials,  ten. pin  balls,  &c.,  and  has  an  improved  Bil- 
liard cushion  that  is  superseding  others  hitherto  in  use.  The  quality  of  his 
work  is  such  as  to  authorize  the  c  'ndusion  that  t'.ie  sceptre,  ^o  long  held  by 
Phelar^,  has  accompanied  tlie  star  of  empire  westward,  and  is  now  helil  by 
Benjamin  of  Toledo,  who  has  also  recently  established  a  house  at  Cleveland  for 
the  manufacture  of  his  tables  and  improved  cushions,  Tvventy  years  ago  there 
was  no  establishment  nuinufuctur'ng  billiardd  in  Cincinnati,  or  iu  any  city  in 
Ohio. 

Carvfr  and  Gildej'.— J ixmes  Breretou  &  Son,  243  Summit  street,  conduct  the 
only  house  in  this  line  of  goods,  and  manufactiuc  window  cornices,  mantle, 
square,  oval,  walnut,  gilt  and  rosewood  frames. 

Cigars.— The  books  of  the  United  States  Assessor  show  that  2,88!>,100  cigar? 
were  manufactured  last  year  by  twenty-nine  establishment?,  ot  which  2,72.-,229 
were  sr'ld  ;  and  that  to  prof'uce  (his  amount  65  hands  were  employed. 

The  principal  establNhraeiit,  as  exhibited  by  the  same  authority,  and  einploy- 
ing  the  largest  force  and  c  ipit  il,  is  that  of  Clark  Scripure  &  Co.,  since  becoma 
Dyer,  Scripture  &  Bdssett,  corner  of  Monroe  street  and  Market  Space,  who  employ 


lustries. 


lumc,  is  nil  artist  ot' 
I  in  the  illuHtrato(i 
'  11  carricntiirist  jtiii-. 


ibllslitiicnt  w»8  in- 
i  a  buililiii);  •'ront. 
ipied  us  a  tounciry. 
xidteuce,  utFord  tiii- 


liat  lias  nchiovoii  a 
joods  being  sbippod 
yf  produced  in  1872, 
progress,  will  pro- 
at  year.    They  em- 

id  of  which  is  170 
een  elegantly  filled 
:tcnsive  lauiulry  in 

iblishments  iu  1871 
the  current  year  is 

Brand  made  sales 
iTi'ule  sales  scarcelv 
$150,000,  and  their 

)cal  supply, 
inown  Peter  Lcnk, 
igenient :  President, 
ang ;  Secretary  and 
,  (ieo.  btelter,  J.  lin 
iziition,  and  in VI  lives 
g&Co.  It  will  here, 
lost  extensive  brew. 

favor  ibly  with  that 
pnicuts  are  made  to 
>. 
iiineut  position. 

5  in  the  manufacture 
1  value  of  $150,000. 
ias  an  improved  Bil- 
The  quiiliiy  of  hi!* 
Ire,  so  l(jug  held  by 
^nd  is  now  held  by 
[)use  at  Cleveland  for 
enty  years  ago  there 
iti,  or  iu  any  city  in 

t  street,  conduct  the 
)w  curuiccs,  uiantle, 

that  3,S8!),1CG  cigar? 
f?,  ot  whicli  2,73.-,229 
e  employed, 
ilhorlty,  and  etnploy- 
I  &  Co.,  since  becomt; 
Let  Space,  who  employ 


Toledo — Manufactures  and  other  Industries.      037 


twentv.uix  hands,  and  in  1870  mnnnfnrtured  830,200  cignrs,  or  nearly  onr-ihird 
tlic  whole  amount  produced  by  the  29  factories  Air.  yeripturo  cuniiiU'nci-d  n 
small  business  In  February,  l9C8,  in  L'-nk's  Block,  with  one  opeiailvc,  and 
maiiufacturinp  8,0DO  or  10,()00  per  nionih.  During  the  current  year,  at  the  rale 
of  the  June  and  July  returns,  the  present  flnn  will  approximate  a  uilllion  and 
a  quarter  Iwtore  tlic  close  ot  thp  vear.  Their  nrinclpal  brands  are  the  *'  Board 
of  Trade,"  •'Overland,"  "Guaniiaii,  *  and  "  Little  Minnie." 

f('n/rc'i"n''7iVa— VVImlesnle.— Four  eKtablishnients,  viz  :  F.  Gr.-idilph  &  Bro., 
Wuris  &  Co.,  Ciaig,  Fleming  &  Co.,  nnd  S.  K.  Fox,  manulacture  randies,  and 
produce  an  >  nnual  value  amount  iiig  to  $55,'  00. 

Doors  Sa8?i,  BHnds,  Mcul''ingi*,  do. — Fourteen  ostabliahinents  aro  engaged  in 
these  and  kindred  luuuulaetuie,  and  pmduce  an  annual  value  of  $830,<iOO. 

7^/o?<r.— Five  gristmills,  n-mdv:  The  To^do  (Fallis  &  Llmon,)  Armndn, 
fW.  H.  &  W.  B.  lieynolds,  Mich.,  and  H.  C  Hcynold-s  Toledo,)  Piilicd's, 
Browii'8  nnd  the  Alanhattan,  and  four  at  Maiimce  City,  and  one  at  I'errysbiirg 
—eleven  in  all— are  engnged  mostly  on  custom  work,  i.nd  cmp'oy  an  active  forcu 
of  117  hands,  nnd  huve  a  capacity  fur  turning  out  nearly  half  a  million  bbls. 
of  flour— equivalent  to  a  consumption  of  two  and  a  ha'lf  riiillious  bushels  of 
wheat. 

n  tels,  tfc<j— Toledo  contains  18  hotels  and  85  bonnliu?  houses,  nnd  three 
hotels  conducted  upon  the  European  plan:  Conway's,  i;Ol  Suninul  street; 
Van  Buren's,  Summit  stred,  and  Congress  Hull,  Ad:un3  street. 

Jce. — The  Elevator  Ice  Works,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  put  up  last  win- 
ter 2;J,000  tons.  This  establishment,  owned  by  Mr.  Thomas,  is  the  largest  we>t 
(f  Boston,  and  east  of  Chicago,  Tiiree  lesser  establishmenis,  it  is  estimated, 
secured  in  their  houses  during  last  winter  1.5,000  tons. 

I'on. — The  Novelty  Iron  Works,  corner  of  Water  and  Lagrange  streets,  es- 
tablished by  a  joint  stock  company  in  1854),  of  which  Messrs,  Russell  &  Tliayer, 
the  present  owners,  were  then  prominent  atockh(ddei's,  may  be  considered  the 
pioneer  enterprise  in  the  iron  manufacture  of  T«)ledo.  Duiing  the  flr>t  year 
the  works  produced  a  value  of  -t  33,700  and  employed  30  liiinds.  They  last  year 
made  sales  amounting  to  over  ^-SjOOO,  and  gave  em|)loym'-nt  to  an  average  of 
about  50  hands.  Tliese  works  handled  la><t  year  over  one  thousand  tons  of 
iron,  and,  notwithstanding  a  daniage  by  fire,  which  occurred  in  September, 
1872.  the  amount  will  be  considerably  increased  t!us  year. 

The  senior  member  of  this  firm.  Air.  Russell,  commenced  manuficturing  in 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,  in  1835.  In  1 8)5-56,  as  one  of  a  joint  stock  company,  he  was 
engaged  in  the  estaldishment  of  the  first  rolling  mill  for  the  manulacture  of 
railroad  iron  in  Cleveland.  The  multiplicaiion  of  these  works  has  since  be- 
oome  one  of  tlie  chief  sources  of  the  industrial  wealth  of  that  oily.  Since  1859, 
the  date  ot  his  residence  in  Toledo,  he  has  been  active  in  etforts  to  establish, 
on  solid  foundations,  this  important  eli'ment  of  the  iireuent  and  future  wealth 
of  Toledo.  As  the  Cleveland  Rolling  Mill  was,  to  a  lirge  extent,  the  nucleus  of 
the  now  powerful  iron  manufacturing  intenst  in  that  growing  ciiy,  so  the 
Novelty  Works  in  Toledo  may  be  regarded  as  the  origin  of  the  same  substan- 
tial source  of  wealth  in  the  city  in  which  they  are  established  ;  and  what  Peter 
llayden  has  accomplished  for  Columbus,  iMessrs.  Russell  &  Thayer  may  succeed 
iu  working  out  fi)r  Toledo. 

Lime,  Land  Plaster,  rf-c. — Newman  &■  Ford  produce  annually  of  these 
materials  a  value  umountiug  to  $91,r>00,  and  employ  40  hands. 

Lumber, — Statistics  place  Toledo  at  the  head  of  the  list  ot  hard  wood  lum- 
Ixr  markets  in  the  world.  In  iheyear  l'<72,  acc(;rding  to  the  report  ot  Mr. 
Wales,  then  was  received  by  railioad,  lake  and  canal  at  Toledo,  Jb9,0(J9,7l(J 
feet,  and  manufactured  at  Toledo  22,350,000  feet,  making  a  total  of  -ill, 319,- 
710  feet,  much  of  which  was  hard  wood  timber  and  lumber,  and  principally  ex- 
ported to  Europe.    Reiering  to  the  Board  of  Trade  report,  it  also  appears  that  A. 


,"■'1  ''11 


C38      loledo — Jdaiuifacfurcs  and  other  Industries, 


Andrews.  Jr.,  A;  Co..  control  to  a  lnr(rord'groctlin»  nny  othf  r  onp  (Inn  tbls  Im- 
portant interest.  Tho  biislneL^s  success  ol  liiis  peniluninn  has  been  so  note- 
worthy  ns  (o  dcyprve  brlol"  mention.  Henchinft  'I  olcdo  seven  years  upo,  youDR 
luid  lilcncUcsa.  with  lean  tlinn  one  imndred  doilurs  in  casb,  Ids  sn'^aclons  mind 
I'ully  grasprd  tlio  advanta'.;e3  and  importance  of  tliis  irndo.  and  tlic  roault  is 
in  tbo  atjovo  stiUement,  and  will  stand  as  an  illustration  oi  the  powtr 
of  integrity  and  sagacity  in  aclilevin;.^  business  sllcccs^. 

Opera  //o'/m.— Amoni;  tlio  valuablo  public  bulldinp  eipclcd  h\  TdU-il  i 
wiiUiii  tlie  last  two  yearn,  none,  perbiips,  was  more  imperatively  deinnndcd  \<) 
tlic  pulilic  tafltc  and  more  biijbly  apiirceiuted  l)y  tiie  ciiizi-ns,  tlian  tbo  OpciM 
House  constructed  Ity  llie  hi  ira  of  the  late  Mr.  L.  Wiieeler,  prominent  Miiinii;,' 
llicni,  and  elllcient  in  tlio  prHseculion  of  tliu  work,  beinir  Mr.  Loiiii  Wacliuii- 
lieimer.  It  is  au  iinpos  n;j;  stone  atructure.  situa'ed  on  iliu  corner  of  Mournu 
and  St.  Clair  streets.  Tlie  lirst  llnor  is  dividid  into  u  bankiii^if  nflleo  inid 
stores,  all  of  which  arc  Inrge  and  conveniently  arranged,  adapted  lor  ciiiier  tiiu 
retail  or  jobbing  trade.  All  the  space  altove'ilie  first  lloor  i8  oceiipied  for  llio 
opera  house.  The  entire  l)uihliiijf  wcs  constructed  almost  widiout  re;rard  to 
cost,  and  the  theatre,  therefore,  Vj,  one  of  the  ino.si  perl'e(;t,  as  well  as  one  ol  the 
most  beautiful  in  the  country.  Caiefiil  attention  whs  f;ivi;n  to  all  the  details 
of  the  block,  and  it  is  one  ol  the  must  impi.rtjml,  as  well  as  the  must  exponsivf 
building  improvements  in  Toledo. 

Mouldings. — Osborn.  Chaso  &  Bwayne  iire  propricior.-?  of  an  e^lablisluneiv 
manulaetiiring  black  walnut  luouldinifs  tiiat  give  employment  to  about  Kill 
hands,  and  turn  out  a  yearly  value  reaching  !jil30,000. 

Oil. — Tho  establishment  of  Barney  &  Taylor,  just  ei-eeled.  prodoces,  dr.ily, 
1,4(J0  g  lions  of  linseed  oil,  and  ;jO,00()  lb*,  of  oil  cake,  li  is  probably  the  larjjisi 
establishment  west  of  Pittsburg. 

Puwx>i*.—  The  Toledo  Puntp  Company  employ  an  average!  ol  2."i  Imm'.s  during 
the  year,  and  the  value  of  sales  amount  to  !*yj,()Ot>. 

Rent  Estate  Agencies. — With  the  rapid  advance  of  Toledo  in  population  and 
wealth,  the  real  estate  agencies  have  assumed  importance.  Twenty-two  olllccs 
w(!ro  devoted  to  the  business  during  the  year  1812  ;  and  all  these  ale  controlled 
by  men  of  higli  character  and  influence.  One  wliose  operations  have  been  at- 
tended with  success  so  marlied,  and  whose  field  has  been  almost  co-extensive 
with  tli(!  country,  is  that  of  Henry  J.  liatTcnsperger,  Escj.  An  evidence  of  hi? 
jippreciation  abroad  as  well  as  at  home,  is  furnished  in  the  Chicago  LanO 
Owner  for  June,  18T1 — a  publication  whicli  is  accepted  authority  with  regaid 
to  real  estate  matters  tliroughout  the  country.  L'ndi  r  the  bead  oi'  "  (Jur  Lead- 
ing Men  " — Henry  J.  Raffensperger,  Esq  ,"— Mr.  Wing,  the  editor,  makes  thi.- 
statement : 

"  Once  in  a  decade  the  financial  world  is  astmiishcd  by  the  flashing  athwart 
their  horizim  of  a  rocket  of  brilliant  capabilities,  who  carries  Wall  street  by 
storm,  runs  the  stocks  up  and  down  at  his  august  jileasure,  and  acciimulatis 
millions,  while  other  men  are  at  work  zealously  for  llie  thousands.  His  wcrd 
or  look  IS  the  decree  ol  fate  in  the  gold  room  or  on  the  Bourse.  He  becomes  ii 
king  in  his  sphere,  and  dictates  terms  right  and  lell.  ills  great  success  is  won- 
dered at,  scoffed  at  perhaps,  j'ct  admiretl  even  by  his  enemies. 

"Between  such  men  and  Henry  J.  lia  ffensperger,  Esq.,  the  subjecit  of  thi.«. 
sketch,  and  the  accompaning  portrait,  th'ie  may  lie  drawn  a  parallel.  Th'' 
real  estate  world  has  lately  been  convulseil  l»y  his  brilliant  opernthms,  and  the 
success  which  has  attended  his  schemes. 

"In  1801,  Mr.  Rairenspcrger  went  to  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business  in  that  rnpidlv  growing  city.  He  went  to  workwith  on  energy 
and  perseverance  that  coulci  riot  fail  at  length  oi  meeting  their  reward.  For 
eighteen  months  he  worked  silently',  learning  the  value  of  properly  in  different 
parts  ot  the  city,  stirdying  the  direction  in  wliich  the  city  would  naturally  grow, 


Toledo — Mannfactni'CH  iind  othet'  Industries.     G39 


<i|  2.">  iiiiiu's  timing 


nnd  where  investments  would  he  most  profifable,  nnd  in  rurions  ways  Inying 
broad  auil  deep  the  loundalion  of  u  1  irjte  bustneim.  From  the  very  tlr.st  day 
ilmt  he  was  Itnown  as  a  rial  estate  brol<er,  he  wiis  popular  in  thiU  rnpacily. 
Iliii  iudoiniiable  perseverciice  and  strict  attention  to  bui^intb!),  made  those  who 
wished  either  to  buy  or  sell,  Icol  perlucl  confldtuce  in  hi«  nmniiL'i'monl  of  their 
nfl'iiirs,  and  tliey  never  had  reason  to  regret  ihut  onntldenco.  Ills  prnial  man- 
neri  made  hira  hosts  of  tHeniln,  unci  his  sterling  integrity  in  every  btisincbs  trans- 
action retained  them. 

"  From  a  small  boginninir,  Mr.  UilFcnspc  ririT  conntiuitly  increased,  but  he  felt 
ambitious  to  do  someihin;,'  on  u  largtu'  scale  ihiui  anytliinu;  he  lind  yet  (nj^agcd 
in.  Accordinjfly,  in  the  full  of  1H7U,  he  announced  a  grand  auction  sale  of  the 
lots  in  'r.  F.  Brown's  suldivibion,  of  Toledo.  Tliis  property  was  located  nt 
^jome  di-stancc  fiom  the  cily.  It  was  laid  out  in  lots,  and  a  horse  milroad  built 
to  the  place,  ami  put  in  operation.  Hhe  property  was  then  adveitised  exteu- 
•iiveiv,  in  every  legitimate  way.  When  the  dny  came  it  proved  tliat  Mr.  Haf- 
f.nspcrjjer  had  not  miscahuhited,  or  anticipated  too  much.  The  $2,000  in- 
vested in  advertising  had  been  well  expended — the  aide  w:is  a  success  biyond 
nil  preceilent.  From  far  and  near  buyers  llocUcd  to  the  spot,  llie  enihiisinsm 
was  unbound'.d,  and  lots  to  the  number  of  lour  hundrtd  and  sixty  live  were 
Kold.  ♦ 

"The  success  attending  this  sale,  led  to  other  great  auctions  of  city  lots  a  few 
weeks  alter,  and  in  distant  cities,  aud  attcndi'd  with  the  same  resld;s.  Over 
linli  a  million  ot  dolhnv  worth  of  property  was  sold  during  a  two  days'  *ale  in 
'lolt^do.  Tlie  skill  disphiyed  iu  managing  iliesu  Isirge  and  important  sale-  won 
the  encomiums  of  the  press  in  all  quarters. 

"  Toledo  is  certainly  very  much  indebted  to  him  for  what  he  has  done  in 
iu£r  her  advantages  known  to  outsiders,  and  in  intluencing  numy  p'rsoiis  tj 
make  their  home  there.      W  c  are  pleased  to  l;e  able  to  add  tliat  the  picu 
results  to  lilrn-sclf,  of  his  lidmrs,  have  been  satisfactory,  and  that  he  has  acquuod 
u  handsome  amount  of  properly  during  the  lew  years  of  his  rcbidtnce  in 
Toledo." 

Mr.  HafTensperger's  later  achievements  were  made  at  Columbrs,  Ohio,  Vticii, 
N.  Y.,  Olathe,  Kansas, — and  tor  llie  year  l^il:i,  if  morally  possiblo  to  meet  the 
demands 
Denver. 


upon   him,   his  operations  will   extend   tr<un   A'ew   York    city  to 


Saws. — Two  establishments  miinufacture.  employing  !i  force  of  twenty-live 
luiflus,  and  turning  out  a  yearly  value  of  !li!4l),O0iJ. 

Soap  and  Candle  Worka. — Two  establishments  are  engaged  in  the  mmufac- 
tuie  of  soap  and  caudles,  and  employ  ten  hands.  Annual  value  of  sales. 
iii;',8,r)00. 

The  establishinent  of  John  lIofTman,  eomiuPHcing  on  a  small  scale  in  1840. 
now  employs  »\x  liands,  and  produces  an  annual  value  ot  !>!"J8,1.')0.  His  factory 
and  office  are  now  located  on  the  corner  of  Fifteenth  and  Lucas  streets.  The 
ciipacity  of  this  house  is  equal  to  the  production  of  A."it),(!0O  jier  anniun. 
Tlie  establishment,  since  its  removal  fnmi  its  old  ([Uartera  liu  Monroe  stri.'et,  to 
its  present  location,  has  added  largely  to  its  business  facilities. 

Steam  Engines,  Iron  and  Brasft  Castings.—ln  these  lines  of  manufacture, 
there  are  lour  establishments,  which  employ  an  aggregate  lorco  of  800  hands, 
;uid,  in  manufacture  and  repairs,  turn  out  annually  a  value  of  !S'120,000. 

Tobacco. — During  the  year  Uj70  tour  establisiiments  reported  that  they  had 
manufactured  of  chewing  tobacco,  l,0'i6,721  Il)s.,  and  of  smoking,  1,070,80:5 
lbs.,  making  a  total  of  8,00(5,537  lbs.  The  increase  since  that  year  has  been  very 
larL'e. 

Within  the  last  twenty  years,  Toledo  fine  cut  tobacco  has  occupied  a  high 
place  in  the  markets  of  the  country,  and  it  yet  maintains  that  rank. 

To  no  one  is  the  city  as  much  imiebted  lor  the  establishment  of  the  reputa- 
tion its  fine  cut  tobacco  has  attained,  as  to  Mr.  C.  Bronson,  the  pioneer  iu  the 


!:■; 


I'  ! 


640       Toledo — Manufactures  and  other  Industries. 


business,  who  comnipnced  his  manufacture  about  1851.  His  capital  originally 
amounted  to  only  a  few  thousand  dollars;  but  by  starting  out  with  the  pur- 
chase of  the  best  stock  in  market,  and  tlie  employment  of  tiie  best  skill  iu  its 
manufacture,  his  trade  within  a  few  years  increased  to  an  immense  amount, 
and  he  retired  from  the  business  January  1, 186i!,  and  Charles  K.  Messin^er  is 
now  hi'i  successor,  producing  the  same  brands  that  secured  the  popularity 
for  the  Brotison  tobacco.  Mr.  Messinger's  tobacco  now  flnds  a  ready  market 
in  all  the  principal  ciiits  in  the  country.  Within  the  last  year  his  increasing 
))usines3  has  required  tiie  erection  of  a  new  and  splendid  block,  consisting  of 
live  floors,  corner  of  Bummit  and  Linn,  and  exiending  from  the  former  to 
Water  stnet. 

The  Toledo  Tobacco  Works  of  Wltkcr,  Halsted  &  Co.,  established  .Tanuan*, 
18GtJ,  have  contributed  much  in  adding  to  the  success  of  Toled.»  brand-',  and  in 
superseding  manufacturers  of  other  cities  in  markets  where  the  best  quality  of 
Hue  cut  chewing  tobacco  is  iu  special  demand.  As  between  chewing  and 
smoking  tobacco,  they  produce  a  larger  ptr  cent,  of  the  former  than  any  house 
in  the  trade.  Their  goods  tind  their  way  to  the  principal  cities  in  the* Union, 
and  HU  e-timate  of  the  increase  of  their  bu-iuess  may  be  formed,  when  it  is 
Slated  that  notwithstanding  the  iaterrupti<ni  caused  by  the  destructive  llie  of 
last  year,  their  sales  will  be  double  that  of  the  year  prtfcerting.  During  the 
first  year  ol  the  organization  of  the  firm,  they  employed  25  hands,  and  now 
give  employment  to  an  average  force  of  7.5.  Since  the  flre  mentioned  they 
have  temporarily  occupied  buildings  on  8t,  Ciair  street,  near  Swan  Creek 
bridge,  but  wih  soon  erect  a  large  brick,  as  near  fire  proof  as  post-ible,  on 
Ottawa  street,  opposite  the  Dayton  and  Michigan  freight  depot. 

Wtttfs.— The  last  twenty-five  years  have  demonstratated  that  the  islands  at 
the  head  of  Lake  Erie  are  botier  adapted  to  the  production  of  grapes  for 
wines,  than  the  countries  adjoining  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
rivers.  The  ii>te  Nicholas  Longworth,  of  Cincinnati,  w^as  the  first  to  in- 
rroduce  the  culture  of  the  Catawba  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  to  manufacture 
brands  of  still  and  sparkling  Avincs  that  achieved  a  high  reputation  throughout 
the  country.  Of  late  years,  however,  it  has  been  acceriained  that  the  wines 
produced  on  the  islands  at  the  head  of  Lake  Eiie,  in  Ohio,  are  much 
superior  to  those  from  the  vineyards  iu  the  neighborhood  of  Cincinnati,  from 
which  Mr.  Longwoith  derived  his  supplies,  tor  the  manufacture  of  his  once 
celebrated  brands.  One  establishment,  (iiCnk  &  Co's.,)  near  Toledo,  has  entirelj 
overshadowed  the  pioneer  work  of  Mr.  Longwortli— producing,  the  last  year, 
200,000  gallons  from  grapes  grown  on  the  islands.  Tuis  firm  of  Lenk  &  Co., 
have  hitherto  only  produced  still  wines,  but  arrangements  have  been  perfected 
by  which,  in  future,  they  will  manufacture  both  still  and  sparkling,  at  their 
establishment  near  Treniainville,  adjoining  the  city  limits  of  Toledo.  Several 
of  their  casks  are  the  largest  in  the  United  Slates— holding  8,300  gallons,  and 
each  valued  at  .^1,000.  It  has  also  been  demonstrated  thai  the  Catawba  grape 
has  never  attained  any  degree  of  perfection  except  on  the  islands  named — a 
fact  that  requires  no  more  conclusive  evidence  for  its  establishment  than  the 
simple  statement  that  the  great  houses  of  Bogen  &  Son  and  M.  Work 
&  Sons,  Cincinnati,  and  the  American  Wine  Co.,  St.  Louis,  purchase  the 
grap'js,  from  wh  ch  their  best  brands  are  made,  from  the  island  vineyards.  Al 
the  Cincinnati  Exposition  of  lb73,  E.  T.  Mortimer,  jjroprietor  of  the  Bayview 
vineyard,  Pui-in-Bay,  received  the  first  prizes  of  two  silver  medals  for  the  best 
brands  ol  wines  manufactured  from  Catawba  and  Delaware  grapes. 


Added  to  those  enumerated,  there  are  two  manufacturers  ol  awnings ;  fifteen 
bakers  ;  two  of  baking  powders;  three  of  barrels,  staves  and  headings  ;  six  ot 
bent  works;  three  of  bird  cages;  one  of  bitters;  one  of  blaeking;  twenty- 
eight  blacksmith  shops ;  six  blank  book  manufacturers  and  three  book 
binders;  four  boat  builders;  three  boiler  makers;  six  box  manufacturers;  six 
brick  yards;  two  bridge  builders;  nine  builders  and  contractors;  four  cabinet 


dusii'ies. 


Toledo— Mercantile  Business. 


641 


b  capital  originally 
out  witii  the  pur- 
the  best  skill  iu  its 
I  iinmenae  am«)unt, 
les  li.  Mesainner  Is 
ired  the  popularity 
ids  a  ready  market 
year  his  increasing 
block,  consisting  ol' 
from  the  lormer  to 

"stablished  Januan'. 
jlt'd.*  brand-,  and  in 
•e  the  best  quality  «if 
twcen  chewing  and 
•mer  than  any  house 
cities  in  the  Uuioti, 
!  formed,  when  it  is 
3  de-*truclive  ll'C  of 
icrtii.g.  During  the 
25  hands,  and  now 
are  mentioned  they 
;,  near  Swan  CrceU 
roof  as  possible,  oii 
lepot. 

3  tliat  the  islands  at. 
otion  of  grapes  for 

and  Mississippi 
was  the  first  to  in- 
,  and  to  manufacture 
■putation  throughout 
lined  that  the  winei« 
in  Ohio,  are  much 
of  Cincinnati,  from 
utacture  of  his  once 
r  Toledo,  has  entirely 
ucing,  the  last  year, 
^rm  of  Lenk  &  Co., 
have  been  perfectid 

sparkling,  at  their 
of  Toledo.  Several 
g  8,800  gallons,  and 
ii  the  Catawba  grape 
c  islands  named — » 
ablishment  than  thr- 
Son  and  M.  Work 
Louis,  purchase  the 
and  vineyards.  At 
I'tor  of  the  Rayview 
r  medals  for  the  hcsl 
re  grapes. 

ol  awnings ;  liltpon 
md  headings  ;  six  ol 
f  blacking;  twenty- 
rs  and    tliree    boijk 

manufacturers ;  six 
actors ;  four  cabinet 


manufacturers;  one  railroad  car  ■wheel  manufactory ;  six  carpet  weavers;  five 
carriage  shops,  in  addition  to  the  Toledo  Wheel  Company ;  four  children's 
carriage  shops;  three  chair  factories;  one  cotfee  and  spice  factory;  two  ol 
cornices ;  one  distillery ;  forty-nine  dress-makers ;  seven  furniture  manufac- 
tories ;  one  of  iron  raiiings";  two  of  lime  ;  one  map  publisher,  (John  B.  Mars- 
ton  ;)  nine  machine  shops ;  one;  perfumery  manufactory ;  one  pocket  book 
manufactory;  two  plow  manufactories ;  one  ot  pumps  and  tubing;  one  of 
rakes;  seven  of  sn'^h,  doors  and  blinds;  thirty  of  shoes;  one  sorghum  mill; 
one  manufacturer  of  spring  bed  bottoins ;  four  of  steam  engines;  two  of  trunks  ; 
tliree  of  vinegar ;  fourteen  of  wagons ;  one  of  wooden  ware  and  c  .le  ot 
yeast. 
In  ship  building,  IIutc  is  employed  an  average  force  of  235  hands. 


COMMENCEMENT  AND  PROGRESS  OF  MERCANTILE  BUSINESS. 

Almost  simultaneous  with  the  opening  of  business  in  Toledo,  merchants 
offered  their  goods  at  wholesale,  as  well  as  at  retail.  There  then  being  no  arti- 
ficial means  of  transportation — no  canals,  railways,  McAdamized,  plank,  or 
even  graded  and  turnpike  roads,  by  which  interior  towns  could  be  reached,  it 
may  be  inferred  that  "  the  wliolcmle  department"  was  confined  to  narrow  lim- 
its, and  supplied  only  a  few  river  and  lake  sliore  places,  ajid  others  which  could 
only  be,  with  much  difficulty  and  expense,  reached  when  the  surface  was  made 
solid  by  the  action  of  winter  temperature. 

The  stocks  of  thosic  o.d  meicliants  embraced  all  lines  of  goods.  A.  stranger 
in  Toledo,  seeking  the  purchase  of  a  pair  of  boots,  would  be  referred  to  estal)- 
llsliments  where  he  would  also  probably  find  dry  goods,  saddlery,  groceries, 
crockery,  hardware,  notions,  cigars,  patent  medicines,  liquors,  peltries,  ready- 
made  clothing,  tobacco,  Indian  goods,  etc., etc.  lie  would  discover  a  "gen- 
eral assortment."  The  contents  of  any  of  these  old  stores,  however,  would 
not  invoice  as  much  as  any  average  retail  dealer  now  engaged  in  a  single  line 
of  goods  in  Toledo. 

The  first  store  was  oi)en('d  l)y  Lewis  Godard,  in  the  Vistula  division,  in 
^331.  The  ^;rst  wholesale  firm,  of  considerable  prominence,  was  established 
by  Titus  &  v;o.,  in  18J57,  in  the  building  then  standing  upon  tiie  ground  now 
occupied  by  the  Novelty  Iron  works,  on  Water  street.  It  was  then  a  ware 
house, — the  lower  story  being  used  by  Poag  &  Morse,  for  their  commission  iind 
forwarding  business,  and  Titus  &,  Co.  fjccupying  the  second  floor  for  their 
wholesale  trade, — their  princi[)al  clerk  being  the  late  Gideon  W.  Weed.  Titus 
&  Co.  also  conducted  a  retail  branch  house  on  the  corner  of  Locust  and  Sum- 
mit streets. 

In  the  year  1839,  V.  II.  Kelchain  opened  a  wiiolfsale  establishment,  having 
conducted,  during  the  previous  tliree  years,  a  retail  business,  most  of  the  time, 
in  partnership  with  Levi  Snell— the  firm  name  being  Keteham  &  Snell.  The 
last  named  gentleman  (Mr.  Snell),  in  1835,  had  opened  a  merchant  tailoring 
establishment,  and  continued  this  business  until  1836,  when  he  entered 
the  partnership  just  mentioned.  From  1830,  Mr.  Keteham  remained  iu  the 
jobbing  and  retail  trade,  liaving,  in  1843,  taken  his  clerk,  Joseph  K.  Secor,  as  a 
partner,  and.  iiv  1854,  transtcrred  the  stock  and  business  of  the  firm  of  Ketch - 
am  &  Co.,  to  Secor,  Berdan  &  Co. 

The  next  house  of  considerable  dimensions,  and  devoted  exclusively  to  the 
wholesale  of  groceries,  was  tiiat  of  Charles  O'llara,  in  Mott's  block,  estab- 
lished in  1843. 

During  this  year,  also,  D.  Swift  &  Co.  (the  junior  partner  being  T.  U. 
Hough),  opened  a  large  establishment  in  the  same  block,  embracing  diversified 
lines  ot  goods— the  business  name  being  successively  changed  to  T.  H.  Hough, 
T.  H.  Hough  «&  Co.,  Hough  &  Hall,  and  finally  to  T.  H.  Hough  &  Co.  (the 

40 


642 


Toledo — Mercan  tile  Business. 


junior  member  of  the  last  mentioned  firm  having  been  Mr.  W.  H.  Buckman). 
Mr.  Hough  died  in  Connecticut,  in  October,  1872. 

Alexander  Ralston  «&  Co.  started  the  drug  business  in  the  spring  of  1844,  in 
Mott'o  block,  corner  of  Monroe  and  Summit  streets,  doing  considerable  job- 
bing. Ralston  sold  out  to  his  partner.  S.  Liusley,  and  continued  the  same  line 
till  his  death,  in  1853,  when  the  firm  became  Charles  West  &  Co.,  now  West 
&  Truax 

Kraus  &  Roemer  were  the  first  clothing  jobbers,  or  that  followed  that  busi- 
ness exclusively. 

In  1853,  Church,  Hayes  &  Co.  opened  a  large  stock  of  general  merchandise, 
which  they  offered  at  wholesale  exclusivelj'. 

The  present  house  of  Whitaker«fc  Phillips  was  established  in  1844,  under 
the  name  ot  Kirkland  &  Whitaker.  Since  the  decease  of  Mr.  Hough,  Mr. 
Whilaker  holds  tiie  rank  ot  the  senior  wholesale  merchant  in  Toledo. 

The  firm  ot  Bell  &  Deveau,  which  commenced  business  under  the  auspices 
of  New  York  parties,  October  1, 1847,  was  "an  event"  in  the  business  history 
of  Toledo.  Its  trade  was  strictly  confined  to  jobbing,  and  sales  the  first  year 
ran  up  to  $55,000 — a  sum  total  then  regarded  as  immense.  The  lines  embrac- 
ed dry  goods,  notions,  groceries,  crockery,  leather,  nails,  glass,  etc.  Their  pur- 
chases were  made  in  October,  for  the  winter  and  spring  trade,  and  designed  to 
be  sufficient  in  amount  to  mci.'t  the  demands  of  their  customers  until  the  open- 
inw  of  the  following  navigation  season,  transportation  being  then  only  b}'  water. 

In  185;?,  the  firm  was  changed  to  Bell,  Deveau  &  Co.  (the  Co.  being  W.  S. 
D  Ilubbell).  In  18)t5,  Mr.  Bolles  became  a  partner,  and  the  firm  name  was 
Bolles,  Bell  «&  Hubbell.  In  1858,  the  stock  was  divided— Bell,  Holcomb  & 
Co.  retaming  the  grot^eries,  and  Mr.  Bolles  retiring  with  the  dry  goods.  In 
1861,  the  grocery  firm  was  Bell  «fe  Holcomb,  and,  in  1K64,  the  la  e  firm  of  Bell 
&  Emerson  was  formed.    Mr.  Bell  retired  from  business  in  1813. 

It  was  not  until  the  spring  of  1861,  that  Secor,  Berdan  &  Co.,  the  last  of  the 
jobbers  who  had  been  carrying  a  variety  of  stocks,  separated  their  goods,  and 
thenceforward  confined  their  business  to  the  wholesale  of  one  line— and  from 
this  date  the  wholesale  and  retail  trade  assumed  the  form  of  distinct  classifi- 
cation and  branches.  Near  this  date  (1861),  the  trade  of  Toledo  had  attained 
something  like  metropolitan  proportions,  as  well  as  arrangements;  and,  in  his 
report  of  1873,  Mr.  Wales,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  estimated  the 
business  of  the  jobbing  and  commission  houses,  for  the  3'ear  1871,  at  $7G,- 
406,199.0P. 

Taking  a  retrospect  of  the  trade  of  Toledo,  which  commenced  at  a  period 
when  a  vitiated  and  inflated  paper  currency  offered  peculiar  bounties  to  all 
schemes  of  reckless  adventure,  it  may  be  truthfully  stated  that  no  town  or 
city  in  the  west  can  exhibit  a  fairer  record,  as  regards  general  solvency,  and 
honest  commercial  dealing.  And  it  may  be  j)roper  to  add,  that  the  most  sub- 
stantial men  in  Toledo,  now  retired,  or  in  active  business,  made  their  accumu- 
lations here. 

A  view  of  the  general  business,  in  the  summer  of  1836,  may  be  partly 

Fathered  from  the  advertisements  which  appeared  in  the  Toledo  Blade,  dated 
une  29, 1836 — that  date  closing  the  3jth  No.,  1st  Vol.,  of  the  paper. 

Those  who  then  "uvertised  merchandise,  were  Daniels  &  Goettel,  W.  J.  Dan- 
iels &  Co.,  and  J.  Baldwin  «fe  Co. 

Peckham  «&  Co.  are  the  only  forwarders  who  advertise. 

Mosher  &  Scoville,  one  door  west  of  the  Mansion  House,  advertise  drugs, 
medicines,  and  groceries. 

Dr.  John  W.  Gilbert  &  Co.  adver«'se  botanic  medicines. 

Among  the  early  merchants,  also,  were  Dr.  Jacob  Clark,  who  ojiencd  a  store 
In  1835;  A.  Kraemer,  corner  Summit  and  Elm,  opposite  the  old  American;  and, 
about  1837,  Ezra  S.  and  William  Dodd. 

The  mercantile  business  in  Toledo,  wholesale  and  retail,  is  now,  as  it  has 
been  heretofore,  as  a  rule,  in  the  hands  of  men  who  have  promptly  met  their 


Toledo — Mercantile  Business. 


643 


,  11.  Buckman). 

ring:  of  1844,  in 
insiderable  job- 
id  tbe  same  line 
Co.,  now  "West 

>wcd  that  busi- 

al  mercbandisc, 

I  in  1844,  under 
Mr.  llougb,  Mr. 
Toledo. 

der  the  auspices 
business  history 
lies  the  first  year 
'he  lines  embrac- 
,  etc.    Their  pur- 
5,  and  designed  to 
■rs  until  the  open- 
en  only  by  water. 
Co.  being  W.  S. 
i;  firm  name  was 
Bell,  Holcomb  & 
e  dry  goods.    In 
e  la  e  firm  of  Bell 

^0.7  the  last  of  the 
I  their  goods,  and 
[ic  line— and  from 
)f  distinct  clnssifi- 
ledo  had  attained 
lU-nts;  and,  in  his 
ade,  estimated  the 
■ear  1871,at$7G,- 

cnced  at  a  period 
:ir  bounties  to  all 
I  that  no  town  or 
eral  solvency,  and 
that  the  most  sub- 
adc  their  accumu- 

50,  may  be  partly 
oledo  Blade,  dated 
he  paper. 
Roettel.W.J.  r>an- 


e,  advertise  drugs. 


wh<i  opened  a  store 
id  American;  and, 

\,  is  now,  as  it  has 
Womptly  met  their 


obligations.    This  maintenance  of  faith,  and  scrupulous  regard  for  just  claims, 
on  the  part  of  merchants,  bankers,  manufacturers,  etc.,  is  a  matter  of  just  pride 
to  all  interested  in  the  present  and  future  of  Toledo. 
A  few  of  the  prominent  houses  are  here  briefly  mentioned  : 

Agricultural  Machinex,  Implements,  do. — Three  establishments  deal  in  these 
lines  ot  goods,  and  make  annual  sales  amounting  to  $160,000.  The  oldest  and 
largest  house  now  engaged  in  the  trade  is  conducted  by  P.  T.  Clarke  &  Sons. 

Books.— The  first  book  store  in  Toledo  was  established  by  the  late  Decius 
Wadsworth,  in  1844 ;  and  the  character  of  his  stock  at  that  earlv  day  reached 
a  high  standard,  creditable  alike  to  him  and  to  the  tastes  of  the  Toledo  public. 
The  four  establishments  now  engaged  in  the  trade  average  stocks  that  will 
compare  favorably  with  those  of  any  city.  These  stores  make  annual  sales 
amounting  to  $80,000.  During  Mr.  "^adsworth's  time,  when  he  controlled  the 
whole  trade,  his  annual  sales  did  not  average  $8,000. 

Boots  and  JSJioes.— Four  wholesale  houses  in  1870  reported  sales  amounting 
to  $1,387,431.  Add  to  this  about  35  percent,  for  the  current  year,  and  it  will 
afford  an  approximation  of  the  true  amount.  Of  the  sales  in  1870,  one-third 
were  from  the  house  of  R.  &  J.  Curamings  &  Co.  Their  present  year's  busi- 
ness will  probably  reach  fully  a  million  and  a  half.  The  house  was  establisl  ed 
in  1858 — the  firm  then  being  O.  S.  Bond  «Sc  Co.,  and  its  wholesale  business  at 
that  time  not  reaching  the  amount  of  many  retail  dealers  now  in  the  trade. 
The  rapid  growth  of  This  house,  from  comparatively  small  beginnings,  is  an 
evidence  of  the  advances  now  making  in  all  the  jobbing  branches  in  Toledo. 
The  house  of  Fuller,  Childs  &  Co.,  of  which  Dr.  S.  S.  Stambaugh  is  the  "  Co.,"  is 
also  one  of  importance  in  the  trade,  as  are  also  those  of  Burgert  &  Hart,  and 
Wright,  Taylor  &  Croninger. 

In  the  retail  trade  in  boots  and  shoes,  of  the  twenty-nine  establishments 
engaged  in  it,  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  house,  and  controlling  a  trade 
peculiar  to  itself,  is  owned  by  Wachter  Bros.,  whose  business  places  are  149 
Summit  street,  (where  a  boot  and  shoe  store  has  existed  over  20  years,  and 
now  the  ninth  year  in  the  hands  of  its  present  occupants,)  and  230  St.  Clair 
street,  the  latter  branch  having  been  recently  opened.  The  peculiarity  of 
their  relation  to  the  trade  exists  in  the  reputation  they  have  achieved  for 
handling  fine  goods — having  obtained  from  Edwin  C  Burt,  the  New  York 
manufacturer,  who  received  the  prizes  at  the  "  Exposition  Universelle,"  Paris, 
1867,  of  the  silver  medal  for  his  Avork,  the  agency  for  the  exclusive  sale  of  his 
goods  in  Toledo.  This  circumstance  alone  secures  to  Wachter  Bros,  not  only 
the  choicest  home  trade,  but  commands  orders  from  those  who  appreciate  the 
style  and  quality  of  Burt's  goods,  from  a  distance.  The  sales  at  their  two 
establishments  during  the  past  year  reached  nearly  $80,000. 

Carpetings,  House  Furnishing  Ooods,  tfcc. — A  sketch  of  the  histoiy  of  the 
old  firm,  established  in  1813,  under  the  name  of  D.  Swift  &  Co.,  and  closing 
with  the  name  of  T.  H.  Hough  &  Co.,  in  consequence  of  the  decease  of  the 
senior  partner  in  October,  187;;^,  has  already  been  given.  After  the  death  ot 
Mr.  Hough,  the  junior  and  surviving  partner  of  the  firm,  Mr.  Buckman,  opened 
negotiations  .with  Hon.  A.  P.  Edgorton,  at  Fort  Wayne,  which  resulted  finally 
in  the  re-organization  of  the  present  house,  known  as  W.  11.  Buckman  «fe  Co. 
Under  the  auspices  of  a  name  so  potential  in  business  circles  in  all  the  centres 
of  trade  in  this  country  as  that  of  Mr.  Edgerton,  and  sustained  by  liini,  the  new 
house  of  W.  H.  Buckman  &  Co.  is  destined  probably,  for  years  to  come,  to  ex- 
ercise a  controlling  influence  in  the  sales  of  the  above  lines  of  goods. 

Clothing. — In  addition  to  the  wholesale  establishment  mentioned,  there  are 
fifteen  houses  engaged  in  sales  of  ready  made  clothing ;  and  most  of  these 
manufacture.  Wm.  Mabley,  153  Summt  street,  is  probably  the  most  ex- 
tensive dealer,  being  one  of  four  brothers  who  have  heavy  stocks  at  Chica™, 
Cleveland,  Detroit,  Pontiac,  Flint,  Jackson  and  Battle  Creek,  and  whose  sales 


044 


Toledo — Mercantile  Business. 


reach  about  11,500,000  annuftlly.  The  Toledo  house  last  year  reached  about 
190,000,  aud  the  curicnt  year  will  exceed  $150,000.  Their  business  being  upon 
such  an  enlarged  basis,  they  have  unusual  advantages  in  purchases,  resulting 
in  benefit  to  their  customers. 

Dry  Ooods — Retail — Twenty-one  stores  are  engaged  in  this  trade,  whose  ag- 
greguie  salts  amount  to  $835,000 

Drug  Stores. — In  addition  to  (he  two  wholesale,  there  are  twenty-nine  retail 
establiishnunis  engaged  iu  the  sale  of  drugs  and  medicines.  As  will  be  noticed 
by  a  statement  ol  Mr.  Molt,  the  one  now  conducted  by  Thomas  Vanstone,  suc- 
cessor to  West  &  Van>«tone,  is  the  oldest  established  house  in  the  trade. 

Furs,  Wool,  Hides,  Pelts,  Plastering  Hair,  &c. — Four  firms  are  engaged  in  these 
lines  of  trade,  some  of  tliem  including  leather,  and  in  IS'iO  Iheir  aggregate 
sales  were  reported  at  $912,105.  Samuel  Brooks,  who  di«d  Jaiiuary  24,  1873, 
established  the  first  house  in  the  trade  in  1849.  His  successors  are  his  son, 
Chas.  L.  Hroolis  and  Wm.  H.  Lewis,  who  continue  the  business  under  the  firm 
name  of  Bioolis  &  Lewis.  The  receipts  of  hides  in  1872  exceeded  those  of  any 
jjrevious  year,  amounting  to  8,171.795  lbs.,  and  of  wool  to  about  3,000,000  lbs. 

Groceries. — 107  houses  are  engaged  in  the  sale  of  family  groceries,  and  their 
annual  sales  estimated  at  $l,30li,000. 

Jewelers. — Ut  the  eight  jewelry  establishments  in  Toledo,  most  carry  large 
stocks. 

The  oldest  and  most  prominent,  however,  is  owned  by  II.  T.  Cook  &  Co., 
the  senior  member  of  which  firm  is  also  among  the  oldest  business  men  in 
Toledo.  The  stock  of  this  firm  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  varied  that  can 
be  found  in  any  jewelry  establishment  in  the  State,  and  carries  a  larger  value  iu 
goods  than  the  aggregate  of  all  the  other  jewelry  establishments  in  Toledo. 

Liquors^  Winis,  <f c.~Elevcn  establishments  were  engaged  in  this  trade  in 
187o,  and  acco.  Cling  to  the  returns  made  to  the  U.  S.  Assessor's  office,  rectified 
4  578  bbls.  Alcohol  ami  Spirits  of  Wine,  although  generalh  ctmsidcred  the 
same,  are  materially  different.  Alcohol  is  whiskey,  distilled  to  its  highest  grade 
of  proof,  and  is  imploded  in  the  mechanic  arts,  as  the  basis  of  essi'nces  and 
medical  linctures.  and  as  a  solvent  in  various  manufacturing  operations.  Neu- 
tral or  C<)logne  Spiris,  is  the  bame  arliclt  in  point  of  strength,  Init  divested,  in 
its  manufacture,  ni  all  empyreumatic  odor  and  taste.  It  forms  the  basis  of  do- 
mestic brandies,  gins,  &c. 

In  the  businiss  ot  reciitying,  the  firm  of  R.  Brand  &  Co.,  30  Monroe  St.,  oc- 
cupy the  trout  rank,  as  well  as  having  precedence  in  age.  The  house  was  es- 
tablished in  1849.  Of  the  4,5.8  bbls.  of  Spirits  rectified,  m  1870,  l,tJG2 
weie  produced  by  them.  The  Board  of  Trade  report  also  exhibits  their  annual 
sales  in  excess  ot  all  others  engaged  in  the  trade.  This  firm  were  the  first  to 
introduce  and  encourage  the  use  of  native  wines,  in  this  quarter  of  Ohio — and 
may,  thereft)re,  be  considered  among  the  pi(uieers,  in  the  native  wine  trade. 

For  certain  medical  purjioses,  however,  imported  wines  have  been  discovered 
to  be  indispensible;  and  hence,  in  18G7,  Hon.  G.  Marx,  senior  member  of  the 
firm,  visiietl  Spain,  France,  Germany  and  Hungary,  and  perlected  arrange- 
ments tor  direct  iniportalious  Irom  the  best  vine-growing  districts  in  those 
countries  ;  aud  yet  ccmtinue,  as  the  custom  uouse  books  show,  larger  importers 
than  any  house  in  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  or  in  any  city  west  of  the 
Atlantic  coast.  They  receive  direct  consignments  Irom  Barcelona,  Valencia, 
Malaga,  Cadiz,  Xeres  de  la  Frontera  (in  Spain,)  Cettes,  and  Nimes  and  Bordeaux 
in  France. 

Thio  was  also  the  first  Toledo  jobbing  house  that  engaged  in  the  Lake  Supe- 
rior trade,  to  which  region  thev  last  year  shipped  goods  amounting  to 
$35,010. 

In  this  line  of  goods,  M.  &  C.  O'Brien  &  Co.,  L.  A.  Fontaine  &  Co.,  M.  H. 
Austin  &  Co.,  Foster  V.  Wilder,  Melchers  &  Lohmann,  M.  Boos  &  Son,  and 
several  others,  are  also  extensive  wholesale  dealers. 


Toledo — Some  of  its  Business  Men  in  1873.      645 


dc,  whose  ag- 


38t  carry  large 


S'lddlery  Hardware,  Trimmings,  &e. — Three  firms  arc  engaged  in  tbis  im- 
portant branch  of  the  wbolesale  trade— the  sales  in  1873  amounting  to  $33r»,- 
857 ;  and  the  business  is  increasing. 

Sewing  Machines. — Twelve  of  these  inventions  are  reprtseutcd  in  the  city, 
and  making  annual  sales  reaching  fully  $500,000. 

Teas. — The  conclusion  is  not  irrational  that  the  great  depot  of  the  China  tea 
trade  will  tind  its  centre  in  some  of  the  interior  cities  of  this  continent.  The 
opening  of  railway  lines  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  that  coast  direct  steam  com- 
munication with  China  and  Japan,  will  end  controversy.  Toledo,  in  addition 
to  severivl  wholesale  grocery  establishments,  dealing  in  teas,  has  two  houses 
almost  exclusively  devoted  to  this  lindc. 

Messrs.  Ogle  Brothers,  Campbell  Block,  corner  of  St.  Clair  and  Jefl'erson 
streets,  lire  engaged  extensively  in  jobbing  and  retailing  teas  and  coffees,  and 
make  shipments  of  theii'  goods  to  many  of  the  prominent  lake  and  canal  port.«, 
as  well  as  to  cities  and  towns  along  the  railway  Hues  that  lead  from  Toledo. 


In  addition  to  those  above  mentioned,  there  are  the  following :  three  china, 
glass  and  queeusware  stores  ;  four  wholesale  and  twenty-one  retail  dry  goods 
stores;  six  wholesale  fancy  goods  stores;  twenty-five  flom-  and  feed  stores; 
six  jobbers  in  foreign  fruits:  in  miMi  and  wouien's  furnishing  goods,  there 
are  twenty-three  dealers  and  twelve  in  household  furniture;  four  in  general 
merchandise;  seven  in  glass;  six  in  hair  goods;  four  in  baled  hay;  eleven  in 
hide.%  pelts  and  wool;  two  in  hops;  four  in  lath  and  shingles;  five  (whole- 
sale) in  leather  and  findings;  twenty-three  in  lumber;  four  in  wholesale,  and 
thirty-one  in  retail  millinery  goods ;  seven  in  musical  instruments;  .seven  in 
jiaints,  oils  and  glass,  and  two  in  wood  and  willow  ware. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  prominent  and  representative 
men  in  Toledo,  in  1873,  with  the  character  of  business  annexed  to 
their  several  names,  which  list  comprehends  those  who,  at  this  time, 
chiefly  control  the  Commission,  Banking,  Manufacturing,  and  other 
leading  interests  in  the  city.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  time  was 
not  afforded  to  make'  the  list  more  comnlete. 


S.  ANDREWS.  .Tr  .  Lumlicr. 

AMERIC.\N  PAKM  JOURNAL.-Moiillily 
— LOCKK  &  .TilNE3,  Piil)lislior3,WM.  11. 
BcsBET,  I'Mitor. 

(^LARIv  AI'cmRD.  Rpnl  Estate  Awiit ; 
Ofllc(',2Auderson'8  Block,  ovtr  131  Sum- 
mit strcc 

A,  T  HABBITT  &  CO. Wholesale  Dealers  in 
Hats  and  Caps,  and  MenV  Furnishing 
Goods,  lid  B'd  lis  Sum'iiit  street. 

II.  E.  HANtJS.of  the  drmof  W.  T.  Wai.keii 
&  Co..  Comtnission  Merchants,  11(1,  lis 
and  lin  Water  street. 

L.  S.  HAUMGARDNEK  &CO..  ImportorK 
and  VVholesnle  dealer!)  in  Notion."!.  Ho- 
siery and  Kancy  Goods,  \ii  and  Mft 
Summit  ^^t^eet. 

A.  W.  BARLuW  &  CO  .  Wholesale  and 
Retail  «  rockery,  China  and  Glassware, 
71  and  73  summit  street. 

r.  n.  BIRCKHEAI).  Dealer  in  Staves  and 
Ileadi'  gs.  Water  street,  foot  of  La^'ian^e 
Businu  H  (!Hial)liHi>ed  in  \HT<i. 

BISSKLL,.  GLKXSON  &  CO  .  Attornevs  at 
Law,  and  Re-l  Entate  Agents.  l.VJ  Sum- 
mit street  — EdWAUn  Bisseli..  Ai.riiKii 
W.  Gi.icAsoNjJoHN  H.  Doyi.e.Wkci.ey 
S.  TiiURsTiN,  InwiN  I,  Mti.lard,  and 
RiciiABu  M.  McKee 


BLACK  &  irOFMAN,  ManufacMirers  of 
Ladies  an.l  Children's  Underwear  and 
Sui's;  and  .lobhara  of  llo.tiery,  Fancy 
(ioods  anil  Notions,  ^4  and  80  Summit 
9  reet. 

C.  E.  B LIVEN.  Gener.il  Ajxont  Howard 
Insurance  Company,  of  New  York. — 
Offlce.  Kinsr's  Blocic,  Hater  street. 

E.  C.  BODMAN,  President  Northern  Na- 
tional Bank. 

BOND  &  ALLERDICE.  Dealers  in  Hides, 
W.-ol,  Pelts.  &c  ,  Kil  and  1(13  Wiiter  st. 
Thomas  E.  Bosn.  .Ioskimc  Allerdhe. 

BOWES  &  H  -WELL,  Dealers  in  Hides. 
Pelts.  Furs,  and  I'lasterin;.,'  Hair,  aiti 
and  ^4^  Water  street. 

BUAU.V  &  lOLTUN,  (Jeiicral  In.siiranec 
A'.'ents,  33  Minnie  str^  et . 

CHARLES  (».  BRIGIIAM,  Chief  Operator 
Wkbt-bn  Union  T  i.i'.<iR>rii.  Superin- 
tendent City  FireAlann  Tele;;rai-h,  and 
Airent  Western  As-'d  PlVi-B.  Room, 
4  ("liiimliir  of  C'-inmeree. 

ED.  F.  BUmVNE  .t  CO  ,  Produce  Ooinmls- 
sion  Merch.ants.  74  Water  stroo  . 

BRONSON  TOBAC('(»  WORKS;  (Has.  R. 
Mkssinokr.  I  roprietor.  Manufacturer 
of  Fine  Out  Chowintr  and  Smoking; 
Tobacco,  27:2  and  i74  .Summit  street. 


646      lokdo—Some  of  its  Business  Men  in  1873. 


BKOOKS  &  LBWI8,  Dealers  in  HiilcH, 
Wool,  Sheepskins,  Purs,  &c.,  113  and 
114  Snperior  street,  Marltot  Space. 

T.  P.  BROWN,  Real  Estate  Dealer,  nnd 
ceneral  Fire  Insurance  Ajjcnt,  52  Sum- 
rait  street. 

BROWN  &  DODGE,  Insurance  Agents,  l.M 
Summit  street— E.  O.  BnowN,  P.  B. 

DODOE. 

BROWN  &FAUNCE,  Wholesale  nnd  Retail 
Booksellers  and  Stationers,  115  Summit 
street. 

MATTHEW  BROWN,  ilrm  of  Brown  & 
SiNCLAin,  Commission  Merchants,  112 
Water  street 

BURNAP  &  LeBARON,  Importers  and 
Wholesale  Dealers  in  Crockery,  Chi.na 
and  Flint  Glawsware,  Lamps,  Carlion 
Oil,  Table  Cuttlery.  and  Siiver-Plated 
Ware,  !I6  Saramit  and  51  Water  streets. 
Sam'l  L.  Burnap,  DeLoss  C.  LeBaron. 
Lucius  Lilley.  Special 

JAMES  H.  CAMPBELL,  Dealer  in  Kcal 
EstAtc,  Campbell's  Block. 

CARRINGTON  &  CASEY,  Commission 
Merchants,  Water  street 

JOHN  B.  CARSON,  General  Freight  Agent 
T,  W.  &W.  Railway. 

(illESNEY  &  CARSON,  8.'!  Summit  (^trei't, 
Dealorw  in  Crockery,  Glass  and  China, 
GuB  Pixturci'.&c. 

r.  T.  CLARKE  &  SONS,  Wholesale  and 
Ketail  Dealers  in  Farm  Mnchinery. 
Seeds,  Hardware,  and  Enf^iish  ana 
American  Garden  Tools,  Contractors' 
Supplies.  &c.,  2.'M)  and  252  Summit  St  — 
P.  T.  Clarke.  Sylvauia,  A.H.  &  W.  R. 
Clarke,  Toledo . 

J  COPLAND  &  SON,  Lumber  De.tlers  and 
Manufacturers,  cor.  Oak  &  Water  sts. 

AW  COLTOV,  Conimissiou  Merchant, 
foot  of  Jefferson  street . 

T.  M  COOK.  Real  Estate  Agent  and 
Dealer.  Resi'U-nce.  Cook's  Block.  Of- 
fice, l.'ia  Summit  street, 

A.  W.  COLTON,  Commission  Merchant, 
foot  of  Jefferson  street. 

J.  CRO  A  ELL  &  CO.,  Fish  Dealers,  Water 
street. 

CYRUS  H.  COY.  Arm  of  Banking  House 
of  C.  H.  Coy  &  Co.,  Chamber  of  Com- 
me  CO  Huilding,  110  Summit  street. 

CRAY  *  ROOD.  Wholesale  Carriage  and 
Saddlery  Hardware,  ;«  &  34  Summit  st. 

R.  &  J.  CUMMIN(;S,  Wholesale  Boota, 
Shoex  and  Rubbers,  130  and  Vifl  Summit 
street.  —  Robert  &  John  Cummings, 
nnd  J.  H.  AiNawoiirn. 

DAILY  AND  WEEliLY  EXPRESS,  estab- 
lish'd  January  Isf,  18.'>3  —  Julius 
VoRDTRiEDE,  Editor;  Joseph  Bender, 
Publisher. 

GEO.  W   DAVIS,  Prea't  Second  Not!  Bank 

F.  EATON,  (•  stablii-lied  in  1857.>  Whole-sale 
and  Retail  Dry  Goods,  Carpets,  Ac. 
Summit  si  reel. 

OKORGR  EMERSOV,  of  the  firm  of  Emer- 
son &  Co.,  Wholesale  Grocers,  144,  1-14 
and  14(1  Summit  street. 

FIN  LAY  &  KLEMM.  Brewer.-!  of  Ale  and 
Porter,  and  De.ilers  in  Malt  and  Hops, 
Comer  <if  Elm  and  Water  street. 

B.  H.  FITCH.  Attorney  at  law.  and  Dc.i'er 

in  Roal  Estnte,  Cornot  of  Summit  and 
Jcffersim  streets. 
L.A.  FONTAINE  &  C0.,Aeent9  for  'Lenk 


Wine  Company's  "  Native  Wines ;  also, 
Importers  and  Wholesale  Dealers  in 
Foreign  Wines  and  Liquors,  176  Sum- 
mit street. 

FULLER,  CHILDS  &  CO ,  Manufacturers 
and  Wholesale  Dealers  in  Boots  "And 
Shoes.  100  Summit  street.— J.  W.  Ful- 
ler. T.  W.  Childs,  8.  8.  Stakbauor. 

C.  OBRBER  &  CO.,  Wholesale  Hardware, 
128  Summit,  and  83  Water  street. 

GERMAN  LABORERS' LOAN  AND  SAV- 
iNOB  Association  receives  deposits,  on 
which  It  pays  six  per  cent,  interest  — 
Fkrd.  Gradolph,  Pros.  J.  P.  Schucg, 
Sec.  and  Treas. 

BENJ.  W.  GOODE.flrm  of  Crabbsi,  Gv.oue 
<fc  Co.,  Grain  Commission  Merchants,  1 
Board  of  Trade. 

F.  GRADOLPH  &  BRO.,  Wholesale  and 
Retail  Confectioners,  nnd  Dealers  In 
Fruits,  Wines  and  Cigars,  86  Summit 

liREAT  WESTERN  DESPATCH  COM- 
PANY &  South  Sucre  Freioht  Line, 
2.3  Madison  street  —I.  C.  Morse,  Ag't . 

CHARLES.  P.  GRIFFIN,  Real  Estate  anil 
Insurance,  30  and  31  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. 

W.  W.  GRIFFITH,  President  Merchants' 
National  Bank. 

GURLKY,  COLLINS  &  CO.,  Dealers  in 
Hides,  and  Manufacturers  of  Rongh 
Leather,  131  and  133  Water  street. 

ISAAC  N.  HATHAWAY  &  SON,  Commis- 
sion Merchants,  comer  Jefferson  and 

H .  J.  HAYES  &  CO  ,  Pioduce  Commission 
Merchant",  82  Water  street.— H.  J. 
Hayes.  Jo'^eph  Kininger. 

HERRM  AN  BROTH  P:RS,Wh.jlesale  Dealers 
in  Milinery,  Silks  and  Straw  Goods,  72 
Summit  street. 

HITCHCOCK  &  WALBRIDGE,  Manufac- 
turers Sash,  Dooret,  Blinds  and  Mould- 

N.  M.  HOWARD,  of  fli-mof  N  M.  Howard 
&  Co.,  Commission  Merchants,  Water 
street. 

F.  HUBBARD  A  CO.,  Leather,  Findings, 
Hides  and  Wool,  66  Summit  street. 

WM.  M.  JOHNSON,  Boots  and  Shoes,  203 
Summit  street. 

KEELER  &  LYMAN,  Planing  Mill ;  Dealers 
in  Dressed  Lumber.  Wati*r  street.— 
Treo.  Kebler,  H.  C.  Lyman. 

KELLEY  BROS..  Real  pstate  Dealers,  No. 
II  Chamber  of  Cimimerce.— Jahes 
Kkli.ey.     Dr   SVm.  I.  Kelley. 

KELSKY,  LAWTON  &  CO..  Wholesale 
Dealers  in  Lumber,  Shingles  and  Lath, 
St.  Clair  St 

V.  II.  KE  rCHAM,  Pres'r  First  Nat  1  Bank. 

J.  B.  KETCH  AM,  of  firm  of  Ketoham, 
Bond  &  Co  .  Wholesale  Grocers,  36  ana 
;J8  Summit  Street. 

C.  A.  KING  &  CO.,  Commission  Mer- 
chants, and  proprietors  of  King's  Warc- 
h  )use  and  Elevotors. 

-J.  KININGER,  of  llrm  of  H  J.  Hates 
&  Co.,  Commission  Merchants,  Water 

KRAUS  &  SMITH,  Bankers,  Chamber  of 

Commerce  Building. 
LENK  WINE  COMPANY,  Manufacturers 

of  Still  and  Sparkling  Native  Wines. 

Oixcetm-g ;— CAttj^t^KHK,  Louia.WiAcn- 


=;t3. 


Toledo — Some  of  its  Business  Men  m  1873.      647 


tlve  Wines ;  also, 
>B8lo  Dealers  in 
Iquors,  176  Sum- 

,  Manufacturern 
rs  in  Boots  -And 
Bet.-.T.  W,  Fui.- 
.  S.  Stambauoh. 
Usalc  Hardware, 
iter  street. 
.OAN  AND  SAV- 
jives  deposits,  on 

cent,  interest  — 

8.  J.  P.  SCHUCK, 
if  CtlATlBSl,  Gv.OUE 

sluu  Merchants,  1 

,,  Wholesale  and 

and  Dealers   in 

igars,  85  Summit 

38PATCH  COM- 
iB  Freight  Lini!, 
.  C.  MonsB,  Ajj'l . 
,  Real  Estate  and 
jhamber  of  Com- 

sident  Merchants" 

CO.,  Dealers  in 
turers  of  Rough 
iVater  street. 

&  SON,  Commis- 
ler  Jefferson  and 

sduce  CommiKSion 
r  street.  —  11.   J. 

>IOKR. 

Wholesale  Dealers 
id  Straw  Goods,  ti 

RIDGE,  Manufao- 
llinds  and  Mould- 

of  N  M.  Howard 
Merchants,  Water 

Leather,  Findings, 
lummit  street, 
lots  uud  ShocH,  203 

mine; Mill;  Dealers 
.  Wati'r  street.— 
D.  Lyman. 
Istate  Dealers,  No . 
( immerce .  — James 
I.  Kelley. 
;  CO..  Wholesale 
Shingles  and  Lath, 

't  First  Nat  1  Bank, 
firm  of  Ketoham. 
lale  Grocers,  36  and 

Commission  Mcr- 
)rB  of  King's  Ware- 

i  of  H  J.  Hates 
Merchants,  Water 

iliers.  Chamber  of 

siY,  Manufacturers 
ng  Native  Wines. 
EHK,  Louis  WTach- 


KNHEIMEn,  F.  GrADOLPH,  I'ETER  LkkX 

and  William  Weiss. 

LOCKE'S  NATIONAL  MONTHLY  MAGA- 
ZINE. Locke  &  Jones,  I'u'jtisher.^  ; 
D.  R.  LocKB,  and  Wm.  H.  Bubbby, 
Editors. 

H.  P.  L.  MACIIEN,  JR..  Raal  Estate 
Agent  and  Dealer  Room  'J  Gradolph 
Blick,  comer  Summit  and  Jefferson 
streets. 

WM.MABLEY,  Wholesale  and  Retail  Dealer 
In  Readv-Made  Clothing,  Gentlemen's 
Furnishing  Goods,  Ilata  and  Cups,  i5:i 
Summit  street. 

MAOOMBER.  MOORE  &  McDONNELL, 
Real  Estate,  48  Summit  street. 

ARNOLD  McMAIIAN,  Dealer  in  Real 
Estate,  East  Side. 

MARKSCHEFPEL  &  BRO.,  Wiioiesalo 
Grocers,  Importers  and  Commission 
Merchants,  and  Wholesale  ealera  in 
Liquors,  Wines  and  Whiskies,  41  Sum- 
mit street,  and  2!l  .'.ind  31  Monri)e  street, 

J.  B.  MAR8TON,  Civil  Engineer  and  8ur- 
vejir,  Publisher  of  City  and  County 
Maps.  Establifihed  lb5H.  Rooms  1 
and  2  Campbell's  Block,  corner  St.  Clair 
and  Jefferson  streets. 

n.  MEILINK  &  (.'().,  Manufacturers,  and 
Wholesale  and  Retail  Dealers  in  Fur- 
niture and  Upholstery.  Sales-room  and 
Offl'  e,  204  Summit  street 

MILMINE  &  BO  DM  AN,  Forwarding  and 
Commission  Merchants,  Water  street. 
—-Geo.  Milminb.  E.  C.  Bodman. 

JAMES  B.  MONROE,  General  Agent  Day- 
ton and  Michigan  Railway,  Ottawa  St. 

E.  T.  MORTfMI'Tlf  Kn.nmit  j^tr  ot.  Man- 
uiMctuiui  G."  iac  il'iy-viGW  Dranci  of 
Na'ive  Wines.  Vineyard  and  Manu- 
factory Putin-Bay  Ii^land. 

RICHARD  MOTT,  Toledo.  Ohio. 

L.  E.  MULFORO,  Prescription  Druggist, 
189  Summit  street,  corner  Madison. 

J.  I.  NESSLE,  General  Purchasing  Agent 
T.,W.  &  W   Railway. 

NEWMAN  &  FORD,  Manufacturers  of 
Genoa  White  Lime  Dealers  in  Land 
Plaslxjr,  Calcined  Plaster,  Cement,  Ac. 
Warehouse  and  Ollice,  foot  of  Wash- 
ington street,  i  n  Swau  Creek. 

F.  L.  NICHOLS,  Real  Esta  e ;  Office,  Boody 

HouBe. 

NORTH  ifc  O'^WALD.  Practical  Portrait 
an  ;  Landscape  I'h'  itographic  Arti-ts. 
All  kin-s  of  Pictures'  known  to  the 
Prof  Bsion,  e.Kecuted  in  a  sa  isfactory 
manner  on  in  the  latest  styles,  btudios, 
.'i2  and  38  «'harabet  of  Commerce . 

OGLE  BROS., Proprietors  Tolcd  Tea  Store, 
46Jeffe,son  and  17ti  Si    (lair  scrcei. 

PADDOCK  BftOS  ,  Wholesale  and  Retail 
l>ealers  in  Hats.  Caps.  I''ur8  and  Straw 
Goods.  Retail  Store,  12,S  Summit;  and 
Whoi  sale  80  Summit  street. 

J.  R  P  iGE  &  CO.,  V  holesale  Dealers  in 
Window  and  Plate  (ilass.  Paints,  Oils, 
&r.,  &c.,  88,  90  and  •t2  St  Clair  street. 

WILLIAM  P   TBR,  Tolelo.  '  'hio, 

HENRY  P:  ILIPI'S  Who'eaale  and  Retail 
Dealer  in  Hardware  in  all  its  branc  es, 
,54 and  56  Summit,  and  7  and  !)  Water  !<t. 

C.  B.  PHILLIPS,  of  WiiTTAKER,  I'm  i-iis 
&  Co  ,  Wholrsale  Hardware,  102  Sum- 
mit ana  .5!t  Water  street. 

M.  W.  PLAIN,  firm  of  P/.ain,  William? 


&  Co.,  Wholo»alo  Drugs  and  Liquors, 
141  and  141  St.  Clair  street. 

POE  &  BREED,  Manufacture! 8  and  Dealers 
in  Wood  and  Willow  Ware,  cordage, 
Brushes.  Fancy  Ba-kets,  Children's 
Cabs.  Carts,  &c.,  62  Summit,  and  15 
Water  street.— J.  Newton  Pob,  Wil- 
liam Brebo 

GEO.  E.  POMEROY  &  RON,  Real  Estate 
A'.'entB  and  Money  Brokere,  168  Sum- 
mit street. 

PROUTY  &  ARBUCKLE,  Agricultural 
Machinery  and  Implements,  7!)  and  81 
Monroe  street. 

H.J.  RAFFENSPERGER,  Dealer  in  neal 
Estate.  Selling  large  tracts  at  Public 
Auction  a  specialty.  Office,  No.  1, 
Myers'  Block,  c.t  Summit  and  Monroe. 

RAYMER  &  SEAGRAVE,  Bankers  and 
Real  Estate  Dealers,  andiNegotiators  of 
Loans  on  real  estate  securities.  Office, 
First  Nat  1  Bank  Building,  Summit  St. 

GEO.  RAYMOND,  with  E.  C.  SMiTn  &  Co., 
Commission  Merchants,  Water  street. 

REED  &  HUBER8,  Wholesale  and  Retail 
Druggists,  01  Summit,  cor.  Jcfierson  st. 

OTTO  REIDE.MEISTER,  JustiCB  of  the 
Peace,  Notary  Pubhc  and  loBurancc 
Asrent,  6  Lenk'8  Block. 

REYNOLDS  BROS  Commission  Merchants 
(ind  prnpriutors  Armada  Flouring  Mills. 

R.  F.  RUSSELL,  llrm  of  Russell  & 
Thaykr,  Founders,  and  Proprietors  of 
Novelty  Iron  Wo.'ks. 

H.  W.  SAUB  &  CO.,  Manufacturers  of  Pino 
Lumber  and  Lath;  also.  Dealers  in 
Ha  d-wood  Lumber,  22  Krie  street. 
Mill  ntWenona,  Mich.  Y^ards  at  Toledo, 
Duiluiu,  Aiuouy,  auil  N-  v.'  York 

C.  H.  SAWYER  &  CO,  Dealers  in  Lime, 
Cement  I'laster,  and  Sewer  Pipe,  16 
'VVntcr  street 

S.  C  SCIIE-Ck.  Agent  for  Anthraci'e 
Coal  Association,  andDealerii.  all  kii:dB 
of  Coal;  on  Water  St.,  between  Walnut 
and  I.ocuat,  and  on  \\  ater,  cor  Adams 

BtrCSt 

.TOSE.'il  S  ^HOLL,  Prescription  Druggist. 

WM.  H.  SCHROEDER,  Furnishing  Under- 
taker, Solo  Agent  for  I.  <  .  Shules  & 
Co  ,  and  American  I  urial  Case  Co. 
Office.  210  Summit  street 

FRANK  J.  SCOT"'  Real  Estate,  11  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce, 

W.  H.  SCOTT,  Reil  Estate,  134  First  Na- 
tional Bank  Building 

SCRIPTURE,  BAS^ETT  &  CO  ,  Cigar 
Manufact  rers,  corner  Market  Space 
and  .\ionroe  street. 

SECOR,  BERDAN  &  CO.,  Wholesale 
Gocers,  116  and  118  Summit  street 

SilAW  .V  BALDWIN,  .lobbers  of  Notions 
AVhite  i.oods  &c.,'Oand  92Suiiimit  St. 

W.  W.  SHERWOOD,  CALVIN  BARKER, 
&  Wm  SjH.»NfENBACH,  Wholesaeand 
Retail  Dealers  in  Millinery  and  Ladies' 
Furnishing  Good-,  109  Summit  t'treet 

WILLIAM  SIE(iE  SO  &  o  ,  Dealers  in 
Real  Estate;  on  Commission  ai^d other- 
wise, 217  t^t.  i;iair  St.,  Boody  House. 

JOHN  SINCL  ait.  llrm  of  Brown  <fc  SiK- 
01  AIR,  112  ^^  ater  st  ect. 

L.  M.  SKIDMORE  .t  CO..ilardw  od  Lum- 
ber and  of  the  firm  or  Parsons,  Skit- 
jiouB  &,  Co.,  Toledo  Hames  Manufac- 
turing  Co. 


648       Toledo — Some  of  its  Business  Men  in  1873. 


SMITH  BRIDOW  COMPANY.  BridOT  Bull- 
dere.  R.  W  Smitu,  Pres't.  J  J.  8wi- 
GAHT,  Trcas,,  J.  A.  Hauilton,  Sec'y, 
J).  HoWELi .  Bner.  Office,  Chamber  of 
Commerce  B'.iildliif;. 

DENISOM  B.  SMlMH.OcnoralCommisBioii 
Merchant  for  the  purchase  of  Grain, 
Flour,  Provisions,  Ac. 

.TONA  SMII'U  &  CO.,  Brass  Founders  and 
Machinists,  and  Dealers  in  Metnia  Ma- 
chinery and  To.Mb,  81  &  83  St  Clair  st. 

SMITH.  KEI.LEY  &  »  O..  Wholesale  Deal- 
ers and  Manufacturers  of  Lumber,  i.ath 
and  Shingles,  I.afavette  street. 

DAVID  SMITH,  W.  H.  SMITH.  Manufac- 
turers nf  Dimension  Timber  of  all 
kinds.  Water  street 

SMITH  &  MMMONs.Wholesalc  Dealer.^  in 
Leather  and  Findings,  llidoa.  Oils  and 
Cu'rier's  Tools.  70  Summit  street— O.C. 
Smith,  Wm.  II.  Simmonh. 

ALE.VANDER  P  STKWAUT,  Wholesale 
and  Retail  Dealer  iu  American,  British, 
French  a'ld  Oerman  Dry  Goods,  Vil 
Summit  street. 

A.  R  srONE  A  CO.,Auctlonei>ra  and  Com  • 

mission  Merchants,  Ifl!)  Summit  street. 
— W.  (;.  ALKXAN7)Eit.  Auctio'"eer. 

ST.  JOHN  &  Bl'CK.  Wholisiilc  Denlcrs 
in  I'^ntili  and  salt  Fish;  Water,  foot  of 
Cherry  litreet.— Wsi.  St.  John,  Ply.mp- 
TON  Buck 

JOHN  &  NORTON.  Real  Estate  Deal- 
ers, corner  Sinumit  and  Cherry  streets. 
W.it.  St  John,  John  G   Nokton. 

SUNDAY  MORNING  SUN,  John  A.  Lant, 
Editor. 

B.  O  SWEET  &  CO. .Wholesale  and  RetaU 

Dealers  in  all  kinds  of  Coal.  Iron,  iSc, 
corner  Moi.rce  and  Water  streets. 

AU(;U  TL'SB  TAB  KR,  Agricultural  Imple- 
ments, Machinery  and  Seeds,  MO,  \\l 
ami  1 14  Superi  r  street. 

L.  T.  THAYEK.  of  the  Arm  of  RussEl.i. 
&  TiiAYiSU.  Founders  and  Proprietors 
of  the  Novelty  Iron  Works.  Water  &l. 

THE  INDEX,  F.  E.  Arbot.  EHitor. 

THORN  l!ROl"HERS&  CO.,  Chair  Mann 
f.icturers,  Krie  street. 

TOLEDO  BLADE— Daily,  W<'(!kly  and  Tri- 
weekly. LncitE  it  joNES,  I'iihlishers; 
D  R.  Locke,  Editor  iu  Chief,  K.  A. 
IIlGGiNs.  Asso"iati!  Editor 

TOLEDO  CHKMICAL  WORKS;  B  F. 
HoLLiSTKR,  I'residi'nt,  H.C.RicnAi'.ns, 
Vice  Preeiilout ;  H  C  Si'hh.v,  Siipeiiii- 
tcnident,  |j.  E.  Basfett,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer. 

TOLEDO  MORVINCJ  COMMERCIAL.  - 
Ci,ARic  Waggoner.  Editor  in-Chief . 
Toledo  Commkhciai.  Co.,  I'lihlislmrs. 
17")  and  17T  Summit  street.  Also  issue 
Tri-weeklvnnd  Weelvlv. 

TOLEDO  DEMOCRAT:  "A.  J.  Behout, 
Manager;  E.  S.  Dodd,  I.'iaao  Ragev 
Eoitors;  V.  J.  Zahs,  Supl.  Printing 
Department. 


ST. 


TOLEDO,  SUNDAY  JOURNAL,  P.  H. 
Matesov,  Publisher. 

THEPANIER  &  COOPER.  Wholesale  and 
Retail  Dealer-' in  Foreign  and  Domestic 
Dry  Goods,  Notions,  &c.,  101  Summit 

UNION*^  MANUFACTURING  CO.,  (R.  S. 
JANNKV,Prea  t,  and  L  P.Ltttle,  Sec'y) 
Manufacturers  of  Churns,  Wa8h-l)oards, 
Boys'  Carts,  and  Waijons,  and  Kitchen 
Wooden  ware . 

M,  O.  WAGGONER,  Real  Estate  Agent, 
bu.VH,  sells,  rents  ami  i)ays  taxes;  also, 
sells  Jerome  Kidder's  Jalvanlr  Bntter- 
ies  Olllce,  )(>  Mailison  street,  Fiulay's 
Biiildiuir. 

H.   S.  WALBRIDGE,  Banker,  160  Summit 

WILLIAM  T.  WALKER,  of  firm  of  W.  T. 
Walkeh  &  Co.,  Commlss  on  Merch- 
ants, 1 1(1, 1  IS  and  lao  Water  street. 

J.  W.  WALTEIHIOUSE,  Wholesale  and  Re- 
tail Denier  in  Pine  Lumber.  Shingles 
and  Latli ;  Water  street,  belwecu  Adams 
ami  Oak. 

WEKD  SEWING  MArillXR  CO.,  Ware 
hous.!  Ti'i  SiHn'iiitstre<'t.  Retail  Depan- 
inent,  Boody  House.  A.  E.  Dickikson, 
Alaiiager 

J  H.  WHITAKER.  firm  of  W^hitakpir, 
J'uiLi.irs  &  Co.,  Hardware  Dealers,  Wi 
Summit  street. 

WHITAKER  &  FRENCH,  W'ho'esnle 
C  .rriage  and  Sudulery  Hardware,  KM 
Summit  street. 

WHITE  &  BR \ND,  General  Agent*  and 
Dealers  in  Decker  Bros. ' and  W.  Knahe 
it  Co's  Pianos,  atnl  Burdctt  Organs; 
Mu>ic  Piililishers.  and  Dealers  in  Amer- 
ican and  FoieiL'ii  Music,  and  Musical 
Merchandise  of  every  description.  173 
Siuninit  street. 

WILCOX  BROTHERS,  Ship  Chandlers- 
Wholesale— III  anil  (10  Water  street. 

WILLIAMS  &  liOAKE,  Mannfiictur  r-  <d' 
Cli.ihv,  W.\  to  1.').')  Water  street.  — Harry 
Williams.  .Ia-mes  H.  Boake. 

WORTS  &  CO.,  Wholesale  Bakers  and 
Confectioner-,  Z(\a  St.  Clnir  street  — 
Oeouoe  Wor.rs.ALUKUT  Kiuic,  IIenuv 

W  .    BlIlELOW. 

WRIGHT,  TAYLOR  &  CO  .  Manufacturers 
and  Wholesale  Dealers  in  Boots  and 
Shoes,  84  and  80  Summit  street. 

WY^MAN.  GR -Gf;  &  CO.,  Dealers  in  Hard 
and  Soft  Coal,  Lime  Cement,  Piaster, 
and  Fire  Brick  and  Clay,  48  Water  St. 

YOUNG  &  BACKUS,  Commission  Mer 
chants,  and  owners  of  Wabash  and 
Miami  Canal  Grain  Elevators,  Water 
ptreet. 

CIIAS  L.  Y'OUNG,  of  "Sears  &  Hol- 
land LtT.MiiEi'.  Co.,"  Manufacturers  and 
Wholesale  Dealers  in  Pine  Lumber, 
Superior  street  at  Swan  Creek. 

SAMUivL  M.  YOUNG,  President  Toledo 
National  Bank. 


OTHEll  PIONEERS  OF  THE  MA.UMEE  VALLEY. 

Noah  A.  Wliifney,  who  died  in  Miuch,  1875J.  nt  the  age  of  74  j'cars,  belonged 
to  a  family  well  Iciiown  and  highly  respected  by  the  earl}'  settlers  of  Toledo. 
His  father,  Noah  Ashley  Whitney,  sen.,  (whose  family  then  consisted  of  his 
wife,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,)  in  1824  entered  at.  the  Uniled  States  Land 
Ofllcc,  the  E.  hidf  of  S.  W.  Qr.  of  Sec.  2G,  now  within  Toledo,  and  at  the 


8Y3. 


Additional  Pioneers  of  the  Maumee  Valley.      649 


UIINAL,    1'.    II, 

{.  Wholenalo  and 
;,'ii  and  Domentic 
Ac,  101  Summit 

INO  CO.,  (R.  S. 
F.Ltttle,  Sec'y) 
rnBjWash-boartlH, 
una,  and  Kltulicn 

111  Entftto  Afient, 

pays  taxes;  also, 

Jalvanic  Untter- 

u  ftruct,  Fiulay'f* 

nkor,  ItiO  Summit 

of  (Irmot  \V.  T. 
innilss  on  Mercli- 
iVater  street. 
kVliolewile  and  Ke- 
l,uinbL'r,  Shintrliss 
t,  between  A(lam» 

INR  CO.,  Wan- 
•I'l.Rftiiil  l)i(;;an- 

\.  E  UlLKlKSON, 
II    of     WllITAKKR, 

Iwaro  Dealers,  102 

>JCII,  Who'esale 
ry  Hardware,   104 

nonil  Agpnt"  and 
iB.'anil  W.  Kniibr 
Burdctt  OrijanH; 
1  Di'alors  in  Amor- 
ucic,  and  Muj'iciil 
'  description.    17'i 

Ship  Chandlers— 
Water  street. 
Maniifactur  r-  of 

cr  street. —  llAnnv 

BOAKIi. 

•sale  Bakeri^  and 
It.   Clair  ptreot.— 

BUT  KlllK,  IlENnv 

;0  .  Manufacturers 
lers  in  Boots  and 
mit  street. 
.,  Uealcrs  in  Hard 

Cement,  Plaster, 
lay,  4,s  Water  St. 
CommissioD    M  er 
of    Wabash  and 

Elevators,    Water 

"Seaiis  &  IIoi.- 
jMannfacturers  and 
ill  IMne  Lumber, 
,van  Creel? . 

President  Toledo 


LEY. 

years,  belonged 
tiers  of  Toledo, 
consisted  of  his 
ed  States  Land 
edo,  and  at  the 


junction  of  Adams  .street  with  Collinfijwood  Avenue.  The  names  of  the  four 
sons  were  Noah  A.,  Thomas  P.,  Milton  I).,  and  Augustus  H.,  of  whom  the 
second  only  now  remains;  and  the  daughters  were  Mary  Ann  and  Harriett, 
the  latter  l)einff  the  wife  of  Sanford  L  Collins,  Esq.,  and  now  living.  In  1825, 
Noah  A  Whitney,  Jr.,  entered  a  quarter  section  of  land,  now  within  the  city 
limits,  upon  which  he  continued  to  reside  tuitil  the  day  of  his  death.  In  an 
obituary  notice  the  Toledo  Commercial  said  : 

"  Mr.  Whitney  had  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist,  church  for  40  years,  and 
probably  more  than  any  other  one  contributed,  in  labor  and  money,  toward 
the  support  of  religious  advantages.  Mrs.  Whitney  was  the  first  class-leader 
within  the  present  bounds  of  Toledo,  under  the  ministration  of  Elder  Baugh- 
iiian,  the  pioneer  Methodist  preacher  of  this  region,  whose  circuit  included 
Fremont  (then  Lower  Sandusky)  and  the  entire  country  to  Detroit,  four  weeks 
Ix'ing  re{|uired  for  his  round.  The  deceased  was  among  the  oldest,  if  not  the 
very  oldest  resident  church  member  in  Toledo,  as  he  was  the  oldest  continuous 
housekeeper  in  th"  same,  all  his  lirst  neighbors  having  preceded  him  to  their 
last  home.    Mrs.  Whitney  died  in  18.>7,  leaving  no  children." 

Mavor  Brigh'  m  immigrated  vith  his  family  from  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
to  Toledo,  in  May,  1835.  ilc  :  ibored  dilligently,  and  expended  freely  of  time 
and  money  in  organizing  and  establishing  the  Congregational  church  of 
Toledo,  which  now  forms  so  important  a  part  of  the  religious  element  of  the 
city.  Mr.  Brigham,  durii '  his  long  residence  in  Toledo,  has  been  not  only 
active  in  sustaining  the  interests  of  religion,  but  has  held  several  public  posi- 
tions in  the  township  and  city  governments,  the  duties  of  all  of  which  have  ever 
lieen  discharged  faithfully. 

Elijah  Dorld  removed  to  Toledo  in  18;]5,  and  to  Waterville  in  1837.  Was 
elected  Sheriff  of  Lucas  county  in  1851  and  re-elected  in  1853. 

Capt.  W.  E.  Standart,  now  of  the  firm  of  B.  G.  Sweet  &  Co.,  Toledo,  was  one 
of  the  lirst  messengers  who  took  charge  of  the  c-press  matter,  after  the  line 
was  established,  between  Butlalo  and  Detroit,  Liiu  treasure,  involving  values 
forwarded  between  New  York  and  Dctroil,  T7.  ;>  encased  in  a  small  hand 
trunk. 

William  Andrews  removed  with  his  family  to^oledo  in  May,  1835.  He  Avas 
a  good  man,  esteemed  by  all  the  old  citizens,  and  died  about  18  years  ago. 
His  son,  Samuel  Andrews,  now  of  the  Blade  office,  is  among  his  survivors. 

Alexander  Wales  removed  to  Vistula  in  June,  1833,  and  erected  the  first 
tVauie  house  in  that  division.  He  is  now  a  resident  of  Wood  county,  adjoining 
the  corporation  of  Toledo.  Ilis  son  is  Mr.  C.  T.  Wales,  Secretary  of  the  Toledo 
Board  of  Trade. 

Thomas  Howard,  from  Yates  county,  N.  Y.,  landed  at  Fort  Meigs  in  the 
spring  of  18.J3.  He  and  part  of  the  I'amillcs  made  the  trip  i'rom  Buffalo  in  a 
;iU  t')h  schooner,  commanded  by  Capt.  Almon  Ueed— the  teams  and  live  stock 
being  driven  over  land  by  another  part  of  his  fainily,  which  struck  the  Maumee 
at  a  point  now  known  as  East  Toledo.  From  here  they  proceeded  up  the  river 
lo  F(irt  Meigs,  experiencing  .some  difficulty  in  urging  their  live  stock  through 
llie  Indian  camps,  which  at  that  time  lined  the  banks  of  the  Maumee,  and 
siHifliiig  danger  afar  off,  the  horses  and  cattle  manifested  greater  fear  of  these 
lords  of  the  forest  than  did  their  owners.  The  branches  of  tin;  emigrating  families, 
some  taking  the  water,  and  others  the  overland  route,  and  whicli  came  to  the 
Maum(;e  V'allev  at  that  time,  consisted  of  his  three  sons,  Edward,  Uobert  A., 
and  Itichard  M.  W.  Howard,  and  their  several  families.  Subsequently  th'-se 
households,  and  also  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Sidney  Howard  Davison,  (now  a  resident 
of  _.a  Salle  Co.,  Ill,  and  aged  77  years,)  removed  to  the  head  of  the  rapids  of 
the  Maumee  (Gilead.)  Thomas  Howard,  bom  November  15,  1758,  died  at  the 
head  of  the  rapids.  May  25,  1825. 

Uobert  A.  Howard,  who  was  born  Nov.  10,  179S,  survived  many  years  all 
his  brothers.    He  resided  at  the  head  ot  the  rapids  about  ten  years,  and  re- 


650      Additional  Pioneers  of  the  Maumce  Valley. 


moved  to  York  township,  Lucas  county,  (now  Pike  lowusliip,  Fulton  county,) 
where  he  died  on  the  20th  of  November,  1872,  at  the  aj^e  of  74  years.  In'  a 
mention  of  liis  death,  the  Toledo  Commercial  of  Dec.  4,  1872,  said  : 

•'  He  remained  at  the  liead  of  tlic  rapids  until  18;J.'i,  when,  having  disposorl  oi 
the  farm  which  he  liad  made  so  valuable  by  the  labor  of  his  early  manhood,  lie 
removed  to  the  place  on  which  ho  died,  and  which  was  then  in  York  township, 
Lucas  county.  He  immediately  took  high  rank  among  the  early  settlers  ol 
that  part  of  i\w.  country,  and  was  very  soon  made  a  Justice  ot  the  Peace,  whicli 
otHce  he  held  lor  many' years,  and  used  it  as  u  means  of  etTecting  a  scttlemcni 
of  diflEerences  between  his  neighbors,  rathcir  than  as  a  means  of  litigation,  ilr 
was  a  just  man,  and  his  advice,  oltener  than  his  docket,  was  made  llu!  basis 
of  the  (icyustment  of  controversies  brought  before  him. 

"  After  the  county  of  Fulton  was  established  he  was  employed  by  the  Conuiii.s 
sioners  to  transcribe  the  records  in  the  Uecorder's  ofllces  ot  tiie  old  counties,  fnr 
use  of  the  new.  He  was  also  elected  Ilccorder  of  Fulton  coimty,  and  in  the 
performance  of  all  his  duties,  proved  himself  a  faithful  and  conscientious  offlccr." 
This  couple  had  e.\i)eriencp  that  fully  instructed  them  in  all  the  Joys  and 
hardships  of  pioneer  life. 

Mrs.  Howard,  whose  maideu  name  was  Priscilla  Ntilson,  preceded  her  bus 
liaud  the  previous  May  to  her  final  rest,  after  having  lived  with  him  happily 
during  a  period  of  aboiit  half  a  century.  Mrs.  Howard  is  represented  by  tiiosr 
who  had  best  opportunities  ot  understanding  her  ciiaracter,  as  one  of  the  best 
of  wiv(!8,  mothers  and  neighbors  among  the  pioneers  of  North  Western  Ohio 
This  pioneer  couple,  so  long  partners  in  marital  life,  had  raised  a  family  of 
nine  children,  (all  born  in  the  V^alley,)  to  sustain  them  in  their  declining  yciirn. 
These  children  all  attained  maturity,  and  si.\  of  them  yet  survive— their  severiil 
names  and  residences  being  A.  A.  Howard,  of  Mason,  Midi.,  Col.  N.  M.  How- 
ard, now  a  prominent  and  successful  business  man  of  Toledo,  having  resided 
with  his  family  in  the  city  during  the  last  twenty  years,  Wm.  II.  Howard,  ot 
Illinois,  Edwin  \.  Howard,  of  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  (who  was  recently  appointed 
by  President  Grant  to  tne  Indian  agency  in  Dakota  territory,)  James  W.  How- 
ard, (who  resides  upon  the  old  homestead  in  Fulton  county,)  and  the  surviving 
daughter,  Mrs.  Aurelia  Augusta,  wife  of  John  H.  Keid,  Esq.,  of  Bowlin;; 
Green.  ♦ 

Hon.  D.  W.  II.  Howard,  member  of  the  present  State  Senate,  and  resident 
of  Fulton  county,  and  his  sister,  Anjanette,  wife  of  Hon.  Geo.  Laskey,  of  Grand 
Uapids,  Wood  county,  are  the  son  and  daughter  of  Edward  Howard,  (wlio 
was  born  in  the  year  1787,  and  died  in  1841,)  and  whose  wife  is  yet  living 
with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Laskey,  near  the  spot  where  they  settled  half  a  century 
since,  at  the  head  of  the  Rapids. 

Wm.  Howard,  oldest  sou  of  Thomas  Howard,  and  father  of  Mrs.  Charlollc 
P.  Pr  tt,  of  the  head  of  the  r.apids.  and  James  Montgomery  Howard,  of  La 
Salle  Co.,  111.,  came  to  the  Maumee  Valley  in  about  188i»,  iu  a  small  keel  boat 
named  "the  Maumee  Pilot,"  built  upon  Seneca  lake  and  brought  through  the 
Erie  canal,  and  towed  across  lake  Erie  from  Baflalo  to  Perrysburg  by  Capt. 
David  Wilkinson's  schooner,  "Eagle." 

Peter  H.  Shaw  removed  to  the  Valley  in  18)3.  With  Daniel  H.  Ilubbell, 
(the  latter  at  one  time  Associate  Judge  of  Wood  county,)  in  1^24,  he  made 
four  miles  of  the  mud  turnpike  between  Perrysburg  and  l'"'remont,  new  known 
as  the  Western  Reserve  and  Maumee  road.  iMr.  Shaw  was  engaged  by  Col. 
Moore,  U.  S.  Chief  Engineer,  in  the  original  survey  of  the  Wabash  &  Erie 
Canal,  from  Defiance  to  Mamriec  City,  in  1827,  when  it  was  c  uitemplated  iu 
view  of  the  unsettled  condition  of  the  boundary  question  between  Ohio  and 
Michigan,  to  terminate  the  Canal  at  the  font  of  Ihe  Rapids.  Valuable  matter 
in  the  form  (if  a  journal,  k'  pt  by  Mr.  Shaw,  commencing  with  his  fii*st  settle- 
ment in  the  country,  and  extending  through  a  period  of  many  years,  was  des- 
troyed. Iu  January,  18155,  Mr.  Shaw  removed  his  family  to  Toledo,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  brick.    The  brick  in  the  wa.ls  of  the  house  of  Maj. 


Valley. 


Additional  Pioncnrfi  of  the  Maumce  Valletj.      051 


lip,  Fiillon  county,) 
of  74  yeurH.  In"  a 
2,  said : 

,  having  disposed  ot 
<  curly  manliood,  lie 
1  ill  Vorli  township, 
the  early  BcttliTs  oi 
ot  the  Peace,  wiiicli 
L'ctiriR  a  Hcttiomcni 
s  of  litijration.  ilr 
ivas  made  tlio  basis 

)ycd  by  the  Conuiiis 
tlic  olil  counties,  fnr 
county,  and  in  tlic 
onscientious  olUocr." 
n   all   tlio  joys  and 

1,  preceded  her  bus 
d  with  him  happily 
repreaentcd  by  tiiosc 
,  as  one  of  the  best 
orlh  Western  Ohio 
I  raised  a  family  of 
heir  declining  years, 
nrvive— their  several 
1.,  Col.  N.  M,  How- 
)ledo,  having  resided 
Vm.  II.  Howard,  ot 
18  recently  appointed 
ry,)  James  W.  IIow- 
y,)  and  the  surviving 
1,  Esq.,  of  Bowlin," 

Senate,  and  resident 
eo.  Laskey,  of  Grand 
ward  Howard,  (who 
46  wite  is  yet  liviui,' 
settled  half  a  century 

jr  of  iMrs.  Charlntic 
iiery  Howard,  of  L:t 
iu  a  small  keel  boat 
brought  through  the 
Perrysburg  by  Capt. 


Daniel  H.  Ilubbell, 
',)  in  lb24,  he  made 
'remont,  new  known 
was  engaged  by  Col. 

the  Wabash  &  Erie 
was  c  mtemplated  iu 
n  between  Ohio  and 
Is.  Valuable  matter 
;  with  his  first  settlf- 
iiany  years,  was  des- 
y  to  Toledo,  and  en- 
•  of  the  house  ot  Maj. 


Coleman  I.  Kceler,  and  yet  standing  on  tlu;  old  territorial  road,  (now  street,) 
and  being  the  second  brick  bouse  erected  in  Toledo,  were  made  by  him.  He 
cleared  fully  one  hundred  acres  of  land  now  within  Ihc  city  limits  of  its  timber, 
the  wood  beitig  principally  used  for  Ids  brick  kilns.  This  business  of  manu- 
facturing brick  he  continued  until  1850,  when  he  removed  to  his  farm  in  Adams 
township,  about  two  and  a  ((uarter  miles  distant  from  the  Court  House,  where 
he  yet  resides. 

Capt.  B.  G.  Swe(!l,  now  of  Toledo,  and  of  the  firm  of  8weel  ii,  Standart,  coal 
dealers,  &c.,  is  one  among  the  old  mivigators  of  the  lakes.  He  commenced  as 
,1  sailor  <m  board  the  schooner  "  Hannah,"  fitted  out  at  Dunkirk  in  the  spring 
of  1823,  and  first  comnuinded  the  scho(mer  "  Antoinette,"  built  at  Black  river 
in  about  1868.  He  couunandcd  the  "North  Star,"  which  ran  eight  years  a>» 
iin  excursion  steamer  to  the  bead  of  Lake  Superior,  (.'apt.  Sweet  was  the  first 
(OMUuander  of  .i  side-wheel  steamer — "  The  Northerner" — that  passed  through 
the  Sault  St.  Marie  canal.  He  (piit  the  marine  service  at  the  close  of  naviga- 
tion in  1868,  and  resigned  liis  idacc  as  Captain  of  the  proi)eller  "  S.  I). 
Caldwell." 

James  B.  Steedman,  from  Louisville,  Ky.,  removed  to  Ihc  Maumee  Valley 
Oct.  22,  1837,  and  became  a  contractor  on  Sec.  75,  W.  &  K.  Canal,  !{  miles 
fthovc  Napoleon,  and  look  iu  partnership  his  brother-in-law,  Elijah  Dodd.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Ohio  House  of  Representatives  in  1841,  and  re- 
elected in  181'.J ;  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works  in  1851,  and 
re-elected  for  the  full  term  in  1852 ;  in  1857,  Printer  to  the  House  of  Bepresen- 
Ifttivcs  at  Wasld'iglon.  In  the  late  civil  war  he  commanded  the  14th  Rcgt.  O. 
V.  I.,  in  the  thre(!  months'  service,  and  Scptend)er  25,  1861,  the  regiment 
was  rc-«rgani/,ed  for  the  three  year's  service,  and  he  was  again  commissioned 
as  Colonel ;  July  17, 1862,  was  confiruKid  by  th«!  Senate  as  Brig.  Gen.,  and  in 
March,  1804,  confirmed  as  full  Maj.  Gen. "in  the  army  of  the  United  States, 
with  rank  of  the  same  grade  in  the  regular  service.  In  tlui  Ami}',  uo  officer 
in  the  volunteer  service,  and  few  West  Point  graduates,  won  bight r  honors.  In 
1867,  he  was  tendertjd  the  appoiptment  of  the  Mexican  Mission,  which  he 
declined;  Inr  accepted  the  appointment  of  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  at 
New  Orleans. 

John  R.  Bond,  born  on  the  Vermont  side  of  Luke  Champlain,  began 
business  life  in  Toledo  in  1830,  as  a  clerk  for  Scott  &  Richardson,  in  the  first 
hardware,  fir  and  stove  store  established  in  the  place — said  store  being  located 
on  lot  .355,  Vistula  Division,  near  the  corner  of  Summit  and  Cherry  streets.  In 
the  following  vear  the  eslablishmenf  was  removed  to  the  "Arcade  store,"  lot 
347,  Vistula.'  "He  was  a  clerk  for  Titus  &  Co.,  from  1841  to  1842,  and  then  re- 
turned to  bis  first  employers,  and  continued  with  them  until  184ii,  when  he 
purchased  the  store,  and  continued  in  business  himself  during  a  period  of  three 
years.  Mr.  Bond  commanded  a  regiment  during  the  late  civil  war,  and  has 
filled  many  civil  positions;  and  lias  never  failed  iu  the  faithful  di.scharge  of 
every  trust  confided  to  him. 

Henry  D.  Kingsbury  commenced  bis  residence  in  the  Maumee  Valley  in 
1835.  He  was,  during  many  years,  proprietor  of  the  Kingsbury  House,  Summit 
street — served  several  terms  as  Slierifi"  of  Lucas  county,  and  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  'ate  civil  war,  entered  the  three  mouths  service,  and  was  made  Cap- 
tain and  Quartermaster.  Under  the  three  years  call,  he  commanded  a  regi- 
ment, and  now  is  connected  with  the  police  force  of  Toledo. 

Matthias  Boos  began  business  in  Toledo  in  1837,  and  is  yet  prominent  in 
trade. 

David  JoJinston  came  in  1835,  and  afterward  took  charge  of  the  Ohio 
House,  corner  of  Walnut  and  Summit  streets.    He  is  yet  in  business. 

The  business  notices  in  the  first  number  of  the  Manhattan  AfJvertii>e7\  issued 
July  13,  1831),  were  signed  by  the  following  named  persons :  Piatt  Card,  Two 
Stickney,  R.  S,  Tylor,  Dr.  Calvin  Smith,  S.  Johnson,  Wm.  Martin,  Chas.  Sill  & 


652      Additional  Pioneers  of  the  Maumee  Valley. 


Co.,  D.  Chaso,  Chase,  Hill  &  Co..  J.  P.  Thompson,  Adolphus  Kractncr,  F.  L 
Nichols,  Foote,  Swilt  &  Co.,  and  8.  Cornwall. 

In  ftcUlllion  to  those  who  lulvertised,  there  were  R.  F.  Sniead,  editor  of  the 
Manhattan  AdrertiMor,  one  of  tho  most  sprightly  journals  in  the  West;  a 
lawyer  named  WhetUr.  and  a  physician  of  tlie  same  name;  David  Mooney; 
Henry  D.  Ward  ;  Mr.  Warner;  Wilhird  Smith  ;  A.  Williams,  now  lOU  Adiims 
street;  E.  C.  Ilnrt ;  Oeo.  Humphrey;  Guy  and  Jol'I  Carpenter;  James  Kirk; 
Fred.  Osgood  ;  Uisliop  Davis,  and  others,  whose  names  cannot  now  bo  recHlled. 
Of  the  old  residents.  Gen.  D.  and  Dr.  James  Ti.  Chase,  Joseph  Jacobs,  Jonnthnii 
Lundy,  George  Abt  and  George  Angel,  are  all  that  remain. 

Gen.  Daniel  Chase  flrF  '-'ted  the  Valley  in  1834.  His  ndlitary  record  in 
the  Me.vlcau  war,  in  wL  wcni  a  Major's  commission,  was  a  very  honor- 

able '  ne.     Advancing  yi       .lid  not  penult  liim  to  take  so  active  a  part  in  the 
late  civil  war. 

Timothy  Coghlin,  with  his  two  sons  and  one  danghter,  removed  to  Toledo 
in  October,  18i30,  and  engaged  in  tho  employ  of  the  Erie  and  Kalamazoo  mil- 
road,  and  remained  in  the  service  of  the  Company  until  181  V  Meantime  he 
had  rented  a  farm  in  Washington,  adjoining  Port  Lawrence  township,  wliicii 
he  cuUivattd,  and  upon  Avhich  he  resided  until  his  death,  in  September, 
1843.  Mr.  Coghlin  was  respeoled  by  all  the  old  citizens  for  his  straight-forward 
integrity. 

The  business  career  of  Dennis  Coghlin  commenced  in  Toledo  directly  after 
his  father's  death,  and  has  continued  siuc(\  During  a  |)eriod  of  si.x  years,  he 
was  Director  of  Die  Lnca.*)  county  Infirmary,  for  several  years  a  member  of  the 
City  Council,  and,  under  the  administration  of  Mr.  Buchanan,  Collector  of 
Customs  at  Toledo. 

Patrick  Martin  and  wife,  one  sou  aud  three  dangiiters.  removed  to  Washinj,' 
ton  township,  in  18:34,  and  purchased  "  the  south  half  N.  E.  Qr.  of  Sec.  13,  Tp. 
2,  in  Twelve  Mile  Reserve,  Miami  Rapids,  c  ntaining  80  acres"— said  land 
being  now  in  Adams  Tov  ship,  i  nd  occupit  d  by  Geo.  Wiliiiims.  Edward,  a 
promising  ancl  useful  y  in'iu,  was  among  the  earliest  California  emigrants, 
and  died  <m  tlie  Pacific  oi   the  33d  of  June,  1850.      Mrs.  Dennis  Coghlin 

is  the  only  survivor  of  ^.^        urtin's  family  who  ciiinc  with  her  parents  to  tin 
country.    Mr.  Martin  died  June  8,  1859. 

Henry  G.  Neubert,  an  old  soldier,  who  had  served  in  the  armies  under  tiic 
First  Napoleon,  and  after  his  exile  and  death,  in  llie  British  service,  became 
an  early  resident  ot  Toledo,  and  was  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  Wabasli 
&  Erie  Canal,  during  which  employment,  by  the  lall  of  a  tree,  he  lost  his 
right  arm.  He  died  of  cholera  in  1853.  His  desv:endants  are  Mrs.  Guido  Miir.v, 
and  Capt.  Henry  G.  Neubert. 

Thomas  Carr  removed  to  Toledo  in  October,  183G.  He  was  a  contractor  on 
the  Wabasli  &  Erie  Canal. 

Wni.  J.  Finlay  came  to  Toledo  from  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  with  Col.  McKenster, 
(afterwards  proprietor  of  the  old  American  House.)  in  1843.  He  can  scarcely _ 
be  cla.ssed  among  the  pioneers;  but  his  success  in  life  has  been  one  so  remark- 
able, that  a  deiiarture  in  his  case  from  the  general  rule,  appears  justitiabic. 
Under  Col.  McKenster,  Mr.  Finbiy  occupied  subordinate  positions;  but  soon 
his  rare  intelligence  and  natural  business  tact  manifested  themselves,  and  at- 
tracted notice,  and  in  184G,  upon  the  resignation  of  Capt.  George  Dutch  Davis, 
he  was  placed  in  cliarge  of  the  Toledo  otlice  of  the  Canal  Packet  Co.,  where  he 
continued  until  tlie  withdrawal  of  the  lines,  which  occurred  on  the  opening  of 
the  Toledo  &  Wabash  railroad,  and  then  closed  the  oflice.  From  such  begin- 
nings, he  has  continued  until  he  has  reached  opulence  and  erected  monuments 
of  his  enterprise,  the  most  conspicuous  of  which  is  the  Chamber  ot  (kimmerci' 
building,  wliich  will  endure  in  after  years  as  one  of  the  prominent  fea- 
tures of  the  bus.aess  history  of  these  times.  The  first  and  only  official  plaw 
Mr.  Finlay  over  held,  was  derived  from  Gen.  Jas.  B.  Steedman,  when  the  Int- 


Additional  Pio7ieers  of  the  Mavmee  Valley.      (iHS 


1U9  Kracmcr,  F.  L. 


3  WHS  !i  coatractor  on 


icr  was  member  ot  the  Ohio  Board  of  Public  Works,  and  this  was  tlie  oflice  of 
Inspector  of  canal  boats,  at  a  salary  of  ftWo  per  annum  ;  allhouKli,  during  the 
(liolera  season  of  IS.IS,  when  llio  collector,  weigh-niaster.  and  insj)ector 
vucuted  their  offices,  and  sought  more  healthy  localities,  Mr.  Finla\  remained 
I  it  his  post,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  liis  own  and  tlieir  ofllces. 
Thoniaa  Southard  commenced  his  residence  in  Toledo  al)()Ut  the  1st  of  May, 

I  mi. 

Hobert  N.  Lawton  began  hotel  liie  in  Toledo  us  proprietor  of  the  American, 
jciinier  Summit  and  Kim  streets,  in  IHW.  In  18H1.  he  became  proprietor  of  tho 
ludiana  House,  corner  of  tSummit  and  I'erry.  He  died  at  lndiana|)olis,  June 
ly,  18r»(;,  and  his  remains  were  returned  to  Toledo  for  interment.  His  widow,  Mrs. 
Susan  A.  Lawton,  and  daughter  of  the  late  Sylvester  (!oruwall,  of  Manhattan, 
is  yet  a  resident  of  Toledo.  Mr.  Lawton  was  a  thorough  gentleman,  and  u 
[popular  hotel  proprietor. 

John  P.  Freeman  commenced  his  buslncsa  career  in  Toledo  in  18)15. 

Thomas  R.  McKnight  was  one  among  the  oldest  citizens  of  Perrysburg.  IL^ 
I  was  a  soldier  under  Harrison,  and  at  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  in  18i;j.  In  1H19 
I  lie  returned  to  Perrysburg,  and  in  1820  removed  his  family  there. 

Wm.  Crook  emigrated  from  England,  and  removed  to  Toledo  in  the  fall  of 
|l8;il,  and  in  18:13  to  Periysburg,  where  he  died  in  February,  1871. 

Jacob  Keller  removed  to  the  Maumeo  Valley  in  18!}3,  and  died  on  the  farm 
I  ol  Peter  H.  Shaw,  in  Adams  township,  April  23,  1873. 

J.  G.  Cass  removed  to  Waynesti  Jd  (now  Adams)  township.  May,  1822. 

James  S.  Herrick  removed  to  Muuniee  City  in  1823.  He  left  five  sons  at  the 
I  lime  of  his  death,  namely  :  William,  Elisha,  Morris,  Calviu  and  Willson. 

David  Hedges  removed  to  tho  Wolf  Rapids  farm,  south  side  of  the  Maumee, 
luear  the  Missionary  S  alion,  in  1831,  wht.e  he  resided  several  years,  and  th  u 
remov  d  to  Vienna,  Mich.,  where  he  died  in  1801.  He  was  the  father  of  Mrs. 
I  Henry  S.  Commager. 

Jolm  Wolf  emigrated  from  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  to  Waterville,  in  1834,  and  died 
|in  lb«4. 

Dh     \  Smith  and  Lydia  M.  Webb  were  marited  at  Selina,  New  York,  Jan. 
I  !l,  \%'6     moved  to  HutVulo  in  August  of  the  same  year,  and  on  the  38th  ot  May, 
isy"),  c      menced  tl cir  residence  in  Waterville.    In  1830,  Mr.  Smith  was  elected 
Justice  I.,   ihe  Peace.      In  1838,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster,  and  in  1845,  re- 
appointed.    Mr.  Smith  removed  to  Maumee  City,  having  been  appoin  ed  Col- 
I  lector  o!  Canal  tolls,  and  died  of  cholera,  August  17,  1854. 

Judge  James  \Vv  Icott  died  at  his  residence  in  Maumee  City,  January  5, 1873. 

iVt  St.  Louis,  March  8,  1821,  he  married  JVIiss  Mary,  daughter  of  (Japt.  Wm. 

Wells,  a  sketch  of  whose  remarkable  life  appears  in  other  pages.     Judge  Wol- 

I  ootl's  tirsl  setllemeiit  in  the  Valley  was  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  in  1820  removed  to 

Uiiumee  City,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death. 

John  Pray,  a  man  prominent  in  tac  cary  settlement  of  the  Maumee  Valley, 
and  one  of  the  first  Commissioners  of  Wood  county,  died  at  his  residence  iu 
Waterville  iu  1873. 

Gabriel  Crane,  with  a  vounger  brother,  Josiah  L.,  born  in  Orange  county, 
Xew  York,  Marcli  30,  1800,  travelled  to  Ohio  on  foot— leaving  their  native 
place  December,  1831.  On  New  Year's  day,  1833,  they  walked  forty  miles, 
each  carrying  with  him  a  knapsack  weighing'between  thirty  and  forty  pounds ; 
arrived  at  Dayton,  after  several  stoppages  near  Worthingtou,  Franklinton,  and 
in  Ross  county,  March,  1822.  At  Dayton  they  remained  about  four  years,  and 
ia  December,  1820,  removed  to  Perrysburg.  In  1835,  Gabriel  Crane  removed 
to  bis  present  residence  iu  Oregon  township,  and  built  the  first  frame  house  be- 
tween Perrysburg  and  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Part  of  his  place  is  i  ow 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  Toledo.  Josiah  L.Crane  died  at  Perrysburg  in  Mav, 
1853. 


654 


Toledo — General  Charles  W.  Hill. 


Gen.  Charles  W.  Hill  removed  to  Toledo  in  April,  1836,  and  was  employnd 
at  first  in  commercial  and  mercantile  business.  Soon  after,  he  was  appointed 
City  Clerk,  and,  borrowing  books  of  D.  O.  Morton,  Esq.,  read  law  until  June  3, 
18a9,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.  On  the  1st  of  October,  1839,  he 
became  a  partner  of  M.  H.  Tilden,  and  from  ti)at  time  (except  from  June  18, 
1861,  to  July  12, 1865,  when  he  was  in  the  military  service,)  he  was  a  hard- 
working and  successful  lawyer  Brief  reference  is  made  to  his  professional 
career  on  pp.  289--i90  ot  this  volume.  But  it  is  proper  that  notice  be  taken  ot 
his  unrequited  services  in  another  sphere  of  usefulness.  Reference  is  here 
made  to  tht  public  schools.  Starling  out,  with  three  great  cardinal  principles, 
he  has  adhered  to  them  with  a  persistency,  certainly  not  pecuniarily  proiitaljle 
to  himself  aough  fruitful  of  good  results  to  the  city  and  vicinity :  1st.  That 
lie  would  not  live  in  a  community  that  could  not  thoroughly  educate  his  chil- 
dren in  the  public  schools ;  2nd.  That  he  would  ask  nothing  for  his  own  chil- 
dren that  he  would  not  provide  for  all  other  youth  in  the  city ;  3rd.  That  the 
incumbent  of  a  public  office,  voluntarily  accepted,  though  without  emolument, 
and  however  onerous,  is  I.  ound  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  his  position,  re- 
gardless of  his  private  interests.  He  began  at  the  foundation,  when  efficient 
public  schools,  "  so  far  West,"  were  scarcely  heard  of,  by  drafting  and  securing 
the  passage  of  a  bill  which  became  the  school  law  ot  Toledo,  March  9,  1849, 
and  which,  with  only  a  few  financial  improvements  and  a  change  in  the  mode 
of  electing  Directors,  (all  prepared  by  him,)  has  remained  in  force  to  this  day. 
From  that  law,  and  the  vigilant  and  intelligent  use  of  its  powers,  Toledo  has 
reared  her  school  system,— renowned  in  the  land,  and  justly  the  admiration  and 
pride  of  the  city.  A  large  per  cent,  of  the  most  enterprising  business  men,  and 
uselul  families  of  Toledo,  have  been  drawn  to,  and  retained  in  the  city,  by  the 
efficiency  and  faithful  administration  of  her  public  school  system.  Gen.  Hill 
was  nominated  for  Director  at  the  first  election  under  this  law,  but  declined 
because  his  then  law  partner  feared  that  devotion  to  organizing  and  building 
up  public  schools  would  interfere  with  professional  business.  Gen.  H.  how- 
ever, was  elected  to  the  Board  of  Education  in  May,  1851,  and  has  been  re- 
elected by  the  people  from  term  to  term  ever  since".  In  May,  1855,  he  was 
elected  President  of  the  Board,  and  has  been  elected  to  and  held  that  office 
every  year  since,  except  the  year  beginning  in  May,  1804,  when  he  declined  the 
Presidency. 

The  pubho  schools  have  been  the  object  of  his  special  solicitude,  and 
he  devotes  to  them  his  time  and  talent  at  the  expense  of  his  personal  welfare. 
If  a  client,  in  arrears  for  fees,  would  happen  to  meet  him  with  an  offer  of  pay- 
ment, at  a  moment  when  busily  employed  in  the  investigation  of  some  matter 
relating  to  the  public  schools,  "the  General  vvould  probably  politely  dismiss  his 
visitor  with  a  request  that  he  call  a',  some  more  convenient  season,  when  he 
would  have  time  to  look  over  the  account  and  receipt  for  the  money. 

Gen.  H.  was  frequently  a  member  of  the  city  Council,  and  served  in  that  body 
eleven  years. 

We  get  no  account  of  his  feeding  high  at  the  public  crib  but  once.  He 
became  broken  down  by  hard  work  and  too  much  service  "on  the  stump" 
in  the  Taylor  and  Fillmore  campaign  ;  and  "spoils"  were  awarded  to  him  in 
the  shape  of  the  Collcctoi-ship  of  Customs  at  Toledo,  in  1850.  For  a  long  series 
of  y.ars  no  returns  had  been  made  from  this  district,  and  so  the  pay  of  Collec- 
tor was  a  little  might  in  the  fog.  The  General,  entering  upon  his  new  dutieiJ 
with  his  usual  directness,  dug  up  several  thousand  dollars  of  duties  previously 
collected,  but  not  reported.  These  were  secured  by  the  Government.  Detailed 
reports  of  the  commercial  business  of  the  district  were  regularly  made,  and,  for 
the  first  time,  the  district  acquired  .some  standing  at  Washington,  and  duties 
were  collected  during  his  first  season  to  the  amount  of  over  $80,000.  After 
nearly  three  years'  service  as  a  revenue  officer,  involving  a  considerable  part 
of  his  time  with  accounts  rendered  every  month,  Pierce's  administration  re- 
quired the  accounts  to  be  restated  for  quarterly  periods,  and  then  his  accounts 
were  settled,  ruling  out  every  thing  for  stationery,  lights,  fuel,  and  the  expenses 


mil. 


Captain  Samuel  Allen  and  other  Pioneers      655 


J6,  and  was  employed 
fter,  he  was  appointed 
,  read  law  until  June  3, 
,  of  October,  1839,  he 
(except  from  June  18, 
rvice,)  be  was  a  hard- 
ide  to  his  professional 
that  notice  be  taken  ot 
;s.  Reference  is  here 
eat  cardinal  principles, 
t  pecuniarily  profitable 
md  vicinity  :  1st.  That 
ighly  educate  his  chil- 
hing  for  his  own  cLil- 
be  city  ;  3rd.  That  the 
^b  without  emolument, 
;ie3  of  bis  position,  re- 
adation,  when  eflBcient 
»y  drafting  and  securing 
roledo,  March  9,  1849, 

I  a  change  in  the  mode 
ed  in  force  to  this  day. 
ts  powers,  Toledo  has 
stly  the  admiration  and 
ising  business  men,  and 
ined  in  the  city,  by  the 
ool  system.     Gen.  Hill 

this  law,  but  declined 
pganizing  and  building 
siness.  Gen.  H.  how- 
1851,  and  has  been  re- 
in May,  1855,  he  was 
;o  and  held  that  office 
1,  when  he  declined  the 

pecial  solicitude,  and 
bis  personal  welfare. 

II  with  an  offer  of  pay- 
gation  of  some  matter 

ly  politely  dismiss  his 
nient  season,  when  he 
)r  the  money, 
ind  served  in  that  body 

lie  crib  but  once.  He 
vice  "on  the  stump" 
^re  awarded  to  him  in 
350.  For  a  long  series 
I  so  the  pay  of  Collet- 

upon  his  new  dutie> 

rs  of  duties  previously 

Government.    Detailed 

gulnrly  made,  and,  for 

■ashington,  and  duties 

over  $80,000.  After 
ig  a  considerable  part 
ce's  administration  re- 

and  then  his  accounts 

fuel,  and  the  expenses 


of  moving  the  office  from  Maumee,  merely  because  not  properU  estimated  for 
under  unknown  rates.  His  whole  pay  as  Collector  was  found  io  have  been 
fixed  by  an  old  law  at  $3'25.46  per  year !  So  much  he  received  and  no  more, 
but  his  successor,  Mr.  Riley,  was,  by  a  new  law,  immediately  placed  on  a  par 
with  the  Collector  of  Detroit,  as  to  salary  ;ind  fees,  it  having  become  known, 
under  Hill's  administration  of  the  office,  that  the  Maumee  Valley  had  a  com- 
merce worthy  the  attention  of  the  Government,  and  its  Collector  duties  to  per- 
form worthy  of  a  respectable  compensation.  But  that  Comrress  bad  not  dis- 
covered the  retroactive  rule  of  salarie?,  and  Hill  was  all  the  feaner  for  having, 
once  in  his  life,  "  fed  at  the  public  crib." 

The  late  Capt.  Samuel  Allen,  who  wns  prominently  connected  with  the  early 
efforts  to  build  up  Toledo,  has  already  been  referred  to  in  remi.nisceuces  of 
several  pioneers.  His  amiable  widow  survived  her  husband  many  years,  and 
died  in  Toledo,  at  the  residence  of  her  son-in-law.  Judge  Thomas  Dunlap, 
within  the  last  eighteen  months.  Her  mind,  endowed  with  rare  natural  gifts, 
had  been  highly  cultivated,  and  her  womanly  graces  commanded  the  highest 
respect. 

Added  to  what  has  hitherto  been  stated  of  Captain  Allen  and  his  family,  the 
fallowing  memoranda  were  gathered  from  Mrs.  A.  a  few  months  prior  to  her 
death  : 

When  Capt.  Allen,  and  a  portion  of  his  family,  visited  the  "Valley  in  October, 
1831,  they  found  the  principal  Ottawa  Indian  village  located  on  the  Manhat- 
tan side  of  the  river,  near  its  mouth,  where  government  made  its  pswments  to 
the  tribe ;  and  their  hunting  grounds  were  on  the  oppcisite  side.  Mrs.  Allen, 
August  1,  1871,  communicating  her  recollections  through  Mrs,  Judge  Dunlap, 
said :  "  I  remember  well  the  beautiful  road  leading  from  Vistula  to  this  Indian 
village.  It  was  winding,  and  shaded  by  magnitcent  trees.  We  frequently 
rode  thither  with  Major  Stickney  in  his  one-horse  wagon;  and  as  we  passed 
through  the  village,  the  little  Indians  would  rnn  out  calling  him  "father! 
father  I"  which  would  please  him  amazingly.  What  is  now  chiefly  the  track  of 
Summit  street,  formed  then  a  most  charming  ride  t  .rough  a  delightful  forest. 
Ttie  banks  of  the  river  were  bold,  high  bluffs,  and  the  graceful  little  fawns  and 
flocks  of  wild  turkeys  often  crossed  our  path  as  we  were  riding,  and  disappeared 
in  the  woods.  I  had  two  fawns  for  my  especial  playmates — each  having  a  bell 
attached  to  their  necks,  and  were  daily  companions  in  my  rambles  through  the 
woods. 

"  The  Vistula  division  of  the  town  was  surveyed  by  Seneca  Allen.  The  streets 
bear  the  names  originally  given  them — myself  naming  La  Grange  in  memory  of 
tiie  home,  in  France,  of  Lafayette.  Major  Stickney  gave  Summit  street  its 
name ;  and  Capt.  Allen  suggested  the  names  of  all  the  others. 

"  During  the  autumn  ot  1831  the  family  returned  to  Lockport,  and  in  the 
winter  following  Capt.  Allen  re-appeared  with  a  force  of  hands  and  erected  the 
lirst  wharf  in  the  new  town,  at  the  foot  of  Lagrange  street.  After  the  opening 
of  Lake  navigation  in  the  spring  of  1832,  our  whole  family  removed  to  Vistula. 
At  Buffalo  my  husband  chartered  a  steamboat,  the  "  Pioneer,"  and  freighted 
her  with  the  iamily,  servants,  wojcmen,  goods  and  provisions;  and  on  the  last 
ilay  of  May,  1833,  passengers  and  goods  were  landed  at  Vistula, 

"The  Indians  were  uniformly  kind  and  hospitable.  Their  title  was  extin- 
guished by  treaty  made  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  by  the  Territorial  Gov- 
ernor of  Michigan,  in  1833.  The  Canadian  French  were  also  courteous  and 
obliging,  and  many  of  their  suggestions  regarding  the  diseases  then  peculiar  to 
the  country,  and  means  to  avoid  them,  were  ascertained  to  be  valuable. 
Venison,  wild  gc'-  turkeys,  ducks,  &c.,  were  abundant.  In  the  summer  and 
autumn  of  1833,  the  feeble  colony,  as  well  as  the  French  and  Indians,  suffered 
much  from  sickness.  The  first  weeping  willow  transplanted  on  this  soil,  was 
brought  from  Columbus  by  myself,  and  the  slip  had  been  used  on  the  route  as 
11  riding  whip." 

The  willow  tree  rcfered  to  by  Mrs.  Allen,  which  sprang  from  the  branch 
placed  in  the  ground  by  her  own  hands  iu  1833,  attained  a  large  growth,  and, 


G56       J)}'s.  Jacoh  Clarh,  Oscar  White  and  others. 


liavlne  lived  forty  years,  Avas  destroyed  by  a  storm,  in  1872,  tbe  same  year  that 
lier  own  deatli  occurred.  It  occupied  corner  of  Lagrange  and  Superior  streets. 
Tlie  remains  of  (Japt.  Allen  and  wife  now  rest  in  Forest  cemetery.  3Ir.  and 
Mrs.  Judge  Dunlap,  who  passed  their  youthful  and  maturer  days  here,  and 
their  children,  who  were  born  in  Toledo,  are  tbe  only  descendants  of  tbe  family 
so  prominent  in  the  early  bistory  of  the  place. 

Samuel  I.  Keeler  removed  wltb  bis  family  from  Onondaga  county,  New 
York,  to  tbe  place  now  owned  by  Mr.  Macben,  Adams  street,  in  ItJBO.  Mr. 
Keeler,  with  Dr.  Conant,  and  a  clergyman,  from  the  river  Raisin,  organized  the 
first  Presbyterian  cbuicb  in  Toledo,  in  .lune,  iSiiS.  Among  tbe  members 
were  Mr.  Keeler,  bis  wife  and  one  daujjbKr.  The  first  church  meeting  was 
beld  at  Mr.  Keeler's  house,  -wbicb  remanied  the  only  place  for  public  worship 
during  a  period  of  four  years,  and  was  then  removed  to  a  school  bouse,  where 
now  stands  the  present  African  church,  between  Monroe  and  Washington 
streets.  They  were  not  at  first  enabled  to  procure  wine  for  sacramental  uses, 
but  Mr.  K.  obtained  some  raisins  from  Slonroe,  and,  witb  these  and  sugar,  an 
article  was  produced  that  was  made  to  subserve  tbe  purpose.  Mr.  Keeler  died 
in  1868,  at  the  age  of  84  years. 

Dr.  Jacob  Clark  is  the  only  survivor  of  that  beroic  and  self-sacrificing  class, 
'.be  old  time  physicians  of  Toledo.  lie  established  himself  in  Vistula  in  1834, 
and  at  once  engaged  in  not  only  professional,  but  in  mercantile  business — con- 
tinuing in  the  latter,  however,  only  during  a  period  of  five  years.  lie  was 
elected  State  Senator  in  1841.  from  tbe  district  then  composed  of  tbe  counties 
of  Lucas,  Henry,  Williams,  Putnam,  Paulding.  Van  Wert  and  Allen.  With 
tbe  exception  of  tbe  interruption  made  in  tbe  discharge  of  Senatorial  duties, 
and  occasional  visits  to  old  Eastern  friends,  the  doctor  has  now  been  engaged 
in  active  medical  practice  during  a  term  of  thirty-eight  years. 

Among  the  old  pbysicians  deserving  mention,  and  who  were  cotemporaries 
of  Dr.  Clark,  were  I)rs.  Fassett,  Bowman,  Sutpben,  Mosher,  Perkins,  Acklty, 
Boslwick,  Brush,  McLain  and  Smitb.  Dr.  Clark,  although  honored  by  all  who 
bave  known  him,  did  not  occupy  a  bigber  place  in  bis  profession,  or  in  public 
esteem,  than  several  of  those  named. 

Dr.  Oscar  White,  a  veteran  in  medical  ))racticc  in  tbe  Maumee  Valley,  but 
for  several  years  engaged  in  real  estate  operations  in  Toledo,  contributes  the 
following.  If  he  bad  employed  his  ready  and  sharp  pointed  pen  in  tbe  business 
of  writing  out  bis  personal  experience,  it  would  have  formed  an  interesting 
feature  of  this  work  : 

"  1  came  on  to  this  river  in  August,  1828,  and  settled  at  ilauinee,  then  ibe 
principal  place  of  business  in  Wood  county.  In  183:1, 1  vaccinated  tbe  Ottawa 
tribe  of  Indians  for  the  Government,  then  numbering  about  80O.  The  first 
corn  I  bought  (in  18i2!))  to  feed  my  horse,  I  paid  I'iiV  cents  per  bushel  for. 
Tbe  horse  1  |>ald  $31  for,  and  be  was  a  pretty  good  horse.  I  practiced  medi- 
cine and  went  to  Findla}',  and  nearly  to  Defiance,  and  nearly  to  Adrian,  in 
Michigan,  to  see  patients. 

"  There  were  tew  people  here  in  1828,  but  the  '-.en  and  women  who  were 
bere,  bad  distinct  individual  characters;  were  independent  and  out  spoken,  and 
knew  bow  to  take  care  of  themselves  in  a  frontier  life.  In  autumn,  the  country 
was  beautiful  beyond  any  wbicb  I  have  ever  beheld,  and  abounded  in  cran- 
berries, venison,  and  wild  honey." 

Wm.  II.  Raymond,  in  1830,  was  a  clerk  in  tbe  store  of  V.  II.  Ketcbam,  cor- 
ner of  Elm  and  Summit  streets.  lie  continued  a  clerk,  and  in  olber  avoca- 
tions until  1864,  wnen  his  business  operations  in  Toledo,  baving  proved  un- 
fortunate, be  compromised  with  bis  creditors,  and  removed  to  tbe  Pacific  coast, 
where,  fortune  favoring  him,  be  retur::ed  and  paid  his  creditors  in  full,  princi- 
pal and  interest.  No  one  among  tbe  pioneers,  on  the  score  of  sterling  moral 
worth,  was  better  eniitlcd  to  tbe  rare  good  fortune  that  has  in  later  years  fallen 
to  bis  lot. 


otliers. 


Other  Pioneers  of  the  Valley. 


G5^ 


tbc  same  year  that 
id  Superior  streets, 
lenietery.  Mr.  and 
rer  days  liere,  and 
idants  of  the  family 

idaga  county,  New 
reet,  in  1«30.  :Mr. 
aisin,  organized  the 
[long  the  members 
uirch  meeting  was 
for  public  worship 
chool  house,  where 
e  and  Washington 
r  sacramental  uses, 
these  and  sugar,  an 
?,     Mr.  Kceler  died 

elf-sacrificing  class, 
in  Vistula  in  1834, 
r.tile  business — con- 
ve  years.  lie  was 
•icd  of  the  counties 
and  Allen.  With 
f  Senatorial  duties, 
now  been  engaged 
,rs. 

were  cotemporaries 
r,  Perkins,  Ackley, 
honored  by  all  who 
essioD,  or  in  public 

tumee  Valley,  but 
do,  contributes  the 

pen  in  the  business 
mcd  an  interesting 

^Mauniec,  then  the 
'cinated  the  Ottawa 

ut  80l>.  The  first 
its  per  bushel  for. 

I  practiced  medi- 
euiiy  to  Adrian,  in 

women  who  were 
nd  out  spoken,  and 
itumn,  the  country 
abounded  in  crati- 

II.  Ketcbam,  cor- 
id  in  other  avoca- 
laving  proved  un- 
o  the  Pacific  coast, 
lors  in  full,  princi- 

of  sterling  moral 
n  later  years  fallen 


Thomas  Daniels  came  to  Toledo  in  1837,  and  in  1838  engaged  as  clerk  and 
apothecary  student  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Cliarles  McLean,  and  subsequently  a 
•Aledical  student  in  the  office  of  one  who  was  a  hero  in  his  profession,  the 
late  Dr.  Calvin  Smith,  whom  he  attended  in  his  last  hours,  during  the  Cholera 
visitation  in  1852.  In  1846,  Mr.  Daniels  engaged  in  the  Drug  business  on  his 
own  account,  in  which  he  yet  continues,  corner  of   Summit  and  Cherry  street. 

T.  0.  Evarts  commenced  his  residence  in  Toledo  as  a  clerk  in  the  Toledo 
post-office,  in  1835.  Under  the  administration  of  Mr.  Polk  he  was  postmaster ; 
and  his  service  in  the  office  embraced  altogether  a  period  of  eighteen  years,  and 
afforded  general  satisfiiction  to  the  public.  His  adventures  in  the  mountain 
district  oi  Montana  several  years  ago,  where  the  snows  and  winter  blasts  held 
him  captive  during  a  period  of  thirty  odd  days,  are  graphically  sketched  in 
Scribner's  Monthly,  for  November,  1871. 

Cornelius  G.  Shaw  removed  to  Toledo  in  IMav,  1832— having  resided  the  pre- 
vious  winter  in  Brest,  Michigan.  Himself  and  party  landed  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river,  and  walked  up  to  Vistula.  The  Indians,  at  their  town  just  below 
Manhattan,  were,  on  the  day  they  landed,  in  council,  to  consider  the  propopi 
tion  to  sell  their  lands  to  ihe  United  States.  He  was  deputy  under  Muu^ 
son  H.  Daniels,  the  first  Stip;ir*'of  Lucas  county,  and,  from  1836  to  1840,  served 
as  Sheriff  of  the  county.  Mr.  Shaw  died  in  August,  1850,  while  en  route  for 
California. 

Daniel  Seaman  removed  with  his  family  from  New  Jersey  to  Erie  township, 
Sandusky  (now  Ottawa)  county,  June  13, 1832,  and  subsequently  to  Woodville, 
where  he  died,  March  25,  1854.  Ira  K.  Seaman,  now  a  member  of  the  City 
(Jouncil  and  resident  of  East  Toledo,  is  among  the  survivors  of  eleven  children. 

Cyrus  Coy  removed  to  Gilead,  at  the  head  of  the  Kapids,  in  the  winter  of 
1835.  He  stopped  a  while  at  the  old  stone  tavern,  on  the  river  bank,  then 
owned  by  Edward  Howard,  and  afterwards  moved  into  a  house  with  Robert 
A.  Howard,  where  he  continued  until  spring.  His  eldest  son,  Cyrus  H.  Coy, 
then  15  years  of  age,  was  clerk  in  the  store  of  P.  B.  Brown  during  the  winter 
uf  1836 ;  afterwards,  in  1844,  was  in  the  Co.  Auditor's  office  under  Urial  Spen- 
cer, and  in  1846  made  the  first  general  index  to  Lucas  county  records  of  deeds ; 
in  1854  was  elected  Co.  Treasurer,  and  in  1856  Co.  Auditor.  He  commencecl 
\m  present  business  of  banking  in  1865. 

John  A.  Vromau  removed  to  Sylvania  in  Ju  le,  1S;{7.  He  is  now  a  resident 
of  Missouri. 

Elisha  Gnnn  settled  at  Waterville  in  1818,  and  died  iu  1843.  Of  his  chil- 
dren, three  sons  survive,  namely  :  Dexter,  Carver  and  Osiiian  ;  and  two  daugh- 
ters :  Mrs.  Abagail  Bennett,  of  Illinois,  and  Mrs.  Malinda,  widow^  of  the  late  John 
ICnaggs,  of  Port  Miami,  whose  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  W.  W.  Jones,  Mayor 
of  Toledo,  and  in  whose  family  she  resides. 

The  late  Richard  T.  Cooke,  one  of  the  most  eminent  of  the  early  lawyers  iu 
ihe  Maumee  Valley,  and  who  is  referred  to  by  Mr.  Mott,  never  married.  He 
had  three  sisters,  Tlicda,  Delia  and  Chloe;  and  two  l)rothers,  Calvin  and  Wil- 
liam. Calvin  came  to  Toledo  to  settle  Richard's  estate;  and  on  his  homeward 
return  to  New  England  was  thrown  from  a  stage  coach  and  killed. 

Phillip  I.  Phillips  left  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1823,  and  entered  100 
acres  in  Sec.  22,  T.  9,  scuth,  li.  7  E.,  and  returned  to  New  York  in  August  oi' 
September,  1823,  and  in  the  spring  of  1828  brought  with  him  his  wife  and 
nephew,  Col.  Chas.  B.  Phillips,  then  a  boy  aged  eight  years.  During  many 
years  Mr.  Phillips  was  proprietor  of  the  tavern  at  Tremainville.  The  nephew 
is  now  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Whitakcr  &  Phillips.  Mr.  Phillips,  in  com- 
pany with  a  Mr.  Allen,  on  his  first  visit  to  inspect  the  countr",  came  from 
Buffalo  to  Portland,  (now  known  as  Sandusky  City)  on  the  old  teamboat  Su- 
perior— the  lake  passage  occupying  three  days,  which  was  th<  n  regarded  as 
the  average  rate  of  speed.  From  Portland  to  the  Maumee  they  traveled  the 
distance  on  foot,  on  the  beach  of  the  lake — taking  their  first  meal  after  leavinsr 

41 


('.58 


Othet'  Pioneers  of  the    VaHei/. 


Portland,  on  the  second  day,  at  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Slate,  on  the  shore  opposite  West  Sister  Island.  When  he  came  with  his 
family  the  year  following,  he  cut  a  joadway  for  his  team  on  an  Indian  trail, 
nearly  the  whole  distance  between  Lower  Sandusky  and  Perrysburg— only 
four  miles  of  the  Western  Reserve  and  Maumee  Road,  between  those  points 
liaving  then  been  cut  out. 

Col.  L,  B.  Lathrop,  born  in  Royalton,  Vermont,  immigrated  to  Richfield 
township,  Lucas  county,  in  1834,  and  in  1848  removed  to  Sylvania.  lie  served 
as  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Legislature,  and  held  other  official  positions,  and  died 
of  paralysis  at  his  residence  in  Sylvania,  on  Friday,  May  9,  ISTJl.  The  survi- 
vors of  "his  family  are  his  wife  and  sons  Lorenzo,  Luther  0.,  James  J.,  and 
iMiles,  and  daughters  Mrs.  Mary  Atin  Wilson  and  Mrs.  Helen  Roberts. 

Alonzo  Rogers  removed  to  the  Maumee  Valley  in  1835.  During  a  term  of  18 
years,  he  was  an  active  co-worker  with  Gen.  C.  W.  Hill,  as  a  niembcr  of  the 
Toledo  Board  of  Education,  and  prominent  in  every  moral  and  uselul  enter- 
prise designed  to  advance  the  interests  of  niJinkind.  Ho  died  Tuesday,  Alay 
13,1873. 

.John  Poag — (the  boy  "  lost  in  the  woods," — see  Knapp's  Plistory  of  Ashland 
county,)  was  one  of  the  most  sagacious  men  who  operated  in  real  estate 
in  Toledo.  Whatever  may  have  been  his  irregularities,  during  his  later  life, 
it  may  be  said  of  him  that  he  contributed  largely,  by  his  foresight,  in  placing 
the  indestructible  foundations  upon  which  now  rest  the  city  of  Toledo. 
Several  successful  business  men,  in  prosperous  condition,  are  indebted  to.  j\Ir. 
Poag  for  the  good  fortune  that  has  attended  their  efforts.  He  was  one  of  the 
most  noble-hearted  men,  and  faithful  to  friendship,  that  lived  in  Toledo. 

Col.  S.  H.  Steedman  became  a  resident  of  the  Valley  in  1837 ; — was  a  con- 
tractor on  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,  and  served  creditably  as  commander  of 
a  regiment  during  the  late  civil  war. 

Joseph  Ogle  removed  to  Fort  Ball,  June,  1834,  having  emigrated  from  Fre- 
derick, Md.,  and  preceded  Dr.  Eli  Dresbacli,  Henry  C.  Brish,  Hon.  Fred'k  W. 
(}reen,  John  Parks,  and  seviral  other  old  Marylanders.  ^Ir.  Ogle  was  the  lirsl 
permanent  white  settler  on  the  Fort  Ball  side  of  the  river.  His  widow,  at  the 
age  of  85  years,  yet  resides  upon  the  old  homestead. 

Wm  II.  Merrett,  born  in  Brunswick  Co.,  Va.,  came  with  his  parents  tn 
Columbus  Ohio,  and  at  the  age  of  18  years,  became  an  inhabitant  of  Maumee 
City.  He  was  the  first  colored  man  empanelled  on  a  Grand  Jury,  in  the  gtate 
of  Ohio,  at  the  May  Term  of  Lucas  County  Common  Pleas,  187(),  and  is  now 
a  leading  man  among  his  race. 

The  following  additional  names,  with  dales  of  arrival  annexed,  are  copied, 

chiefly,  from  the  records  of  the  Pioneer  Association  of  the  Maumee  Valley  : 

R.  A.  Forsyth,  1816,  (dead  ;)  Isaac  Hull,  1814,  (dead  ;)   Henry  Bennett,  Sep 
tember  t>,  18  53;  Geo.  A.  Carpenter,  Ocmljer  22,  1840,  (dead  ;)   S.  L.   Collins, 
December  23,  1831  ;  John  W.  Colliuj,  Oclo;>er  30,  1834  ;  N.  D.  Blinn,  Feb 
ruary  23,  1825,  (d  ad  ;)  J.  Austin  Scott,  May  24,  1833  ;  James  Myers,  April  17, 
1836.  (died  July  18,  18154  ;)  Mavor  Brij-ham,  May  25,  1835  ;  C.  K.  Bennett,  No 
vember  15,  1835;  John  R.   Bond,  October  13,  ISS'i;  Samuel  B,  Scott,  July 
1835,  (dead  ;)  Horace  Thacher,  August  15,  1833 ;  Chauncey  D.  Woodruff,  April 
2,  1835;  John  Bates,  Aprd  10,  1832,  aiied  March  4,  1866;)  James  M.  Comstock, 
March  20,  1836;  S.  A,  Raymond,  August  37, 1839  ;  E.  J.  Woodruff,  June  18. 
1836;  Amasa  Bishop,  October  1, 18M;  C.  V.  Jennison,  May,  1818;  M.  L.  Col 
lins,  January,  1834,  (dead  ;)  Henry  Reed,  scn'r.,  October,  1883,  (died  July  26, 
1864;)  Oliver  Stevens,  October,  1832 ;  Wm.  Prentice,  June  10,  1818;  Henrv 
Wood,  June  10,  1832;  Denison  B.  Smith,  June  10,  1836;  P.  I.  Phillips,  Janu- 
arv,  1825;  Edwin  Fuller,  October  21, 1839 ;  Frederick  Bisaell,  August,  1835, 
(died  June  6,  1870 ;)  Alex.  H.  Newcomb,  October,  1835 ;  S.  B,   Scott,  June 
1837  ;  Luther  Whitmore,  Auril,  1825 ;  Joseph  Jones,  1835  ;  M.  L.  Leezen,  1839 


Other  Pioneevfi  of  the   Valley. 


050 


le  house  of  Mrs. 
came  with  his 
an  Indian  trail, 
orrysburg— only 
ecn  those  poinls 

ted  to  KichtieUl 
ania.  He  served 
)8itions,  and  died 
i7;5.  The  survi- 
,  James  J.,  and 
Uoberts. 

ring  a  term  of  18 
I  member  of  the 
md  useiul  enter- 
>d  Tuesday,  May 

istory  of  Ashland 
ed  in  real  estate 
ng  his  later  life, 
;sight,  in  placing 

city  of  Toledo. 

indebted  to  Mr. 
:e  was  one  of  the 
in  Toledo. 
337 ;_ was  a  con- 

as  commander  of 

rated  from  Fre- 
,  Hon.  Fred'k  W. 
Ogle  was  the  first 
lis  widow,  at  the 

h  his  parents  to 

)itant  of  Maumee 

fury,  in  the  gtatc 

1870,  and  is  no\v 

exed,  are  copied, 
lumee  Valley : 
nry  Bennett,  Sep 
•)   S.  L.   Collins, 
'  1).  Blinn,  Feb 
Myers,  April  17, 
.  K.  Bennett,  No 
el  B.  Scott,  July 
.  WoodrnfT,  April 
nes  M.  Comstock, 
oodruff.  Jime  18, 
1818;  M.  L.  Col 
,8,  (died  July  36, 

10,  1818 ;  Henry 
.  Phillips,  Janu- 

11,  August,  1835, 
B.  Scott,  June 
L.  Leezen,  ISS'J 


A.  A.  Belknap,  1834 :  Eber  Wilson,  June  18, 1823  ;   Charles  A.   Crane,  1830; 
Asher  Cook,  May  5,  1835  ;  Geo.  Powers,  June,  183i"»;  Andrew  Bloomfield,  May 
5,  lf"33;  Gilbert  Beach,  May,  1835  ;  Samuel  M.  Young,  at  Maumee  June  10, 
1835;  Jeremiah  C.  Crane,  June  4,  1837;  John  U.  Pease,  November  15,  1835. 
(dead  ;)  Price  Hilton,  Uefianro,  December  3, 1823;  Galusha  Chase,  Perrysburg, 
June  2G,  1830;  Abraham  Hartman,  October,  1835;    Thomas  Southard,  May, 
1833;  Chas.  T.  Wales,  June,  1832  ;  Thomas  Corlett,  August,  1834;  Jesup  W. 
Scott,  June,  1832;  B.  H.  Bush,  IMay,  1834;  P.  C.  Lewis,  1830;   John  Fitch, 
;83();  John  Van  Fleet,  182!);  Daniel  Newton,  1840;  Jerome  B.  Smith,  1833; 
Peter  H.  Shaw,  September  10,  1823;  John  Conlard,  1837,  (dead  ;)  Martin  War- 
ner, 1830;   Wm.  Pratt,  June,  1818 ;  Sylvester  Brown,  1831;    Elijah  Herrick, 
May  5, 1832 ;  John  P.  Hour,  1831 ;  Geo.  Spencer,  1836 ;  Andrew  Printup,  lfc34 ;  A. 
P.  Reed,  1834 ;  W.  R.  Hull,  1833 ;  C.  Herrick,  May  5, 1823 ;  Wm.  O.  Ensign,  1837 ; 
E.  Connelly,  1836 ;  Don.  A.  Pease,  1835 ;  Noah  A.  Whitney,  1834  ;  Pliny  Lathrop, 
1834 ;  L.  C.  Lock,  February,  1835 ;  Rol)ert  A.  Howard,  March  25, 1823,  (died  Nov. 
26,  1873 ;)  N.  Montgomery  Howard,  (born  at  head  of  the  Rapids,  of  the  Maumee, 
.fan.  21,1828;)  John  J.  IM'anor,  (born  at  Providence,  Sept.  25,  1827;)  0.  M.  Dorr, 
Aug.  1837,  (died  April  1870 :)  Hiram  Walbridge,  summer,  1833,  (dead ;)  Horace  S. 
Walbridge,    summer,     1833 ;      Henum      D.     AValbridge,     summer,      1833 ; 
Kbenezer     Walbridge,    April,    1836,     (dead ;)      Valentine     H.     Ketcham, 
July,    1836;    P.   F.    Berdan,    April,    1836;    J.    K,    Sccor,    October,     1840; 
('hades  B-tllard,  July,  1837;  Horace  Herlzler;  James  Smith,  Septenibei,  1834; 
Shibuah  Spink,  April,  1833  ;  Capt.  David  Wilkinson,  1818;  James  Curtis,  1834, 
(dead  ;)   Joshua  Chappell,  1823,  (dead  ;)   Wm.  Houston,  May,  1836,  (de^id  ;)   S. 
15.  Thornton,  July,  1837;  David  Creps,  May  22, 1833;  Mars  Nearing,  October, 
1834;  J.  J.  Smith,  September  15, 1835;   E.  D.  Peck,  June,  1834  ;   Julius  Blinn, 
18:;4;  Isaac  Van  Tassel,  December,  1839;  E.  S.  Hanks,  November,  1835  ;  John 
A.  Robertson,  June  3,  1836;  Wm.   Crook,  sen'r.,  August,  1831;   L.  Perrin, 
March  19.  1838;  Wm.  Flynn,  June  23,  1833;  James  Douipace,  Jul,-,  1834; 
Henry  Seabart,  October  8,1833;   Wm.  II  Bennett,  September,  1835     E.  W. 
Norton,  February,  1835;  Jerome  Myers,  September,  1837,  (tlead;)  H.  V.  Smith, 
April,  1838;  Thos.  I.  Webb,  September  15,  1828;  W.  H.  Jones,  December, 
1833;    Geo.  N.  Parsons,  May,  1837;  Carlos  Colton,  March,   1834;   Richard 
Bamford,  October  10,  18:-f8,  (dead ;)  Harrison  L.  Holloway,  May  26.  1834 ;  lienry 
P.  Beruthizel,  April,  1831 ;  Wm.  Taylor,  ^^y  35,  1835;  Harvey  Kellogg,  May, 
1837;    Horace  Thatcher,  August  15,  1833  ;   Thos.  Plerson,  June,  1839 ;   Abner 
Brown,  June,  1833;  J.  S.  P.  Whitney,  June  15,  1834;  James  Pear.son,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1839;   Solomon  Johnson,  1836 ;  Phillip  G.  Loopc,  1830;   L.  L.  More- 
house, May,  1837 ;   B.  F.  Pratt,  March,  1824;   John  Fay,  October,  1833;    S.  H. 
Wolfineer,  April,  .',834;    D.  ]{.  Stebblus,  September,  1835;   W.  B.  Gunn,  Sep- 
temberri830;  Joseph  Mitchell,  May,  1830;   George  Allen,  May,  1834;   George 
VVeddell,  May,  1837;  D.  Lindsny,  1834;  C.  C.  Baird,  1835:  Gc".).  S.  McKnight, 
January,  1830;    F.  Osgood,  1836,  (died,  July  26,  18(;7 ;)  Daniel  Burns,  1«37  ; 
Edwin  Phelps,  1834;  W.  J.  Daniels,  1832;   A.  Stephan,  August   11,   1836; 
Ale.x.  W.  Brownlee,  Maumee  City,  1835,  (died  1873 ;)  Wm.  Herrick,  Swanton,  1833, 
(died  1869  ;)  Edmund  R.  Dyer,  at  Waterviilc,  1836,  (died  in  Toledo,  IbOj  ;)  Luke 
Draper,  Vistula,  1834,  (dead;)  Daniel  Segur,  1^35;   Patrick  Quigley,  at  Man 
hattan,  1837;  Jonathan  Lundy,  at  Manhattan,  1836  ;  Dennison  Steele,  at  Mau 
inee  City,  August,  1833,  (deid;)   Col.  John   Fa.«kin,   July,  1848.     Charles  1, 
Scott,  at  Toledo,  1839  ;  Mrs.  Parker,  Ilicksville,  Defiance  county,  1835. 


APPENDIX   A. 


HAK   UK    MICAS   ( ODNTV— I,A  WYKKS    IN    hUACTlCK    IS    1872    AND    lUi'i. 


I).  K.  Austin, 133  ProbateJiul^o'sofliie. 

W.  Baker,  No.  2  Hartford  Block. 

Clement  Carpenter,  No.  7  Hartford 
Block. 

C.  S.  Curtis,  No.  11  Lenk's  Block. 

Thomas  Dunlap,  10  Chamber  of  Com- 
m6rc6 

A.  W.  Eckert,  Room  3,  Myers'  Block. 

Clayton  W .  Everett,  Attorucy,  To- 
ledo, Ohio. 

J.  &  E.  H.  Fitch,  corner  Summit  and 
Jeflerson  streets. 

Joseph  D.  Ford,  Prosecutlnu-  Attor- 
ney, Lucas  Couuty,  No.  ;{  Hartford 
Block. 

C.  F.  France,  Nos.  3  und  T)  Hartford 
Block. 

J.  T.  Greer,  55  Adams  street.  Trinity 
Block. 

G.  Harmon,  14  Druiumond's  Block. 

George  R.  Haynes,  4  King  iV-  Col- 
burne's  Block. 

A.  8.  Hill,  8  Drummond's  Blocii. 

C.  W.  Hill,  8  Drummond's  Block. 

H.  E.  Howe,  No.  8  Lenk's  Block. 

Frank  H.  Hurd,  Oand.ll  Drummond's 
Block. 

Kent,  Newton  &  Pugsley,  4  Drum- 
mond's Block. 


Desault  B.  Kirk,  1  Anderson's  Block. 
John  F.  Kumler,  1  Mver's  Block. 
Ira  E.  Lee,  158  Summit  Street. 
R.  C.  Lemmon,  3  Anderson's  Block. 
Macomber,  Moore  &   McDonnell,  4S 

Summit  street. 
McVey  &  Houghttm,  8  Hartford  Block. 
Clarence  Morns,  7,  iJartford  Block. 
J.  R.  Osborn,  13  Drummond's  Block. 
E.  D.  Potter,  Jr.,  7  Drummond's  Block 
Charles  Pratt,  34  and  85  Cb amber  ot 

Commerce. 
J.  F.  Price,  4  King's  Block. 
J.  M.  Ritchie,  3  Lenk's  Block. 

B.  W.  Rouse,  6  Drummond's  Block. 

C.  IL  Scribuer,  9  and  11  Drummond's 
Block. 

Harvey   Scribner,  9    and    11    Drum- 
mond's Block. 

Wager  Swayne,  12  Drummond's  Block. 

Charles    C.    Starr,  30    Chamber    of 
Commerce. 

M.    R.    Waite,  37  Chamber  of  Com 
merce. 

Richard  Waite,  37  Chamljer  of  Com- 
merce. 

Chas.  O.  Wilson,  34  and  25  Chamber 
ot  Commerce. 

G.  B.  Wright.  No.  1  Aiidorsim  Block. 


I'.AU   OK    MKUtKli   COUNTY  -r.AWVKJlS    IN    IM1A(  TICK    l.\    1872    AXO    1873. 


Iveepers  Albery, 
J.  H.  Day, 
T.  J.  Godfrey, 
F.  C.  LeBlond, 


James  G.  Loughridge, 
William  F.  Miller,  " 
Hiram  Murllii. 


UAH   OK    ArOI.AIZE    COUNTY — TAWYKRS    TN    I'KACTICR    IN    1873    ANT)    1873. 


George  W.  Andrews,  Wapaiikounetta, 
Laytou  &  Layton,  " 

F.  C.  Layton,  " 

W.  V.  M.  Layton,  " 

R.  D.  Marshall, 


S.  R.  Mott,  Sr.,  St.  Mary's. 

L.  C.  Sawver,  " 

F.  C.    &  "C.  J.    Van    Auda,    Wau- 

paukonnetta. 
John  Walkup.  Waupaukouuelta. 


Jjar  of  1S7l'-7;^. 


061 


KAR  OF  CRAWFORD  COtNTY — I-A\VYEH8   IN   PRACTR'R   IN   1872   AND  1878. 

Frank'n  Adams,  Bucyrup.  i  E.  B.  Finley.  Mader's  block,  Biicyrus. 

Thos.  Beer,  No.  5  Quimbv  blcicU,  up  Stephen  R.  Harris, 


stairs. 

James  Clements,  Bucyni 
J.  W.  Coulter,  Cialion. 


James  Marsliman,  Galiou. 
Josiah  Scott,  Buc3'rns. 
Jacob  Scroggs,    " 


ANo  l!i7;l. 

erson's  Block, 
jr's  Block, 
t  Street, 
rson's  Block. 
McDonnell,  4S 

Hartford  Block, 
rtford  Block, 
nond's  Block, 
mmond's  Block. 
25  Cbamber  ot 

lock. 
Block. 

lond's  Block. 
11  Drummoud'-i 

Hid    11    Druni- 

mmond's  Block. 
>    Chamber    ot 

imber   of   Com 

amber  of  Com 

nd  25  Chamber 

iinliTHoii  Block. 


I'.,\K  (IF   KOUT   WAVNK— l.AWYEUS   fX   I'llACTICr';    IN    \%Vi   AND   187b. 


James  W.  Borden. 
Robert  Brackenridgo. 
Jeff.  C.  Bowser. 
R.  C.  Bell. 

Joseph  Brackonridgc. 
S.  H.  BloomhuM'. 
n.  H.  Colerick. 
\l.  Colerick. 
VV.  G.  Colerick. 
Wm.  W.  (Larson. 
Homer  C.  Flartni.in. 


John  W.  Hayden. 
Charles  M.  Ilcrtig. 
John  Morris. 
F.  P.  Randall. 
H  O'Rourke. 
Samuel  E.  Sindaii 
Stephen  F.  Smart. 
M.  V.  B.  Spencer. 
W.  H.  Wither.". 
Allen  Zollars. 


HAR   OK   AI,LEN    COUNTY-  LAW VKHS   IN    PnACTICK    IN    1872    AND    187.>. 


John  F.  Brotherton,  Lima. 

E.  A.  Ballard, 

Calvin  S.  Brice,  " 

Jobn  Collett, 

T.  E.  Cunningham, 

Chas.  M.  Hughes, 

John  r>.  Foyo,  Att'y  and  Heal  Kstiile 


Agent,  Lima. 
James  Irvine,  Limn. 
C.  N.  Lamison,    '' 
L.  M.  Meilv, 
T.  M.  Robi), 
J.  K.  liichie, 


I.AWYK.US   IN    PUAlTIfE    IN    HKI.PIIOS    IN    1872    AND    1«7; 


B.  J.  Brotherton,  Deljilios. 
E.  Harlshorn, 


John  King,  Delphop. 
C.  C.  Marshall    " 


2    AND    1873. 


\2  AND  187;J. 

Hary'a. 

u    Anda,    Wau- 

paukouuetta. 


n\V.    OF   VAN    WEIJT   KiCNTV  — I,A WVKKS   IN    I'HACTICK    IN    1872    AST)   1873. 

Isaac  A.  Alexander,  Bank  Block,  Van  sts.,  \&n  Wert. 

Wert.                                                  i  James   L.  Price,  McCurdy's    Block, 

W.  J.  Beers.  Arcade  Block,  Van  Wert.  I  Van  Wert. 

James  M.  Barr,  •'         "              ■'            I  G.  M.  Salt/gaher,  Main  stiTPt,  Van 

C.  P.  Edson,  cor.  :^^ain  and  JclTcrson  !  Wert, 


liAIi    (t|.    WOOD   COtlXTV  -I,AWY1:KS    in    JMIAlTUIi    IN    1873    AND    1875 


Philan  S.  Abbott,  Bowling  Grcdi. 
Edson  Goit,  " 


James  R.  Tyler,  Pcrrysburg. 


662 


Bar  1872-73. 


BAR   OF  KTJLTON  COtTNTT— LA^VYERfl  IN   PRACTirE  IN    1872  AND   1873. 

Amos  Hill,  Wanscon.  I  Wm.  W.  Tonvrllo,  WanRPnti. 

Wrn.  C.  Kolley,    "  I 


nAR    OF    rtT,M»Y    rorNT\-     l.AAVVFR'.   IN    PHV(Tirp    IN    1873    AND    IR7o 


J.  M.  n.iaft. 
Binolnir  M.  Hamie. 


James  G.  Haley. 
Roniainc  Tyler. 


n\n  OF  nANCoCK  county  -i.awykrs  in  phactk  f,  in  1872  and  1873. 


Wm.  H.  Anderson. 
Aaron  Blackfonl. 
Ezra  Brown. 
Henry  Brown. 
C.  G.  Brand. 
J.  P.  Burket. 
.1.  A.  Bope. 


;    E.  T.  Dunn. 

'    Wm.  Mimgon. 
C.  W.  O'Neal. 
31.  D.  Shaffer 
A.  B.  ShHffer 
M.  C.  "riiitele-; 


bar   of   .SANDUSKY   COUNTY— LAWYERS  IN   TRACTICE   IN    1872   AND   1873. 


Ralph  p.  Bnckland,  Fremont. 
Homer     Everett,     Bnckland's     new 

Block,  cor.  Front  and  State  streets". 
J.  L.  Green  &  Son,  Tyler's  Block,  <'nr. 

Crojrhan  and  Front  streets. 


John  P.  Lemmon,  Clyde,  Lcmmon's 
Block,  and  at  Sandusky,  opposite 
Post  Office. 

A.  B.  Put  man,  Odd  Fellows  Bloek, 
Front  street. 


UAR   OF    IlEU'IANCK   COUNTY— LAWYERS   IN    TRACTICE    IN    1872    ANP    1873. 

Win.  Carter.    .  |   W.  D.  Hill. 


HAH   OK    WYANDOT  COCSTY  — LAWYERS   IN    J'RACTICi;    IN    187'2    AND    187.3. 


Curtis  Berry. 
John  Berry. 
H.  A.  Hoyt. 
Chester  R.  jMotl. 


R.  McKelly. 
John  D.  Sears. 
Allen  Smallev. 


BAR    OF   I'UTNA.M    COUNTY— I.AWY'ERS  IN   PRACTICI£   IN   1872   AND   1873. 


D.  I.  Brown. 

Josiah  Gallup. 

J  L'H.  Long,  Exchange  iiank  Block. 


Swan    »fc    Moore,    E.xchangc    Bank 
Block. 


Bar  of  1872-78. 


603 


HAIl  OF  PENROA   COr.'NTY— LAWTEUS   IN    IMtAf  TICE    IN    1872  AKD   1873. 


Frank  Baker,  Tiffin. 

A.  H.  Byers, 

<4eo.  W.  Biiclinian,  TilTln. 

Cpton  F.  Cianicr. 

Win.  II.  Gibson, 

L.  A.  Hall, 

J.  K.  Hiuldlf, 


.1.  V.  .Inncs,  Main  strcol,  Fostorln. 

Wm.   ^Am<r     TliHn. 

Harrison  Kobic,  " 

Warren  P.  Noble,  Tifflu. 

R.  n.  Pennington, 

J.  H.  PiitenttiT,  '• 

Geo.  E.  Seney,  '* 


APPENDIX   H. 


^'llows  Blo'-k, 


AND   1873. 


TABLE    OF     ALTITUDES. 

The  readers  of  tlii.s  volume  arc  under  oliligations  to  Jesse  J,.  Williams,  Esq  . 
of  Fort  Wayne,  for  tbt  following  accurate  table  of  altitudes,  of  points  in  the 
district  of  country  in  Ohio  and  Indiuua  drained  by  the  Wabash  and  Mai:mee 
rivers,  including  also  a  few  prominent  points  outside  this  boundaiy— the  mea- 
surement being  in  feet  above  the  level  of  Lake  Erie  : 

JSIaumee  river,  at  head  of  Rapids fl2 

at  Defiance 80 

"        at  line  between  Ohio  and  Indiana 135 

Low  water,  Miiuniee  river  at  Fort  Wayne 168 

Humniit  level,  Wabash  and  Erie  canal,  (water  surface) '.    - 103 

Court  house  square  in  Fort  Wayne 11)8 

Marsh  4  miles  south-west  of  Fort  Wayne,  the  summit  l)ctwecn  Maumee  ami 

Wabash     rivers '. 101 

I^ailroad  track  at  Fort  Wayne  depot,  P    F.  W.  &  Chicago  railroad  211 

{.lOW  water.  Little  St.  Josijph  River  of  Maumee  at  Edgeilon,  on  Michigan 

Southern  Air  Line  railroad. 234 

Railroad  track  at  Bryan,  Williams  county,  Ohio,  on  the  Michigan  South- 
ern Railroad 108 

Railroad  track  at  Adrian,  on  Michigan  Southern  railroad 247 

at  O.sseo,  '•  "  "         r)4(» 

"  "        at  Hillsdale,  "  "  '•         520 

at  Joncsville,         "  "  "         535 

"  "        1  mile  west  of  Joncsville— the  summit  between   Lakes 

Erie  and  Michigan,  on  this  road 5fi0 

Railroad  track  at  White  Pigeon,  on  this  road 250 

Air  Line  railroad  track,  3  miles  east  of  Kendallvillc-  -summit  between 

Lakes  Eric  and  Michigan,  on  this  road 445 

Wolf  Lake,  in  south-west  part  of  Noble  county,  Indiana 324 

Summit  between  the  Maumee  and  Big  St.  Joseph  rivers,  near  the  same 

point ': 370 

Reservoir  at  Rome  City,  (m  Grand  Rapids  i!c  Indiana  railroad *367 

Track  of  Fort  Wayne,  Jackson  «&  Saginaw  railroad,  at  north  line,  Allen 

county 870 

*  Built  by  Stato  of  Indinna,  in  193S,  to  aid  in  pupplyipg  proposed  Canal  from  Fort  Wayne  to 
Lake  Michigan. 


(i64 


lyihle  of  ^l  Hit ndes. 


Track  at  Auburn,  on  this  road 208 

"      at  North  Line  of  Indiana,  on  tliis  road 500 

"       at  Angola,  Steuben  couuty,  Indiana,  on  tliis  road 4T8 

"      at  highest  point  l)etween  i^'ort  Wayne  and  Jackson,  on  this  road,  10 

miles  north  of  Indiana  line }^\J 

Surface  of  liead  branch  St.  Josepli  river,  (of  Maumce)  5  iniies  north  of 

Indiana  line _ 42:1 

Low  water,  St.  Mary's  river  at  railroad  bridge,  on  the  Cincinnati,  Rich- 
mond &  Fort  Wayne  railroad IHtt 

Kailroad  station  at  Decatur,  Adams  county,  Indiana 28;i 

Summit  between  St.  Marys  and  Wabash  rivers,  on  C.  R.  &  F.  W.  railroad.  2!)t 

Low  water,  Wabash  river,  at  bridge,  on  this  railroad 24h 

Summit  between  Wabash  and  Salamania  rivers... 881 

Low  water,  SalamrtUia  river  at  Portland,  Jay  couuty 330 

Summit  between  Salamania  and  Missisinewa  rivers,  on  said  road 47!l 

Low  water,  Missisinewa  river  at  Ridgcville,  Randolph  county 390 

Summit  on  this  railroad  line  between  Missisinewa  and  White;  rivers 521 

Low  water,  White  river  at  Winchester 47!> 

Railroad  track  at  Winchester,  crossing  IJellefontaine  railroad 514 

Simimit  between  White  river  and  Green's  Fork— a  branch  of  White 

Water - 614 

Summit  between  (freen's  Fork  and  Nolan's  Fork  of  White  Water,  on  C. 

R.  «fc  F.  W.  railroad,  two-tiurds  of  a  mile  south  of  Randolph  county 

line tfi^« 

fiow  water  of  East  Fork  White  Water,  at  Richmond 311 

Railroad  track  at  iiassenger  depot  in  Richmond 390 

Railroad  track  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio 190 

"  "       at  Delphos,  at  crossing  Miami  and  Erie  Canal 188 

at  depot  at  Lima,  Ohio 263 

Hog  Creek  Marsh,  source  of  Auglaize  river 350 

Summit  between  waters  of  Lake  Erie  and  Ohio  river,  3  or  3  nnles  south  of 

Crestline,  on  the  Cleveland  &  Columbus  railroad 608 

Summit  between  Lake  Erie  and  Ohio  river,  on  route  of  Mianu  &   Erie 

(Janal,  Shelby  county,  Ohio 387 

Summit  between  Lake  Erie  and  Ohio  river,  at  sources  of  Sandusky  and 

Scioto  rivers,  Crawford  county,  Ohio 354 

Railroad  depot  at  Columbia  City,  Whitley  county,  Indiana 2C!i 

"  "       at  Warsaw,  Kosciusko  county,  Indiana 249 

at  Bluilton,  Wells  county,  Indiana 258 

Court.house  S(|uare  in  Huntington,  Indiana,  on  W.  and  E.  Canal 167 

Low  water  of  AVabash  river,  3  miles  west,  at  forks  of  the  Wabash 126 

"        "      of  Wabash  at  mouth  of  Salamania  river 93 

"        "  "  "  Missisinewa  river 53 

"        "      of  the  Missisinewa  river  at  Marion 220 

Court-house  Sifuare  in  Peru 7."> 

Low  water,  Wabash  river  at  mouth  of  Eel  river.  6 

Railroad  depot  at  Logansport 27 

"  "      at  Kokomo 261 

Union         "      at  Indianapolis 140 

Railroad     "      at  Muncic 381 


The  highest  rldj^es  in  this  vicinity,  near  the  hend  hranchcB  of  the  Littlo  St.  Joocph,  (of 
Maumee,")  and  of  the  Kalamazoo,  i«  the  most  elevated  land  in  the  Southern  half  of  Michigan. 
But  the  iate  surveys  on  the  Grand  Rapids  4&  Indiana  railroad  show  that  the  ridves  in  the 
Northern  portion  of  the  Peninfu'.a  of  Michiijan,  near  the  sourcc^s  of  the  Manistee,  Shoboysan 
and  Boyne  rivers,  rise  to  about  1,200  feet  above  Lake  Erie. 

The  highest  point  in  Indiana  is  the  tnble  land,  about  ten  miles  southeast  of  Winchester 
Randolph  county,  at  the  sources  of  the  White  River,  White  Water  and  Big  Miami  rivers  beincr 
probably  about  680  or  TOO  feet  above  Lake  Erie.  The  general  controlius  descent  of  the  Statu 
is  in  a  sbuth-westorn  direction  to  the  Ohio  River,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash 


Ihe  Preshijtei'ian  Mmlou — Ihl'l*. 


(iGf. 


Tlie  Ibllowing  pointy  arc  brldw  Lake  Krio  (in  feet:). 

Kiiilroiul  depot  iit  Torre  Ilniitc,  (east  side  of  City^ 7H 

l.ow  water,  Olilo  river  at  New  Albany,  (lielow  Palls) 307 

Surface  of  Missisnippi  river  at  niuutli  of  lilinoin  river 108 

Atlantic  Ocean S68 


api4^:nuix  c 


rilK    l•ltl•:^*IIVTKUtAN    MIHHION    ON    TIIK    MAUMKK. 

'i'o  lli(.'  honored  Mrs.  Van  Tassel,  now  of  Mauniee  City,  the  writer  of  this* 
is  indebted  for  the  most  interesting  aceount  he  has  discovered,  furnished  in 
ihe  letters  wiiich  follow,  of  tlie  old  I'rcshyterian  Maumee  Mission.  It  is  proper 
here  to  add  that  Mrs.  Van  Tassel  was  the  dau^^hter  of  liev.  Joseph  Badger,  Ge- 
neral Harrison's  Ciiaplain  during  the  sicife  of  Fort  Meigs,  in  181;{. 

Maumee  City,  Dec.  ;}0,  187J. 

Mit.  Knai'I',— SiH;  I  will  endeavor  to  answer  your  questions  to  the  best  of  my 
It  rolleetion,  though  not  precisely  as  to  time  in  the  order  proposed. 

Mr.  Isaac  Van  Tassel  was  born  in  Durhiini,  New  York,  April  7,  1701,  and 
iiime  to  Ashtabula,  O.,  in  1821.  In  the  summer  ot  182'3  he  was  appointed  to 
the  Maumee  Mi8si(m,  by  the  Western  Missionary  8  )ciety.  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  as 
iissistant  and  teacher,  and  was  tlie  first  member  of  the  Mission  family  on  the 
'ground.  Rev.  Samuel  Tate,  of  ISIcrcer,  Pa.,  was  ai)pointed  Superintendent 
pro  tern.,  remained  six  months,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  LudovicuB  Rob- 
liins.  Mr.  U.  remained  about  two  years,  and  was  dismissed  at  his  own 
request,  on  account  of  failing  health.  Mr.  Van  Tassel  taught  the  scliool  and 
pursued  his  theological  studies,  sijendin','  one  winter  with  llcv.  O.  H.  Cowles, 
D.D,  of  Austinburg,  ().  In  18'2(>  Mr.  Van  Tassel  was  licensed  and  ordained 
liy  the  Huron  Presbytery  ;  he  remained  a  member  of  that  Presbytery  until  the 
>lau.mee  Presbytery  was  formed,  of  which  he  remained  a  mend)er  until  \\U 
death,  March  2,  184i>.  He  died  smldenl}',  having  been  thrown  fronj  his  hors<' 
and  instantly  kilhul,  on  his  way  from  <}ilead,  (now  Grand  Rapids,)  to  our 
liome  in  Plain.  He  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Maumee  Mission  in 
1826,  at  which  time  the  Missi<m  was  transfered  to  the  A.  H.  C  F.  M.  He 
served  in  that  capacity  until  the  Mission  was  abandoned,  in  consefiiience  of  tlic 
removal  of  the  Indians,  in  18:54. 

I  was  born  in  Blaudford^  Mass.,  Jan.  U),  1794.  My  maiden  name  waa  Lucia 
Miidger.  My  father,  Rev.  Joseph  Batigcr,  was  then  pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  that  town.  In  1800  he  was  apj)ointed  by  the  Connecticut, 
Missionary  Society,  Missionary  to  New  Connecticut,  (now  Western  Reserve) 
in  the  Ohio  Territory,  and  in  1803  removed  his  family  to  Austinburg,  Ashta- 
liula,  Co.,  ().  I  was  married  in  Ashtabula,  O.,  to  Rev.  Isaac  Van  Tassel,  Sep. 
17,  1823.  We  went  immediately  to  Pittsburg,  where  we,  with  others,  were 
organized  into  a  Mission  family.     We  landed  at  Maumee,  Oct.  27,  1823. 

Mr.  Van  Tassel  repaired  immediately  to  the  site  of  the  mission-house;  found 
the  body  of  a  lu^wn  log  cabin  erected,  16  x  61),  and  went  to  work  to  prepare  it 
for  the  reception  of  the  family,  consisting,  then,  of  V,i  m(!ml)ers  and  some  hired 
help.  As  there  were  no  inhabitants  mar,  his  only  bed  was  a  board,  and  his 
rovering,  his  overcoat.  November  fi,  tiie  remainder  of  the  family  arrived,  and 
the  men  all  went  to  the  station,  to  work  on  the  house.  As  there  were  no  boats 
coming  into  the  Maumee  river,  we  were  obliged  to  cross  the  Lake  in  small 
schooners,  chartered  for  the  purpose.  November  26,  the  family  met  at  the 
nussion-house,  to  commence  oui  labors  among  the  poor  Ottawas.  Our  Mission 
family  consisted  of  Rev.  Samuel  Tate,  wife  and  son ;  Rev.  Alvan  Coe  and  wife ; 
Isaac  Van  Tassel  and  wife;  Lcander  Sacket  (farmer)  and  wife;  John  Mc- 


666 


The  Prexhyteriiin  Mission — 18-2-2. 


Pherrin,  fcariu'iitcr;)  H(mi)?ht,  (hlackHniilli ;)  Miss  Siiltinii  Strvcns  und  Miss 
Hannali  Rigps. 

Oiir  school  conMnenccd  llic  wliitiT  following,',  with  iil)()iil,  halt'  a  dozen 
Hcholars,  and  increased  tiniciiflcr  linie  till  we  iininhcrcd  T)(\ ;  hut  they  i)ro!)al)lv 
woiihi  not  avenij^e  over  ;iO,  uh  tiicy  were  very  iinstciidy  in  their  altendiinee. 

Mrs.  Backet  (Jomnienced  the  Hciiool,  and  tiin;.'iit  a  few  weeks;  it  was  suhm 
f|ueiitly  tauj,'ht  liy  dill'erent  inenihers  ol'  the  liia.iiv.  1  liin>;iit  one  year;  tiic  le 
niaiuder  ot  my  time  was  devoted,  (when  not  eonlined  hy  Hiekness,)  to  domestii 
avocations,  and  the  study  '^f  the  Indian  lan^uaji:e,  in  wliicii  I  liad  made  con 
siderahlc  proficiency.  It,  would  have  heen  far  more  a;:recal»le  to  my  wishes  to 
spend  my  time  in  studyiuf^  the  lan^jjnage,  and  inslriictin^;  adidt  n.Jivc  ienuiles, 
than  otherwise.  Uiil  this  was  not  the  plan  of  our  mission;  our  inslrnctions 
were,  to  collect  all  the  nativcchildren  wecould  into  the  school  and  teach  them 
pjiijlish.  These  Inid  to  ho  fcil  and  clothed  ;  conse(iuently  little  would  he  done 
to  elevate  the  adult  natives.  They  were  not,  however,  entirely  ncfjlected 
Mr.  Robhins  and  Mr.  Van  Tassel  visited  them  in  their  villages,  and  preached 
to  them  through  an  intcri)reter,  and  Ihey  were  urged  to  adopt  habits  of  indu.- 
try,  and  a  better  style  of  living,  which  they  did  in  .some  instances.  But  the 
good  which  the  missionaries  had  hoped  to  accomplish  was  often  frustrated 
through  the  opposititm  of  the  Indian  traders,  who  made  eveiy  ellbrt  to  keep 
iheni  intoxicated  as  much  aspossiljle.  To  civilize  ami  Christianize  the  Indians 
would  be,  to  deprive  them  of  their  unrighteous  gains.  It  has  been  said  thai 
the  Maumec  Mission  was  a  failure: — If  the  hopeful  conversion  of  about  thirtv 
souls,  and  the  triumphant  deaths  of  at  least  nine  of  these,  who  were  known  to 
the  missionaries  to  have  died  trusting  in  the  Saviour,  besides  much  seed  ^-own, 
the  result  of  which  can  only  be  known  in  the  light  of  eternity,  was  not  worth 
Hie  few  thousands  expended  there,  then  might  the  mission  be  called  a  failure 
The  Indians  were  at  lirst  shy  and  distrustful  ;  they  could  not  believe  that  while 
peoi)lc  intended  them  any  good.  As  they  became  acquainted,  however,  thc\ 
were  very  friendly,  and  never  gave  us  any  trouble  by  stealing  or  cimimiting 
any  dei)redation.  They  wvyq  always  grateful  for  any  favors  bestowed  on  them 
by  the  missionaries.  A  mother  once  came  to  the  station  to  beg  a  water-melon 
for  her  sick  son;  she  gratefully  received  it,  and  the  next  lime  she  called 
brought  us  a  (puintity  of  nicely  dried  whortleberries,  for  which  she  refused  any 
comi)ensation  ;  other  similar  incidents  are  within  my  recollection.  In  the 
fall  of  1826,  a  young  Indian  came  to  the  station,  Baying  that  his  friends  had  all 
gone  for  their  winter's  hunt,  and  left  him  behind,  because  he  was  sick  and 
could  not  travel;  Ire  appeared  nearly  gone  with  consumption;  he  begged  tn 
lie  taken  in  and  permitted  to  sleep  by  the  lire  in  the  children's  room,  and  to 
cat  what  they  might  leave.  While  his  strength  lasted,  he  was  anxious  to  make 
himself  useful,  and  would  cheerfully  otl'er  to  do  any  little  chores  which  he  felt 
able  to  do;  but  he  was  soon  eonlined  to  his  beil.  lie  gladly  received  instruc- 
tion throngh  the  interpreter,  and  some  of  the  larger  boys,  who  had  hopefully 
become  pious,  often  prayed  with  him.  We  never  carried  him  a  dish  of  tood  or 
a  cup  of  cold  water  without  receiving  his  emphatic  "  icavanu\  wauanee," 
(tl:auk  you,  thank  you.)  He  died  apparently  happy,  trusting  in  the  Saviour. 
There  are  many  reminiscences  of  the  mission,  interesting  to  me,  which  might 
not  seem  so  to  others.  If  you  think  the  above  satisfactory  and  wish  me  to 
continue,  I  will  answer  any  questions  you  may  propnsc. 

V"ur«  Llcia  li.  Van  Tahski,. 


Mai;.mee  City,  Jan.  17, 187;J. 

lus.'-         arm  was  situated  nine  miles  above  Fori 

telO'     .licad,  (Grand  Kapids.)    It  included  the  east 

quarter  section  lying  on  the  Maumec  river  at  the 

..  The  large  island  opposite,  and  extending  down  to  the 

length  and  half  a  mile  in  width,  also  belonged  to  the 

mission  farm.  "The  semon  on  the  main  land  was  dinsely  covered  with  large 


H.  S.  Kn^ 
Meigs,  and  tL 
half  section 
mouth  of  Tonlugany  en 
lower  rapids,  H  miles 


.oUi.  ' 
south-v 


1 


2he  J^reabyterian  Misaion — 182i'. 


667 


tfvnis  anrl  Miss 


iimhor,  ami  pari  of  the  island.  On  the  iipixr  end  was  nimiit  40  acres  withont 
iiinl»er,  which  was  inunodiiitcly  cultivated.  A  two  story  t'nunti  lioiiso,  still 
.landing,  was  liuilt  on  the  bunk,  liclow  tin;  mouth  of  the  creek,  on  the  west 
lide  of  the  road,  and  a  lar^e  orciiiird,  rai.Mcd  from  the  seed  by  the  missionaries, 
nas  8Ct  out  on  the  side  hill  south  of  the  house;  all  the  mission  buildings 
except  the  framed  house  have  been  removed.  The  i)resent  owners  and  occu- 
pants of  the  lurm  are  two  i)rothers,  (leorge  and  Thonjas  Vunl.  The  location 
of  the  mission  was  |»rol)ably  as  healthy  as  any  on  the  jManmee  river.  At  that 
lime  the  family  sullered  much  from  sickness,  incident  to  the  elinmte,  and  other 
diseases  which  followed;  and,  in  four  years,  nearly  all  of  the  original  mem 
ljer<i  had  left.  The  labour  afterward  was  mostly  performed  by  hired  help. 
The  missionaries  likewise  sullered  the  second  year  for  want  of  proper  food. 
Our  iirst  year's  supply  was  exhau-sttid.  We  were  informed  that,  there  was 
flour  for  us  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania;  but  navigation  had  closed,  and  there  was 
no  road  through  which  a  team  could  pass  within  thirty  miles.  Nothing  but 
corn  could  be  procured,  and  that,  for  want  of  a  mill  to  grind  it,  had,  for  some 
weeks,  to  be  eaten  whole.  No  vegetables  could  be  obtained,  no  potatoes,  not 
'  ven  for  seed.  We  were  told  thai  "  potatoes  would  not  grow  on  Maunice," 
but  the  third  spring  a  ves.sel  came  into  the  river  laden  with  potatoes  ;  Mr.  Van 
Tassel  went  down  and  bought  40  bushels,  and  \\^'  never  afterwards  wanted 
for  potatoes 

Some  time  in  Novend)er,  182:1,  all  the  fenude  members  of  the  family  being 
sick,  a  young  woman,  living  a  few  miles  down  the  river,  was  engaged  to  assist 
a  few  weeks,  and  Samuel  Holmes,  a  half  Indian  boy,  8  years  old,  was  sent 
flown  with  a  horse  for  her;  he  told  her  he  chose  to  walk  back,  and  would 
leave  the  horse  lor  her  to  ride,  \\\w\\  she  was  ready.  The  girl  came,  but  the 
boy  had  not  come  home;  it  was  thought  he  might  have  loitered  on  the  way  to 
(gather  hickory  nuts,  as  they  were  very  plenty."  >!ight  came  and  he  did  not 
make  his  appearance ;  the  family  becamt;  alarmed  and  sent  around  to  the 
Indian  camps,  but  no  one  had  seen  him.  A  message  was  sent  to  his  father, 
who  lived  below  the  mouth  of  the  river,  who  came  and  brought  an  Indian 
with  him.  They  searched  through  the  woods,  and  visited  every  Indian  camp 
tlM.'y  could  find,  but  could  hear  nothing  of  him.  All  ho;:e  was  relinquished  of 
fimling  him,  when  a  report  came  that  some  Indians  had  found  a  child  in  the 
woods  and  brought  it  to  Findlay.  His  father  and  companion  started  imuicdi- 
nlely  for  that  place,  and  about  twenty  miles  from  the  station,  met  Samuel 
walking  slowly,  supporting  himself  with  a  slick  in  each  hand.  When  asked 
where  he  was  going,  he  said  he  was  going  home  to  the  station,  that  he  had 
iKien  lost  in  the  woods  a  long  time,  and  had  lived  on  nuts;  but  for  two  days 
had  been  in  a  swamp,  wliere  he  could  find  none,  and  he  was  almost 
■starved.  Twenty-one  days,  he  had  subsisted  on  nuts.  Thei-e  seemed  a  special 
providence  in  his  being  found  on  that  day,  as  he  must  have  perished  soon  with 
cold  and  hunger.  The  children  were  generally  docile  and  affectionate  to  their 
teachei-s  and  each  other,  though  from  different  tribes.  Disturbances  seldom 
occurred  among  them,  and  they  learned  as  fast  as  children  in  general. 

Yours  respectfully, 

LrciA  B.  Van  Ta.^sei.. 


\an  Tasski,. 


,  Jan.  17, 187;i. 


Academy  of  Our  Lady  of  the  Sacrsd  Heart. 


jNKA^Xt    Foil    A>'A."V 'IVIU,    1>I>. 


This  lastitJtion,  witli  its  Ueli;;lilfnl  locntiou,  and  modorii  iiuinovuiiu'iUH,  is  under  llir 
direction  of  an  Order  of  Teachurs  wlio  liavo  become  widely  popular  from  tlifir  success  in  the 
iuitructioD  of  youuR  ladies  in  many  of  ilie  llrsi-class  inijtitulions  tlirouKliout  tlie  Union, 

It  is  easy  of  access,  situated  five  miles  nortii  of  Fort'Wayne,  boin^  only  twenty  minuies 
ride  from  ttiat  city  on  ttie  Jaclison  and  Sagiiiaw  R.  U.,  and  two  miles  east  of  Wullon  Station 
on  tbe  Grand  Kapida  Kail  way. 

The  Scholastic  Tear  Commencing  the  First  Monday  in  September, 

Is  divided  into  two  sessions  of  five  months  each.  Tlio  course  of  Sliu'y  is  thomuirli  ami 
t'xtensive,  embracing,  besides  the  elementary  branches.  Botnnv.  Asironomv,  Clieuiistis. 
the  higher  mathematics,  Belles-J  ottres,  &r.  NO  EXTKA  CHAUGE  FOIt  KUENCII,  ii  hi  • 
luu  the  language  spoken  in  the  '  icinity.    Particulnr  aitenliou  paid  to  Music, 

The  Discipline  is  mild,  batC'>udncted  with  such  viifilance  and  energy  as  to  secure  pcrrtci 
order  and  rejiularity.  The  youny  ladies  are  keptwitiiiu  a  lineof  ditv  more  by  a  sense  of 
honor  and  justice  than  by  fear  of  punishment.  They  become  the  children  of  the  house,  ilir 
Sisters  watcbiuj^  over  their  interests  with  the  solicitude  of  a  mother. 

TJie  Table  of  Honor,  weekly  notes,  monthly  tickets,  semi-annuiil  p.xaminations,  and  bul 
letins,  are  some  of  the  means  made  use  of  to  excite  in  llio  minds  of  tlic  pupils  ino  Une  nf 
study,  and  to  reward  the  dill^'ent. 

Pupils  are  received  at  all  times,  their  session  commeneiny  wiili  date  of  elIti•allC(^  l';i>- 
ments  required  half-yearly  in  advance.  Non-Catholics  received,  mid  only  re'|iiired  to  af>si-i 
with  decorum  at  the  public  religious  exercises. 

TKKMS  i'KR  SKSSTON- 
Hoard  iiuil  luitiou,      .......  ^»i5 

Wimhind  «""'  Ifeddhiif,      .......  lO 

.Husle,  »« 

..Vodern  J^nnyHn(/es,'enr/i,  '  .  ....  I" 

Latin,  ........       lO 

Draivliiff  and  Paintinu  in    ilntrr   fulorx,  .  .  .  10 

I'aintintj  in  Oil,  .30 

Hoard  in   f'nc(ition,\tii'o  nioiitli.i,  .....  30 

Artljicial  Flovccr  l.,rsaotts,  .      J'i 

Artificial  Jb'ruit  and  hvatlni'   Hoc/.,  .../'■; 

REfiUiiATiON  'for  Wakdbobk— Four   towels,  four   napkins,  f;)ni-    eli:iiiL;eB   of    linen,  en 
firpssing  jjown,  two  pairs  of  shoes,  one  pair  of  rubbers,  lal)K'  fer\  Ic  >    an<lii>itel  set . 

f3'~For  further  particulars  Addres^.'^ 


Box,    1618. 


.SISTKk  .SI'1M':RI()K, 

Fort  Wayne,  Iml 


m 


aSO.  J.  E.  MAYER  k  F.  VOIROL, 

4  i3r  'Mm  "^^KF  1B[  XLji  3EI  WL 


Opposttr  First  and  Fort  Wayiio  Xational  Banks.  FOUT  WAYNE,  IND. 


-:o: 


We  keep  the  only  accurate  time  in  this  cily,  for  all  Kailroada  running  out  of  Fort  Wayne 
'•Sun"  time  can  be  had  fnmi  our  ship  Ciironometer.      Transit  obskrvationp  taken  every 
noon  and  night.      Those  who  have   Fine  Watches  and'aio  anxious  to  know  and  s»cc  how  ac- 
curately they  run,  can  do  so  by  calling  at  our  Store.    It  will  altord  us  t  eaaure  to  set  and  rcsrn- 
hite  all  Watches  accurately  and  gratuitously. 


d  Heart. 


iiii'iili',   is   under  llif 
1  ihi'ii-  succusg  in  the 
Hout  tlie  Union. 
Diily  twiMity  miniiles 
ist  of  Wullon  Slatidii 

in  September, 

idy  is  tlioniimli  and 
trmiomv,  Oliciiiistrv 
OH  FKliNCU,  itlii. 

rtllHiC, 

y  as  to  secure  perfect 
s'  moro  hy  a  souse  (if 
Ireu  of  111!'  lioiisi.',  tlio 

iuniiimtion?,  iiiid  bill 
tlic  pupils  luu  love  (if 

tc  of  entrance.  Taj- 
iily  ri''iuirod  to  assiM 


fio 

Hi 

.      'iR 

in 

to 

to 

•JO 

:io 

.     I'i 

t'i 

aiiL;e»   of   linoii,  en 

dloilot  spt . 

'.RIOK, 

n-t  Wayne,  InH 

On 


t 


SVAYNE,  IND. 


I  out  of  Fort  Waynr 
vATioN?  takeu  every 
mow  and  sec  how  ar- 
isuro  to  set  and  rosn- 


